The Hindu Business Line : Choose hope

It could not be! The human brain is not shifted to that extent inside the cranium (skull). Another angle of the scan and my worst fears were confirmed. The lesion, by virtue of its size, had pushed his brain aside. As I sat on the other side of the scanning machine, I resolved to handle the situation later. But alas! It was not the last time that I was tested.

Four years later. December 2005. I returned home after an urgent call. My husband seemed to be resting, dismissing off his unease as travel tedium. But his palms were chill I found… And it took me a few moments to remember that sometimes a heart attack and an acute stomach pain cannot be distinguished. One telephone call and 12 minutes later an ambulance was at the doorstep.

Being a wife and also a doctor at the same time is a difficult job. Stress was perhaps the reason for both the incidents in my husband’s case. Aren’t over 90 per cent of ailments psychosomatic?

Looking back, in these crisis situations, it was a steely resolve that came over me: that I would have to deal with the situation like a doctor. The wife within was overpowering, of course. Finally, however, the professional won.

My husband looked at me. “It’s nothing. Why are you getting worried?”

“A doctor does what she has to!” I said to myself.

“A doctor does what she has to,” I said to him.

Yes, I was a professional but for a few moments when I was not sure. As if there were two voices inside my head.

“Be calm,” I said to myself. The brain lesion was not cancerous. It was tubercular in nature. But this was a heart attack…

Perhaps, mental strength was all that I had. It sailed me through the tough time. He underwent a by-pass surgery. Fortunately, my husband was receptive that made my job a tad easy. And I was lucky.

Things I think people should know:

Regular check up is not a waste.

Have a family doctor. Keep his/her number always in reach.

Do not get perturbed in the face of adversity.

Never give up.

Take a few deep breaths.

Be positive by avoiding negative thoughts.

Think before you speak.

Words of coach — Once you have the courage to choose hope, anything is possible.

(Dr Kamalie Sripal as told to Kumar Shankar Roy)

Post your comments on: http://HiCoach.blogspot.com