2001
Oct 9th. My wife took me to see the Nephrologist at Somerset Nephrology Associates New Jersey to know the course of treatment. I carried a sealed cover in my hand. It had the medical reports inside. I noticed the abnormal results in it and didn’t like to show it to my wife. I gave the envelope to the Nephrologist. He reviewed it and remarked, “Kidney function is worsening and it’s progressive.” My wife's face turned scarlet! I controlled my emotions and stayed upright. We returned with a new set of prescriptions for the blood work.
Three weeks later! I did complete blood work again. I noted down the readings and learned that the results were not normal. In fact, it worsened. Blood creatinine was 5.4 mg/dL and it was a clear indication of chronic kidney failure. Dr. Metha reviewed the clinical reports. He noticed my wife’s uncontrolled emotions. She was anticipating a positive response. But, the Dr had no good news to share. Since the kidney function was not bettering Dr. Metha recommended a different treatment named Kidney Transplantation. He advised us to register in the recipient hash, numbers my name under the transplant waiting list. He urged us to go for counseling at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
My wife was not in a position to accept his advice. She was stunned and shocked. We took the advice half-heart. We neither pelted with any more questions nor expressed our pain. We both half nodded in a rhythm, we both became despondent, both heartbroken and left the place. It was an unspeakable experience. I had ants in my pants ever since I left the place since I lost hope.
Eight days later! Eight days of November! We went to Robert Wood Johnson University hospital and contacted the transplant coordinator. She assisted to meet the Nephrologist first, then a vascular surgeon, a social worker and lastly the counseling panel. The panel helped us to understand the process of kidney donor program. They gave statistics on the number of people who registered on the transplant waiting list, the donor and recipient matching, deceased and living donors and his-to-compatibility.
“Transplant is a permanent cure,” I cogitated. They read my celebration, and elaborated, “Kidney transplantation is not a cure for the kidney disease, it is a treatment choice, requires a life-long promise to take care of the patient and the kidney.”
The Nephrologist examined me was an Indian doctor, glanced through the medical records and understood the kind of disease the terminal non-curable illness. He saw my wife’s situation and recommended to continue the treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, India. He directed to meet the vascular surgeon.
The vascular surgeon explained the different types of dialysis. He urged to do a fistula surgery. My wife staggered momentarily. Her voice shimmied with restrained emotions, because, she was not in a position to think of vascular surgery at that moment. By then, she was carrying six months baby in her womb. I worked out a plan, a simple plan, a program to exit from the place, an instant ex-cogitative and said to the panel, “We will return with a determination after taking a proper decision.”
We left the place, hurtled. It was good or bad, right or wrong, very difficult to take a decision at that instant. I wanted to escape from the surgery. She too stood by and both were on the same page. It was unsatisfied happiness!
As we make decisions "according to His Word" (Ps.119:9), we have reason to rejoice. We have the best and only perfect guide to right decision-making, the Word of our Lord.
Jebamony Mathias
Oct 9th. My wife took me to see the Nephrologist at Somerset Nephrology Associates New Jersey to know the course of treatment. I carried a sealed cover in my hand. It had the medical reports inside. I noticed the abnormal results in it and didn’t like to show it to my wife. I gave the envelope to the Nephrologist. He reviewed it and remarked, “Kidney function is worsening and it’s progressive.” My wife's face turned scarlet! I controlled my emotions and stayed upright. We returned with a new set of prescriptions for the blood work.
Three weeks later! I did complete blood work again. I noted down the readings and learned that the results were not normal. In fact, it worsened. Blood creatinine was 5.4 mg/dL and it was a clear indication of chronic kidney failure. Dr. Metha reviewed the clinical reports. He noticed my wife’s uncontrolled emotions. She was anticipating a positive response. But, the Dr had no good news to share. Since the kidney function was not bettering Dr. Metha recommended a different treatment named Kidney Transplantation. He advised us to register in the recipient hash, numbers my name under the transplant waiting list. He urged us to go for counseling at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
My wife was not in a position to accept his advice. She was stunned and shocked. We took the advice half-heart. We neither pelted with any more questions nor expressed our pain. We both half nodded in a rhythm, we both became despondent, both heartbroken and left the place. It was an unspeakable experience. I had ants in my pants ever since I left the place since I lost hope.
Eight days later! Eight days of November! We went to Robert Wood Johnson University hospital and contacted the transplant coordinator. She assisted to meet the Nephrologist first, then a vascular surgeon, a social worker and lastly the counseling panel. The panel helped us to understand the process of kidney donor program. They gave statistics on the number of people who registered on the transplant waiting list, the donor and recipient matching, deceased and living donors and his-to-compatibility.
“Transplant is a permanent cure,” I cogitated. They read my celebration, and elaborated, “Kidney transplantation is not a cure for the kidney disease, it is a treatment choice, requires a life-long promise to take care of the patient and the kidney.”
The Nephrologist examined me was an Indian doctor, glanced through the medical records and understood the kind of disease the terminal non-curable illness. He saw my wife’s situation and recommended to continue the treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, India. He directed to meet the vascular surgeon.
The vascular surgeon explained the different types of dialysis. He urged to do a fistula surgery. My wife staggered momentarily. Her voice shimmied with restrained emotions, because, she was not in a position to think of vascular surgery at that moment. By then, she was carrying six months baby in her womb. I worked out a plan, a simple plan, a program to exit from the place, an instant ex-cogitative and said to the panel, “We will return with a determination after taking a proper decision.”
We left the place, hurtled. It was good or bad, right or wrong, very difficult to take a decision at that instant. I wanted to escape from the surgery. She too stood by and both were on the same page. It was unsatisfied happiness!
As we make decisions "according to His Word" (Ps.119:9), we have reason to rejoice. We have the best and only perfect guide to right decision-making, the Word of our Lord.
Jebamony Mathias
