Those Nine Days

I chose to write on this subject for a reason. In my 71 years of life

I have never suffered so badly in health as between 23rd August to

31st August.By the grace of God, I was almost saved from

virtual death.

 

I had gone to see cricket test match at the Oval,Surray on Monday 22nd

August.I had to change two trains while going to the Oval and three

trains while coming from the Oval. Though I was able to climb the steps

without difficulty, I felt very tired when I started walking from the Rayners Lane

Station. It takes about 15 minutes to cover the distance from the station

to the residence. I found this 15 minutes walk very exasperating on that day.

The very next day,around 6 p.m.,I started getting unmanageable shivering and

fever. As it continued overnight, we went to consult a Doctor at NHS

(National Health Service) Walking Clinic. The Doctor was one Mrs Bala from

Coimbatore. After examining,she prescriped Amoxicilin (500) mg to be taken thrice daily.

The fever continued relentlessly. I started getting severe dysentry and after three days of

the medicine, I stopped the same.The fever continued unabated,followed by dysentry

and urination problems. I started getting up atleast ten times every day

in the night for either passing motion or urine.

 

I had a very bad night on 29th August. I was not able to pass urine. The next day, we decided

to go to a private hospital. Bala and Neema took me to Clementine Churchil hospital

in Harrow. We proceeded to emergency services where I was given drips. The hospital

also took some blood tests, scan of the abdomen etc. Initially, they said they

would treat me as an out patient. In the evening,I was admitted to a room.What followed on

30th and 31stAugust is an experience I will never forget.

 

Most of the nursing staff at the hospital are from Nigeria. I am not sure that they are as well trained

as some  of the Kerala nurses.When they found out that my sugar level was

high, they tried to bring dowqn the same by administering insulin intravenously.

With this, sugar level came down to ridiculously low levels creating sweating,

uneasiness,gasp for breadth etc. My whole bed became wet with my swet.

My wife pointed this out to the Head Nurse. She immediately stoped insulin,offered me

some orange juice and started administering glucose. Sugar level again went up high.

This drama of alternating sugar level from high to low levels was repeated again

in the night,but this time with almost disastrous consequences.

 

I almost blanked out, gasping for breadth. I felt as if I had reached the Gates of

Heaven(or Hell). and that I was being denied entry by the Gate Keeper--as if to

suggest that it was not time yet for me to reach there. There is a belief that hospitals

kill 50 percent and save 50 percent. After my experience at this hospital,I began to

subscribe to this belief.. I was given Ciprofloxacin(500 mg) -two tablet to be taken every day.

I am recovering slowly. We pointed out the blunder to the visiting Doctor the next day. He was angry with

Nursing Staff and I returned from the hospital thanking God for HIS kindness and mercy

 

My daughter Neema and son-in-law Bala took good care of me. The concern and care shown

by Bala was remarkable.

 

I am now fully convinced that the best place to live after retirement and in old age

is INDIA. The very thought that medical attention is on hand readily available is

comforting.