Kindness, Compassion and Trauma

My heart is restless and the mind is working to be three steps ahead. I am very tempted to be stationed in Lucknow but all sensibilities tell me that I will only be in the way. So while the medical professionals are doing their magic, I am praying and requesting for prayers that will get the Benevolent One to weave His magic! 

As I came home from work on Thursday I was looking forward to a longer daily walk. Lighting my daily evening prayer lamp, that evening for the first time I came across a situation where the wick would not catch light from the matchstick. Finally, after five attempts I was successful. And as I walked out of the room I got the news that Little Springsteen had met with an accident. My heart was absolutely calm, I knew that this was not fatal; but given that this was a case of electrocution by the main transmission line I knew it was severe. So there was no question of going for a walk.

Over the next couple of hours we tried to connect with the impacted immediate family, in the remote countryside of the world, to understand the situation. No one was able to give us a clear picture nor was a smooth conversation possible. Finally about two and a half hours later we managed to speak to the doctor. The electrocution had caused burn injuries to the upper limbs. While the left arm had a wound that needed regular cleaning to heal, the right arm below the elbow had suffered significant damage and would need to be amputated. I was in shock and did not know how to convey this to the father of the child who of course had been distraught. Also I felt, as a woman, maybe I was being given the ultimate bottom line without the nuances so I asked father to speak to the doctor. Immediately on disconnecting, father asked Little Springsteen’s father if we could get the boy to Lucknow. That’s where father said he would be more comfortable getting all treatment done. His view was that even the amputation was necessary, Lucknow was better equipped and we would have better care. 

Little Springsteen arrived in Lucknow the next afternoon and went straight to KGMU. Apparently the plastic surgery department of the hospital is top notch. His young body had suffered too much trauma and there was very little that he was able to eat or drink. So the first thing was to ensure he got some nutrition. Little Springsteen's father arrived at the hospital too and I was relieved that at least the father now could see his son, speak to him and would know in real time what was happening. It did not take away the severity of the shock but it took away the anxiety due to the distance. 

With medical care now being given, we wanted to understand if there was any merit in bringing Little Springsteen to Mumbai. Doc suggested I speak to his plastic surgeon colleague. Dr T has been brilliant. That first day, he heard me patiently and then explained to me that there was no merit in bringing the child to Mumbai at this stage. For rehab yes. He did not stop there. He went on to ask for Little Springsteen's details so that he could speak to HOD of plastic surgery at KGMU. Bless Dr T! But before I could find out the bed number etc Dr T messaged that he had already spoken and the HOD was aware of the case. All due care would be taken.

I was a bit at ease, at least from a medical point of view. Then came the call that they were taking the patient to the ICU so that the extent of damage and a possible salvage of the arm could be evaluated. My hopes went up and a prayer went up to the Benevolent One. Only He can work miracles and I have seen Him perform those. 

Saturday during the day the phone worked and it was uneventful, until I got an urgent call from mother at 2:30am. The father of the patient had called mother in the US as he did not want to wake me up! How considerate is this soul in time of his own struggle! Little Springsteen's right lung had collapsed! How had that happened! And the hospital wanted the father to consent to the procedure. Mother requested me to find out more. So I called and was grateful that the doctor at the ICU agreed to speak to me. Little Springsteen's SPO2 was at 96-97 and they needed to complete the procedure soon. All my queries were answered and I told them they would get the consent. I spoke to the father, Bruce I will call him, and explained as much as I could. The procedure happened. I informed mother and tried to sleep. 

Sunday morning I woke up not knowing if I should travel to Lucknow or continue to stay put. My morning call revealed that there had been a request for some blood to be donated so that blood for Little Springsteen could be secured. Bruce did not know why the same was being requested.  As I was contemplating I thought of messaging Dr T. Profusely apologising for disturbing him on a Sunday, I explained the latest developments to him. He messaged back shortly to give me a medical perspective and conveyed that he would speak to the HOD and revert. Of course he reverted soon. Little Springsteen's haemoglobin levels had fallen and hence the blood. He confirmed that "boy is stable" but we needed to be watchful. Getting a complete low down from him took away the anxiety of the known unknown. 

While Dr T has been a blessing, Mr JK has been the angel we needed. Not only did he organise the admissions and all things needed at KGMU, he has been personally in touch with Bruce regularly. Mr JK's nephew has been visiting the hospital daily and speaking to the doctors as well. Today he assured Bruce that if more blood was needed all Bruce needed to do was to call him. In addition, one of his senior associates has been in regular touch with the hospital to ensure that the simpleton Bruce is not sidelined. Mr JK is a family friend but his generosity has gone above and beyond all norms, expectations and experiences. We are hugely indebted to him.  

As I was writing this post and bowing in gratitude to Dr T and Mr JK, I remembered what the Benevolent One always said, " जो भगवान यहाँ तक ले कर आया है, वो आगे भी लेकर जायेगा." How true is that. None of the kindness that we have experienced is due to our own doing. It's all been due to the empathy and big heartedness of fellow human beings. As this has come our way, so will the other means that will ensure His mercy continues to light our path. He who has shown us the path thus far will take us further as well. And on that hopeful note I am saying a silent prayer so that the Lord helps Little Springsteen recover soon...