Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Day Three

Three radiation sessions are over. Twenty-seven more to go. Sachi is feeling well till now. He has slight sore throat and the timbre of his voice has changed but his energy levels are good. His appetite is slightly decreased so he ate only the choicest foods today.

We did some grocery shopping in the afternoon and then sat in the room literally 'channel surfing' ( and watched a movie- Charlie Wilson's War ). I have started an acrylic painting of a group of cranes dancing against the backdrop of falling snow. It is very clear in my mind. Lets see how it turns out on canvas.

The hotel suite is comfortable. We still look out into a multistoried garage but this time we are a few floors higher so less boxed in. The cold is not as severe as when we came here for Sachi's surgery. By the way, Sachi's scar is healing very well. He still has stiffness in the neck and some weakness in the left shoulder but this is expected. He does exercises daily to improve function.

The kids seem to be doing OK without us. We miss them very much. Hope Mithu (our macaw)is alright. Soon the first buds of Crocus will be peeking through the snow near our front door. We will miss that show but will be home to see the Tulips emerge. It is at the same time lonely and cozy to be in this small hotel suite. We are thankful for this electronic communication. all your support means the world to us.
Ambi

18 comments:

Suraj said...

Dear Mom and Dad, I studied for my computer class, ate a t.v. dinner, watched some T.V. then played video games with Ravi than ate at BW3's with Torry

Unknown said...

Nuabou, your message commenced factually, continued artistically and concluded poetically.....
The artist in you and Sanabhai has always been active in drawing a beautiful story of your life in unison. I am reminded of Oscar Wilde's thoughts on the quality of a real artist :
“ A portrait painted with real feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. The sitter is only the occasion, the accident. It is not he who is revealed by the painter. It is rather the painter who, on the colored canvas, reveals himself”
The mood is conducive, the atmosphere charged with emotion, the mind heavy with anxiety, the heart full of love......this is one of the most ideal situations to embark on a work of art..... We shall all await the fruits of your labor as you unfold the invisible image in your mind to set the canvas ablaze with the brilliance of color and concept,.....much in the same way as you go about taking care of this Child as he travels through his toughest test in life....
The days are dropping by as the treatment sessions inch ahead towards their conclusion, and before you realize it, both of you would be back in Lincoln recollecting and reminiscing the memories of your bygone days at Rochester.
God be with you.
Pranams & Prayers
Babi & Vicky

Sini and Sanju said...

nuabou dear, u r really the angel from heaven...what mental strength n confidence u have!..its unthinkable..how wonderfully ur handelling the situation...ur heart must b sobbing with anxiety n apprehension, but not a drop to b seen..what control!
u r watching "your life of your life" going through this treatment, day after day...with patience n love"har pal pyar aur duaen dil se ubharti hogi, lekin labon par khamoshi"....i can imagine what u must b going through...how ur heart must b cryin for ur dearest one...nuabou mine, we r all with u in mind n spirit...do not worry at all...from all corners of the world your dear ones r praying for him...within no time the days will pass n one fine morning both of u will b back in lincoln..O GOD!how wonderful it will b..i cant imagine..
dearest brother, as usual it was lovely to hear ur pleasant voice.u told "why r u calling everyday..r your calls free?"..not that sanabhai..i am reserving all my std n isd calls..only to call u ...i am calling no one these days...only waiting to talk to u...
see how days r passing one by one???dear brother..GOD WILLING THESE 27 DAYS WILL ALSO PASS IN THIS GOOD MANNER. HE IS GREAT..ALL OF US R BOTHERING HIM TOO MUCH...HE HAS TO SAY,"TATHASTU"
though we r not present there, our prayers n positive thoughts r always with u, dear.
love sini n sanju

SARAH RIGGS said...

DR MAHAPATRA, EVERY CLINIC AND HOSPITAL I GO TO EVERYONE ASKS ABOUT YOU. YOU ARE SO LOVED AND RESPECTED AND WITH ALL OF THE LOVE AND CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AROUND YOU, I KNOW YOU WILL DO WELL. YOU HAVE A BATTLE TO FIGHT AND THERE WILL BE BETTER DAYS AHEAD. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD YOUR TYPE OF CANCER AND THIS WEEKEND GENE AND I ARE HOSTING A FUNDRAISER FOR THE ACS TO CELEBRATE HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY AND THREE YEARS OF BEING CANCER FREE. GENE AND I'S PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. SARAH RIGGS

Unknown said...

Dr. Mahapatra, I have not had the privilege of working with you for awhile but see that you have not changed a bit. Your character and perseverance shine to all on a daily basis. At times it seems to me that this nasty thing they call cancer is sometimes God's grace shed on us. It helps us to say the unsaid, hug a little tighter and longer, and spend the time with those that sometimes we may take for granted. I believe you already did this but it sure helps us to see the blessings in our lives. Your blog on Tuesday reminded me of a verse in Romans 12:10-12 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." I will continue keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Nick Owens-the Hastings office

v(ivek) said...
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v(ivek) said...

helo bodoma + bododa, glad to see/hear that day 3 went well... see you again very soon! let me know if you'd like me to pick anything up from chitown on our drive over - some more sweets? groceries? and what's the plan for this weekend? if upto bododa we'd end up going to the india buffet every night - hehe. i'm all for the homecooked food and channel surfing! maybe i can strum a few tunes while you finish your painting bodoma? or all of the above...

love and pranams,
vivek

Unknown said...

Hello Uncle - or as I have always known you - Doctor Uncle. Johnni, Arjun and I send our love and well wishes. We are hopeful in hearing that your chemo is progressing well. I've been reading through the blog and it's clear that you have an army of supporters and loved ones to help you through this - so no worries - we are all here for you! Arjun is looking forward to your recovery so he can come visit once you are home in Nebraska.

Unknown said...

Sati,
Meena mai here.I am wishing you a speedy recovery.We all are praying for you here and we are always by your side.Take care and continue having faith in God.

Unknown said...
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Sini and Sanju said...

dearest sanabhai n nuabou,
talked to both of u...felt very nice...both of u sounded so calm n refreshed...4th day of treatment passed...without pain...successfully. looking forward for april 10th to come....O GOD!PLS PLS BE KIND TO MY DEAR BROTHER...LET THESE DAYS PASS WITHOUT GIVING ANY PAIN TO MY DEAR ONE...
sanabhai, last night sudhabhai had called n we talked for nearly 1 and half hour...all about you n you only..one thing he said rightly..."sanabhai was always physically the strongest in the family and now, he has become mentally n spiritually, the strongest...that which all of us have been trying since three to four decades(SARANAGATI)...SANABHAI has almost achieved, in less than half a decade...THY WILL BE DONE... THISis the essence of all religion...we all read, hear n say of it...but our dear brother is practically practising it every moment..can u imagine!!!i dont think he needs any outer support from any one, bcause inwardly he is full of faith, belief n strength...he has completely surrendered himself near THE GREATER POWER WHOMhe calls GOD....that is the secret of his calmness n cheerfulness and that is why he does not worry...
Truely sanabhai, these days we all talk about your tremendous power of spirituality. We all love it, adore it and aspire for it...love sini n sanju

jeet said...

Ambi,

We talked to Sachi other day. You were not around so could not talk to you. Well best quality Sachi has is his courage and optimism. Thank god he is not pessimistic like most of people in our family. I think this positive side of him is going to work wonders for his recovery.

We are looking forward to visit you guys in Rochester. Should be sometime before end of March. Sachi said that all the kids are coming during weekend of 3-15. That should keep you guys busy during that weekend.

Well tell Sachi his team in NJ and Boston is rooting for him everyday and everyone is sure he is going fully recover soon. In fact all are planning to visit you guys in Lincoln (together) during summer.

Avtar-Gurjeet

sony said...

Dr. Mahapatra and family - Thank you all so much for the communication. You are all so blessed to have each other. Counting down the days til you are back in Lincoln and hoping your days pass uneventfully. Your words of wisdom do not go unnoticed and I find them to be very inspirational. Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. And hello from all in the NHH Cath Lab. We all miss you.

Leela B-D said...

Dear Bhai and Nuabou;

I see that you are handling things with your usual grace and hope that this grace and determination will continue to light your path.

I have been thinking of you often, particulary remembering the times we went out to dinner together and your shared your experience of first coming to the U.S. - so many funny stories!

Cali saw a photo of the boys today and said, "I remember those guys!" You all have made such an impression on her from our trips to Lincoln to seeing Jyoti and Jeff in Michigan. We are so lucky to have such a spectacular Indian family.

We are all pulling for you. We send you blessings of health, serenity, and humor.

Much love,
Leela

Unknown said...

You both are not alone in that small hospital suite. Hundreds and thousands of attention and prayers are with you both at all times. Even mother nature have shed tears over Lincoln and Omaha last few days which is unusual in February. Just for your information we will have a special JAGANNATH PUJA this coming sunday at the temple and MahamrutyunJaya Mantra Chanting on wednesday night at the Mahashivaratri Puja.
Besides Ambi and family there are many more at your side.
WE PRAY FROM FAR AND NEAR FOR YOUR SPEEDY RECOVERY.
Smita and Alekha

Piyush said...

Hi Sachi Uncle and Ambi Auntie--
Suneela passed the information on this blog to me recently. I've enjoyed reading the blog, and find myself thinking of your writings and thoughts, including the poem in your earlier posting, quite often. The time that I spent with Sachi Uncle in the cath lab and clinics was among the richest experiences of my medical training, and it was not the science and technology of cardiology but rather the intangible teachings of a truly professional, caring, and thoughtful physician that stuck with me the most. It is your dignity and grace that stood out, and continues to do so in the face of this new challenge. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family often, and wish you a speedy recovery.
Love, Piyush

Unknown said...

A special vote of thanks to a wonderful person whose idea of this blog was so apt and timely, that through a single wave of the wand she has brought together a large and ever expanding group of family, friends and well wishers from every corner of the world to emote and express, to give gifts of love and receive blessings of affection, to shed tears of concern and receive the emollient touch of comfort, to dissolve barriers of bias and disappear in an embrace of bonding.......Janelle Larsen, Thank you and welcome to the company of the hopelessly sentimental but loving brothers and sisters of the Mahapatra family....
And, Sanabhai, like your friend, Nick Owens rightly observed, this crisis in the family has “helped us to say the unsaid, hug a little tighter and longer, and spend the time with those that sometimes we may take for granted”. Though the price is steep and the insecurity remains, it has done wonders to clear the dust on our relationships and bring back lustre to adorn our equation among one another, taking us back to our good old times when we were young and fresh. The word that wounds has been replaced by the expression that elates, the gesture that hurts has given way to the act that soothes, the feeling that suffocates has been transformed to the love that heals.....
Sanabhai and Nuabou, everytime we talk to both of you we are infused with inspiration and filled with optimism. I wonder why God chose such a painful process to enlighten all of us.....
Worry not, dear ones.....For He who has given you this pain has gifted you the shoulders to bear it too, He whose Will has inflicted you with this disease shall lift you from the abyss with His healing touch too.....
Pranams & Prayers
Babi & Vicky

Nancy Monnier said...

Hi, Sachi, this is your friend, Nancy. :)
Have been thinking about you, and have been very moved by what I have read today. The support and love is very evident, but not a surprise.
You are such an amazing person and I am fortunate to have worked with you for 14 years and to have been lucky to be known as "one of those women" that controls your life. :)
I miss you and look forward to seeing you soon. God bless.
Nancy Monnier