Kidney, Dialysis, Transplant and Me: 12

Chapter 12

II Sri Sainathay Namah II

The beginning of the year 2021 is a positive turning point!

At the end of the year 2020, It was decided by my Nephrologist Dr. Bharat Shah, to have a procedure, to test my liver. According to it, was admitted to the hospital. But I was having a hard time breathing. When I was taken to the operating theater for procedure, I was still suffering from it. The supporting staff in the operation theater was really supportive. I was laid on the operating table and I was covered with green clothes, all around.

I was told to turn my neck to left side. I was having difficulty in breathing, a lot, so I was taking the mask down a bit. The young doctor, who was performing the liver procedure, was enraged. I had an idea that, I had to be careful in Covid's time. But there was no sensitivity in that doctor to understand my condition. He was just shouting. At that moment, my patience was running out. Because I only knew what was going on with me about breathing. But, the doctor was just scratching at me without realizing my difficulty.

At that moment, not so good thoughts about my life, were coming to mind that never came. But the faces of my wife and daughter came to the fore. Remembering my faith in the God, I calmed down and began to control my breathing.

After the procedure was started, it was noticed that the doctor who was about to perform my liver procedure as mentioned and his name was also on the documents; he was not performing the procedure himself, but he let another young lady doctor present to do the procedure.

He was instructing her. At one point, he shouted at her, "What are you doing? If something happened, what would we do?" I had noticed that I was being guinea piged here, as well. But there was no option to me. After the liver procedure, I was taken back to my room. I was discharged on December 30.

I am always giving the right feedback to this hospital. Because from its headquarters, I was getting a very good response as a customer and has been getting it ever since. I am sincerely thankful to the concern authority.

But, after this procedure, my wife was frightened and asked me to write well in the feedback form. Because, within a month, I was undergoing kidney transplant surgery and from previous experiences of other hospital, she was worried.

With great diligence, by requesting the relatives for the necessary signatures, we completed all the necessary documents. All necessary medical tests were completed. And after the official interview, I was allowed kidney transplant surgery. The doctor gave us the option of dates, of which we chose February 2, 2021.

On the same day of interview, we had an official meeting with Urologist Dr. Jagtap. In it, he gave an idea of the advantages and disadvantages of this surgery. I, once again, asked him about the danger to my elder brother Satishdada (who was going to give me a kidney). The doctor then reassured us with the right information. My younger brother, Sachin, was present at that interview and meeting.

On January 31, 2021, Satishdada and I were admitted to Global Hospital. We didn’t get our usual room on the thirteenth floor. There was little space to get the room on 13th floor, so we were given a room on the eleventh floor. But I did not like the cleanliness of the place, so we moved to the thirteenth floor after a short time, by request.

We were told to stop eating and drinking from the night of February 1 [NBM: Nothing By Mouth]. The morning of February 2 dawned and we were taken to the operating theater. On the way out, I, My brother and my wife and daughter prayed to the Lord. Chanting of God (Naam smaran) was continuous. In two different places in the operation theater, we were taken to bed. My brother's kidney was to be surgically removed in one place, and it was to be brought to my operating table with the right care, and implanted in the right place in my body.

Since Dr. Jagtap performed the testicular operation in a very impeccable manner, I was looking for his face. But Dr. Jagtap was nowhere to be seen. Before finally giving me anesthesia, I demanded that I want to see Dr. Jagtap. Shortly after, Dr. Jagtap came and said, "I am with your brother in the operating theater and I will come for your surgery after the procedure is completed." After getting that promise, I was ready to accept anesthesia.

When I woke up, I was starting to feel like urinating. That's when, I told the doctors, nurses and other staff around the table, "I want to urinate." Then a happy smile spread on everyone's face. He said, "The catheter is inserted. You can urinate." After hearing the name of the catheter, I was shocked for a few seconds. Because the incident that happened in the previous hospital, was still in the memory. But while urinating, I noticed that the catheter was inserted properly.

Shortly afterwards, I was shifted to the renal ICU. I was placed on a bed to the left of the door. Front wall, glass-paneled window on the right, and curtains on the left and back; Such was the arrangement.

On February 2, I was almost drowsy due to anesthesia. Then slowly, I started gaining consciousness, and it was noticed, that the passage entering through the door was for passers-by. Beyond him, on the left hand side, on the very first bed was my elder brother Satishdada. By the grace of the Lord he was well.

My health, however, was slowly deteriorating. The next seven days, almost a week, the doctors were also worried. Bharat Shah and his Nephrology team had continued all their efforts unceasingly. I had a urine catheter down, a tube was inserted inside the abdomen at the site of the kidney on the right side. The liquid substance, coming out of that tube, was accumulating in the attached bag.

Brothers and sisters were noting it down;

How much water I drink and how much I urinate in twenty-four hours, and how much fluid accumulates in that bag. In addition to that, a tube was then inserted into my body through my nose.

I didn't like the unhealthy food there. Diet meals can also be tasty, which was not known to local food makers, in the hospital cafeteria. Almost all patients, were getting the food (breakfast, meals and snacks) which was supposed to be given to diabetes patients. And no one turned up from the dietitian department. I had lost weight and it came down to 53 Kg only. Two days before the discharge, the assistant dietitian visited. But there was no difference in the food. The day before the discharge, the chief dietitian came to visit.

At the same time, ShivSena leader Shri Dagdu Sapkal (whose office is in the same hospital) also came to meet me. He carefully discussed with me. As a political advisor, I had conducted a 'Public Speaking Training camp' for the ShivSena's all district chiefs at Shivalaya. At that time, on the concluding day, Hon'ble Shri. Dagdu Sapkal, along with other senior leaders, had come and delivered a powerful speech. I loved that speech. Grabbing that thread, we had a good discussion.

After he left, the chief dietitian explained the diet plan to me and my daughter (who had only been inside for a couple of minutes). But the dietitian had no flexibility. Even today, I have never met an expert dietitian like Mrs. Preeti Arolkar who is sensitive, realistic, and seeks alternatives within the framework of needs.

My wife and daughter, when I was admitted to the renal ICU, could not meet me for eight days. No one was allowed to meet me.

My elder brother Satishdada was discharged in three days and he returned to our house. On the way, he met me and, as usual, gave me words of patience.

In the meantime, I started having hemorrhoids. At that time, I experienced different natures of ward boys (maama) who were there to help. Some served patiently and wholeheartedly, while others acted arrogantly, and few took advantage of the situation and tortured.

The brothers and sisters in the renal ICU were amazing. Head brother was very experienced. In particular, Sham and Swapnil, the two brothers; and Jenny and Aslath, the two sisters; all four were excellent in their job. The four had a very good confluence of approach and skill. Swapnil's smiling nature, Sham's humility, Jenny's constantly joyful conversation, Asalath's concentration; and along with the sensitivity, skills and passion of these four towards the patients is commendable.

On February 10, I was discharged. When I got home at night, I was about to crash into the door. Because I had no strength in my legs and no energy in my body. The next week I was in the isolation in our master bedroom. My health was constantly deteriorating.

Yours,

Bipin Mayekar

Prevention is better than cure