Srini went into surgery,
seen off by his kids, Molly and the twins and Dan. He sat with them in the
waiting lounge, the twins were there too, walking around unsteadily, holding on
to legs and tables. While they waited for Srini to be called in.
Looking at the faces around
he said quietly, “Look, I think the risks in this operation are minimal. Even
if something went wrong, I would have no regrets if I did not make it through.
I think I have attended to the most important things I wanted to and am
thankful for the advance notice that usually cannot count on, unless one is
facing the death sentence! I hope to make it fine and
see you all soon. Anything beyond that is what I consider a bonus! I am happy
and love you all.”
The head prep nurse came in
through door and down the hallway and called out, “Mr. Srinivasan!” She
struggled with the pronunciation of his name.
He gave each one a good hug and kiss. Then he
turned, waved to them, smiling, as he walked into the prep room, on his own
power and on his feet, striding in as if walking into a cinema theatre rather
than an operation theatre. He seemed ready to relax and enjoy the show.
“That’s
how he would like to go, if it were up to him to make a final exit,” Rohan
said, choking back his tears. All their eyes followed Srini as he disappeared
behind the door at the end of the hallway.
Later,
late that evening, Srini was wheeled into the recovery unit at the ICU, still
under anaesthesia, tubes running up and into him. His family caught a glimpse
as his stretcher passed by. They all looked anxious, until shortly, Dr. Fa came
up. He was smiling and gave them a sign of thumbs up from a distance. Everyone
ran up to him. Anita hugged him tight. He patted her back and also that of
Rohan. He gave a hug to Molly and gently pinched the cheeks of the twins.
“It went
well. He should recover well from it. It will be a couple days before he is out
of the ICU. It will take about 2 weeks for him to be up and about. I would
recommend another weeks rest before he sets out. He is a tough guy, otherwise
in good health. Good Dost!” Dr. Fa was wont to express his affection in a
quaint, old-fashioned way.
“I have to
go now, I have been called to assist with another serious surgery that has had
some complication. Please excuse me. I will see you all later,” Dr. Fa said
apologetically, as he went back inside.
Srini’s
family went back home to his house. They had not been outside the hospital all
day. They felt relieved and exhausted. They ate some leftovers and went to
sleep. They had a few busy days ahead, back to work and visiting Srini at the
hospital.
In a
couple of days, Srini was deemed fit to go home. He still needed to be careful
to avoid infection and needed assistance.
He was taken to Rohan’s house. Anita offered to stay and help take care
of him, taking some time off her work, while Rohan and Molly helped when they
could. Srini had a very good, pleasant
time recovering. He seemed to make very good progress and at the end of the
first week was raring to go out and prepare to leave on his long trip. He went about booking his tickets,
accommodation, calling the people he planned to visit and getting his things
ready. He had Molly and Anita help him with his work from home. Rohan too
called up family and friends and helped plan his trip and arranged for access
to foreign currency, insurance and emergency medical care if Srini should need
it.
Dr. Fa,
Dan and other friends of Srini came to visit him at home. Dr. Fa cautioned
against Srini leaving before atleast two weeks of rest. “You are more
vulnerable than you think, Srini. Listen to me as your doctor. Give it another
week and you can set out.”
Srini nodded. Soon he was
talking long walks in the neighbourhood, shopping, playing with the twins and
even holding them up, though not rough-housing with them as he used to do.
Finally, at the end of two weeks from surgery,
Srini was ready to leave on his trip. He had packed a small back pack and
wheeled, large suitcase. He had got a
haircut and a shave. He was smartly dressed in casual looking clothes that he
typically wore. He had his latest mobile phone and promised to keep in touch
with them every day or as often as possible. It was a sight with his kids
playing the reversed roles, asking him to take care, take it easy, keep in
touch, letting them know when he arrived at his destination, to take his
medication on time.
They both realised the
situation and shared laughs at this.
“Yes, it is your turn to
play my guardian,” acknowledged Srini.
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved
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