I have to admit things have been spruced up in this hospital. This time it took less than four hours. All the tests were completed within a span of 20 minutes. A major portion of the time spent was for waiting for the results. And thereafter, meeting the doctor and getting his opinion just took half an hour. Satire apart, all the attending technicians, radiologists, and doctors were so kind and helpful. Calling me ‘appa’ (dad), all of them took extra care because of my impaired vision. Kudos to them.

And then the trek to the cancer hospital and the oncologist. The hospital doctors and others need special mention. The oncologist became like a Godfather right from our first meeting, helping me to choose the perfect and most comfortable and suitable treatment, giving more than adequate psychological support, and staying in constant touch even if at home. All the radiologists and technicians for the scans and radiation were ever smiling, welcoming, kind, and helpful, making me feel at ease. The entire process was so well organized and smooth with nothing to complain about. My oncologist, who is reputedly one of the top experts in proton radiation therapy, always had a concerned face and a ready smile. He often said, "With so much going around your health, your wife and you always have a smiling face." What more pep talk do I need? With the mind cooled with these words and the psyche adequately fed with delicious words, ego boosted, I had to keep smiling whenever I met him.

Today I went for a review. The way he received us was heart-warming—my heart could do with a lot of warming and care! —and he assured me things are going well. It just took less than half an hour.

Waiting is an issue at hospitals. Not only me, but many patients also keep mumbling. But let us look from the perspective of the doctors, radiologists, and technicians. There seems to be no limit to the patients they get. No fixed time span for each patient. For instance, my family doctor is popular with elder citizens. So, most of his patients are old, even from the relationship point of view. Some take a long time for consultation because being with the doctor and listening to his words of comfort is the panacea, the best medicine. All of them work non-stop. Very rarely do we see anyone relaxing. The crowd is huge. Their work has to be precise. No mistakes. We have to empathize with them too.

I do get scared by all these doctor’s visits. But I know these are the guardians and caretakers of my health, and to the best of their ability, they take care. What can I ask for more?

Continued in 242 - Twin Twine - Part 1