Bombay Bonanza

Acknowledged to all those who wished me luck and prayed for my successful operation...I'm back alive!! Briefing all, I am a teenage girl nicknamed as the iron gal due to the 6 iron rods in my leg due to some deformity .After 8 long months finally it was time for its removal and I and dad were going to Mumbai for my operation so I m narrating some of my once in a life time experiences...The first set back was mom wasn't coming with us and that meant I didn't have the additional emotional baggage.

For all those who say nothing is impossible, I beg to differ as I had been practically doing nothing waiting for the train to start. We couldn't go by air due to the iron rods; I was soon joined by a lady in her mid thirties. She feared that she will die the next minute so she wanted to finish all the talking in the present second. I and dad hauled up a chat...he advised me not to dream big. The only reason for this statement he could come up with was," if you dream big, u have to work hard to fulfill them!!" The lady was constantly chattering with her husband and disturbing me. I told her I couldn't hear and she replied,"You don't need to. I am talking to my hubby". OHh God save me...

Two more guys were there in our compartment and one of them had been brave enough to run away to Australia with his beloved without money or job...before completion of studies and finally their family accepted their love and they were married. Now they study together! The other guy seeked advice about marriage. "only the first five years are difficult" prompt came the reply...he was married only from five years...but on a serious note his marriage was working well .I could make out that from the hours he spent on the phone and he had to make several other calls to get his mobile recharged.

I and dad ate to our fills and then even slurped the ice cream. Dad joked that it might be my last ice-cream and then he realized that only he laughed at the joke he cracked. We had a tight nights sleep, and early morning Mumbai had arrived.

We landed in the hospital.

Handkerchief is a cold storage and our expensive computer turns into a simple stone after a crash...Ohh! this is what I m thinking sitting into the washroom debating whether to have a bath or not. Due to excessive tension, I m bleeding from all sides. I m hungry but I can't eat a morsel as I might have to be given anesthesia. The doctor loosened the fixature which held the iron pins and then I was made to walk continuously for few minutes. The pain had begun. I was nervous but I had to be brave. The entire weight was concentrated on my new bone.

Another patient was admitted in the hospital along with me .He was telling the nurse repeatedly that he had "pholenfrometry" or something like that. The nurse double checked and the doctor even didn't know any such disease...I translated for them "the man had fallen from a tree!!" I changed into the hospital gown and I was taken for an X-ray. Unfortunately the in charge was unavailable so the doc himself decided to take my x-ray. I had a hilarious time .the doctor placed several calls to the in charge but he couldn't get a whirl of things. As he couldn't move the machine, I had to move myself and adjust. First attempt, the doctor forgot to switch off lights, after such lame attempts he accepted defeat and I was supposed to go to the operation theatre after few minutes. Dad went to nearby temple while I watched TV for some time to relax myself.

One man was sitting on the next bed with his suitcase nearby, quite ready to leave without anybody's help. The nurse lectured him about rules and reluctantly he let her wheel downstairs. One the way she asked him if his wife was coming to see him. He retorted" I don't know, she is in the washroom changing the hospital gown!!"

Now it was time for my operation. More than me, my mum back home was dying of nervousness. Dad was continuously praying. Then began the most fearful fifteen minutes of my life. I had two options: The first one to take anesthesia and sleep and let doctors do their work and the second one to stay awake, face the challenge and bear the pain. I chose to monitor the doctors. The doctor explained to me that each pin is rotated anticlockwise till it comes out. The initial few turns are painful and then I would experience a new feeling due to the drilling of the pin. To hell with the new feeling, I can distinguish between pain and tingling feeling.

My stomach was churning and I was yearning for support. The pain was unbearable and I couldn't stop stretching my body. I was yelling for my mum and feeling extremely dizzy. Tears were flooding down my eyes. My leg was shivering and my bone was being moved .I could feel the pain and it was as if I had lost a leg and someone is swinging on my bone.

The doctor tried to engage me in other talks...

Doc: how's your college?

Me: it's solid and cemented...

Doc: its not pain its something different

Me: hell different. Put a pin in yr leg and then you will realize.

Doc: you have lot of wits, you are a brave girl

Me: don't be sympathetic, try empathizing

Doc: do u want me to do something different than I do I for other patients? should I say a shaiyri??

Me: yes if it relieves my pain.

Doc: Relax, its almost done

Me: that's what you are saying since we began!!

We were done with it. I could still feel the sensation of pain but it was bearable. My leg was bandaged. Little bit of argument and lot of torture it was finished. I was given few general instructions and then doctors shouted"run away", you have been brave and a good girl, u deserve a treat. My happiness knew no bounds...

The first thing I did after coming out was having a hearty meal. I hadn't eaten since ages. We boarded the train. Reached home where I got pleasant welcome and I m limping all over. I am down with fever but I am happy. I am well and life is back in track...