My battle with Corona

My battle with Corona (part - 1)
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   I was under the misconception till 7th May that I am completely safe from Corona rather I would say I never thought, even in my dreams that Corona could infect me. In spite of this deadly disease having spread so widely in Mumbai, my this misconception was may be due to the fact that till then I didn't know a single person affected by Corona, either from my neighbourhood or from my work place where I used to go alternately till 7th May with a colleague in his car. Alas, reality hit me with the bitter truth!
  8th May was my parents marriage anniversary and we celebrated it by ordering food from outside and enjoying it. All my family members ate the food and enjoyed chilled Coca-Cola. Now, in routine also I am prone to throat infection from cold drinks or very chilled stuff. And this ocassion was no exception.
    On weekend of 9-10 May, I had running nose and fever. This was most probably routine flu. As it was weekend, my family doctor's clinic was not open and I consulted him over phone and started some antibiotic medicine for quick relief. Medicine worked on Cold but fever of 2/3 degrees kept appearing and disappearing. On Monday, 11th May, I visited my family doctor's clinic in person. There I had to sit for sometime among many other patients and then sat in front of doctor on the same common patient's chair where all other patients also sat. This visit was followed up by two more such visits in next 3-4 days as my sickness was not completely cured. Cold and fever had gone but I had started feeling too weak. My mouth had lost the taste completely and I hardly ate. I experienced a loss of appetite for those few days. As soon as I put first morsel in mouth, I used to feel like vommitting. As if this was less, diarrhoea started that added more weakness in my body. When I used to brush my teeth in the morning, I felt as if there was no saliva and taste of toothpaste also had completely changed. I had headache also on few ocassions during this week.
 In the end of this week (around 14th or so) another problem started. This was discomfort in breathing. On a few instances, I woke up in the middle of the night and after relieving my self, I literally used to pant. Sleep was also not sound and had strange & bad dreams.
Till this point in time, I didn't think it could be Corona but now this breathing thing was unusual and it shook my confidence. Finally, upon insistence of my family I agreed to go ahead with a Corona test. On Thursday, 14th I started checking the process of how to get Corona test done. This was not as easy as I thought it would be.
Filled up online form on Thyrocare website. They called back and sent a form by email that was to be filled and signed by my doctor. This was as per BMC guidelines. I did the needful and sent them the filled form by email. At night they confirmed the appointment at my home for the next day. Next morning I got a call from them informing me that their policy was changed now and they did tests only for patients that are admitted in hospital. So they can't do test for me. I checked with one more lab near my residence but they also said they don't conduct covid tests unless prescribed by a Surgeon.
Contacted third lab - Metropolis and followed the same process as was done for Thyrocare. Finally, Metropolis agreed for the test and a young fellow came to my home Saturday afternoon. He wore a scary suit like astronaut (that I later realised, is called PPE suit)જો! He used two swabs - one he put in my nose and other in my throat. Test was simple and quick. Was scared about it but it finished in a jiffy without any pain. He left informing that the report will come in two days time. In these last few days the problem of breathing worsened. Monday the Covid test result came - Negative! But Sunday my health was in such a bad state that I thought myself I should get admitted to a hospital. That only will relieve me of the breathing issues and will restore my taste sense and appetite. Monday morning I again consulted my family doctor and as per his advice went for blood and Xray tests. Had to visit two labs for this. And while moving between these two labs, don't ask me how I felt! I was literally panting and feeling too weak and pathetic. Xray fellow asked me to take deep breath and hold it. Here I was barely able to breath and he was asking me to do what seemed like impossible! After three - four attempts he finally took the Xray. When I returned home, felt a great sigh of relief.
Spent the day somehow and in the evening finally called my family doctor home, showed him reports. He checked my Oxygen saturation level and concluded that even though the covid report had come negative, it looked most likely Corona that had put me in such grave state. He immediately wrote me prescription to get admitted in Thunga hospital near my residence and referred me to Doctor Swami Pawar, a senior chest specialist. Probably God wanted my admission to hospital easy and that's why the Corona test came negative. If it were positive then it would not have been as easy to get admission as easily I got it. There I chose a single occupancy room and my treatment started. Had to wear oxygen tube continuously.
I felt positive vibes here as the hospital seemed newly built, clean and state of the art. I stayed in that room on seventh floor for five days. On second day only an RMO doctor came and suggested I shift to ICU. But I strongly refused suggesting that my condition was not so bad that I needed to shift there. I was not comfortable shifting to a place with many other patients around, some in comma, some on ventilator and so on and so forth. I was determined so they let me be in that room where I was. One wise thing we had done was sending my kids to my second home where my parents and sisters stay, So they don't contract any infection. Ten years old Namyaa and Three years old Hitarth are not only lovely but brave too! They stayed away from us, both parents for almost a month! Staying far from them for so long was a tough task for me and Ami too, but it proved wise. Ami and my sister Tejal kept visiting hospital for all these five days to be with me and to look after me. This became possible as the report had come negative. But with the symptoms I had, doctors suspected that the initial report must have been false negative and I must have contracted Corona infection.
  As they started some multivitamin medicine in hospital, my appetite improved and day be day my breathing also started getting better. Every morning a nurse or an RMO doctor used to come and take my blood sample for tests. In five days they took two xrays also. On 22nd May my second Corona test was done in the hospital this time by Suburban Lab. On 23rd May the report came - Corona positive! Word Positive was never in such a negative light!
Until then, I still had a deep feeling that I can't have Corona in my system. But the positive report shook me. It opened a pandora's box with another set of worries. Ami was immediately instructed to leave me and stay at home in isolation for next two weeks. She had never stayed alone in all her life and now she would not only have to stay alone but also sleep at our home all by herself, this thought shook me. What if she would also have been infected? This thought also pained me a lot. So far I was believing I can't get infected by Corona and now my mind was worrying about my wife and sister also having got infected by it as they were tending me all these days!
With heavy heart and eyes full of tears Ami left the hospital. Now she would have to handle BMC and police, would have to attend plethora of calls from friends and relatives and would have to stay in self-isolation. All these thoughts stormed my mind like never before. Rest of the whole day of 23rd May I felt restless. So far I had not heard from hospital about my shifting from the normal ward to Isolation ward. In the evening I called my family doctor and he gave me some strength. I was very worried about how the Corona ward would be where I would be now shifted any time. The nurses and RMO doctors who used to visit me every few hours through out the day, had not come to see me for last few hours. After I had my dinner, I got the update that they were shifting me now to Isolation ward.
A strange fear passed through my body - how would the situation in Corona ward be. How many patients would I have to stay there with? The elevator that carried me in wheelchair started from seventh floor and stopped at sixth floor. I was taken to a very big room meant for two patients. Fortunately, I was alloted a bed near window. The second bed was empty. This whole floor seemed almost empty. Anyone that was seen from Doctor to wardboy, was in PPE suit. I was somewhat relieved after settling in this new room. That scary feeling had disappeared to some extent. I had to keep wearing the oxygen tube here as well. Now I had got used to sleeping with this oxygen tube in my nose and the syringe band fixed on my left hand. Later that night, a young RMO doctor/nurse came to give me some medicines and a heavy injection. I talked with Ami, prayed to God and then slept hoping for a better tomorrow.

(to be cont'd...)

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My battle with Corona (part - 2)
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   I could observe that room properly on 24th Morning. My bed was near the window with a beautiful view. In front of my bed there was a beautiful wall painting too. I felt happy, calm and positive. One relief was that there was no other patient in the room. I had developed a strange fear of another Corona patient's presence around me assuming that it would further worsen my condition. Solitude feels like a bliss sometime and I was enjoying my solitude. But that did not last very long! In the afternoon, a middle aged Muslim lady was admitted here in my room on the adjacent bed and a big curtain was drawn separating the big room into two smaller compartments.
Generally, I like communicating with people but you should get vibes from the opposite person to initiate any dialogue. In absence of such a vibe, I didn't communicate with that lady for the remainder of that day.
    Next day there was Eid and in the late morning she started crying loudly. She was speaking in language not comprehensible to me. I rang the emergency switch bell and informed the doctor who pacified her, scolded her too explaining not to cry. Later, I came to know that she was having severe cough and bleeding while sneezing. For the two days she was on the adjacent bed, I didn't feel comfortable. Cleanliness of bathroom was also compromised a bit as compared to my old room where I was alone. But time is the biggest remedy and the only constant. I tried to explain this fact to my mind and spent most of my time writing the articles for my blog based column on my mobile. I had carried two books along and kept reading them. I tried to remain as positive as I could. Used to get calls of my family members and closed ones. So some time was spent in talking. Rest of the time I spent in playing games like scrabble, 4pics 1word, candy crush, soda crush and my most favourite Pokemon Go (there was a pokygym and a pokestop at this hospital location!!A lifesaver if you have played this game!)
     You should learn to find their small packets of Happiness and joy, wherever you are, in whatever condition fate put you in.
  I used to eagerly wait for morning breakfast, lunch in the noon, two Marie biscuits along with tea in the evening and dinner. If at times any of these were delayed, I had to remind nurse or doctor by pressing emergency switch bell. All these food items were served in very limited portion and it was very simple food though I used to enjoy it a great deal.
Earlier one evening when Ami was with me in the hospital, she had switched on TV and there was an episode of Baal Hanuman being telecasted. In a particular scene, child Hanuman gobbles all the food offered to him and keeps demanding more. While devouring the delicious food the expressions of delight and satisfaction on the child Hanuman's face were simply superb and the way he shook his head in delight was what I tried mimicking every time I ate in isolation in that hospital room, even though no one was there to watch me! 
    Daily a senior and a junior doctor took turns on their routine visit wearing their astronaut-like PPE suits. I felt good at those instances but as they wore those dress like that of Giant Robot, fully covering their body, head to toe, I could not see their face. Helmet like shield on the face and weird goggle on the eyes made it very difficult for anyone to guess how would they be looking in real! Once a junior doctor saw my book with a very beautiful artistic cover page lying beside me on my bed and asked me if I was an artiste. I replied to him informing that I am an IT professional but with artistic bent of mind and love reading & writing a lot. I told him about the two weekly columns that I write for a Gujarati newspaper and finally when I informed him about my dad playing NattuKaka's character in TV serial TaarakMehtaKaOoltaChashmah, the usually stern and strict looking doctor who always maintained social distancing, got overwhelmed and literally extended his hand for a shakehand! I did a polite Namaste in response!!
  My routine medicines included ten to twelve pills, an injection on my tummy (that was painful), saline and doses of two syrups. Of all those tablets, I liked two very much - one heart shaped small pill (Numlo) and other a transparent capsule with colourful miniscule pallets within (Rabentia). Used to enjoy a syrup too that tasted like mango (Taceta)! These peculier medicines made it easy for me to have so many medicines together multiple times a day! My daily routine included bathing in the morning that was not very comfortable with syringe needle band fixed on my left hand, spending the whole day in my own company and used to walk a bit in my room post dinner. I got used to this routine. Looked weird in those oversized hospital dress but who was there to look at me!!
After staying for two days in that room in Isolation ward, on third day morning the coughing and sneezing lady was discharged. In the afternoon even I was informed that I would need to shift. I showed my hesitation. A lady doctor came and explained to me that on the lower floor there was general ward where 15 to 20 Corona patients used to be treated together but I was not being shifted there and they were shifting me to just the next room on same isolation ward floor. A lady patient in that next room was supposed to get discharge on the same day and then her bed which was next to the window would be allotted to me is what the doctor told me.
I shifted. My bed was near wall and the bed next to window was occupied by a 66 yrs old Vaishnav lady. After staying here for 12 days and defeating Corona, she was going home finally! Very enthusiastic and positive attitude of this Corona warrior touched me! She was very talkative. Whole day she was on the phone. Either talking with someone or enjoying something religious on youtube. When she talked with a baby, she mimicked it and talked like a baby herself! This made me laugh! Haveli Sangeet (music of a specific genre played in Krishna temples) enjoyed by this technosavvy granny enthralled me too!
 She had an insurance policy and there arose some issue in the payment due to which her discharge got delayed. Despite of doctor's go ahead, she could not go home the same day. She was so excited to go home that she had changed her hospital robe in the early noon but in the late evening when it became clear that she would not be able to go home that same day, she again changed her clothes. This whole episode was not taken too seriously by her and I liked her spirit. I chatted with her a lot. On 27th finally she went home. After her discharge the room had only me but i didn't shift my bed as I was also hopeful of getting the discharge the next day.
On 28th morning, a reserved old man, in contrast to my earlier neighbour, was brought to that window side bed. He talked on phone in English most of the time but never with me.
 Here on the other end, my wife Ami had gathered lot of strength. While staying all by herself, she had started course of medicine to boost immunity. She handled calls from BMC, police and also dealt with neighbours, relatives and friends - some supportive, some over inquisitive. Her parents, her maternal uncle who is a doctor and my Homeopath cousin Dr. Jigna stood by her and from them she received much needed mental support.
My parents and kids were also worried about my health and well being, but I used to call them up often to give updates of my improving health condition. In last 3-4 days, we started a new routine. I took due permission from hospital and requested my sister to send me homemade energy booster drink (KaaDhaa) and fruits and dry fruits. She used to put these stuff in a bag with my name written on it and handed it over to security staff who made it reach me in my room on sixth floor in isolation ward.
This worked very well and I felt very good after eating fresh fruits, tasty dry fruits and savouring homemade energy drink.
  Got chance to interact with doctors or nurse three to four times a day, whenever they visited me for their routine rounds for check up or give me medicine or put the saline or give an injection. Felt good whenever they came by. I will not be exaggerating if I say Doctors and nurses are living Gods on earth. If they stop tending and serving Corona infected patients then who on earth can save these patient's lives?
    Till 28th there was a great improvement in my health and finally after 11 days of hospitalization, I got the discharge. Around 6pm I bed adieu to the hospital, happy and excited!
 I returned Home. Ami was anxiously waiting for me. The great sense of relief in her eyes, her longing and love during those moments of my homecoming can't be expressed in words! I didn't receive a grand welcome with banging of plates or clapping and garlands and flowers, but the way my wife and sister welcomed me in my home with rice, vermilion and pure emotions, made corners of my eyes wet! 
 We still had to stay in home isolation for a week that was further extended by one more week when I went to the hospital for the first follow up. Finally on 10th Jun, doctor checked my fresh reports and gave me permission to lead new normal life and work from home. I saw my kids after almost a month. They were so happy to be back home with us.
   I got a new life only because of God's grace and the prayers and well wishes of my family and friends. I later found out that my dad had informed saints of Swami Narayan temple about my illness and they had performed a special Pooja for me. I was fortunate enough to seek blessings of Mahant Swami. Lot of relatives, colleagues and friends also called me regularly and prayed for my speedy recovery and only because of all these good vibes I am back to Life.
Now, I would like to share a few important tips from my own experience and this Corona journey so that by following the same you can stay healthy and away from the deadly virus.
~ Please don't fall sick. Weather is rainy and if you get wet, you can catch cold or fever. Please don't let that happen. As this can decrease your immunity power. The Corona virus easily enters your body when your immunity is low. So don't fall sick or don't let any of your family member fall ill.
~ Don't go to a Doctor's clinic or a Lab or a hospital at all, unless it is absolutely unavoidable or essential. This is because you can't see a person and make out if he or she is infected by Corona or not. At the above mentioned places, lot of people come and if any one of them is Corona Positive, then God save you from the infection. My suspicion is that I also got the infection myself by visiting a clinic. So, as much as possible stay healthy and please don't go yourself or let any of your family member visit a Doctor's clinic or a Lab or a hospital. Consult a doctor online or on phone. Postpone your  avoidable dental or ENT or opthal visits to a later date/month.
~ Please don't venture out of your home, specially to crowded places like mall, market, park etc.
~ If you have to go out, wear a good quality mask and handgloves. After returning, don't touch anywhere in your home and immediately wash your hands with soap. Take a bath with hot water. Use good quality sanitizer profusely.
~ If you have got delivery of some item or bringing essential item from outside, sanitize it. Keep the package for 8 to 10 hours untouched at a safe place and then open it or use it.
~ Don't order food from outside. If you are allergic to certain food or drinks then please don't consume it. I had fallen sick after drinking chilled Coca-Cola and had to go through this entire hassle.
~ Drink hot water only the whole day.
~ Gargle twice a day with warm water mixed with salt or Betadine. 
~ Increase consumption of Soonth (ginger powder), Ajma (bishop's weed) and turmeric. Hot milk mixed with turmeric is very good for health. Make KaaDhaa at home and enjoy it once or twice.
~ Take steam 'Naas' twice a day with Hot boiling water mixed with Ajma and a pinch of Soonth.
~ Do yoga, Pranayam. Breathing exercise is very good for lungs.
~ No need to get mad for getting Corona test done. If you feel you have developed a symptom or two, don't panic. If there are no other medical conditions that you are dealing with (like diabetes or heart condition etc. ) or if your symptoms are mild then you can get treated staying at your own home also under the observation of a good Doctor. Isolation is important. 
~ Homeopathy medicine boosts immunity a great deal. You can consult a good Homeopath and take these medicine to boost immunity.
~ Aayurvedic medicine also help in doing the same. They also don't have any side effects and in long run, can boost your immunity.
~ Make Positivity the Mantra of your life. Be optimistic. Stay calm and happy. Meditate, enjoy small pleasures of life. 
~ Maintain social distancing.
~ If one gets infected, his /her family also would most likely get infected is a Myth. In my family, by God's grace no one else got infected.
~ Please stay in touch with your friends and relatives and people who can help in the hour of need. Keep contacts handy. It helps if hospitalization is required or if any such emergency arises.
~ Last but not least - Have faith in Supreme Power and prayer.

 Prayer has lot of power. Come, let's all pray together to Almighty to completely destroy the virus as soon as possible... And make our life happy and free spirited, devoid of any fear...

(The end.)

- Vikas Ghanshyam Nayak