Archive for October, 2007

Five principles!!!!!!

Sunday, October 28th, 2007
We decided to move to Pune after completion of Piyush’s treatment at Apollo Hosp Delhi during 2006 April. Piyush was in complete remission-1. Doctor was quite happy with the progress. Finally we moved to Pune on 10th April-2006. The next treatment was called Maintenance. Here no admissions, no injections, no painful chemo. It was tapered down treatment hence, Piyush was quite happy. As per Apollo’s suggestion, we started the maintenance treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital under Dr.Shailesh Kanvinde. We used to carry out the CBC test once in 15 days at nearby path lab and go to Hospital. Doc used to adjust the medicines based on the counts. Everything was going very smooth. Piyush started his school. Very quickly he was popular among his friends. Quickly gained lots of friends, and he started enjoying his real child hood life. At the same time, he was known as obedient child also. Very descent child. He never used to like bad words. If someone from his friend circle abuses, he immediately used to advice him to not use such words. He used to keep himself away from such boys.On 9th-Dec-2006, it was Saturday and since I had Sat and Sunday holiday, we decided to visit Nasik. But Piyush’s CBC was due one the same day. Hence we decided to prepone his test. On 7th-Dec-06, life was as usual. I went to office, Piyush returned from school. After his lunch, he went out to play with his friends. Evening Swati had to search him to take him for the CBC test. Since society is quite big, these kids keeps playing in any corner of the society, so most of the parents search for the kids in the evening. Swati took him to Lab. It was evening, the day we got shocking news. CBC report was showing “suspect of relapse”. I was in office and Swati called me and informed me the same. I just collapsed at that moment, but immediately realised the condition of a mother and tried to give courage to Swati. I asked her to not panic. Immediately I rushed to home and took Piyush to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. After looking at the CBC report, Doc was silent for few minutes. Then I could realise the intensity of the situation. Immediately Piyush was admitted and very next day Bone Marrow Aspiration was done. Next day Doc called me and Swati and confirmed the relapse. Also informed us that only bone marrow transplant can save our little heart. We just collapsed. It was only me and Swati were there at that moment.  Whole world seemed blank and dark. Other side, Piyush was Playing, laughing, making fun and watching TV etc. He was fully in his own world but one question was there in his mind, “papa why did you bring me here? I was fit and fine. I was playing with my friend, nothing wrong with me, but you have brought me here and also admitted me in the hospital”. We did not have any satisfying answer to his questions. I must mention here, Swati was holding herself very strongly. She was dealing with the situation very bravely.

Now again same chemo (rather aggressive chemo), medicines, IV lines..Oh GOD! We three of us just had come out of this trauma, Piyush was just forgetting the torturic treatment, he thought Delhi life was a bad dream, so Pune life is really a nice life, Swati was just catching up a normal life, even I too was concentrating on my career, again whole process was flashing infront of us. The only difference between the first time diagnosis and now was….first time diagnosis, future was quite clear. but this time… everything was question mark?????

Chemo started, series of injections, IVs, medicines.. poor child kept of taking them with a big question in mind…what for??? (because he thought everything was fine with him). In the course of treatment, there was a injection called L-asparaginase (Leunase) which had to be given 7 times on alternative day basis. This was the MOST PAINFUL process. This injection had to be given inside the bone on his thigh. Oh GOD, this was terrific to all of us. It was a big task for all of us to hold him in the first time. Then i realised this way Piyush will be down even morally. My objective was to keep his spirit high all the time. Hence I was trying to keep his courage up. So we reached to an agreement. Myself and Piyush wrote down 5 principles. 

1. Never afraid

2. Not to cry due to fear

3. Cry ony if there is physical pain. (Soon after the injection)

4. Papa’s role model is Piyush. So if Piyu crys, papa also will cry

5. Piyush’s role model is Papa. So Piyu too will smile always like papa

While going to Hospital for this injection, Piyush repeated these 5 principles. He promosed me that he will not be afraid. To everyones surprise, Piyush himsef told the Doc that he will not cry at all. And….he did not even opened his mouth even after the injection injection was given. While leaving the procedure room, he kept on smiling. After this, he did not cry for any injection till the end. Somewhere my heart was paining lot to see the will power of our little heart.

A request to GOD

Monday, October 8th, 2007

One of my nearest friends, Vinod, who has done so much for Piyush, who is key instrumental in reaching all of you by creating this website, has sent me this song. This song has touched so much that I could not stop myslef in posting this on the website. 

Just to share with you, Vinod has such big heart, though we never met in the past, we never know each other in the past, and sitting very far from here (He lives in US), he has created this site. Thanks lot Vinod for all your support.

hes-my-son.mp3

I also like history - A unforgetable moment at War memorial monument - Espanade

Monday, October 8th, 2007

As I shared earlier, our bravehart was sort of all rounder. His favorite subject in school was Maths. His hobby was painting. But also he was very much interested in history. I would like to share one of the few incidents to realise his deep interest in knowing the history.

During our stay in Singapore, Neelaji and Prashant ji stood with us since the time we reached. Very gentle and kind hearted couple! Neela ji used to visit us almost every day and used to give us lots of courage. Hospitalisation date was fixed and before the admission, Neela ji invited us for dinner. We went to Espanade for dinner. Piyush and Prashant ji were walking ahead and Piyush was holding uncle’s finger. Myself, Swati and Neela ji were following them. We were just listening both of theirs Conversations. Piyush was curious about the memorial structure. Prashant uncle explained him. He kept on asking about the meaning of memorial, then uncle explained him. Again he was ready with his series of questions, asked about when, which year, how between whom the war was taken place. Also asked why the Indian solders came to Singapore. Very specific questions! Finally he colcuded sayiong that there is another structure in Delhi, that is called gate way of India!

Prashant ji finally told us that he has never seen such a boy at this tender age, talking so much about the history! We immediately went back to our visit to Jaipur and Agra. I will write next time about that experience.

Once again thank you so much for all of your consoling mails and suggestions to make life better. I am sure, if we all can come together and joins the hands like you all did for Piyush, we can try and help such parents who are fighting to save their little one’s life. I am available 24×7 for any kind of support to my best of capacity.