The mending continues.

Today, the plumber was called in to change two of the water taps. One specifically caters for IFB instruments and it's a toughened PVC tap into which the washing machine's inlet smugly secures. The other was the garden tap and its frequent handlers are the dhobhi and the gardener who pull out the attachments, to collect water for themselves. They need to be suitably warned to keep away from such practices.



  

The last day of November.

Had got up on the dot and gone about our chores. The day was sunny and bright though the early morning nip was very much in the air when I'd ventured out to open up the gate. The devotional songs on the Mannarassala temple were played on the music system and it was quite soothing.

Had a fuller breakfast with half a boiled banana along with dosas and the lovely chutney made by Lekha. The day went off like clockwork and Tomy, the grandfather clock man from Kochi, sent me the choices. Had short listed the choices, to three, after checking out with Lekha and endorsing her views.

Have asked my cousin to have a look see and do a bit of negotiations on my behalf. Hope she has the time and the inclination to do it as she is very busy!

After lunch, we watched the old Telugu musical hit, 'Sankarabharanam' and wow, it's still mesmerising. Felt glad for not missing it.

Meanwhile the 'Tata Sky - Sony' foul up continues to irritate me. This is the third day of the "bloody nonsense"! 

A hit and a miss!

Those of us having the Tata Sky direct-to-home television services have to frequently put up with the "nonsense" of being shown that if we needed to have continued and unrestricted viewing of the 'Sony Entertainment Television', we must send a missed call to a 10-digit number! The harsh reality is that the services continue to be in a limbo even after doing so.

The service provider collects its fees promptly but do not show the alacrity in restoring the facility. The doubts that come into my mind and I'm sure to many others are:-

    (i) Is it a wily game being played by Sony and the Tata Sky?
   (ii) If affirmative, what's this latest form of cheating the public?

Anyways, we've decided that when our present subscription terminates early next year, Tata Sky shall no more be our choice. And watching programmes on Sony shall be passe even when available! Too much of earnings have made it immune to the customers' needs. Sad!


Tailpiece.

Have been watching the the musical programme 'Top 10' on the Malayalam Flowers Channel every evening between 2030 - 2130 hrs. It's a treat to watch the child prodigies perform. Great!

Definite improvement.

The night sleep is an interrupted one, as has been the norm these days - getting up every hour to go to the wash room and have a glass of water, soon after. Plenty of water intake is a must!

We'd got up at our usual time and went about the chores. Lekha had gone along with the maid for her Thursday morning tryst with the good Lord.

Reading and resting were resorted to. And finally, could sent that mail, I'd in mind, to the concerned authorities to retrieve my Mom's life time arrears. Hope something tangible takes place. Achu was a great help in attaching the connected documents, scanned by the internet cafe in the morning.


Tailpiece.

There's a lot of improvement in my health and hopefully, the Bilirubin reading comes down to normal, next week. 

A few more pending jobs.

These days I'm up to finishing off pending work. Right now, I've zeroed on to a couple viz:-

 (a) The Grandfather clock.

      On the day before, The pendulum of the grandfather clock had fallen within the cabinet breaking
      the speed adjustment tip almost instantaneously. After literally sleeping with the problem for a
      day, yesterday I'd put my cousin at Kochi on the job, who'd helped me acquire it about four years
      back. The communications with the dealer were revived and he has promised her to send his
      service rep to effect defectation and repairs.

      I'm gonna give him another offer - to take this instrument away, collect the depreciation - and to              give me another brand new piece! I'm sure it would be a win-win situation for both, him and me!

 (b) Mom's Lifetime Arrears.

       After initiating the necessary correspondence through mom's bank at Kottarakkara to the pension
       section of the bank at Thiruvananthapuram, I'd got the manager to calculate the amount and send
       the connected request to the PCDA(O) at Allahabad. It's pending there for the last month and I do
       not know anyone there as of now and hence, request the DESA at the NHQ to bat for me.

       I'm sure something should materialise!


Tailpiece.

These days, I've tender coconut water as part of the therapeutic inputs against jaundice. Though it's
tasty and nice, has its glamour lost its sheen? I don't think so and it's definitely rejuvenating!

In continuance.....

Had got up quite early in the morning and went through my chores, earlier than usual. Lekha went about her's at the normal time.

After a rather heavy breakfast of 'idiyappams and stew', lazed around with my normal work. By about lunchtime, the company's installation representative announced his arrival. I find that there are a lot of hidden costs after the purchase of an item. As examples, let me narrate the two cases:-

  (a) The microwave oven.

        (i) Insists on a voltage stabilizer @ Rs. 1,470/- So, bought one.
       (ii) Spoke of an additional warranty of 1 year given only by the guys who come for the demo.
             Refused it.

  (b) The washing machine.

         (i) Insists on a filter since water is inputted from the well. Vetoed it as we have an overhead
              filter that puts in its output into the storage tank.
        (ii) Again insisted on a magnetic filter closer to the input of the washing machine to remove
              iron ore content. It had to be vetoed too.
       (iii) Suggests a stand for the machine which had to be shot down too.
       (iv) Offers a 1,200/- costing liquid washing soap, which again, had to be vetoed.

After much waiting, Vishnu, the bank manager, came about at around 1700 hrs to finish my 'Jeevan
Praman' formalities. Phew!

Things-are-a-changing!

These days, the forenoon and afternoon hours have become warm but the evenings have become cooler. There's a constant light breeze that blows across, almost all through the day. The 'winters' have set in. A light shawl tossed across the shoulders, during the early mornings and the evenings would be nice.

The  breeze, incidentally, has the property of drying up one's skin resulting in itching. So, a light application of a moisturiser/cream or even oil would alleviate this problem!

The workers toil on the fields over longer hours as required because of the conducive weather shorn of the extreme heat.

The first lot of people had dropped by and installed the new cooking range in place of the old....a slight cutting of the laminated slab had to be cut in the process.

Otherwise, it was another quiet day. 

A day, full of action!

Had got up half an hour earlier than usual and we went about our chores. This was because the Rajah Medical team wanted to come and draw my blood samples before 7 AM and I'd given them the go ahead. They had come on the dot; Sister Shafina effortlessly drew the blood samples and I didn't even know as to when the needle had got in!

Meanwhile, Rema had dropped in by 10, had a quick bite of breakfast and had gone along with Lekha and George for their bit of action. The briefing was thorough among the three of us, that everything went like clockwork. The exchange formalities, the selection process of articles and the banking formalities, thereafter, went about flawlessly.

They were at Rani Menon's Eye Center before 1300 hrs and could begin the painstakingly long 'field trials' of Lekha's eyes. Prolonged use of Quinine can affect the quality of vision - the peripheral and the retinas and hence, the periodic check ups - in her case, annually.

They were, finally, back home by a half past 4. After a quick cup of tea, Rema was off for Palakkad and she reported having reached there by a half past 8! Her help  was of immense value and we could pull off a long pending job, my incapacity, notwithstanding!

The new items were delivered by about 2100 hrs. Each of them were placed at their locations, the older ones picked up and dumped into their delivery van. The entire serial was over by about a half an hour.

A day, full of action, really! 

A real quiet Sunday.

The day began as usual, with me showing visible signs of improvement. Things are better, the appetite is gathering steam and the taste buds are providing better responses.

With the maid agreeing to visit us on Sundays, owing to my health conditions, Lekha has company and help, if required. Tomorrow's the day when the tests will be carried out all over again to know the latest set of readings.....hope they come down closer to normal if not normal, itself.

Watched the television as usual and did a few personal work along with briefing Lekha on the work to be carried out tomorrow; three major exchanges are being planned viz. the gas stove at the kitchen, the washing machine that has been erratic for over a while and the microwave oven that again, had a few functional issues! Hope our budget is able to take the costs!!

Lekha, also, goes for the 'field trials' of her eyes at Rani Menon's eye hospital at Ayyanthole because of her daily intake of quinine, an antidote for SLE. George will be on call tomorrow.

A batch of the 'Udiliv 150' tablets were replenished by the Medicare, on request. damn sweet of them! 

A quiet birthday!

We both had got up around a half past 12 for going around the corner and to have a glass of water. It was then that Lekha had kissed me on my forehead, wishing me 'many happy returns'. So, my birthday had officially kicked off! Rema and Padmakumar were the first to call at 0600 hrs, to wish me before Padmakumar left for the office.

Throughout the day, there were calls and messages from friends, class mates and course mates. Lekha took all of them as my voice wasn't okay.  They made my day.

Lekha'd gone to the Mammiyoor temple to do a puja along with the maid. They returned, loaded with a variety of fruits and I liked the pineapple and the guavas.

A satisfying day!

Another weekend.

The day had begun, as usual, with Lekha and I going through our chores after lighting the morning lamp at the puja room.

The weakness is slowly wearing off and the appetite is picking up. The medicines were had as per the timings prescribed for them.

Aniyan had come by lunchtime. He's apprehensive about the ailment spreading and had maintained his distance, but it was nice to see him all the same!

It was another quiet day with nothing much happening!

A normal day.

Had got up before 6, gone through the chores and was ready, as usual, by 9. It was a nice breakfast of 'adas' and a cup of Bournvita. The whole day was spent in reading, watching television, sleeping etc.

Also monitored the telephone calls that came by; my voice is yet to get okay.

Lekha and the maid went to the Guruvayur temple on their weekly visit. They bought the 'kadali pazham' for me to have. On return, Lekha had dropped by to look up Mrs. Rajah and thank her for the delicacies that she'd sent over yesterday!

Aniyan is coming by tomorrow on a flying visit. It will be a  'no stay' visit and he'd be all by himself. Usha ammayi is still recouping from the fall that she'd last month with a brace around her abdomen to reduce the pain'

  

Things are getting normal.

Had got up after a well rested night, notwithstanding the hourly going around the corner! The purgative was unnecessary.

The maid was absent again because she had lost her 45 year old uncle - dad's younger brother - due to cancer of the liver! So, Lekha had to carry off the day like yesterday and did a nice job.

It was yet another quiet day with many calls coming in seeking my present medical condition.

Our neighbours sent us the festival sweets and it was nice of them to have done so. Lekha will meet them tomorrow after her morning visit to the temple.

A very quiet day, indeed!

Got up at 6 to Lekha's cell's alarm and went about my chores without delay. The pace of doing things is slowly picking up and my taste buds are coming around to acceptable standards. Consequently, the appetite has picked up.

Our maid, Preetha was away for her monthly medical review of her kidneys and hence, the house was quiet with Lekha doing the kitchen work. She has been extremely careful to prepare bland food for me and in the process, sacrifices her own requirements. I'd to chide her saying that I could indulge in having the normal food, though in reduced quantities.

The guy from the PCI was asked to reschedule his quarterly visit because of two reasons:-

    (i) I was down with Jaundice and the smells of the disinfectants wouldn't suit me.
   (ii) Clean ship was impossible because of the maid's absence.

The day, otherwise, passed along without being eventful!


Tailpiece.

The light in the dining hall went 'kaput' all of a sudden. Similarly, the water drip at the kitchen metallic sink has increased. Similarly, the one in the ground floor toilet, too! The plumber-cum-electrician should, hopefully, come by tomorrow! 

First day back at home!

The night was peaceful after a long time. Had got up at 6, gone through my chores and was in time to receive the Rajah Medical team which had turned up, sharp at 7, to draw my blood samples to check the Bilirubin count and the entire range of the Liver Function Test.

The results were promptly delivered by 1030 hrs and the count had whirled down to 7.2. Phew!

The  routine of timely food and medicines have begun. Sat at my lap top and finished up pending jobs and paid up the Raj Nivas' telephone bill for last month.

Just as we were ducking in for our afternoon siesta, Suma kunjamma and Santhi, my cousin, dropped by. Nice of them, they were with us for over three hours. Kunjamma told us about her pitiable existence with her sons and daughters-in-law taunting her at every occasion to put her down, through mental torturing! Sree Kochachhan was the villain of the piece - that idiot has always had an inferiority complex over her being from the PN Panicker family. What shocked me was that, for the first time, her two backbone-less sons - whom she doted on and always had nice things to say about have gone against her, without realising the poison that their dirty father - Sreekantan Nair - has been injecting into them. They have to be taught a lesson in the not-too-distant-future.

What they don't realise is that their professional positions can get stripped down if the 'mental torture' is brought in front of a court. She has powerful friends and I'm sure that they'd do the needful, soon. Sreekantan Nair will have to court a non-bailable-arrest-warrant for cruelty to his spouse.

What further saddened me was that both the daughters-in-law have been nasty with her - was surprised about Ankita but about Vani, there was no doubt as there have been previous incidents, too, before.

Santhi, repeated the story of her gazetted officer sister Sindhu, making a mockery of looking after her mother and worsening her condition, every day.

Sad, these things are happening in our family! 

The second wave!

Last night itself, Lekha had rung up saying that there was going to be widespread highway blocking and that their coming to pick me up was on hold. I could only curse my rotten luck!

In the  morning, however, Lekha had called up to say that the blockade was going to be only for an hour and a half and they're fetching up in Rema's car to pick me up. Meanwhile, I'd shifted into Prabha's house from the hospital. Had a bite of an idli and lunch before the gang had picked me up on our long trip back to Guruvayur.

Earlier, had said my byes to Vishy and his staff officer before leaving Sanjivani.

The trip was uneventful but the visit to the Rajah Spa was a no show! Too much of dependence on Dr. Deepa's words!!

Returned home. Settled down to a quiet evening.

Rema and gang left by 2000 hrs and had reached Palakkad by 2230 hrs.

Another of those useless 'hartals'.

Had got up early in the morning, oblivious of the looming no-show waiting to happen further today. Meanwhile, I'd spruced myself up for my return to Guruvayur on discharge. Lekha had called up around a half past 8 to say that it was a state wide 'hartal' and therefore, today's movements have been curtailed consequently. It was, then, that the whole situation had sunk into my system!

I, then, told the Sister-on-duty, the comely Smitha Nair, that I would be staying another day after discharge at the hospital. Things were immediately organised by her regarding the overstay! And that was that!!

Sister Smitha, who used to be on evening duties out here, earlier, happened to come by and I could say my hello and bye to her. I'd really been wanting to do that.

My Medical Board Proceedings were approved and the discharge summary reached me by 1400 hrs. Thus, I was armed in every which way to make a hasty return, tomorrow, after Lekha came along with Rema and gang in the latter's car!

Otherwise, it was yet another quiet day!

Jinxed?

Since, an anti - women entry Sabarimala activist, Sasikala, had been detained by the police, at Sabarimala, there has been a call for 'hartal' tomorrow and everything goes for a toss insofar as vehicular movements go tomorrow, on Saturday.

What a blow?

Life has, indeed, become miserable in the state for the common man with such frequent, idiotic halt in our lives. Whom are they trying to impress?

Absolute boredom.

For the second time in several days, had a bath in hot water with the geyser working efficiently. So, it was a great start to what I thought to be a fine day. But soon it turned out to be a daml squib with no one dropping by!

Sister Sri Vidya is on leave today and hence I won't see her again. The other Sisters came and went on duty, They didn't have the former's personal touch!

Couldn't call up Lekha but finally, the landline was okay by late evening and we could talk. Phew! George won't be there to ferry us and that's gonna be a dampener!

It was a quiet evening with me listening to music.

A ticking Thursday!

By a quarter past 6, the Sister-on-duty drew out my blood samples for the latest review. It started off on an irritant note that I desperately wanted a bucket of hot water to have a bath but found that there seemed to be bottlenecks! Finally, upon my insistence I could get it and the whole of the Works department had landed to get the system going. They're successful, finally!

Cdr MJ Paul was the first to drop by. It was nice to see him after a longime. His 85 year old mom had survived a recent fall with multiple fractures on the shoulders, the clavicle with abrasions on the knees! And she only requires him to do her chores and like a dutiful son, he carries out what he's required to do!

Murali Nair was the next with lunch for me. The chutney that she'd provided along with it was exquisite! Thanks Radhika, for your thoughtfulness!

After the initial thought about my discharge today, the Medical Specialist has tweaked my medicines for sugar and said that I'd like he'd to observe for another day. Lekha was passed on the changed itinerary.

The count of my Bilirubin has now, come down to 9.9! It was nice news!!

Chacko Ipe had come down around that time and we'd a long chat. I'd followed the same pattern of listening to old music on the You Tube.

  

A Wednesday when I kept myself busy.

The day had begun on a warm note. I could watch my programmes, on the television, from 5 in the morning.

There were no tests as all of them are slated for tomorrow. Jojy had come with my lunch of yoghurt while Saly stood below. That was strange! Anyways, could hand over Bindu's books to him as Chacko Ipe and I might miss each other because of his trip to New Delhi.

I might be discharged on Friday depending on my results tomorrow!

Listened to all my favourite music, from You Tube for about three hours in the evening. It was heavenly and soothing!

The supper was okay, but as usual, my aim was to partake a couple of chappathies, which I could manage!

Three things.

(a) Parvathy has to express her opinion on everything. 

      She gets this urge because of having achieved phenomenal success in her acting career on debut
      and has proved to be a powerhouse of an actress. Her latest about the entry of women to the
      shrine of Sabarimala.

      She must realise that she doesn't have to express her opinions time and again. One must have it
      and a response at the appropriate time, if needed. Period! She'd gone out of her way for that
      unnecessary comment that she'd made on Mammootty and finally, went out of the way to
      mollify ruffled feathers.

 (b) The great body called AMMA.

      AMMA, has had two meetings and despite the deliberations, nothing concrete was given off as
      decisions. There seems to be an anxiousness to get that fraudster, Dileep back into the fold
      dropped off all charges and knowing the way the system works, there must be heavy backroom
      efforts to get the victim drop charges to give him a clean chit!

      Otherwise, if he's squeaky clean why doesn't he do the following:-

            (i) Get through the court proceedings fast and prove his innocence rather than obstructing it.
           (ii) Avoid background maneuverings with spineless members to influence people.
   
      And please don't ask us to believe that the whole plan was Pulsar Suni's!


Tailpiece.

Which brings me to this guy himself. I've been on a hospital bed for the last fortnight and have
generally kept the television monitor switched on the Surya Music channel. It's sickening that
Dileep's songs ( At least two of them per hour) are transmitted without fail.

     (a) His sight brings about a sense of horror and disgust because of the doubt that he has done
           massive crime.
     (b) If, by doing so, he thinks that he shall remain in the hearts of the Malayalee, he's totally
           mistaken.

First, go clear yourself and come back with a clean character certificate!

My other observations are:-

     (a) Mohanlal is shown an over preference. Though he's my favourite actor, I, too, feel that there
          is an over indulgence.
     (b) The DJs swoon over his mention, probably, it's their belief that by doing so, they would get
           a chance in his forthcoming movies.
     (c) Mammootty, Kunchacko Boban, Suresh Gopi and many others are no where in their scheme
          of things! The channel plays favourites, wonder why?
           

Could clear my work.

The day had begun on a wonderful note. I could finally get the cable on at 5 AM and watch the nice programmes that come out at that time which is a mix of devotional, old music and the not so recent ones.

Murali Nair had dropped by and thanks to him, I could clear my electricity and landline bills for last month. Those jobs are behind me now. It was Murali's patience that won the day. Incidentally, they were just back from Bangalore after their course alumni get together. Radhika, however, is down with fever.

The IONS is on its second day. The photograph of Lanba walking with his head down away from his aircraft said it all. Already, the event has receded into the interiors of the newspapers!

Lekha has tied up with the Rajah Ayurveda Hospital at Akaladu regarding my immediate admission after discharge from here. George has been alerted and kept standby.

An okay day.

The day had begun on an even note. Vishy had dropped by on his way to office and was sorry that I'd to shift my room. He sent his boy and I was satisfied that I could pass on his DVD player, the DVDs - they're good company till the cable television was brought to stream.

Jojy had called on next and it was nice chatting with him. He was by himself, of course.

As far as the IONS was concerned, it must have started on a spectacular note, I'm sure, but the dampener must have been that the Raksha Mantri didn't make it for some reason. Sad that these civilian politicians do not understand the importance of such important initiatives on a strategic level!

Now, all I need is to hand over the books of Bindu. My friend, Chacko Ipe, who'd brought them to me, is currently in New Delhi fighting a personal legal battle and I don't know as to whether he'd be back before I leave the hospital, hopefully, by Saturday.

Bose, a young medical sailor here, tried his best to help me with the online payment of my electricity and telephone bills. But somehow, it didn't meet with success.

Will do it tomorrow if Murali Nair comes.

A listless Sunday.

The morning commenced as usual. Georgie had called by and while he was here, I went through a patch of retching, thankfully, there was nothing much to go and it came under control.

The cable television had got going and there was some respite from the boredom on that score. Meanwhile, work continued all around as the were following a modified routine.

A very quiet day otherwise!

A quiet Saturday.

The first to drop by was Ajith who had spent sometime with me and gave me some valid inputs on subsequent care. 

Had a light breakfast of two idlis and sambar, simply because I'd requested Lekha to get me idlis and her splendid white chutney from home. But she'd a long wait at home because Sanil, Mini and Ammu were coming down from Bangalore, Coimbatore and they'd eventually reached 'The Quarterdeck' after 12! By the time they reached here, it was well past 3. The painstakingly made idlis and chutney had gone for a six and had to be dumped into the waste paper basket! Felt so sad!!

Today's achievement was that I could pay up my car's insurance premium too! The company's rep had collected from Lekha at the Lulu Mall, on their return.

My room is gonna be decked up into a minor OT for the RM for the forthcoming visit for the IONS(Indian Ocean Naval Symposium) from Monday and so, I was shifted into a smaller room nearby by evening. 

   

A boring day!

The day started off as usual. Nothing unusual, being Friday, the ward was spruced up for rounds of various teams. I realised that my progress was closely being monitored.

Suresh was the first to drop by and he sat for a while followed by Sivakumar. So, the daytime I'd company.

The rest of the day was spent in reading, watching the dvd. Sanil and Mini will be bringing Lekha tomorrow. Should be able to give the Chevy's premium tomorrow to the Bajaj Allianz rep tomorrow.

Another quiet day.

I'd taken a purgative and except for a late night visit to the rest room, nothing unusual happened. The encouraging part was that my bilirubin count has started trending downward to 13.1, which was incidentally the count that I'd come with, almost!

Jojy was the lone visitor and through his cellphone, I'd made a call to the car insurance people. The payment of the Chevy's premium is due later this month.

Slept through most of the day with an occasional reading and browsing of mail.

Musings.

I was wrong about the Diwali Mela. Venduruthy had just completed its inspection and since it's the establishment that provides the logistics and administrative support for the conduct of the mela, to give it rest after the strenuous preparation for the inspection, the mela has been postponed.

Murali Nair had come and sat with me and in the process delivered the yoghurt prepared by Radhika. And as I'd earlier said, followed by George Skaria, the secretary of the NFKC.

A boring day altogether and kept myself busy through my lap top and reading, along with watching Simon and Garfunkel on the DVD player that Vishy had installed on arrival. 

It's Diwali within the naval base.

It's a holiday because of Diwali and it's all very quiet out here. Punia, the medical assistant in attendance, sponged me up in the morning and the day had begun as usual. The breakfast was so so and I'd only the essentials but it was very, very light. Murali Nair dropped by to hand over Radhika's lunch for me of yoghurt.

After the Navy Foundation Kochi Charter's meeting, its secretary, George Skaria dropped by and sat with me till lunch time. It was a nice interaction after a long time.

Sister Sri Vidya was in attendance and the entire day seemed to be very, very quiet. The Diwali Mela must be spiritedly happening on the hockey field just across the road. Mouth watering dishes, games of fun and other activities take place till late in the evening when it winds up. 

Had a few guests land up and it was nice.

Dateline 06 Nov.

Kerala, officially, celebrates any festival a day prior to the national capital and other north Indian states because of the latitudinal separation. And so, it was Diwali today. Hence, Padmakumar and Achu had leave and therefore, they fetched up last evening at 'The Qurterdeck'.

This morning, they drove down to the hospital and it was nice to have their company for the whole of the forenoon. The glad news was that our ECHS cards have been retrieved! My last month's dues on the ICICI card was paid, on line, by Achu and that job was over. The Jeevan Praman certificate could not be generated because it needed an optic identifier of anyone of the digits. They left by lunch time and reached 'The Quarterdeck' by tea time.

Radhika and Murali were the next and it was fun time. She has promised to send me tomorrow's lunch, damn sweet of her!

But trouble was brewing for me. My Bilirubin count had climbed to 14.1 and was still climbing. That was a serious blow! Was it that my input too less, my disharge inadequate or that my water intake too inadequate? I need to make up.

Meanwhile, Biju, the sailor whom I'd sponsored has been sending me emissaries to talk to me. His wife had called me up about six months earlier, saying that he was drinking himself silly, beat her up occasionally in that alcoholic frenzy but didn't want me to talk to him or his commanding officer. I'd asked her to take recourse with the Navy Wives Welfare Association(NWWA). He is due for retirement next year.

How time has flown?     

Number crunching with Bilirubin.

Dateline 06 Nov.

My bilirubin - a liver excretion - count is an indicator of the seriousness of my jaundice. When I was admitted, it was 13.96 and today's reading showed that it was 14.1 and climbing. It's disappointing, to say the least.

Today's Leela chittamma's 70th birthday. Couldn't get through to her as her cellphone was continuously engaged. We're supposed to attend the celebrations! But alas!! 

A slow recovery.

Dateline 30 Oct.

To be on an intravenous drip brings about a lot of restrictions, in that, one's restricted in the manner one can lie down on bed. That could, at best, be irritating but suffer through is the only decent remedy.

Another important aspect that I came to realise was that there's a school of thought among service doctors that the ex-servicemen should avail of avail of the ECHS facilities and therefore, not get admitted in service hospital despite the fact that their hospital are poorly occupied.

I, very well understand their point of view.

Lekha was with me throughout the day time after which she had returned to my cousin's. The arrangement is that no attendant is permitted in a service hospital! 

Admitted at last!

Dateline 29 Oct.

George had fetched up by a half past 7 and we were soon off to Kochi. I never believed that I'd complete the journey because of my condition as I thought that I'd require an intravenous intervention to carry me through. Vishy's staff officer cut through the security bureaucracy and got us through the gate within no time.

Vishy's personal intervention saw me going through the admission formalities in a jiffy. This was the best way to tide over the situation because our ex-servicemen central health scheme (ECHS) cards were not traceable. They've been kept too safe that they were out off sight for us too!

By evening, I was buttoned onto an intravenous drip and was gonna be on it for the next 48 hrs to shake away the the days of weakness.

Meanwhile, Lekha was putting up with my cousin at Gandhi Nagar. Finally, things were in place, as I'd wanted. Phew! 

A miserable day.

Dateline 28 Oct.

I was in a terrible condition by the morn of the 28th. Went to the hospital for carrying out the tests. What I was rattled with was that despite the fact that I was the senior consulting physician's patient and my condition was pathetic, there was no sense of urgency. Moreover, I found that the place where we waited for my turn, stank of sewage and the overall services were piss poor. In addition, the liver specialist after giving me a thorough look over advised me against hospitalisation, saying that he didn't suggest my subsistence on the hospital's canteen food.

I had taken a swift decision and returned home. I'd to avoid putting pressure on Lekha and rung up Vishy, the command medical officer of the southern naval command and he asked me to reach him without further delay. And that was that!

The night was miserable, to say the least.