Overdue update

Dear friends and well wishers,

It has been quite a long time since I posted an update. My sincere apologies for the delay.

Let me start from where we left off, the check up in June was special in many ways.
A) I had a chance to meet Naaree (after 25 years) and Sankaran in person.
B) On June 27th I completed a successful year post BMT . This is a land mark in itself.

Standing up tall as the 1st MUD from CMC is a credit to that institute and it’s great staff. I owe this to a lot people whose prayers and blessings have got me here. So a heartfelt thanks from me and my family for being the pillar of support during the rocky times.

There has been a shift of residence for me and my family since June. We have relocated to Trivandrum as it provides a better medical support for me, better education for me kids and we have an off shore development center from where I could support my team better, when time and my health permits.

This was indeed a refreshing change for all of us, which we welcomed with open arms. The next scheduled check was planned for in Sept after three months from the last check up, this in itself was a good news as a gap was given. I had my investigation done by the Haemat Dept, Neuro Dept and Infectious disease dept. , An MRI was suggested for the next visit by the Neuro Dept just to compare the scans in March. As planned we had done a regular check on blood counts locally and same was reported to CMC. July was uneventful health wise but did manage some progress personally as I ventured out to attend to conference call from our development center and started driving a bit ( which I found less strenuous than my walking). July blood report too provided was stable on all counts and showed a lot of stability health wise.

August started off well, as slowly and steadily I was getting to become a confident driver and my walk was improving without my crutches. Onam, was in the offing and we were all prepared to be in Palakkad to celebrate the same, however as fate had it by end of the month I had developed a major pain on the right side chest and back. Immediately referred to a local hospital who suspected “Costochondritis” (an infection in the Rib Case). In the next two days went in pain and pain killers, but then I had developed blisters in left leg and back, thus it was easy diagnosis for the Skin specialist as “Herpes Zoster”. This was informed to CMC doctors who along with the local Doctor advised an Antiviral for two weeks and a follow up was planned for, after two weeks. This disease can best described as of a “nuisance value “ and hence not to be bothered about. Treatment was effective however the pain persists even now. The post therapeutic neuralgia may continue for a longer period. Due to this infection my planned check up in September was postponed to 1st week of Oct.

We (Dad and I) reached Vellore on 4th and on 5th we had the appointment for MRI and Blood checks followed by meeting with Doctors at Hematology Dept. The counts as in past showed significant stability and increase( HB 12.8 ,Platelets 216000,WBC 8500.), Liver function test results were well within limits and so was the other main parameters. This made the doctors from Hematology pleased with progress made so far. I had appointments with Neurology and ID departments for the 6th . The MRI showed a significant reduction in brain abscess when compared to my previous MRI. Neuro surgeon was happy from the recovery so far and so advised me of more regular walks to improve on my walking stability. ID dept suggested that I continue with the antibiotic suggested for the Nocardia infection for another 3 months until December when another check was suggested.

So until Dec I would be following the previous schedule of blood tests locally and informing Doctors from CMC until I get to Vellore for my next detailed check up . I sincerely hope that the script of my life becomes less complex than before!!!

Thanks to all of you for being supporting me through this ordeal.

Wish you all a very happy and safe Diwali.

Rajesh