Life is Beautiful

Looks like it’s time to break the news….I just got better at heart.

What started with a gastric pain and an additional effort in breathing, and a couple of spasms in the chest area, on the morning of 2nd September, and again on the evening of 3rd September, concluded with a CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) or simply a by-pass surgery on 11th September. “Strong family history,” was the reason attributed to my cardiac disease.

I was fortunate that in my case, we didn’t encounter any serious emergencies, and could prepare and plan for the surgery, without being under severe stress. The prayers, with extremely positive support from family and friends, along with good and timely medical advise, took me through the challenging phase pre and post surgery. All’s well now and the road to recovery continues to be good. I have been advised 6 weeks of rest, before I can get back to routine.

I am sharing this note, to summarize my personal experiences which some of you may find useful :

With the experience I had, I would strongly advise not to ignore any medical symptoms. Get yourself examined at a good and well equipped hospital, (this is extremely important) at the earliest. I went to the hospital only because my Doctor friend Mitesh Shah advised me to. What I presumed to be simply a gastric pain for two days (this is only one of the many symptoms, please read the others)- turned up as a slightly abnormal ECG, but an extremely positive blood test (Trop-i), which confirmed that something unusual had happened to the heart.

I emphasize the importance of a good and equipped hospital, because on the basis of my ECG, a smaller clinic or nursing home (I wonder if I could have got to one on Sunday night at 10 pm) would probably have let me go with some prescribed medication. At Dr L.H.Hiranandani hospital in Powai, I was provided with all the emergency treatment and was fortunate to examined by a cardiologist who happened to be in then. Once things were in control, we decided to get admitted later that night to the Jaslok Hospital, under Dad’s cardiologist, whom we have complete faith in. While getting to the hospital, please take due consideration of the nature of the emergency – unfortunately, our ambulances still don’t come in time, and may not be fully equipped. Timing is most critical.

Dad’s cardiologist performed the Angiography on 4th September. The outcome, 3 blocks – 60 to 70% in the Left Artery. At my age (40), and with reasonably good and stable health parameters, the cardiologist advised a by-pass surgery as the most superior treatment with long term benefits. He said, it was not an emergency and I could take a few days, weeks, if needed. Having complete faith in the ability, experience and treatment of the Doctor you choose for yourself, is the other important aspect. Because we did, (surely with a family discussion) it helped us in making the important decision easier and faster.

A week thereafter, on 11th September, my surgery was performed by the same surgeon who had performed Dad’s CABG in 2009. Only difference, was that the surgery was performed at Lilavati Hospital, based on the surgeon’s preference. The Doctors’ skills and treatment, the health care at the hospital, the post-surgical physiotherapy, in combination with the advances in medical technology made a positive difference. At this point, I wish to make a very special mention on the extreme care and attention, and the untiring effort, by the nurses in the ICU – they were the catalysts in the recovery process. I had set my goals (Vivek Savla’s lifetime lesson) and recovery milestones for the hospital stay, prior to being admitted for surgery – these manifested with the blessings of The Lord. I was discharged from the hospital on 17th September, and have been at home since then.

I have been extremely blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by positivity of the family and cheerfulness of my friends (lead by Sachin Chandak – Mr Nitrous Oxide) all around. An army of my Doctor friends (Dr Mitesh Shah, Dr Amit Shah, Dr Shrenik Shah, Dr. Rashmi Shah, Dr Urmi Gada) took charge whenever needed. And while there were times when there was anxiety and pain, being able to mediate then was a blessing that helped me remain positive. Above all, there was Purvi by my side all the time, making sure that I remain, calm, equanimous, and cheerful.

Life is Beautiful

Thank You All. God Bless.

P.S. – Many of you reading this note, would be shocked to hear about the event. Very few (including near and dear ones) knew about it, until post-surgery. In the last few days, we have been receiving calls from many well wishers. You can be reassured that I am doing fine, and will be back in action, in time, with renewed vigour, energy and enthusiasm. Until then, the medical protocols will need to be followed.

Cheers to Life