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5. In The ICU

A thick pipe was connected to his head with a small bag in which blood was getting collected. A lot of cotton and bandages were wrapped on head. Hands and legs were tied until gaining proper consciousness. And many wires were connected to his body to monitor vitals.

After Mom came out of ICU, I went in to see Dad. He was talking normally though looking a little weak. Doctor told he shouldn’t move his head for at least 2 days. “NO BONE” was written of left side of his head.

Mom didn’t notice, I didn’t know this. Told her and she didn’t believe and went in again to see. She was just silent when she came out.

He was kept in ICU for 2 days where we can only meet him for an hour in whole day, that too one at a time. Then he was shifted to Surgical ward where we can sit with him for a little longer.

4. The Actual Surgery Date

After waiting for few days, 10 April 2020 was given the date for surgery. All the tests have been done on the day before. He was told he can only eat/drink till 10 PM of the night.

We were told he would be sent to the operation theatre by 0700 hrs. The service bus wouldn’t reach before 0900 hrs. We didn’t had our four wheeler here in Lucknow.

So we rented a self driving car previous day and reached by 0630 hrs. It was going to be long and tought day. Papa was ready to go to the operation theatre.

After he went inside, it was just a long wait. Brain surgery is one of the most critical surgery of all. Even a small mistake would have big consequences. The area of brain being operated was left frontal temporal lobe.

This area majorly includes, not limited to, functions like speech comprehension and memory. Operating this area would affect the personality a lot.

The clock was ticking very slowly. Time wasn’t passing at all. After very long wait of 5 hours he was shifted to ICU. Attendant called us when he gained consciousness and told us we can meet him one by one.

3. Postponed

We reached hospital on 02 Apr 2019 only to find out that surgery was postponed due to an emergency case. A new date wasn’t finalized yet. And it was again the same routine of asking date for surgery daily.

In the meantime, Dr told Dad that part of skull may have to be cut out if it’s infected. Now this was the bigger issue on Dad’s mind because this would change the structure of forehead. And he kept saying to us to pray this doesn’t happen.

The hospital was 28 kms from home, so daily up-down was a big task going at least halfway through the city traffic. We were living in Air Force quarters. It was on outskirts of the city, so cab booking was very difficult.

On weekdays, excluding public holidays, we would get air force bus to hospital but that would return in afternoon. We used to stay till evening, so would book cab on return which wasn’t easy as internet wouldn’t work properly in that area.

2. The backstory

First time he had seizures in 2008. It was around 0245 hrs. Everyone was asleep. So no one recognised what it was actually that happened. By the time I woke up, he was calm, eyes open but body wasn’t moving. After a few minutes he was normal.

Later, on getting the MRI scan, doctor confirmed it was tumor. Dad denied for surgery when doctor suggested for it. Doctor also said, that surgery has to be done, it’s only about time when it will be done.

Every 6 months MRI scan was done to see if the tumor size changes. In MRI scan of Nov 2013, tumor size was found to be increased. He underwent 7 hours long brain surgery (craniotomy) on 5 Dec 2013. Biopsy confirmed it was Grade II. Radiotherapy was given in Mar 2014.

I wasn’t aware that this disease can’t be cured. But it can be treated and then medication for lifetime till it again occurs or starts to grow. In that case, again similar treatment would be required i.e. surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

1. The unexpected

She received the call on 11 Mar 2019 and broke down in tears. After crying for over an hour, Mom pulled herself together and rang me. I was also shocked but was positive that this disease can be treated.

Tumor had started growing after being of same size for 5 years. Doctor suggested my Dad to get admitted on same day. But a few days later they gave him leave for 10 days as bed availability was less.

After getting admitted on 27 Mar 2019 again, he was shifted to nuerosurgery ward and doctor said surgery has to be done within 8-10 days. After daily enquiry by my mother, on 1 Apr 2019 doctor said surgery will be done next day.

I planned with my brother earlier when date wasn’t given to reach before surgery. But on knowing surgery date, we booked flight of same night and reached hospital directly.