Dear God,
That Gentleman is my father, my Appa. As you are aware, he suffered that fall that fateful day owing to low blood sugar levels. I rush to the site. It is pitiable to see Appa lying by the closed shutter of a shop on the pavement. The blood on his head makes me even more nervous. Actually, I turn numb. Voices around me are advising that we shouldn't have let him go alone, some suggesting that I call 108, some pressing me to take him home. But in a moment, I gather myself and wake him up. He cannot speak! He looks around and at me utterly confused. I coax him to talk, he mutters something! He refuses to recognize me. In fact, he shrugs me off. I quickly hail an auto and rush to the Hospital.
I still recall a cousin's death due to Asphyxia sometime ago. Although we were told it was sudden, truth is, she had a history before that tragic night, one that we were not aware of. Her husband couldn't do anything to help her because finances were modest. He also chose not to call us because he had sought our help on multiple occasions previously and didn't want to bother us anymore. Now that is seriously pathetic - not to be able to save someone owing to lack of money, isn't it? It feels terrible.
Anyway, there were quite a few significant learnings out of Appa's episode. Top on the list is the keyword INSURANCE. Honestly, I never thought of insurance as an investment (not monetarily, mind you), as a life-saving investment. God, that may not always save lives but it does take away the pressing tension of bills that result out of hospitalization, medicines, tests.... It is a weird dichotomy to fight illness with no money in hand. Getting back to Appa, he is discharged from the Hospital and thankfully, his small savings come handy to pay for the 48-hour IP bills.
Three days into recovery, he complains of pain around the rib cage. The consulting doctor recommends several tests - Cholesterol, TMT, Echo etc. A cardiologist notices a halt in the graph and to rule out eventualities, prescribes some more tests. Hospitals today operate for Business and therapy (definitely and only in that order). So if the Hospital knows you are covered, that means an eternal stay in the Hospital. In Appa's case, we had to press the Doctors to relieve him sooner because he had no coverage. Another trick up their sleeves at Hospitals, "No discharge on Sundays" ensures an extra day's squeeze out of the patients. The consulting Doctor puts in a word and relieves Appa.
So, Learning # 2: Read a lot. Be aware of ailments, diseases, infections etc. The reading is not to show off, not to contest the knowledge of Doctors but to be prepared. Yet again, thanks to you and your blessings, it turns out to be an injury from that terrible fall. The pain has subsided but does present itself at times when he exerts.
The Grocery store owner tells me that Appa was smoking before he lost his presence of mind. That is a sticky situation to deal with, especially if someone sneaks out to smoke. Not as if we hadn't pushed him enough not to, he didn't seem to get it. I had stopped urging him, figured it had to come from within. Anyway, last but the most significant lesson, know and take care of yourself. It is important to understand what your body can take and what it cannot. Past your prime, the only asset you have is your life. As it is, there are various challenges to deal with. Health issues only aggravate it.
The episode was more than eye-opener. Dear God, you have always helped me silently. You are the best Teacher.
Thank you.
