This is the atrium-like lobby of the Mayo clinic. The two pictures were taken couple of weeks back. It is full of light and has stunning views of the tall buildings around it. We spent a lot of time on its tenth floor today. Yesterday Sachi developed fever, looked quite sick, seemed disoriented few times and slept a lot. When awake he was restless and paced the room. So today we asked to see his doctor who evaluated him and found him quite dehydrated. Sachi was asked to use the wheelchair (low blood pressure) and go for some IV fluids. Later he got his radiation but the chemo has been postponed until tomorrow. The doctor also discussed the possibility of peg tube (feeding tube) since Sachi is continueing to lose weight. They will watch him for 2-3 days and then make the decision.After the IV fluids Sachi perked up and has been trying to boss over me again (good luck). He is quite lucid today and resting comfortably. Sometime back he even ironed two of his shirts. We had plans to spend the afternoon with Sarbani (close friend from Lincoln) who is visiting her son in nearby Minneapolis. Sarbani: Hope we can see you on Thursday on your way home.
I have started a new painting (third one). I paint when Sachi is resting. These days there is more time than before. Ravi seems to have had a really nice birthday. Jeff and Jyoti took Suraj, Ravi and two friends to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Then the boys went for a movie and Jyoti went to the hospital for her night shift. Thankyou all for the birthday good wishes.
I am so glad that Sachi looks better today. Thank goodness for small blessings.
Ambi
16 comments:
Dear Ambi and Sachi,
Prem Bansal told us today at our Mayor's prayer breakfast planning meeting that you are at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We wish you the very best of outcomes.
D'Arcy Blosser, Diane Gonzales, Debbie Engstrom, Donna Lightbody, Marilyn Mecham, and Stephanie Dohner
hi folks - was good talking to you today. i'll keep checking back on progress and i hope that things go well with bododa's weight gain. please keep updating the blog as this really helps everyone around the world keep abreast of the situation. it is slightly difficult for bododa to keep answerin calls right now with the pain in his throat, but i know he'll overcome that as he has all other obstacles until now! my full faith, love, and best wishes are with both of you (and the rest of the family :)
love and pranams,
vivek
Dearest Sati Mamu & Main,
Main..Thanks for your very informative and detailed mail about Sati Mamu's condition and treatment..The pictures of Mayo clinic are really beautiful..we are glad to see that Sati Mamu is being treated at such a big and beautiful Clinic and by some of the best Doctors in the world.
We were both a bit worried reading about Sati Mamu's fever and low blood pressure therefore called Daddy to check if they had spoken to Sati Mamu or you yesterday..we were both relived when Daddy told us that Sati Mamu had called this morning and spoken to Mamma and that he was sounding good and feeling much better today..Main as your mail title rightly says "Almost there"..just 8 more days to go before you are back home with the kids and Sati Mamu on his road to full recovery..which should not take him much time with his mental and physical strength, courage and ever so positive attitude and confidence in self and The Lord..So you both just hang in there for a bit longer as these 8days will pass by in no time..we are all there with you both if not in person but definitely in spirit and mind.
Sati Mamu..We both hope your Chemo and radiation go by well and uneventfully today..you rest well and take as much fluids as possible to avoid dehydration caused by the radiation and chemo..We both hope and pray to God that you can avoid using the feeding tube in the last week of your treatment too..and are able to eat and drink on your own without much discomfort and regain your lost weight soon..I was glad to know that after your IV fluids you perked up and ironed two of your shirts..your favorite occupation and you will be surprised to know mine too.. :)
Sati Mamu..We hope you liked the Sandalwood incense sticks we sent you..hope you have carried some with you to Rochester..we hope they help bring sweet fragrance in your life and help cheer up your mornings with their gentle
smell.
Main..We are glad to know that you are able to spend some time painting and that you have already finished two paintings..hope we get to see them sometime..we are glad that you can paint even in such difficult and trying times..it sure must help distract your mind away from the daily stress of life.
We were glad to know that Ravi had a really nice birthday with Jyoti, Jeff, Suraj and his friends..Jyoti and Jeff are surely playing the perfect Mom and Dad to Suraj and Ravi while you
both are away at Rochester..We are so proud of all of them..as they have really risen to the occasion and have handled the entire situation in such a strong and mature manner..showing such exemplary strength and courage.
Pranam and Prayers,
Love always,
Leema & Achintya.
A stroke of the paint brush, a lyric of a melody, a word of a literary piece......these indeed are the stepping stones to heaven....the raw material that makes up a masterpiece.... the ladder that enables us to soar in ecstasy and make communion with our Maker.....
Tensions melt, pressures ease, emotional bruises heal and physical ailments evaporate when the artist embarks on a work of beauty. The escape may be transient, but the relief is cathartic.... the divorce from reality may be imaginary, but the exhilaration is medicinal.... the extrication from the moment of stress may be transitory, but the pleasure is euphoric.....
As the work of art progresses, the character of the artist transforms from the imaginary to the real, the inner currents of emotion transmit from the heart to the canvas, the hidden turmoil of the subconscious mind pours out in a flow of spontaneity....
When the eyes of the onlooker behold the work of art, when the heart of the listener lilts with the flow of music, when the intellect of the reader assimilates the magic of literature......a moment of stillness occurs, giving birth to true beauty. It is only when the distance between the observer and the observed dissolves into nothingness that the divine nature of beauty can be experienced. When the mind stops chattering with itself, when it ceases to judge and compare; analyze and criticize, when the ego melts and there is serenity and quietude all over, true beauty....true love comes into being.....
Allow me to repeat what I had stated in one of my earlier comments:
“Beauty IS when YOU are not, beauty is NOT when YOU are”....
Pranams and Prayers
Babi
Dear Ambi and Sachi,
How I have been thinking of you over the last couple of months since I saw you at HyVee, Ambi! I tried to call twice but didn't get an answer. Was so good to see Prem yesterday and to find out that you are at Mayo and that treatment is almost complete. This blog is a marvelous thing to share updates and hear from people. You are both in thought and prayer. Sachi, I am moved by your thoughts and reflections on God and life. We all look forward to hearing that you are at home and gaining strength and vigor! Take good care!
D'Arcy B.
Sachi and Ambi,
This is the first chance I've had to access your blog--what a wonderful way to keep everyone in touch. Sachi has such great faith and spiritual strength that he is an inspiration. I'm sorry to hear he's been having a rough time of it lately. But everyone here at NHI are keeping him in our thoughts and prayers.
All the best to you both and to your family,
Marilyn Mannschreck, NHI NP
Dr. Mahapatra,
The girls in Cardiac One are thinking and praying for your wellness. Please know that you are greatly missed and we look forward to seeing you upon your recovery. Hang in there. We'll have treats awaiting your return.
Cardiac One, St. Elizabeth
The shrill sound of the phone filled the room with its persistent ring. Traversing across the enormous distance between dreamland and wakefulness I responded with half closed eyes and confused anticipation. It was 5.30 in the morning! Vivek's terse words, “This is bhaiya's moment...” transported us across the globe in the magic of an instant into a hall in Chicago where the Membership Induction ceremony of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society was being conducted, conferring the coveted crowns on the deserving few for their academic excellence and involved participation in community service projects and other extracurricular activities. As Naren's name was announced and his brief profile shared, our eyes filled out with joy, while our hearts sang in praise of the Lord's endless blessings. With folded hands we bowed down in gratitude to His generosity in having blessed our boys with success and humility in their chosen realms of endeavor.
Allow me to share an excerpt of my message to Naren after he received notification of his selection:
“In your journey through the testing grounds of fire called: Life, these are a few timely pats that He showers on you so that you don't feel overburdened by the sheer weight of performance alone without reward. Even though you may not be looking for concrete rewards in exchange for the endless gifts of kindness that you so generously bestow on mankind through your daily worship of work and service, there is, however, a certain part of us that wants a little recognition from our fellow beings. Not that it changes the course of our intentions or quality of work, but it most definitely fills a cup in our hearts that, like a small child, yearns for attention and accolade.....it rejuvenates us to greater heights of performance.... it galvanizes us to scale uncharted territories of sacrifice. After all, of what value is our life if not lived and relished in service of others? In our daily struggle for existence if we are unable to strike a harmony between selfish ends and selfless acts, our existence cannot be termed as meaningful.
Your relentless toil in the direction of human enrichment through your touch of healing shall always be blessed by Him through such conferments of recognition, as the one you just got from AOA, reinforcing your faith in God's timely pats in the back....”
Pranams & Prayers
Babi & Vicky
Having noticed the strain in your voice and the pain you must be experiencing every time you responded to the incessant calls from all over, I had decided to refrain from adding to the anguish.
When I arrived at office today, as expected, there was a brief message from you awaiting my response. The hoarse sound, mouthing words of jocular frivolity was a far cry from the smooth and firm voice of my Tarzan. While we are disheartened with this deterioration of condition, your spirit still soars high and mighty, brushing off the advancing symptoms of weakness as normal and natural at this stage of treatment. Sometimes I wonder if the heart that resides in your body is actually made up of muscle or sheer steel....! Faced with adversity of unbearable proportions, your courage remains undaunted....as your optimism continues to be incorrigible! God must be patting Himself in the back for having created such a marvelous marvel.... May His special blessings shade your onward journey as you navigate the difficult twists in your race to the finishing line of victory....
Pranams & Prayers
Babi
Sachi
All of us in the SERMC Cardiology Dept have had you in our prayers. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me if I've heard anything about you. We were thrilled when Janelle told us about your blog. It makes us all feel as if you're not so far away. Just know you have many friends here at the hospital who care about you and your family! Take care! Patsy
Sachi and Ambi:
Many evenings I have sat and read the blogs and comments trying to think of words of inspiration and strength to forward to you. Finally I realized that I, as well as many others, am the recipient of your inspiration throughout your experience. Your name is mentioned daily in the Bryan cath lab and everyone is thinking and praying for you and your family. Ambi, may the Lord be at your side and give you strength for the long hours in the waiting rooms. "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity"--Albert Einstein. You have given us the opportunity, once again, to learn from you. We miss you greatly.
Love,
Lynn and Tony Saeger
Brianna and Ashlyn
and the Bryan cath lab crew
My wife and I have been paying for your recovery. We miss seening you around here. I know you'll be back soon.
Dear Sachi bhai & Ambiji,
Namaskar!!
Every time we read your blogs, we want to write few words but really don’t know how to start and what to write. The way, you are handling the situations is really something above a normal person can do. You both are a great source of inspiration for all of us.
Sachi bhai, we know, you are going through pain and loosing weight but surely, you’ll overcome all these soon. You are – Sabyasachi --- Arjun -The Great Warrior. We pray Almighty to help you go through the last one week of treatment without much difficulty and pain.
You both will be very happy to know that “Rudrakshya” dance troupe will be here on 4/2/08. They are going to have the first show in Tampa on 4/5/08.
We are glad that only one more week left and we’ll see you soon in Lincoln.
Love & Respect
Asit & Runu
Dearest Naren,
Congratulations on your well deserved and earned membership into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
We are all so proud of you!
With lots and lots of love & blessings,
God Bless u!
Leema Apa & Achintya Bhai.
And I spoke to Bou at last........
After what seemed like an eon, I summoned all my guts to tap the number that would take me thousands of miles across to a small place at Lewis Road, Bhubaneswar, housing a person with a heart big enough to encompass the whole world....A person who happily sacrificed her youth and social priorities decades ago to mother her six growing children in a way that would produce giants of human beings in the years to follow....A person so simple and honest that she could never learn the shrewd art of being worldly wise or smartly manipulative, but had the knowledge of religion and ethics that would have matched anyone boasting any degree of academic research....Bou.
As I opened the conversation with trembling lips and an anxious mind, scared that she might see through my effort to hide your illness, she responded with such warmth that I knew she had indeed missed this child, as I had missed her voice of divinity. Her own suffering doesn't seem to find a silver lining anywhere in sight, but that does not deter her from expressing her deep concern for the betterment of her children and relentlessly praying for their continued well being. During the course of our conversation, she touched upon your advanced stage of spirituality and the exalted heights of detachment and surrender you had scaled within such a short gap of time. Even though she understood the inevitability of “Thy Will be done”, her chosen road is through attachment and prayer that would ultimately lead to detachment and total acceptance of His will, with the capacity to carry it out. I did not disagree nor judge her perception, because Truth shall always remain a pathless land where each one of us will have to explore and discover every little truth all by ourselves. Some of us may be a little ahead of others, but that is the law of progress. Your time for advancement in this field came much earlier than a lot of us. But the stage you were in, earlier was not in error either. For, as Vivekananda emphasizes, in religion there is never any transition from error to truth, all progress is from truth to truth....maybe from a smaller truth to a higher one....hence his oft quoted advice: “Arise and Awake! Stop not till the Goal is reached”. Isn't it beautiful to realize that we are all “Amratasya Putra”....children of immortal bliss....The soul in our being which we call Brahman or Atman has been elevated to the lofty heights of being “Nityasuddha, Nityamukta, Nityabuddha Paramatman”.....ever pure, ever free and ever awakened....Nothing can touch or tarnish the spark of divinity that resides in us. It is the manifestation of that divinity in us, which forms the basis of religion.....
Pranams & Prayers.
Babi
I always feel good posting a comment at the end of the week because that means you are closer to the end of your treatment and to getting back to Lincoln to family and friends. I hope you were able get through your chemotx this week even though delayed and that you will be able to gain some physical strength through the weekend to endure your LAST week of treatment. Yesterday I read a passage that I wanted to share with you. It reminded me of our days at work together and also your ongoing sense of humor through this terrible illness. It read: A sense of humor is determined by at least 3 abilities. The ability to laugh at ones own mistakes. The ability to accept justified criticism and GET OVER IT. The ability to interject or enjoy wholesome humor when surrounded by a tense/stressful situation. "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face" Proverbs 15:13. God Bless, thoughts and prayers with you always. Janelle
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