Visit to Vellore

Sankaran and I got a chance to meet with Rajesh and his dad during one of their regular check up visits to Vellore.

I was really happy to see the progress he has made. From all accounts, he is making very good progress. His counts, even those from his current visit, are all healthy. He seems to have gained back some of the weight he had lost. His walking has also improved tremendously. Sankaran and I spent the entire day with him. We all visited the Golden Temple at Sripuram. Rajesh, proudly, gave us a tour of the facilities that CMC has put together for their BMT patients. Also had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Chandy, who Rajesh affectionately calls his God Mother. After spending a few minutes with her, we can now understand why. She is such a selfless lady devoting her time to boost the morale of all the patients, young and old. I was really moved by the little patients, that were at the play room. I have promised to do toy drive (new, used, unused) and ship it to her, to benefit her play room.

As his one year anniversary of the transplant approaches (Jun 27th), we should all continue to pray that he stays on this course to recovery and there are no more setbacks for him.

Here are some photos from this trip



Narayanan
Help Rajesh Team.

Update

Dear All,

It has been a month since we have moved out of Vellore to Palakkad and provided an update from my side. I just got back from Vellore after a detailed monthly check up. Further I have successfully undergone a 14 day basic Ayruvedic treatment to tone up my muscles at home.

As regards to the check up on 11th and 12th at Vellore, my blood counts are holding good and no major issue of concern. My liver enzymes are still a bit elevated which may be due to the drugs I am having currently. A few tests for which results are awaited would be used to decide and finalize my medication by the Doctors at CMC. They are happy on the progress made so far, I have definitely put on more weight and looking a bit puffed up due the Steroids I am on. My walking was the challenge during the entire trip as I had a lot to walk at stations and at the hospital. The Ayurvedic treatment has definitely helped, My walking is smooth, but still there is a lot to achieve, (fear I may fall still hounds me and my walking ) . This trip was big change for me from the confinement with the house perimeters since my return from Vellore in April.

Elections are on and the heat of the same is being reflected in the weather too. Vellore was a soaring 40 plus as it is the month “ Agni Nakshatram” (period known for its excess heat in Tamilnadu ).Kerala too is still awaiting it monsoons hence the temperature is soaring high here too.

Thanks for all the continued support , on path to full recovery soon I suppose.

Thanks and regards
R. Rajesh

Move to Palakkad

Dear All,

As of 12th April , We have moved out of Vellore and into Palakkad for now. I need to go back to Vellore for a monthly check up.

As of the last check up on 9th the counts were holding good and no other issue of concern. My liver enzymes were a bit elevated for which my steroids dosage was increased. My walking is improving slowly but still a lot to achieve.

Thanks for all the support , hopefully on path to full recovery I suppose.

Thanks and regards
R. Rajesh

Update

Ten days back, Rajesh fell down outside the house when he was going for a check-up and hurt his back. He was bed-ridden for a few days with acute back pain. He went thru some physio-therapy and massage and is ok now. His walking is still wobbly(like a 9 month old baby as he puts it). Fortunately he didn't fracture any bones as that would have complicated matters.

Back home

Folks,

Rajesh has been discharged (released, as he puts it) from the hospital. He is really thrilled to be back home. It was really nice talking to him. Just being home seems to have lifted his spirits. He sounded much more energetic. Hope his recovery continues to improve from this point forward.

He is still walking with a crutch. The lesions, though lesser in size, continue to be there. But the doctors are hopeful that oral antibiotics should continue to work on those. His apetite is almost back to normal levels.

HelpRajesh team.

Rajesh Update

Rajesh is feeling and sounding much better now. He is able to walk without a walker but with a walking stick. His food intake has improved also. The hand twitching has reduced too. If not for the antibiotics treatment regimen, he would have gone home already. They will be doing a MRI on monday and most likely he will be discharged on wednesday. They are planning to go to Palghat after Rishi's exams.

Update

This update is based on a conversation with Rajesh's dad. He seems to be getting much better. His marked improvement is being attributed to his appettite slowly getting back to normal levels. He has gained some strength and has put on some much needed weight. He is able to walk for extended stretches with the help of just one crutch.

His counts are holding up very well. He is scheduled for an MRI in the next 10 days or so, to monitor the lesions that he had inside his head. If the antibiotics have taken care of the problem and the lesions are not seen anymore, he is looking at a discharge in the next 10 days. This is definitely a positive sign.

His dad specifically attributed his rejuvenated outlook to the visit of Shivkumar and all the nostalgic talk that was exchanged. Kudos to him for taking the time.

HelpRajesh Team.