This year was a year of realizations. I was a normal, active and healthy person. I was not into smoking, never took drinks, nor did I have any past medical history. Everything was going on well until the 26th November 2022, when I started vomiting due to hyper-acidity after a hectic schedule coupled with a lot of driving and travel over the past week. I also had a burning sensation in my back. I got admitted to Aadhar hospital, Panvel. Dr.Paradkar’s treatment there was very effective and I was discharged after four days.
While I took rest at home, after two days, I started developing stiffness in my legs and I could not move. The pain in my legs was unbearable. My Rotarian friends rushed home and took me again to Aadhar hospital. I had no symptoms, but following a few tests, I was diagnosed with pneumonia!
A little later in the ICU, I had difficulty breathing normally and I asked the sister to check and talk to the doctor. Seeing my oxygen level falling, and condition deteriorating, Dr. Paradkar immediately decided, arranged and also accompanied me in a cardiac ambulance, to shift me to Apollo hospital at CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai.
For the first time in my life, though I was conscious, I realised that I had collapsed!
Till my relatives and in laws could reach us, it was my Rotary family who came in full strength to be by our side, some helping me to be taken to hospital in the car and some accompanied my wife and son, giving them moral support. Along with a few Rotary friends, Rtn. Dr. Ranade, a very senior doctor from another Rotary club accompanied us in the ambulance, giving us moral support on the way and stayed by our side until I was safely admitted into the hospital. He was briefing the doctors there about my condition. He was truly god sent since my wife was alone with me inside the emergency ward. Dr. Ranade consoled both my wife and son and that was indeed a big support.
What surprised me was that the phones of the doctors there were continuously ringing. Many of our relatives, friends and my Rotary Club of Panvel Symphony were present in full strength outside the hospital entrance lobby, each person busy calling people known to them. That explained why the doctors were getting so many calls!
The doctors and staff wondered who I was with so many people showing concern for my well being. Thanks to my family, my Rotary Club and other friends for all their genuine concern especially at a time when we were totally helpless. The doctors and team took immediate action, put me on oxygen and shifted me to the ICU. There were so many teams of doctors who visited me from various departments like pulmonary, medicine, neurology, physiotherapy etc. who debated very seriously on the diagnosis. They finally concluded it was GBS (Gullian Barre Syndrome), a rare disorder where the body’s immune system damages the nerves, which was fortunately irreversible but takes time to heal. Unfortunately, to make matters worse, 40% of my left lung was affected with pneumonia at the same time.
I was put on immediate medication, followed with regular sessions of physiotheraphy. With the grace and blessings of our spiritual guru, and care of my family, relatives, in laws, Rotary Club members and other friends, I recovered in just two weeks and I was discharged from hospital.
With physiotherapy sessions every day at home, I am recovering my strength at a consistent pace The recovery stage is very painful. I realised that I found joy in just being able to sit up in bed without pain, being able to get up from the bed without falling, being able to walk and stand properly, being able to drink and eat without difficulty, being able to speak properly. Yes, that is how GBS can affect anyone since it damages all the muscles from the head to the feet. I felt like a grown up baby trying to learn to live life again! I am thankful to my physiotherapist who patiently handled me with a lot of care and helped me progress in my exercises, step by step.
I am very thankful to the doctors and staff of Appollo Hospital for their efficient services, my brothers and sisters in the Shree Swami Samarth Seva Marg who prayed for us, my family, in laws, cousins, uncles and aunts who were like parents to me, my extended Rotary family and friends for all their unconditional support as always in this trying period of our life.
While this attack can happen to one in a lakh, it could happen to almost anyone. Especially in an emergency situation like this, we realised the importance of having a close knit family, an extended Rotary family, close friends, our spiritual guru, His Holiness Gurumauli for his guidance, spiritual strength and support as always and our brothers and sisters at the Shree Swami Samarth Seva Marg (Dindori Pranit) who prayed for us and supported us in a trying time as this.
I urge one and all to join social organisations like Rotary and also search for your Spiritual Guru in your life who would give you unshakable faith in the almighty. I pray that each one of you has a Happy and Healthy Year ahead.
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