When Friendship Overcomes Fear

Google Image. and of course stolen from Ron's FB profile. 

Once upon a time there was a girl. Happy, vivacious and care to hoots about life. I met her through my brother. They had worked together in the multinational company, Dell. She came across as a simpleton with a zest of life.

I remember once I had a convo with her, 

Me: "What are your plans for the future, Renu?"

Renu: "What di? You want me to think now? While I a am eating such a delicious fish curry and rice?" 

She joked; and I threw at my bro a superior look. Of course, he quickly looked away, suppressing a grin. 

Later I tackled him, not being able to give up on my rare 'I am superior to you' moments. "So? Isn't she a bit frivolous for you?"

He laughed aloud and said, "Coming from your that's rich! Aren't you an advocate of a Bohemian lifestyle? No family and no ties?"

"Shuddup!" 

But now Ron was after my case, "Mark my words. Friends like Renu are thicker than blood ties."

I pooh-pahed it away and life continued.. Until that fateful day.....

4 years Later....

As I held his hands tight, the doctor patiently repeated to me, "Mam, we need 20 bottles of blood urgently."

My mind was racing. How do I arrange for 20 bottles of blood in the middle of the night. That too 0-. I was A+ and even if I do go for exchange of blood donations, I can do maximum 3 -6. Without any relative and no one by my side, I really did not know what I could do. So I did what I was best at. Ask the patient himself. 

"So Ron, how do we come out of this now? Any suggestions?"

He threw me one of his best bored looks and said, "Why the heck are you worried? If my date with God is not today, I will survive this day too."

"Ya sure. What is God's blood group any idea."

As we both burst out laughing, the doctor continued to look at us- I think he was contemplating whether to call the Nephrologist or the Psychologist. He probably thought we needed both. 

But then Renu dropped in - in her usual breezy way. 

"Hey Ron. Whats up?"

My bro cheered up, much to my irritation. For now, I knew he would look at me and telepathically tell me to get a cup of coffee from the vending machine. Before he said it, I went out muttering about Bimbo's dropping in. 

I came back with the cuppa and they both were grinning away like some joke had just been shared.

"Di, why did you not call me? I could have arranged blood for him."

I told her patiently that this was not a party but asking for blood donation.

She looked at me steadily and said, "Ho gaya." (Done!)

As I gasped, the door opened and around 30 young people walked in. All Dell employees. Within minutes they went to the blood donation room and did the needful. All but one. Renu. 

Though I did not ask her why, she told me she is scared. 'Damn scared of needles.' I smiled and let it go. To each their own I thought. 

But my bro was saved - for a few more years. And that is all that mattered to me. I was thankful to Renu for her contacts and it kept on saving my bro for many years. But she never gave her blood. And we never asked her of it. 

6 years Later..

I was in the USA. and my bro was in India. The doctors told me over the phone that he will not make through the night. While my world started diminishing and I could barely hold onto him I heard much later that the 5 days my bro waited for me to reach him - he was on blood transfusion. Few of the bottles were  Renu's. 

Before leaving India for good. I asked her why. She said, 

"My love for my friend was more than  my fear for a needle."

Donating blood is Saving Lives. The youth of India today are very brave and humanitarian. This post of mine is in recognition to all the employees of Dell Bangalore who have always been a family to him. Thank you. 

P.S.: BloodConnect is a group of motivated individuals working towards a single goal – “To solve the problem of blood shortage in India”. When you donate blood, you can save a life. Please donate and encourage others to do too.

This post is in response to Sonia Rao who tagged me as part of the #IBloodConnected_DidYou Initiative of BloodConnect.

Rakhee.. an unbroken bond....

I would always forget about Rakhee.. and you would keep a 10Rs note on my study table. It was always with a small, sad smile. I would always feel guilty. Years later, I asked you why you would feel sad. Instead, you could have just reminded me that today is Rakhee. After all, I was a busy person. With my own friends and own life.. He grinned at me and said .. " That smile was not a sad smile... but a fearful one.... I always wondered how you will react when you would know I took it from your Piggy bank. " Bloody Hell !

My Piggy bank is full this year .. Dare you to come !

Surgical Separation of Pygopagus twins at Apollo Children’s Hospital, Vanagaram

TWINS...  A NATURE'S BLESSING TO HUMANITY. BUT TO BE JOINED FOREVER... ?

Let me introduce to you Ericana and Eludi are conjoined twins, who were brought to Apollo Children’s Hospital, Vanagaram by their mother to seek help. This is a true story of a mother, struggling to give her children the life they deserve. All she want from you is love and Prayers. 

Meet Ericana and Eludi, whom the nurses in the hospital lovingly call Ammakutty and Chellakutty.

Such innocents. They are meant to be happy in life and they will. Lets all join together today, forgetting our class, religion barrier and pray from these lovely blessings. GOD YOU HAVE TO LISTEN.

This is the story of two identical ‘pygopagus twins’ from Africa.

What is Pygopagus?

image courtsy: www.gfmer.ch

The term pygopagus means – ‘fixed at the buttocks’.

The mother hails from a small village called ‘Kasumulu’ in Tanzania. She went for delivery to the dispensary in her village from where she was shifted to the District Hospital because she had undergone a previous cesarean section.  At the district hospital a  ‘C ‘section was done but to the doctors' surprise there was enormous difficulty in delivering the babies out of the uterus as they were joined at the back. The mother was told that separation of the babies was fraught with risk and she was sent to the Mohimbili Hospital in the capital Dar es Salaam by ambulance. It took three days to make this journey with the newborns. At Mohimbili the doctors contacted the health officials for advise regarding further action.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai is closely associated with the Tanzanian

government by the Save a Childs Heart Initiative (SACHI). The babies were therefore shifted to Apollo Children’s Hospital in Chennai at four and a half months of age. After extensive work up it was found that the babies were joined at the tail end of the spines and shared a single anus and rectum. They were also found to have a single phallus and urinary passage.

The Operation Details

Separation of these babies is a mammoth task, which will take around 14 – 16 hours.It is being planned on the 16th of December. A team of 20 doctors from the specialties of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, paediatric surgery and pediatric urology will attempt the separation. The services of Dr.Edward Kiely – Paediatric Surgeon and Dr.Richard Howard – Anaesthesiologist both from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London have been sought to guide and help in the safe separation

Conjoined twins are rarely encountered. Although seen in one in 200,000 deliveries more than 60% are stillborn. Of the remaining, 35% die within a few days or months of birth due to various causes.

Conjoined twins can be joined at the chest, abdomen, back, buttock and head. Fusion at the buttocks (Pygopagus) is very rare and accounts for less than 17% of all conjoined twins.

Live born pygopagus twins are usually female in sex. Male pygopagus twins are  very rare. Till now in medical literature only 30 sets of pygopagus twins have been reported. Of these 26 were female and only four were male.

This set of male pygopagus twins for which separation is being done at Apollo Hospitals Chennai is the first in India. A unique and challenging aspect of the separation is the fused phallus, which has to be delicately separated to give each baby a functional penis.

The babies are now 9 months old and weigh 16 kgs. During the last five months tissue expanders have been placed in the back, buttocks and thighs so that skin flaps can be rotated to cover the large defects, which will be left after separation.

 The nurses looking after the babies have been showering love and affection on the babies who have been nicknamed ‘Ammukutty’ and ‘Chellakutty’.

The babies can say ‘Thatha’ and ‘Athai’ and the mother has picked up a smattering of Tamil as well.

We are very confident that the separation of these babies will proceed uneventfully.

What I need from my readers..........

If Only You Had Waited.....

If you had just waited…..

If you had just waited bro, you would not have left me due to renal failure. Not with science progressing at such an amazing rate. If only you had waited for the stem cell transplants to take off in India, I would not be missing you so badly.

According to the Indian Council of Medical research around 5.5 lakh of people are waiting for transplant or dialysis. You too were a number. But the sad part is you were number 3 according to ZCCK [Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka for Transplantation], where you were registered for your organ transplant. We got the call today. Seven days too late. 

He was undergoing dialysis for the past 3 years. I would see him going to dialysis thrice a week and then working in the night in the BPO sector. Three years of pain and loneliness. The first thing that happens to dialysis patients is that the relatives become blessing givers from far. Who would blame them? When he was diagnosed renal failure after having Nephritis from the age of 2, the doctor told us-“he has the problem of a king. Such a disease where even a king would tun pauper. “ We never understood what he meant – then.

Yes, this is Reuben's hand

For a layman to understand the concept of dialysis is  terrifying. I don’t know much of the medical jargon but I do know that you have gone through a lot of emotional and financial upheaval to go through dialysis. The scientific definition would be,’ Dialysis is the artificial process of eliminating waste (diffusion) and unwanted water (ultrafiltration) from the blood.” Our kidneys do this naturally but when your kidneys stop functioning normally, you get hooked up to the dialysis machine.

On one side I saw him doing dialysis with an ease after a few months and on the other hand I saw him undergoing many physical changes which slowly started accelerating to severe pains and turmoils. The veins swelling up, the hand swelling up, bleeding and finally severe osteoporosis. The osteoporosis became so severe, that even picking up a cloth from the floor resulted in a bone cracking. His kidney failed followed by his lungs and lastly his heart. The thing that worked most for him was his IMMENSE will power.

No, the above side effects were not because of dialysis, in case other dialysis patients are getting worried but due to the severe side effects of the strong medicines he had been taking for 20 years. 

With science improving so much, when will the day come when dialysis won’t be needed anymore? Recently Lidnsay Porter took part in a pioneering study at Northwestern University. In this study, the donors gave more than just their kidney, they gave their stem cells. The patient not only recovered fast but was taken off the anti rejection drugs after just one year. You can get all the information by clicking here and I will follow this up in my next post. 

I just hope that one day comes when all dialysis patients know that besides death there is also hope at the end of the road. I hope our government realize the number of people awaiting for organ donation and I hope we all realize that we don’t need to carry all our organs upstairs, we do get a new set, so why not leave our organs behind for someone to benefit from. 

The problem with the patients waiting for transplants is that they cannot pray to God and wish for someone to die, all they can hope for is the light dawning upon all humans to donate - either time or money and definitely organs. Is it too much to ask?

My Suggestions [Please feel free to argue. I won't be offended but enlighted]

o   Teach it in the school level. If you can sex educate them, you can Humane educate them too.

o   If you have to please God and donate money, at least don't make the priests rich only. Find out where the money is most needed. If not for this cause, any cause you believe in. The Rs.2 you put in a hundi can go to a person who really needs it.

o   Do what China does with its prisoners. The amount of rapists we are having can at least do something good. Check what China does here. [It will solve many crimes too]

o   Awareness. This needs to be done not only by the causes but also by the doctors and the medical fraternity. This is such a sensitive issue in India with religion playing major role, at least spread the awareness. If each one of us reading this article does it, then we will save many people.

To check about the The Modern Healthcare click HERE.

Disclaimer: YES I HAVE DONATED.
2nd Disclaimer:  This post is written for Apollo Hospital for the blog http://thejourneyofreubendaryl.blogspot.com/. But since that blog is new many sites are not accepting it. I will shift this post to that blog after Apollo hospital views it.

A Cry for Help!!!

courtsey: Journey to Hillsong Blog

I don't know how much blogging will help regarding this matter. But something needs to be said. Something needs to be done. As I enter the dialysis world, I hear so many cries of help, desperation. I want to close my ears. I am human. I am sure you don't want to read further. But I have to have my say here but these the cries of the silent sufferers.

Meet Anamika.....

Name : Anamika [of course pseudo. We don't want to antagonize anyone do we?] We are all Gandhiji's followers. Slap us.. I am ready with my next cheek. So what if I take care not to ruffle your feathers. You have the absolute right to charge me for living, throw me out when you want and as you want. For I am Anamika.......

Age : 24 Young. I have the right to live. But God gave me an extra problem. I know you all have problems in your life. Marriage not working, salary not enough, Kids [I tell you] should be sent to Mars- the way they trouble us. They are your problems.My problem is I cannot have these problems since I cannot marry. Have kids. So I am happy watching yours. You carry on, please. Don't pause. For I sure hope not but life does take unwarranted turns. I hope you are prepared.

My Story:

I am Anamika. My mother works in a hospital. I live in a hospital. I have been diagnosed with renal failure. So I moved from Kolkata to Bangalore to do a checkup. It was supposed to be a small checkup. But it lasted for three years now. I live in the hospital and my mother does odd jobs here to sustain our lives..

Recently I have been told to vacate the place. Where do I go? I don't have a father. My uncles cannot pull on anymore. I want to live with dignity. Is it too much to ask? Don't people like me have the right to live. I have the courage. All I need is the God's Blessing and a guiding hand. All I want is to live or die with dignity. It is my human right.

Every country has a government. My Daddy till he was alive paid taxes. Why can I not get a helping hand from the government now? How do people like me survive? Charity? From where. I belong to the Middle Class. The class that does not get anything but has to give everything. Tax, on time payments of bills, school fees and also maintain a status in the society.

I wanted to do a course. To sustain myself and my Mom. But now the hospital people tell me that I have to look for a room outside the hospital. I pay for this room too. I pay Rs.3000. But outside can I survive? I have to pay the rent. I have to give deposit money and I need to set up my home. My home? I have only a few belonging which takes up a small room in the hospital. How can I shift from here to a new house in this strange city.

From Me to my Readers....

This is a true story. I have come across this girl living in a hospital for 3 years. There is no one with her except her Mom. The hospital, St. Johns has helped her a lot but due to rules are unable to do so any more. She has to move out of the place and get a house for herself.  Without a job, finance and incurring all the medical expenses of dialysis has taken a toll in her life. Any suggestions?

The Blood Donor: Hema Murthy

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed!

This may be a proverb to many of you but I have seen this live in action. During the time of his dire needs when Reuben Daryl would pick up his phone and just say a line," I am in the hospital." friends from all over Bangalore would just come in. Where he lacked in family, he got it with friends. Yes, God works in mysterious ways.

I cannot stress much on the fact that humanity if properly expressed can win many battles. Be it for the world, health or even social causes. Wonder whoever coined the term 'Blood Relative' - did they have this view in mind which got distorted along the way?

If each one of us Donate Blood even once, so many lives can be saved. It may not be your near and dear ones, he or she may not be your friends but he or she will definitely send blessings to your being human account. 

Here is the story of a first time blood donor who was scared, terrified to give blood. But she did. For a Friend.....

Name: Hema Murthy

Age: Are you crazy asking this question....?

Relation to the Patient: A friend.

Has she given blood before: No

Was she scared : YES

Then why did she? Find out..... In her own words.......

1. What made you donate your blood for the first time?

 Rony was the reason, never thought I would donate blood because I am very scared of injections but when it boiled down to a person whom you care so much realized it was far more worth it. I guess the drive to help a loved one would be the reason.

2. Did not the thoughts of Aids and any other disease come in your mind?

No, I was fine as I saw they use sterilized needles and other equipment. 

3. How did the staff of the hospital treat you during the process?

The staff were more than happy to help , assist and guide. So was put to ease.

4.Was it worth it?

It was all worth it, had a great satisfaction once I stepped out.

5.Would you do it again?

I would do that again if that will save a person's life anytime.

My Personal Note:

Thank you Hema for coming forward. I know there are many people out there who regularly give blood and they don't want to come forward to reveal their names. But if we have to spread the word, we have to speak out. This is one part of the donation which cannot be man made. Only we humans can save each other. 

Selfless Love and Friendships

There comes a time in a person's life that whatever he had taken for granted becomes a mirage. An oasis, after which he keeps on running without thinking about the surreal situation. I meet so many people in my everyday life who are happy with what they have. Happy, satisfied, smug in their perfect world. I am afraid even I was one them. Then when a bolt of lightening hits us we feel surprised, angry, incredulous at the sudden attack. And this is the moment we wake up to find that there is a world out there where people need us and where we need others in our life.

The Gods must be mocking at us from Kailash, Olympus or simple and pure Heaven. We humans have duplicated everything... Except what is inside us. For our internal organs and for the very blood that is flowing in our body we have to depend on someone else. Someone anonymous who walks boldly through the corridors of an eerie hospital, donating an organ or blood for you. I salute each one of you who have donated your blood for someone you even did not know. 

For the critiques and the smirkys out there, YES there are people out there who have never donated blood in their entire life, who would cringe at the sight of a small needle but during the need and the demand of the hour boldly came forward to save a friend. 

Telling everyone Donate Blood is very easy. What I found fascinating about the whole thing is why do these people donate blood. Is it a do good theory or idealism? Is there a story behind the donations? Or simply they are just humans who have understood the true meaning of the word HUMANITY. 

I know I have been slow in gathering information. Pardon me. But in the last few months I have come across people who have shared their organs, given blood on a regular basis [professional blood donor] and some our to circumstances have overcome their fears. I have been interviewing some of these soldiers for some time now. Hopefully I will have many more joining me with their stories. 

Keeping on watching this space for some touching, heartening and selfless stories of love and sacrifice.