HER LAST WISH

Part 28

“Vijay, the situation is changing at a tremendous pace. It’s likely that we willhave to operate within ten days,” Dr Raza answered the biggest question of mylife.
Dr Raza was aware that Astha had been informed officially about her ailmentand the consequences of a caesarian delivery. After having handled Astha’s casefor months now, Dr Raza and Dr Rachna were personally involved in many of
my decisions.
The hospital informed me of the unpaid dues. I had already broken my bank,but hospitals don’t care. They are the best in slipping the bills with ease to a
patient. Everyday, Dr Raza came in and we discussed the progress and the nextcourse of action. The patient was spared the agony of it as he insisted on getting
it all done in private.
“What about the visiting doctors who were supposed to be here by now.”
“They have already boarded the flight. They’ll be here by tomorrow. Vijay, not
only are they doctors, but also scientists devoted to the cause of finding a curefor AIDS.”
“Oh great! But are you very sure that Astha cannot have a normal delivery?”
“Vijay, I want you to understand very clearly that Astha is not doing very well.Her amino acids level and CD4 counts are further reducing. I am sure that she
will need a caesarian delivery. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for thebest.”
Whenever I lost hope, something always came as a light in the darkness. Thistime, it was in the form of scientists and doctors from the USA.
Astha had gained a few kilos, but had become fragile; it was difficult for her toeven breathe. Her legs, body, lungs, and joints began to hurt. To sum it up, she
was completely immersed in grief.I often sat by her side and pressed her legs, and stroked her head with myhands. Astha’s weakness was a big reason to worry, but it was not the only
problem I had. Since my love was struggling for her life, the rest of the problemswere the least of my concerns.
A team of three doctors arrived for the US the very next day. Including theIndian doctors, a total of half a dozen people were working on her case. I still remember the days very clearly, when I was chasing the nurses to get her treated.And now, here I was, with a whole bunch of doctors trying to find the best
strategy to keep her alive. Doctors spent half an hour in the ward. Theyexamined her thoroughly and added a couple of tests to the to-do list.
I was keen to know their conclusion and the best way to move forward.However, they insisted on talking after they had the results with them.
I was called in the next day. The same team of half a dozen doctors includingDr Rachna was there, ready for me.
“Hi Vijay,” they chorused in unison.
“Hello doctors. Thank you for all your efforts.”
“Oh, don’t be so formal,” said one of the doctors in an impeccable Americanaccent.
“How is Astha? Is she doing well? What about her due date? Is there anychance of a healthy delivery?” I wanted a lot of answers .
“Vijay, we cannot guarantee anything. We still have around ten days for thenormal delivery, unless she develops any severe pain indicating a complication.”
“What are her chances of survival if she goes for a caesarian delivery?” It was
tough to hear them answer my question, but I had to ask.
“It would be tough for her to recover after she undergoes an operation.”
Another American doctor said. “The patient has become weak; it’s difficult toensure even the safety of the baby at this stage.”
“But according to Dr Raza, she is not doing that bad,” I said looking at DrRaza.
“Vijay, the way the results of her tests are fluctuating, we cannot assure you ofanything. It can go either side.”
“Doctor, I want to state one thing very clearly. My prime focus is Astha, and Iexpect you to bring her back. Anyhow… even if it means that we lose our baby.”
That was one thing I was certain of.They nodded.
“Vijay, our prime focus is on the case, and it includes both the mother and thechild. Recently, an Australian scientist has developed a medicine that is veryuseful for pregnant women. In some cases, it is found that this drug is veryeffective in delivering an HIV-negative child even from an active mother.”
“So start giving her those medicines. What is the problem?”
“Those medicines have some side effects. We are administeringsmall doses to
her, to check her body’s response. These antibiotics can help to protect yourbaby from this disease and can also give strength to Astha. Just that those
antibiotics are not yet commercialized and are very expensive. ”
“How much?”
“Two-and-a-half thousand dollars,” answered one doctor. I was not sure aboutthe exact conversion, but I multiplied the amount with INR seventy to get anapproximate idea.”
It was close to two lakhs. I could manage that.
“Please go ahead.” I said with some ray of hope.
“Vijay, it’s the amount per day.”
“What!” There was pin drop silence in the room. My mind did some mentalcalculations. She had to go through this treatment for the next nine days or so. I
had to manage another eighteen lakhs.
Would I be able to do that?
I came back to the ward and found Astha with Sargam. When no one even daredto touch her, Sargam sat on her bed, and soothed her without hesitation or fear ofany kind. Sargam was a true friend.
When I sat with them, they mocked me and narrated their boozing stories as ifthey deserved a Nobel peace prize for that. They were talking and gigglingaway, so I went to the hospital’s cafeteria and ordered a coffee. I needed it badly.
The sudden increase in the cost had become impossible to manage. I wondered
why I had never cared to get a health insurance. I hated myself for it.I took the last corner seat. I was lost in my agony, thinking of ways to arrangefor the funds when I saw a lady coming out of an auto. I knew her very well. Sheenquired something at the reception and moved towards the lift. I ran to meet
her. We both entered the lift together.
“Mom, you are here! I asked shocked, but my mother didn’t answer. Thepresence of two unknown people in the lift didn’t allow us to start the
conversation. We reached
the fifth floor. “Are you here to meet Astha?” I asked outside the lift. “No, Ihave come here to meet my daughter-in-law.” “Mom, how did this miracle
happen?” “A boy who never had the courage to speak even in frontof a single person dared to speak in front of five thousand people withoutcaring about his job. Don’t you think that’s a miracle?”
“Oh, the principal complained, I guess,” I said indifferently. “Can I see her?”
“Mom, you cannot meet her.” “Why?” “She doesn’t want to meet anybody whopities her.” “You don’t worry Vijay. She is not just your responsibility.”
She smiled, “Do you remember the last time when you said
‘no’ to me for anything.” “I didn’t get you, mom.” “Vijay, I am your mother,and you have never confronted me with anything since your childhood. You had never been a decisionmaker.” She passed a strange smile and said, “Beta, everything has changed.”