Bad News

Bapu Rane in the hospital ICU

Our worst fears were confirmed today. Bapu Rane is indeed terminally ill. He is battling stomach cancer and has been admitted to Matushree Gomati Hospital, Goregaon West (Ph: 28724986/ 28781126) for the past two days.
The 72-year-old continues to be on drips in the ICU (Bed No 307) and is registered under the name, Shanta Ram Rane.
According to his older son, Sachin, the ailment was detected in early January and since then the family has been in consultation with as many as five oncologists. They are unanimously of the view that nothing can any longer be done to contain the malignancy and any form of surgical intervention (by way of an intestinal bypass) would be risky. The latest biopsy report of last week revealed that the cancerous growth has spread to hitherto unaffected parts of the alimentary canal.
Meanwhile, Rane had turned to ayurveda and was taking some medicinal powder that only rendered him weaker by the day, besides putting him to incredible agony.

Anxious moments in the Garden

In the absence of any nutrition, he is today literally a bundle of bones. Still, he could draw some comfort from spoonfuls of water and fruit juice much of which he would throw up (see post of May 9) anyway. And when he was unable to imbibe even a drop, he requested he be shifted to hospital.
It was Sitaram Hivarkar who broke this news to us today. Arora instantly got cracking on the phone at the Garden and after making initial inquiries, he, along with Arun Patil, Bose and Harish Wadhwa rushed to the hospital to check if they could render any help. Rane looked tired and disoriented. Both sons, Sachin and Saket revealed that but for weakness, their father was in better shape and in the hands of a trusted oncologist, Dr Jitendra Tiwari. The boys assured Arora that they would reach out to us should a need arise. Meanwhile, we must pray for their father.
Renu Babani:
Let us all pray together for Mr Rane. No one wants to see him suffer, but nothing can be done. However, our prayers may help in relieving some of his pain and suffering. God bless.
Jagmohan Papneja:
The opinion of the oncologists is indeed a matter of great concern. When things go out our reach, prayer is the only way to resolve all problems. When prayers go up, blessings come down.