Hospitalised

Razia Khan leads special prayers for Shekhawat

As you read this, Hari Singh Shekhawat should be through with his carotid artery surgery (ref post of January 18). He was admitted to the military hospital at Colaba late last evening and the time given for the surgery was 11:00 a.m. today. Further details are awaited.
Shekhawat had gone to the hospital early morning yesterday with the intention of getting his blood sugar checked.

When Nahid's shoulder serves as a table

Doctors figured out that any further delay (with more tests) would be too risky because the blockages in his left carotid artery had reached a critical stage. Shekhawat took time out to be at home with his family till the evening and got himself admitted at 8:00 p.m.
As things stand, Shekhawat will be in ICU for 24 hours post-surgery and thereafter, he shall be shifted to a general ward where he would be under observation for the next 48 hours.

The irrepressible Mallika and her 'tea friends'

Evidently, doctors felt it prudent not to interfere with the right carotid artery (which is 100% blocked) for the moment and are working on unclogging the left artery (30% functional). Should all go well (as indeed, we all hope and pray for) Shekhawat would be discharged on January 23 (Saturday).
The news was received in the Garden with guarded optimism and trepidation, mainly because of Shekhawat’s advanced age. He is 76 and had already undergone a bypass surgery, following a major heart stroke three years back. Razia Khan graciously led the ‘special prayers’ this morning after the exercises, imploring for success in the surgery and his safe return and recovery.
In this air of unease and concern, Mallika Kagzi managed to create a pleasant diversion with her round of tea and practical jokes. Nowadays, she saves the tea until most members disperse and she is able to let her hair down with a few select friends. The latter are no less ‘imaginative’ in matching her madcap antics – the best part being their ability to celebrate humor, even in the most worrisome of times.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
God certainly listens to prayers. The collective prayers of all the members of the Laafter Club will certainly be answered by the Almighty. God willing, Shekhawat will be alright and be among us soon to make the morning sessions more colorful and lively.

Alternate Therapies

Sharing horror stories on medical malpractices 

Whoever knew that the quiet and observant ex-army man, Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) is also an ardent advocate of alternate therapy? Yesterday, when he heard that Shekhawat had been diagnosed (see post) with multiple blockages in the carotid arteries of his neck, he instantly suggested a diet of pomegranate juice.
“People do not realize that pomegranate has immense medicinal properties,” Singh said. “Regular intake would remove all blockages from blood vessels for a lifetime. I know this from experience.”
Today, this octogenarian gent came up with another prescription. He twisted and turned his fingers in a manner than would shame a bharatanatyam danseuse and declared: “Hold your hand in this position whenever you get the time and you will never suffer a heart problem in your life.”
Siba Prasad Maitra was so impressed by the instruction that he announced he “would try it out from today itself in the office” – as though that is where he faces a real threat to his life.
Not to be outdone, Dilip Babani came up with another amazing cure – for muscular catch.

Angad Singh (centre) does a demo
for removing heart blockage

Dilip Babani (left) demonstrates
how to cure a muscular catch

Like Singh, he did a little acrobatic demo with his fingers and positioning his hand like a double- barreled pistol (loaded), proclaimed: “Hold your hand like this and any cramp, catch or spasm in your body will disappear like magic!”
These exercises in the Garden at pushing the frontiers of medical science were prompted by the news of Shekhawat’s surgery being postponed for the time being. The blood sugar report he was waiting for has proved to be inconclusive and confusing, apparently due to some carelessness of the pathological lab.

Mallika Kagzi (rt) on a Dishum Dishum spree

Lest he lose any more time, Shekhawat had rushed early morning to the military hospital in Colaba, ready for another round of tests there.
Maitra observed that carelessness and exploitation had become rampant in the medical profession, both at the level of pathological labs and of course, with private doctors. Everybody present had a horror story to narrate on the malpractices in hospitals and that is when it was felt that rather than depend on unscrupulous doctors, self-help is the best help. The therapies prescribed by Dilip Babani and Angad Singh were only small steps in that direction.
Later, Maitra and Dilip went on to proudly demonstrate their newfound knowledge to (of all the people) Mallika Kagzi. For all their painstaking efforts in finger-twisting, the lady understood only one thing – Dilip Babani’s dishum dishum. So chuffed was she by this simple lesson in life that she joyfully waved her ‘double-barrel fingers’ around with the warning cry, "Dishum!" "Dishum!" This much for all the education in self-help!
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Alternate therapy is relevant in the modern age as allopathic treatment has become very expensive. The middle class is finding it difficult to afford the ever-increasing medical expenses. Alternate therapy, in whatever form, gives relief at a negligible cost.

Worry Lines

Shekhawat addresses all members, making light of his medical situation 

First the good news: Srichand Arora wants to throw a big bash on Friday. It’s his 75th birthday. Platinum Jubilee. And he intends to make it LARGE.
The only problem is he cannot decide on the place and timing. Since eatables are prohibited inside the Garden (unless sealed securely in packets/ boxes) he will have to figure some place else.
Still, he sounded us today and informed that the party will be restricted to Club members only. “The venue will be intimated later,” he said.
When some ladies asked if the place is very far away and could he at least give us a hint on whether it would be within walking distance or must we have to take a bus/ autorickshaw/ taxi/ helicopter, pat came his reply: “I’ve already booked two (train) bogies!”
Now the not-so-good news: Shekhawat has no choice but to go for carotid stenting surgery as early as possible (ref post of January 8). His test reports of January 16 reveal 70 per cent blockage in the left carotid artery and “near complete” blockage of the right artery. He was supposed to be admitted on Saturday itself at the military hospital in Colaba,

Mumtaz Jahan treats us to walnuts from Kashmir

but the attending surgeon detected an unusual spike in blood sugar levels and has deferred the date to January 19 (tomorrow).
Shekhawat is no doubt perturbed, but kept a brave face: “Life or death is not in one’s hands. Should I get the report on blood test (for diabetes) by this evening, I shall go tomorrow morning and get admitted. I am going with a positive mind and mark my words, I shall be back to unfurl the tricolor on Republic Day.”
What bothers us though is that the doctors have subtly hinted at the risks of undergoing such a critical surgery at age 76 and even warned Shekhawat on the possibility of sinking into coma.
They have also sought a meeting with his next of kin – wife and son – so that the family is adequately briefed and kept in the loop.
The question that arises now is whether there is an alternative treatment -- perhaps through medication, injectible or otherwise, which could obviate the need for surgery. Or is it already too late for experimentation?
In this worrisome air, Mumtaz Jahan infused some cheer with a bag of walnuts her father has brought from Kashmir. “The old man has carried these all the way from our ancestral home,” she informed. “This is an expression of his love…” We thank him profusely, through his worthy daughter.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Shekhawat-ji, may you be blessed with the power and love of God and the affection of all those who love you. We pray for you to be hale and hearty.
Swati Punjabi:
We hope your surgery shall be successful. Please go with positive intentions.

Day 1875

Pic of the Week

LEMMING LINE?  CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF HERE? Click on image for enlargement.

A magnificent spectacle of ta'i chi after the laughter exercise. Traditional yoga is a perfect exercise in itself and needs no supplement. --Jagmohan Papneja

I am 15th from the front, covered by the tall Pushpa in red pants. --Bhaswati Bose

This is the 29-coach Green Express bullet train on its trial run! --Bihari Milwani

Action Replay

Teja Singh gets a warm hug from wife

Wife gets the first bite of birthday sweets

It continued to rain Sankranti sweets today also. In fact, it was more like ‘action replay’ – a continuation from yesterday – with even a birthday treat thrown in, just that the celebrations were a little dated.
As expected Lt Col Angad Singh came with jaggery crispies and revdies – sweets associated with winter in north India. There were the til-gul Sankranti luddoos as well – this time from friends (read non-members) in the Garden, including Suresh Samel, a retired sales tax commissioner.
But the biggest celebration was of Teja Singh Bhambra’s 76th birthday. For the first time, his wife was present to share the honours and it was from her hands that he took the first bite of a luddoo. They surely make a lovely, lovey-dovey couple and to our pleasant surprise, the lady struck a PDA pose with her arms around her husband in a warm hug.
Teja Singh’s birthday was actually four days back – on January 12. The celebration got delayed because we wanted to have it with the presentation of his birthday calendar. Besides, what could be any better than celebrating on an auspicious day – Guru Govind Singh Jayanti? Once again, many happy returns of the day, Sardar-ji!

Lt Col Angad Singh's (rt) treat

Til-gul treat from a Club friend

Suresh Samel's til-gul treat

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
The charm of birthdays is enhanced when couples join and celebrate together with colleagues. Today's was indicative of warmth and blush. This practice must continue. God bless the good folk.