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The nurses quickly came in with some of the ‘infamous’ hospital food. Satiated, I resumed conversing with my brother and sisters-in-law. My mom had gone home to rest having been rudely awoken by my brother as they had to catch the earliest available flight from Bangalore (Bengaluru – politically correct) to Hyderabad. I was then informed that the kids had gone to school and would try to meet me in the evening.
More tests, more questions by the team of doctors. Now, I was getting really irritated with all the repetitive questioning. But I couldn’t do anything about it.
I realized that they were just doing their jobs. Now that I was feeling a bit better and all relatives were shooed away home, I started talking (messing) with the house keeping staff and the duty nurses.
I didn’t and still don’t follow the language completely but understood/ understand the gist. Soon they too realized that I do not speak Telugu and started conversing in their pidgin Hindi. The duty doctors came and shooed away all these guys telling them not to disturb the patients. I wasn’t complaining!! Being a facilities guy by profession, I gave them a few tips on cleaning more efficiently with lesser effort and boy! Did that thrill them. First night in the ICU. Just couldn’t sleep despite the sedation.
The tune from the monitors was driving me mad. It was like it was amplifying in my head and bringing it to burst point! So, I started messing with that tune in my head (mental DJ!) with a few Bollywood /English tunes to while away the time and try and maintain the inner peace. Success!! It worked. Got up and asked the nurse for some water to drink. She replied in the negative stating that I was on drips and sedated me again as she had noticed me struggle to sleep. Woken up with a slap or two on my face and constant shaking to feed me milk and bread. Time: 07:30 hrs. NO! I wanted to sleep now. But they wouldn’t let you. More questions, more tests. I was beginning to get very irritated (Hulk moment!). Then I saw Kavitha with my mom, brother and his wife.
The moment I saw them, I instantly calmed down and forgot everything else (Bruce Banner moment!). God sent. Ahh! Visiting hours. Some chit chat. Kavitha informed me that some close friends in Hyderabad were informed of my condition. Kids had gone to school and their respective teachers were also informed yesterday as they reached school a bit late. Well wishes pouring in from all fronts. My in-laws also sent their well wishes via phone. Kavitha had confiscated my mobile phone. She was in charge now! One could visibly see the Lioness in her now.
More tests and enquiries with family. I was shifted to the individual room after 4 nights in ICU. Huge sigh of relief from all family members as I was out of ICU. All the time I was praying like I have never done before. Guess what, my Lord Hanuman did not let me down. He just kept piling on the strength (mentally and physically) to undergo this ordeal. Reminded me of the preacher (Gene Hackman) in the 1972 movie ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ movie – God helps those who help themselves.
Once in the room, my brother organized a Skype call, on his mobile phone with our older brother in the US. He said, “Thank God, you are alive and well. You look like ‘shit’ to which I replied I was feeling worse than that. A few laughs and well wishes and the call was over.
