A month gone by

Today marks a month of hospitalization since March 26^th when Sonali drove me to the Anne Arundel Medical Center while I was suffering from 104+ fever. This has been the most tumultuous period of my life especially following the recent passing away of my Mom in Jan’19. Though the diagnosis for Leukemia was made by March 30^th, I could not fully comprehend it well enough till April 1^st (what irony –on Fool’s Day) because I had spent the previous week in a sort of fever & drug induced delirium. By then I had also been moved to the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The kaleidoscope of emotions that I have gone through since has been amazing to say the least. The first was obviously Utter Despair when the news sank in. Like most of us, we do everything to live and survive but rarely, ever, do we prepare ourselves to leave the world. There were moments of Self-Recrimination and all I could think of and kick myself for, were the myriad issues that I had continued to kick down the road for handling later. Then came the feeling of ‘Why Me’? after having led a healthy life how could this monstrous disease strike me. A little Outrage also over the seeming injustice of it all.

All this happened in the first 10-12 minutes and then I looked at the 3 women who were looking after me – our daughter Srishti, my wife Sonali and my sis Devanshi who fortuitously happened to be in USA and could stop by for a week. Their determination and resolve were like a boost of inspiration to me. I knew then that my entire life will be changed, but not shattered. I will just have to make adjustments and play with the new cards that had been dealt to me. I started of by getting both businesses organized for remote running in my absence for the next few months. I am fortunate indeed to have teams in each restaurant who can look after the operations without my physical presence and all they need is a bit of guidance and occasional correction from my side.

 

From that moment on I was galvanized into restructuring my life and its priorities. It is surprising how just one event in life can change your entire perspective of how you look at things and approach any situation. All the messages and calls from family and friends gave me the strength and made me think that with so many well wishers seeking my welfare news, I still have a purpose in life and I must give it my all to get back on my feet. As Chetna sent me the following quote from Bob Marley:
‘You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice’

So now, with six Chemo sessions over, I am holding up well and should be discharged by May 1^st. That is when the grueling schedule will begin. Starting around May 9^th I would need to be transported to the Johns Hopkins, Baltimore as many as 4 days every week. So many of you have kindly offered to pitch in during that time to either drop me at JHH or pick me up and drop me home. When being discharged the Hospital will give us a schedule for the next 6 weeks with day/date/time and the procedure with its duration. Once we get it I will post it here and then you all can see which day is convenient for you to either drop me at or pick me up from JHH. Will provide exact address and other details as we work out the Logistics.

Stay tuned for more.

Cheers

Sorry Bela and Rumy, I am out of that revealing gown so no pics or video of it now. 😜😜

Hey folks,
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