Continuing from the post number 1 …………….
My wife was visiting her parents during that time. One day, I called her and mentioned that I’d like to join her for a few days. I’m still puzzled by that decision, as I’m not someone who typically enjoys extended stays at my in-laws’ place. My wife was equally surprised, as it was likely the first time in our marriage that I’d expressed such a desire. I did go, and it was there that I began experiencing daily evening fevers accompanied by chills.
Whenever I felt cold, I would take Zerodol-P for temporary relief. I was also experiencing severe, persistent leg pain that was difficult to describe. This continued for three or four days, prompting me to get a blood test. I opted for a CBC and LFT. The results showed slightly elevated TLC counts, elevated bilirubin (around 8), elevated AST and ALT levels, and low albumin levels. While I initially believed it wasn’t serious, my family insisted on seeing a doctor. I eventually agreed and consulted a doctor at BHU.
The gastroenterology department head at BHU, Dr. V.K. Dixit, ordered additional tests: CBC, LFT, KFT, PT-INR, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. The results were concerning. In addition to abnormal LFT, my PT-INR was alarmingly elevated, far exceeding the safe range. My PT-INR was 3, while it should have been below 1. A resident doctor initially reviewed my reports and advised me to seek treatment at a larger hospital due to their severity.
His first question was whether I had experienced bleeding through my stool, nose, or cough. I replied negatively. He then explained that my PT-INR levels were so high that I risked vomiting blood or falling into a coma at any time. He recommended seeking treatment at a specialized liver hospital in Delhi. However, I insisted on seeing a senior doctor first. The senior doctor concurred with the assessment of my PT-INR levels and asked the same questions about bleeding.
I was unfamiliar with PT-INR levels and unaware of the dangers posed by elevated levels. The doctor instructed me to be admitted to the ward immediately. I complied, but after only two days, the doctor asked my family to take me home. He explained that there was little left to do, and they should either transfer me to a specialized hospital in Delhi or take me home. The doctor emphasized that the only potential option for survival was an immediate liver transplant.
My family requested that he keep me in the hospital for a few days, but he refused. He explained that it wouldn’t be beneficial to stay at BHU, as they lacked the necessary facilities for my condition. After much persuasion, he agreed to admit me. Fortunately, my body responded to the medication, and I began to feel better. I stayed in the hospital for a week and was eventually discharged. The doctor prescribed some medications and scheduled a follow-up appointment for two weeks later.
I was discharged from the hospital on March 21st, just a day before the lockdown was imposed. I’d like to reflect on my time at my in-laws’ place, as it taught me a valuable life lesson. Their family is a joint family, consisting of my in-laws and my wife’s uncle’s family. This includes my mother-in-law, my wife’s uncle, aunt, their son, and my wife’s grandmother. My father-in-law passed away in 2017, and since then, my mother-in-law has been living with my uncle’s family.
When I moved in with them, my aunt seemed somewhat upset. The next day, she told my wife that if we were staying for a few days, we should bring all our groceries and give them to her. My wife complied, emptying our kitchen and giving everything to her aunt. My aunt would also ask my wife to buy milk, vegetables, and other groceries in exchange for our stay. Essentially, I was paying for our stay, which is unheard of in Indian culture.
I later learned that my wife’s uncle had lent her money at a high interest rate while I was fighting for my life at BHU. While high-interest loans are common in the market, you wouldn’t expect such behavior from your own uncle in an emergency. He lent Rs. 60,000 at a 10% monthly interest rate, even deducting one month’s interest upfront. My elder brother and my wife contributed to my hospital bill.
We humans have categorized our personal and social lives in specific ways. We anticipate certain behaviors from certain relationships. My relationship with my wife’s family is deeply sacred, but such behavior raises questions about the fundamental nature of human connection and relationships. While such incidents are rare—I’ve never heard of anything similar elsewhere—I experienced it firsthand. I acknowledge his assistance, but I no longer consider it help because he charged money for it…
To be continued in Part 3……