I removed my heart blockage without surgery 20 years back and am still active

The heart is the most vital organ of any living being. This organ loses its powers with age and once the symptoms become visible, one seeks medical advice. The patient has to go in for medication as the medical team pores over the findings of various tests. Usually, the suggestion of the learned professionals is surgery. However, I did nothing of the sort when doctors advised that option. It happened in 2003 when I was in service. I still had one year left to retire and the doctors said – ‘don’t worry - you will not need to pay anything because the company will bear the expenses since you are still an employee.’ It did not convince me. Yes, my heart was weak. I was taken to the hospital from my office and preliminary investigation in Mumbai showed my LVEF to be far below limits. In those days, the cardiac scene was practically not there in Nashik and I had to go to Mumbai. I dreaded the very thought of lying unconscious on the operation table as surgeons tried to repair my damaged heart. I had never undergone any surgery until then and even now, there are no such scars on my body.

Well, when I returned back from Mumbai, a woman who worked in my section gave me a local Marathi magazine in which there was a medicine prescribed to improve the functions of the heart. It consisted of three ingredients. These were basil leaves, fresh lemon and ‘khadi’ shakkar. This is a form of sugar that comes in the form of lumps. I would pluck 10 to 12 basil leaves, clean them and make a paste with the ‘khadi’ shakkar using a marble-stone mortar and pestle. I would then put the paste in a cup, mix the juice of a fresh lemon and swallow the mixture on an empty stomach. Simultaneously, I would munch a pod of garlic along with my morning tea. I continued this ‘medication’ for nearly six months. When I next went for checkup in Mumbai, the LVEF value had gone up to a satisfactory level. I did not go for any surgery and am as fit as a fiddle even today. My age is 78.

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How to fight the retirement blues

The term retirement is usually applicable to only those who are employed – politicians can continue to serve the masses till thy drop dead, no retirement age specified for them. Same for self-employed ones like doctors and lawyers who become more sought-after depending on their age. The general concept that age brings with it the advantage of loads of experience and expertise to handle difficult situations. They may not be directly involved and leave that to their juniors but their knowledge helps the cause at the operation table or in court.
Similar is the case of the shopkeepers and the vegetable vendors – they continue to serve till they answer to the call of the Divine.

Therefore, those who have to ultimately fight off the retirement blues are employees of different organizations who have decided upon an age beyond which an individual loses his effectiveness – instead of being a treasure, he becomes a liability to the organization.
How this age is arrived at is a mystery and no one has an answer – it comes down from generations by tradition and is never questioned. Of course, in some organizations, a few selected individuals can expect to ward off the inevitable expiry date because of working in specific fields where there is no immediate replacement. Such instances are few and far between. The fact of the matter is – you have to leave and make way for others once you reach the expiry date.
We have dealt with several options of how to spend the retirement days. Here is another one – look for another job.
Yes, there are many professions where one can expect to get another job after retirement. And, one who is lucky to land another job can be assured of a fixed monthly income provided the new company pays on time. In such cases, the individual may have to accept a lesser pay package, swallow his pride and also get adjusted to the whims and fancies of the new boss. It becomes a case of make hay while the sun shines. (to be continued …)
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Hospital keeps following me – it gets me for third time in three months

I, like any other normal person, hated hospitals. The strong smell of disinfectants, the nurses going about with grim expression on their faces, the doctors who do not know how to laugh - all of these have negative effect on every one.
I was no exception but, as it turned out, I had to get admitted in the hospital for treatment of disease connected to the heart. Yes, it was hereditary and, hence, the doctors did not want to take any chance. And, to add to my bucket of woes, my GM wanted to ensure that I remained fit and effective. It was a selfish motive but, it did have its plus points because the doctors took special care for me.
However, after being in the hospital twice, I felt that my diagnosis was complete and I started on a regular dose of medicines that were meant to ensure a trouble free life. But, God willed otherwise.

It was a party in a hotel – the occasion was to meet the family of a prospective bride for my son. The contact had been through letters and they hailed from Raipur. And, the head of the family was known to one of my local friends.
All of us met in a hotel in Nashik City and, agreed to let the youngsters go out and try to discover each other’s likes and dislikes. They came back after half an hour or so and there followed a session of some hot and spicy snacks peppered with discussions in a light vein. We exchanged smiles and parted company.
But, by the time we returned home, I was once again in discomfort. And, it ended with yet another visit to the hospital and an entry into the ICU – it was the third time in less than three months. (to be continued …)
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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