Race to Recovery

India was grappling with the COVID19 explosion in April 2021. India in general and Delhi in particular was a Covid-19 war zone. It was wreaking havoc on every family, straining the system and leaving people helpless. Extreme scarcity of hospital beds, doctors, nursing, basic facilities, medicines, and lifesaving medicines was a reality that one had to grapple with.

We are a family that is geographically dispersed in 5 locations across continents. The hub of our family is in Delhi where my parents aged above 75, with comorbidities, and a 100% challenged brother age 53 stay. Covid-19 struck all three of them in-spite of all necessary protocols put in place. Though fully vaccinated, my father’s state was most critical followed by mother and brother.

Our parents and brother were in eye the of the storm. The race to recovery was the primary objective. We knocked doors of friends and relatives in Delhi for help. Virtually all doors had a sign posted “Beware Covid-19 infected person inside”.  While we grew worried from a distance, In the darkness of this night, in the faint moon light, our parents were in a moment of discovery. The most unexpected happened from most unexpected people. Help came knocking at our doors from a friend (Abhay), his wife (Radhika) and my uncle (Gen A K Bakshi) who is a retired General from the Indian Army.

Immediately, as a first step a Family Support Group was set to assess the situation and plan the next steps. Decisions had to be made fast as time was an essence. They instantly unleashed all their administrative machinery and contacts to set up 2 medical care units at our parents’ home. They organised the Doctor, expeditious investigations, nursing staff, critical medicines, Oxygen and the works. Keeping a 24x7 watch on my mother’s and Brother’s care. They took this additional responsibility while grappling with their own challenges at home.

My father who’s situation was not encouraging had to be admitted in the hospital. In spite of his visit to the hospital, he was not admitted as priority was given to others in more critical condition. It was nightmare and we had to find a way to get him access to good medical care at a war footing, Gen Bakshi my uncle with great difficulty and requesting many, organised a bed for our father in a armed forces hospital. An impossible feat in the war like zone. Connecting with doctors, sharing medical updates and ensuring our father received good attention. He stood guard and kept a watchful eye on my father’s care, while we were in constant touch with all to extend what ever little support we could sitting far away.

Technology played an important role as we were continuously monitoring the vitals that were being uploaded on the family support group so that immediate actions could be taken to be on top of the situation. It was not only treating at home, but arrangement were made for cleaning, cooking and this made me realise that how much our welfare is dependent on others. Naushad our Nursing Assistant; Pawan the boy next doors who managed the entire kitchen; Kailash who took care of my handicap brother and cleaned the entire house and many others who were involved behind the scenes by extending all support by standing in long queues and going to pillar to post to organise oxygen required, plus those, those who supported relentlessly by helping us with refilling of oxygen cylinders, the concentrators at home or various pathological tests that were required frequently, including X-ray’s that were done at home.

These narratives of mine sound as simple as written, however I still grapple with vocabulary to describe behind the scenes complexities, challenges, conviction, care, and urgency required to get treatment administered. Safety of those in need and those helping, risk of unimaginable magnitudes, restrictions, scarcity of time, fulfilment of “Need now” requirements etc had to be managed. It would require a very discerning person to understand the undercurrent, which I miserably fail to describe in this note. 

Life changed for many in these unprecedented times and I remain indebted  to many, I am grateful to many who unconditionally came forward at the most unexpected time to help us. This story is of a family which remains grateful to such people. They are as rare as the Haileys Comet, you cross their path, but only circumstances of crisis alone reveal their inner values. While my parents and brother suffered from the traumatic experience. We brothers were not with our parents in the time of their dire need.

There were many â€œWhat if ? moments” which our parents grappled with and so did the rest of the family. These were Nerve Wrecking, Emotionally Distressing.  The effort of many to support us in these times is the reason we rejoice today. Fortunately, my Parents and Brother have recovered and are on their way to regain lost physical strength and stamina. 

I was thinking about how to give a tribute to these wonderful people and I could not find a better way, but to pen it down and share this story to express our sincere Gratitude and a BIG THANK YOU! to all those who came forward with their  love, affection and support during the difficult times.