DECEMBER 31, 1998
Anitha Ramesh Kandukuri, Canberra, Australia
On December 21st evening after returning from work, kids were playing in the living room while I was cooking. I heard a news headline by accident since the cartoon cassette that my five-year-old son was watching had finished. It was on National news and the Head lines said "255 women at maternity ward in THE CANBERRA HOSPITAL at risk of contracting Hepatitis B and HIV A, after undergoing surgical procedure's by a health care worker". I did not give it a thought but somehow they kept repeating it again and again. When I thought I would just listen, I heard them say that women who have undergone some procedures in the Hospital between since January 1998 and December 11, 1998 were at risk. It was further said that 255 women on whom this particular health care worker has done procedures in the maternity ward were short listed.
I dismissed this news thinking this was not relevant to me. Somehow it kept flashing back in my mind and I realized soon that I was in the ward during that period and Shamukh Sai, my second son was delivered there. Just as a routine measure and to be on the safe side, I thought I would ring the hospital Hotline for and find out if it had anything to do with me. The hotline, which was set up only for this particular catastrophe, was busy and I could not get to talk to them. Some how my anxiety was increasing and I was feeling distressed. I prayed to BABA and I have this old habit of asking BABA for guidance through Saicharitra. I asked him if this would affect me anyway, praying to Lord Sai I opened the book and there was this sentence "No, have no fear and anxiety, Shyama and myself will be there before you". This is in relation to Shyama's trip to Bhuvaneshwar in Hemandpant's Saicharita. I called my General Practitioner at home (which I do only in emergency) at night 7.30, apologized for the inconvenience, and told them about what I heard on the TV and my anxiety. GP said that I did not have to worry as I had not been contacted by the hospital. However, to rest my mind she said she would write a prescription for blood test and leave it at the reception so I could collect it and get the tests done.
Later that night when Ramesh, my husband, came home at 9.00 PM after a busy day, I told him what I heard on TV and what the General Practitioner had said about it. He was anxious to know more details and tried to call the hospital. On third attempt Ramesh was able to get through to the hospital hotline for this matter and I spoke to the lady identifying myself and saying I have had a baby on 21st January and is there anything that I had to worry about regarding this issue. The counselor on the other end said she will get back to me immediately and hung off. This further increased our anxiety levels. I got a call again after 10 minutes and the same lady asked me my date of birth, other medical details related to delivery. Finally she said,"I have to confirm all the details before I give the information to you, and drop the bombshell, yes you are on our short listed names of people who has had a procedure and delivery done by the health care worker who is infected. I am sorry to do this to you before the Christmas and Newyear. How do you feel about it". My world came to an end I couldn't breathe. I thought I am not only infected but I have also passed it on to my children and husband. I asked her why was I not contacted earlier. I was given the reason that someone did try to contact me but could not and the lady went on counseling. I broke down, I cried my heart out for my kids and my husband. She spoke to my husband too, who could hardly speak. She made and appointment for next day 8.00 AM at the hospital pathology for me to have the test first, and if it was positive then for the whole family.
It was the worst night in my whole life. We couldn't sleep. Next day I went for the test, got it done and had to wait until 3.30 in the afternoon for the results. It was the worst fifteen hours in my life. I did not go to work, I was afraid to feed my kids and sent them off to baby sitter. I asked the nurse why they thought I was at risk and what were the criteria for classifying me under high risk. She explained that it was because I had a surgical procedure done on me after the delivery by the health care worker who tested positive for those infections. At last, at 3.30 when I went for the results they told me "good news, negative for both tests so no infections, have a Merry Christmas". My husband and I cried in relief and thanked BABA for his mercy.
This experience has deepened my faith in Him and showed me that He listens to us in need and never leaves His children. May BABA give you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Bow to Sri Sai Peace be to all
Sai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM
dipika duggal
Topic: deepened my faith in Sai baba (Read 1633 times)