Ok…I have now had three “tours” of International Hospitals (Scotland, Iran and now India) …..that’s enough! On top of everything else, about a month or so ago (whilst in Pakistan) I discovered a lump in my left breast.
From Shimla, a few days ago, I made an appointment to see a specialist (Dr Atul Joshi) in Chandigarh at Fortis Private Hospital. He is a renowned Breast Cancer surgeon in India and because of my family history, and the fact I am travelling, he was so kind and thoughtful and managed to speed up things for me. In fact everything was done in just one day on Saturday 26th Sept…..Consultation and examination(500INR) Bilateral Mammogram & Bilateral Ultrasound (2000 INR) Reporting and Results, Surgery to fully excise the Lesion (12500 INR) and send off to histology (1600INR)….now we wait!
Vince dropped me off at the hospital around 12.30pm, as he had to take the ANIMAL for some pre booked servicing at 1.00pm…..so Claire, our Aussie 4×4 friend, kindly offered to come with me for moral support. She was a big help and I was thankful of the company. She is the only Western Woman I have seen and chatted to in months. I was in the OT prep area and looking suitably glamorous in a very fetching hospital gown and hair net when Vince finally arrived (things took longer than expected at the bike shop but he came as soon as he could)…. interestingly he had to also give signed content for my operation (this also happened in Iran)…..minutes after he arrived I was quickly whisked away into the OR and the operation took about an hour.
During surgery I was able to be awake and the Surgeon told me it doesn’t look sinister……so we are very hopeful it is benign. He was quite chatty…as he has been to Australia (Sydney) recently ….he thinks I am very brave….and asked me if people were more hospitable in Pakistan or India (rivalry is evident between the two) ….I answered that that was a difficult question …but as he was the one holding the knife…I guessed it would have to be “India”…..he laughed and thought my sense of humour under such adverse conditions was impressive….so much so that he told Vince about it back in the recovery room…..we all laughed again. We were both shown the removed lesion and a round of photos was in order ……including on the Surgeon’s phone. I was discharged around 7.45pm with some tablets for pain if needed…..all the staff were very professional and kind. Getting back on the bike was a bit difficult with stitches but I eventually managed and in about half an hour we were at our hotel…. ZO Rooms Akashdeep Sector 22B (1999 INR per night). Staff helped Vince carry our luggage up as I could not really lift much with only one hand….although I did manage to carry the tank bag.
I went back to see the Surgeon again for follow up and to check my wound on Monday 28th and we should get the results in 5 – 7 days online…he will also be in contact via email with me when the results come through. So we extended our stay in Chandigarh for three nights instead of just one….and we will get the results on the road….probably in New Deli or Agra. On my Monday visit, the media and administration section asked me if they could do an article on our experience at the hospital, and after being assured my medical privacy would be intact we agreed, as it may help other foreigners who need medical attention on the road.
They say things come in threes …..so hopefully this is it…….although the care and treatment I have received each time has been nothing short of exceptional…..I really don’t want to have to visit any more hospitals!!!!
Thinking of you.