In the last few days, I have had to visit two separate hospitals in the city. When you have health issues oozing out of different parts of the body like a damaged, perforated drainage pipe, you need multiple solutions as well. The eye issue is a permanent one. I am stuck with it like an unwelcome visitor refusing to leave the house in spite of innuendos. The vision can never pick up in spite of several doctors attacking it with all modern techniques and instruments. Around that is the prostate cancer. And the heart. Otherwise, I am really fine, as fit as a marathon runner in full flow.

Everything is treatable. I had written about this wonderful statement earlier. But with one treatment, it is quite possible you will need two more—of course, not free at all. The purse has to be often taken out and more often emptied.

Recurrence cancer, apart from radiation or surgery, also needs hormone therapy to prevent recurrence. I do not want to go into details. I was told this can cause side effects like cholesterol build-up, diabetes, weakening of heart muscles, etc. Not necessarily will everyone have side effects. But these have to be ruled out.

So off to my cardiologist. Clearance required. The first time I went to this hospital for a normal follow-up for my heart condition, I had to spend nearly a little more than 6 hours. Waiting in the hospital is the worst thing that can happen to a patient. Nice name ‘patient’ they have given to sick people. One person used to joke, "You become patient only if you go to a doctor." I read it in two ways. You will be called a ‘patient’ only if you go to a doctor for a checkup. And you develop ‘patience’ and become ‘patient’ when you go to a doctor. Blood test, X-ray, ECG, Echo—take all of these and wait for results. And ultimately, when you meet the doctor, it takes just five to ten minutes for him to assess, diagnose, and prescribe.

And what about the tests themselves?

Continued in 240. Care And Scare - A Tale of Two City Hs - Part 2