Those difficult times and thereafter…..

Hello everyone! Greetings 🖖  This is my first post after a year long break…

True enough, life is indeed unpredictable. It gives you the most dreadful unexpectedness when you least expect it. That’s what happened to me. Today, when I look back and remember, I still get the goosebumps, the tremble and chill. The misery I went through, will most likely follow me all throughout my life, or for a very long time. The past year was the most challenging and overwhelming for me. In those days, I used to put down my thoughts and feelings to my husband throughout his absence during the difficult times.

When we were about to go to bed, on the evening of 8th January 2021, around10.30 PM, after dinner and are routine talk, you complained of a headache. I advised you to take a pain reliever, and go to bed. But to my astonishment, you behaved a little different when you were lying on the bed. You asked me to get the tablet and water for you. When I was back from the kitchen with the glass of water, you couldn’t get up from the bed to have the medicine.The water gushed out from your mouth because you were unable to swallow. Then, all of a sudden, I could understand that something was wrong with you. You began to slur your words. Being a doctor myself, I came to know that you were having a transient ischaemic attack or maybe a stroke. I, immediately called emergency service and requested for an ambulance. I fumbled while speaking as I was very nervous. In the interim, I also called our next-door neighbour Jan, a 72 year old retired dutchman who is quite friendly and is fluent in English. When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics examined you and noticed that your left side of the body was immobile. However you were still trying to communicate and was conscious. They hurried you to the emergency room of the nearest hospital in Eindhoven where we reside. Both, Jan and I accompanied you to the hospital. In the ER, I was not allowed inside. We were both waiting outside. At around 11 o’clock, I asked Jan to go back home as he was quite tired and had recently recovered from cancer.

A little later, I was told that they gave you a Morphin injection for your headache and a CT scan was done. Although I was completely shaken, somehow I was calm, still holding on to my gut that things would be all okay. Once the CT scan report came, they confirmed to me that it’s a right brain hemorrhage, which is quite huge and with some strange findings. I was told that they had planned to shift you to a hospital in Tilburg, which is a nearby city, about 45-minute drive from Eindhoven. On top of my shock and cold shivers, I was confused and petrified by this whole chain of events. I was informed that they don’t have the expertise, so that is why you have to be referred to the Tilburg Hospital, which has a better neurological service. Moreover, I was told that your CT scan findings were quite confusing and the bleeding was huge.

Within minutes, the ambulance came and rushed us to Tilburg. Inside the ambulance, you were lying down, still in your senses, tired and awake, complaining of the headache and discomfort. I was sitting next to you and asking you to rest and reassuring you. By almost 12.30 am, we reached Elizabeth Hospital, Tilburg. They rushed you again to the ER. I was allowed to accompany you there. The neurosurgeon on duty examined you and did a scan again. She, too, told me about the right brain hemorrhage and some strange discovery that resulted in the massive bleeding. All the while, I was very worried and heartbroken from inside. I could not hold my tears, cried and felt so helpless. At that moment, I felt that I would lose you and that I had lost everything in life.

Still awake and tired, you were transferred to a medium-care unit to be kept under observation. You asked the nurse if I could stay with you in the room. I know I won’t be allowed in, so I assure you that I will keep waiting outside. During those painful hours, I called your father, back home in India, to inform him about the whole episode. He was totally shocked. I could not hold my tears and was crying on the phone. Then, I called and informed our son too. He was confused and could not believe his ears. He was terrified as well, as he knew that his dad was the fittest one in the family and had never had any kind of illness. I have no idea what went through him at that stage, as he was all alone at home. Due to COVID, he was in our apartment and not in his college hostel. I also informed my sister and my brother-in-law. By that time, it was almost 1.30 AM. I was told to go back home as you were kept under supervision and it was quite stable.

So, while boarding a taxi from Tilburg to Eindhoven, I realised that the coming days were going to be the toughest to handle.That whole night, after reaching home, I cried and cried, just loitering around the house in anguish and pain. I had the impression that I was in for a long, dark journey with no idea what lay ahead.

The following day ,on the 9th of January was even scarier. I was informed earlier that you would be taken to the Operation Theatre for brain angiography. I was in the hospital, waiting to hear about the outcome of your brain angiography. Till 6 o’clock in the evening, there was no news concerning you. I kept enquiring the OT nurse about you. She informed me that you hadn’t been taken out of the OT. My mind was beginning to crawl with fears and anxieties. I was distraught and in panic. The OT nurse then called me at around 6:30 pm and took me to a room. I could sense the worst as I was sitting alone in the room. At that moment, I was terrified and utterly shaken.

Two doctors entered the room and sat in front of the table where I was sitting. One doctor started talking to me about the procedure they had to perform on you. They said that you had an atrioventricular fistula in your right brain which had to be repaired, otherwise the bleeding was profuse. The procedure went well, but you have not yet regained your consciousness from the anesthesia. They were very uncertain about the outcome and that you might have slipped into a coma. They told me that they were expecting the worst scenario, maybe brain death. My whole world was shattered at that moment. I was almost lost and could not stop myself from crying. I was in a complete state of shock. The doctors and staff did try to console me. Jan, our elderly friend, explained to me to take things practically and control my emotions. I called our son, your brother, and my family and informed them regarding your state. I was told to return home and was assured to be informed of any further developments regarding your state. When I got home, it felt like the longest night, the darkest and scariest night of my life. That whole night, I grasped onto my mobile, waiting for any news about you.

On January 10th, I came to the hospital and was informed that you had been shifted to the ICU. The doctors told me that they had to drain a huge bulk of fluid from your brain and that your vitals were stable. I was informed that your MRI scan showed a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage, which got worse due to a congenital defect of the AV fistula. Such cases are rare.The condition was worse as you had hydrocephalus, so the fluid had to be drained to reduce the pressure.

The first time I saw you in the ICU with a ventilator and machines, drains, and drips all over, it was really hard for me. I went near you and called your name. You did respond with a little movement of your right hand. I was relieved and was happy as I could see little hope of light after these 2-3 hard days. That day was quite positive for me as the doctors were happy with you for being responsive to the treatment and procedure. But then, they still reminded me about the uncertainty of your condition. There was still a huge amount of fluid left in your brain which had to be drained continuously. You were still in a comatose state, with a low score on the neurological scale. I was told to call our immediate family members from India as your chances of survival were low. I called our son, back in India, and asked him to pack his bag to come to the Netherlands. I also informed your family and mine regarding your present state. I called your employer and informed them because they had been trying to reach you for the last 2-3 days due to your professional obligations. I also informed my project coordinator and let go of the project that I was doing.

After going through all the procedures of an emergency visa, our son arrived on January 14th. This was a life-changing event for him as well, as he had been very close to you, his father. He did go through an emotional roller coaster during those turbulent days. And, seeing you in that state, he had acted very mature and calm. He has been my biggest support through this storm. Our neighbors and friends have also been very supportive through the difficult time. Your employer has been a great support system for me and our son. We will always remain grateful to everyone who has been there for us through those difficult hours.

You stayed in the ICU for almost 2 months. Everyday, I visited twice, once in the morning and then in the evening. During my time spent with you in the ICU, your eyes remained close most of the time, but you do respond to my touch with right-hand finger movements. Some days were good and positive, while some days were scary. Our son, too, visited you in the ICU. But, he had to leave as his exams were approaching. Your neurological state improved slowly and your vitals were stable. You had gotten out of the ventilator. They decided to shift you to the rehabilitation centre after you regained consciousness.

I was initially quite optimistic and excited about your development and recuperation during your time in the rehab facility. However, because the prognosis was poor, we, also had to deal with a number of setbacks in that situation. Your severe cognitive impairment and short – term memory problems were not responding well to therapy. Your left side is completely paralysed, and there is no recovery. You still struggle with a few cognitive issues. However, you continue to make good progress in terms of your awareness, speech, memory, and physical development every day. Your speech is clear and concise at present.

After more than a year, you are still residing in the rehabilitation facility, and your therapies are still ongoing. I see you almost every day of the week. While we converse and laugh on certain days, other days are sad when therapy doesn’t work out. As I’ve come to terms with your situation, I’ve begun to feel content. My greatest satisfaction comes from watching you smile while I am with you.The hardest lesson life has taught us today is to be cheerful in the moment we share together right now because we don’t know what the future has in store for us. When I see you now, hope is the only thing in which I will still believe and live.

 

81 thoughts on “Those difficult times and thereafter…..

  1. Thank you for sharing such a powerful story of your life this past year and on-going. Blessings, peace, serenity and power are my prayers for you and your beloved husband. You said it most well, and with the voice of all that is divine: I am content in your presence. I have tears for you and husband. I will bring you to the altar of love this morning as I serve the Holy Mass of my tradition. May the Divine who is always listening hear our plea for you. And may you most of all, be content in the presence of love.

  2. I’m so sorry to hear what you and your family have been going through. It can’t have been easy for you to write this, but I hope that putting these thoughts into writing will have helped you. I wish you, your husband, your son, and all of your family well, and hope that the recovery continues.

  3. Wow, God bless you and your family. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through these getting times. It sounds like you are staying strong with patience and endurance. Thank you for sharing. Praying for you today. I’m sure it was somewhat therapeutic to get this all written out and helped you process more of what happened.

  4. Goodness Doctor Jurisharma What A Harrowing
    Health Scare And Challenge Your Husband
    Is Still Recovering From This Last Year Nice
    to See You Back on WordPress Yet So Sorry

    Your Husband, You, and Your Family Had
    to Weather Such A Challenging Life Storm
    of Health Always At Your Husband’s Bedside

    Love is A Greatest Healer oF All
    i’m Sure You Are His Lifeline

    Through it All mY FRiEnD
    Best Wishes to You All As
    He Continues His Recovery Now

    True We May At Best Always Appreciate
    All We Have Particularly Every Inhale of Peace
    Exhale of Love This Naked Enough Whole Complete

    Human
    Condition
    At Best Again
    Spelled With Peace and Love
    All Well Being We May Seek And Find Freer..:)

  5. I often wondered during your absence from WordPress what happened and why you stopped being so active. What a harrowing tale, must have been so hard and all-consuming. Especially since you had to deal with everything alone. Wishing you and your husband strength and steady recovery.

  6. Oh my goodness! My heart goes out to you! I can’t even imagine going through this. I will surely keep you in my thoughts and thanks for sharing with us. ❤️❤️❤️

  7. I wish you all the best and a good recovery to your husband. We went through this with my mother when she was fifty so I know how hard it is. And my brother is disabled after a car accident, but life can be good anyway when you get used to the new way to live.

  8. Life is moment to moment. Your strength has been the love you both share. It is heartbreaking and humbling, but GOD blessings and your conviction would see you through. Prayers for his fast recovery 🙏🏻

  9. Life’s hard blows can come out of nowhere to test our strength. How wonderful that you and your loved ones never gave up the fight. Best wishes for your husband’s full recovery <3

  10. I had wondered what had happened when you ceased posting. Glad the news is positive most days. Wishing you and your family the best possible outcome. Work hard to try to remain strong.

  11. “…be cheerful in the moment we share together right now…”
    Profound words. We see ourselves as a story. But we *live* in its moments.

    Peace and sincere good wishes to you and to your husband.

  12. My kid sis have shown exemplary courage.Because of you Abhijit is with us once again.Heaven’s choicest blessings to you three.Waiting eagerly to be with us.Love you🥰

  13. All good wishes to you both. My husband had a right side stroke 6 months ago and we know we’re in for a long haul back towards health as are you.
    Gwen.

  14. What an ordeal you and your family have gone through. Wishing you many more days of hope, improvement, peace, and resilience. Sending prayers from the US, Alisa

  15. Thank you for sharing!!. sorry that you and your family had to endure the health issue but glad that your husband is on the mend and the both of you are courageous and loving and , though changed somewhat, believe your lives will go on together .. 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May love and laughter light your days,
    and warm your heart and home.
    May good and faithful friends be yours,
    wherever you may roam.
    May peace and plenty bless your world
    with joy that long endures.
    May all life’s passing seasons
    bring the best to you and yours!
    (Irish Saying)

  16. Thank you for sharing. It must be hard. I feel your pain and please continue to share. It will be a good catharsis/way to deal with this new reality. Sending love and courage.

  17. Oh dear, what a challenging time for you and your husband. I had goosebumps while reading. It’s good that you didn’t loose hope. I wish you and your family all the best!!! Thanks for sharing, now I know even more how blessed I am.
    Take care ❤️
    Reni

  18. My dear, I have tears in my eyes as I write this. Like those other commenters, I admire your mutual love, your strength during these terrible times, and can only hope your husband continues to recover.
    This has been a terribly painful time for you. But here is a question: would you want to avoid the pain by not loving?

    1. I would continue being the support system for my husband in his process of recovery. In fact, it’s our mutual love and respect that keeps us going through this tough situation.
      Anyway, thank you so much for your encouraging words. Much needed. I truly appreciate 🙏

  19. I feel very sorry for you and your husband. It’s right hemisphere brain hemorrhage. Be strong and take care of your husband. I wish him soon recovery. Your husband is your life and he will return in good health soon. God Pashupati Nath may bless your husband.

    Shiva Narayan
    Rajbiraj (Nepal)

  20. So sorry to hear what happened to you and your husband … I can’t imagine how you had to go through. It’s good to see his smile. Hope he will continue to recover.

  21. What an ordeal you and your family have been through. I was holding my breath the whole time as I read your post, Juri, and am so relieved he came through it. Wishing he gets his strength back soon

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