OLD AGE VOWS

Baiji is not well since Dec 2009. She went to Jodhpur in the month of Nov 09 and was cooking and doing all house hold chores herself and then decided to move to Bhilwara for a few days. On very first day, her legs refused to move and on diagnosis it was found that she had severe diabetic problems. Raju being in small town was not able to cope with this situation and immediately rushed her to Ahmedabad.

As usual bhai sab, bhabhiji and Chinku put in their best efforts for her medical care. She was admitted in Shelby Hospital in Ahmedabad. She was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus Hypertension and also compression in Spinal Cord. Urine frequency was very high and therefore, minimum two persons were required to take her to toilet after every one or two hour. She was subsequently made to go through urinary procedure in the month of March 2010. Since then urine is being passed through catheter only. Attempts to urinating without catheter have failed.

On 21^st March, 2010 she was brought at our place. One full time female attendant was engaged to take care of her. She was also taken to PGI and advised to be admitted for at least 15 days for proper diagnosis. However, surgery at this stage is difficult and there is no guarantee that she would be cured by procedure and were were told that other problems may crop up after surgery due to old age. In any case bajiji herself is not ready for this. Alternate medicines (homeopathy) were also given, but due to bitter taste she refused to carry on.

She also developed infection in the 2^nd week of April, 2010. White flakes were seen in the urine bag and flow of urine was completed stopped. We tried to call on doctor and nurse on emergency basis but nobody agreed to come at home and wanted patient to be brought at hospital. At last with his contacts, Gopi managed one male nurse and as per telephonic advice from one of my close frinds is also an urologist in other city , bladder flushing was done with high dose of medicines. This process was repeated twice on alternate day and with God blessing, situation was brought under control. The urine culture and urine routine test were conducted subsequently and they were found be as per desired level looking to the condition of patient.

The physiological problems are still manageable. However, the biggest challenge is the emotional issue. Being mother of nine kids and the senior most member of a family having 43 members she feels lonely and alone. Though we give her best of our company, the attendant and additional servant also available round the clock so that she keeps on talking, but no other company is there. Neighbors and friends seldom visit. Even if they do, they are not interested in listening to patient vows. That is how the fact of life is.

She wants to be among her close knits, wants to talk to her sister-in-law, nephew, brother, bhabhi, daughter, daughter-in-laws, grand sons and so on. Mobiles phone has been kept at her bed side so that she could talk to the dear ones. She wants to go to Jodhpur, wants to get sympathy of all those who are closely associated with her, wants to see her residence. But alas, that is difficult. Everybody is already occupied with their own responsibilities.

The morale of the story:

1. As far as possible, we should keep ourselves physically fit as old age is extremely difficult phase.
2. We should give best of morale education of our kids, so that they have the emotions of sufferings and pains of dear one AND as a parent we should give maximum love to our kids.
   
3. Last but not least, you should be financially sound to support yourself.