Monthly Musings : Dec -21 Another year flies by

 

Monthly Musings : Dec -21 Another year flies by

The last month of the year and the Covid-19 still rages in different variants. This month Manas had his second last qtly chemo in maintenance period. We assumed it will be an easy sail through but this chemo caused lot of pain for him, firstly the lumbar had to be pricked multiple times and later Manas had severe body pain. Twice we rushed to hospital but Dr Shobha said it is expected, we were contemplating PET Scan but then Manas got better and we decided to do it later. This month Manas also got his 2^nd shot of Covaxin vaccine. We went and watched the 83 movie, a great cricket movie and something which we all thoroughly enjoyed. Manas also went with his close friends to see Spiderman. Being festive season this month was holidays and breaks and Manas spent time researching what he wants to do. His book is now ready and we plan to go to hospital and take snaps with the team to be included in the book. The year ended and hope 2022 brings a new pandemic free living. Wish all just a healthy new year.

Monthly Musings : Nov -21 Journey of 24 months

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Monthly Musings : Nov -21 Journey of 24 months

Nov 30^th 2019 was the day Manas was operated and the cancer was detected. This year it will be 2 years and cant believe that we have come so far. It is like climbing that peak and when you look from below when you start the walk it is overwhelming but later when you look down you cant believe you have scaled so much. This is the exact feeling we have. The pandemic also seems to have become one of team members. Manas had his unit test exams and he is doing fine. Now that he has become an adult, he has started learning how to drive a car and got his learner licenses, I take him out for a trial drive couple of days a week. We also had to get his PAN Card, bank account and Aadhar changed and all is in process. Manas had his cardiac follow up and the great news was his Wyamada tablet was stopped, this was a a big relief, to celebrate we went out to eat. The enthusiasm did not help as next day Manas has slight stomach ache and had to take tablets. Dr Shobha advised we follow same discipline. We now go into the last month of the year and hope 2023 ushers a fresh new beginning.

Monthly Musings : Oct -21 Turning A Man

 

Monthly Musings : Oct -21 Turning A Man

Oct 7^th is Manas birthday and my boy turned 18 years old, he has now become an adult. For me he had become a man 2 years ago when he showed great courage in facing one of the biggest battle of his and our lives. Manas decided to join a gym and after Dr Shobha approval he enrolled in one. His mid term exams started and he went to school. It was good to be back to normal routines. On 30^th October, we had the good fortune of meeting in person his holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar from the Art of Living. Many of our close friends and many whom we did know also had prayed with Guruji to help Manas tide over this crisis and it was such a overwhelming experience. It was emotional moment for me and Shalini while our brave son narrated his story. Guruji blessed him and also asked other devotees to clap for the boy’s bravery.  Another month over and the year comes closer to end.

Monthly Musings : Sep -21 Come September

 

Monthly Musings : Sep -21 Come September

September is time when I have my birthday and no better gift then first time Manas went out to meet his friends. It also is onset of festive season with the Ganesh festival being first of those. Manas is now back to full fledged study and 3 days a week we go for net practice. We decided to organize a T-10 tennis ball cricket tournament and asked Manas to co-ordinate. It was good fun, 5 teams participated and had a full day tournament, Manas played a match after 2 years.

Monthly Musings : Aug -21 A Year of Freedom & Giving Courage

 Monthly Musings : Aug -21 A Year of Freedom & Giving Courage

15^th Aug is celebrated as India Independence day and it was exactly a year ago when Manas chemo was over and he started on his maintenance phase. This month was his 4^th quarterly Lumbar Chemo and it went smooth. Thankfully this time the Dexa medicine did not cause major side effects. This month I had shared mine and my family’s experience on how we faced this crisis. It was a tough and emotional to share this with a wider audience but it made me courageous. Many team members appreciated this and said they gained strength. I also went and met a mother who had lost her son and could share some of my limited experience. I was hesitant initially but then felt if someone can get courage from me why not share. It was very satisfying experience. There is enough pain, misery and negativity all around and few moments of sharing and caring make a difference. Manas cricket practice is going on and I also get some more exercise on this pretext. A month of learning and sharing for me.

Monthly Musings : July -21 Back to Cricket & Facing your worst fears

 

Monthly Musings : July -21 Back to Cricket & Facing your worst fears

July has been onset of monsoon and its raining heavily. Luckily we found an indoor cricket club very close to our house. It is quite a nice place and me and Manas go to give him practice. They are open till 9 pm so going late means no crowds and also good time to spend. Manas wants to get back to his earlier shape hence we consulted his dietician who has put a diet plan for him. His 10^th results was expected this month but delayed by few days. This month posed a situation personally for me where I had to confront the worst fears that any parent goes through. Though this was not for Manas, one of my colleagues neighbour’s son who was same age as Manas was diagonised with liver failure due to post covid complications. It was heart wrenching to see the parents situation and I was avoiding reading or seeing updates about the boys condition. The boy required daily blood apart from huge financial costs. Seeing the parents updates was unbearable and I couldn’t muster courage to act because fear of loosing your loved one’s is the worst fear no parent wish to undergo. I finally felt I should not run away from this situation and go and see what best I can do. I did my bit of blood donation and help but speaking to both the parents and giving them hope was the toughest task. Everytime they spoke, I could see my helplessness in them. We all were praying for the kid to recover soon, Manas also volunteered to speak to the boy and motivate him. Unfortunately the cruel fate had other plans and the boy lost his fight. It was one of the most heart breaking news and just prayed why someone has to go through so much pain.  Sometimes one doesn’t know what to do or where to derive the strength from except to pray and belive that this too shall pass and time will be the best healer.

Monthly Musings : June -21 Quarterly Chemo & Dexa Strikes Back

 

Monthly Musings : June -21 Quarterly Chemo & Dexa Strikes Back

This month was again an extended lock down and thankfully the cases have come down. People are warning of Wave 3. This month was the quarterly chemo which is called Lumbar, Manas had his lumbar and he wanted Dr Salman his favorite doctor to give the injection as it is less painful and normally has less side effects. Dr Salman gave him the injection and Manas was absolutely fine. Dr Shobha said he is doing fine and introduced Dexa tablet for 5 days. In past whenever Manas was given Dexa it led to some or other side effect and hence this was not given in past but as Manas was coping much better she decided to give to him. Manas was not keen but reluctantly agreed. As expected Dexa did strike back and in few days Manas developed rashes and prickly heat kind of pimples. Dr Shobha advised to give him Oilatum and he was better. Later we went for follow up and his parameters were fine. Already 3 quarterly Lumbar are over. The doctor advised that in next visit we do the Echo and Pro BN test.  Manas schools are have become regular and so have his classes for Maths and Accountancy. Manas also finished the draft of his book, aptly titled as ‘It’s Not That Hard’. Me and Shalini reviewed and was very difficult reading what was going through his mind, it also re-enforced the fact that a strong will power and positive mind does wonders to body. I gave my inputs and he is planning to complete it by August. June 6^th was also the 2^nd death anniversary of my mother and we can still feel her presence, am sure she is watching over us. Cheers.

Monthly Musings : May -21 Class 11th Begins

 

Monthly Musings : May -21 Class 11^th Begins

This month was full of lockdown again and groups filled with obituaries. I lost a few distant relatives. This month Manas 11^th grade college started and it was again online classes. This has become new normal. Given the lockdown we did not venture out as there were multiple cases in the apartment. We got a small size TT table and play in my parent house which is now vacant. Manas is finding commerce interesting. Shalini is also taking her classes and is busy. The covid task force has been a fulfilling activity, we had food volunteers and prepared food for covid affected families. We were able to conduct a vaccination drive as well and 230 residents got vaccinated. Shalini got her shot at Apollo. Manas hospital visit was fine and parameters normal. His Vyamada was to be stopped after a Echo is done. Dr Shobha advised not to do the echo till the corona cases come down and asked to continue with the medicines. Manas has not started doing weights to build muscle. He is missing the outside practice of batting in nets or playing badminton, hence we now play with tennis ball inside the house. End of month cases seems to be tapering off and hope there is no 3^rd wave. We now go into the 6^th month of 2021 already. Time seems to fly.

Monthly Musings : April -21 The 2nd Wave Strikes

 Monthly Musings : April -21 The 2^nd Wave Strikes

This month has been the most heart wrenching, where the 2^nd wave of the deadly corona virus spread across the nation. Last year we heard of cases admitted and now groups are filled with obituaries. Manas board exams were cancelled which was as expected and based on internal exams marks will be given. Seeing the dire state of affairs, I took the lead to form a Covid task force in our apartment and that is giving a sense of satisfaction and helping someone in need. The situation is very bad with non-availability of beds, oxygen and medicines. The administration is trying its best but then this what happens when one is not proactive and takes care of the fundamentals. I went and took my first shot of Covi shield vaccine, Shalini hasn’t and by then there was a lock down announced. Manas routine twice a month visit continues and he is parameters were slightly varying hence the 6MP doses were increased to 11. Manas is now reading about 11^th commerce, have started teaching him abouot stock market and investments. He is now following the Chelsea club as well and at home it is IPL, football and chess that is keeping us busy. He has now perfected kneading the chappati dough and making pasta. We have started providing food couple of days a week to covid affected patients and he helps us with that. Praying that this time too shall pass and the world heals itself soon. 

Monthly Musings : March -21 End of Financial Year

 

Monthly Musings : March -21 End of Financial Year

March is month of end of financial year. The month went like a bullet. Manas gave his pre-board exams and did well, much better than his own expectations. We are grateful to Kumarans and their staff who took special care for him. This month he had his 2^nd quarterly chemo cycle of LP, post that his counts dropped and they had stop 6MP medicines for few days. We had to go to hospital every week to check his wbc counts and in 3^rd week it settled down. Manas also decided to do weights exercise and we have increased our frequency of playing badminton as well. On other hand the Corona pandemic seems to have graduated to another level and with cases on rise another lockdown looks imminent. We have not yet taken our vaccine shots and would do next month. An end of financial year for business means taking stock of the year gone by and evaluating the balance sheet comprising of assets and liabilities. For us our Balance Sheet has been great with so many assets and wealth accumulated in form of wellwishers, friends, care, facilities, support, affordability etc that it make us very humbled. Thanks you all.

Monthly Musings : February -21 A Few Days in School

 

Monthly Musings : February -21 A Few Days in School

The month seems to fly past and the covid vaccine is now given to many folks. This month Manas went to school for 4 days and it was one of the happiest moment for him. He could meet some of his friends who are still in Kumarans and in 11^th grade now. Barring a girl who has taken commerce rest all have taken science stream. This month Manas test was done and all normal. There was shortage of 6MP medicines but Dr Shobha could arrange for 15 days. Later went and got for another 10 days. Seems it happens once a while. Gave the gratitude journal to Dr Komal Prasad as well. This month we started going to DHI to play bandminton and it is a good game. Manas also ran 5km run within the apartment complex. He is preparing for his pre-board exams which start in March. Shalini completed writing the autobiography book. I also started running on weekends.  Manas was asked to bat in nets by a guy who has launched a bowling machine. Took interview of Manas and said he speaks well. Manas also participated in Helen O Grady speech competition and spoke well, the topic was ‘The India I Wish To See’. A good month and now summer sets in with March.

Monthly Musings : January -21 A Dawn of new Beginning

 

Monthly Musings : January -21 A Dawn of new Beginning

Finally a new year has set in with the good news that 2 vaccines will be made available in India. This was the most positive news for world and India. For us it was a dawn of new beginning as the year started with Manas monthly review and all his reports were normal, Dr Shobha was happy with the progress and said now she will see once a month. She also allowed that Manas can start cricket coaching but not in group, a delightful news for him. We gave the gratitude journal to her and her team, no better way than showing gratitude as so many people’s prayers were answered. I started venturing out within the apartment and also weekly run, it was so humbling to see known and unknown folks enquiring about Manas health and saying they prayed for us. We are indeed blessed to have such great well wishers around us. The cricket coach said he will start the camp from February. I started giving practice to Manas. We also started playing badminton and that is giving great flexibility to him. Another good news this month was Manas cleared his entrance test and got admission into Kumarans in Commerce Stream. Kumaran’s as an institute has been as great support as anyone, both Deepa Maam and Pushkala Maam have been motivating Manas and encouraging him. This was month when Shalini also embarked on a new experience which was to write a book a biography for one of her friends and she is really enjoying it. This month was when Gauri celebrated her 50^th birthday and her friends made it memorable for her. A month of new beginning is already over and pray for more calmer and better time for the world, it started with a new President in America.