Geetanjali Express leaves Howrah Station minus my wife and me

It happened a couple of years back and my wife was at the receiving end.,br> She comes from a family that had known cases of cardiac problems – her father suffered a severe stroke while traveling in a bus in Kolkata and expired before any help could arrive. Her elder brother also suffered a stroke while at work and survived because of immediate hospitalization. He now wears a pacemaker. Therefore, it was but natural that my wife also be a probable victim due to the hereditary factor.
She did have some problems related to the heart and was taking regular medicines for blood pressure as well as the cardiac problems. There was an instance when she had lost consciousness as we waited in the hospital for meeting the doctor. She had undergone a full checkup and certified as fit.

Anyway, in 2013, we had made a program to spend some time in Kolkata during the Durga Pujas. We also planned to visit Puri and had booked train tickets and hotel reservation in the seaside resort. It was the year when Orissa was hit by Cyclone Phailin followed by floods and disaster beyond imagination.
Our stay in Kolkata during the Durga Pujas was full of fun as was the trip to Orissa.
Finally, it was time to return and, on the appointed day, we arrived at Howrah Station to board the Geetanjali Express. My brother-in-law had come to see us off and, as the train was entering the platform, disaster struck – my wife lost her balance and, literally collapsed. I had to hld on to her and, gradually lowered her on the bench. My brother-in-law immediately summoned his driver and, instead of boarding the train, we got into his car and sped to the hospital.
The train left without my wife and me.
The doctor in the Emergency Ward carried out a few preliminary tests and advised immediate hospitalization because my wife’s pulse rate was very low. My brother-in-law discussed with his family physician who suggested that my wife be put on Holter monitoring for 24-hours. (to be continued …)

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