While I was taking my Chemo some ladies who had attended the program and are working in other departments came to visit me to ask further questions - I had announced at the program that I would have my last Chemo today. People were so open and interested - quite amazing really. I felt I had established quite a few relationships here. Meeting some of the staff members in the corridors they were waving and smiling at me. I should definately offer another program on my next visit to Bangalore in November, when we would have a Holy Name Retreat.
After I had concluded my treatment I paid a visit to the two main administrative doctors to express my gratitude for their help and support. They also received a box of cookies each to take home for their family. I shared how the program had inspired me so much, and I would indeed be ready to have another program in the future - in November maybe, when I would visit Bangalore next. They both happily agreed, and the main chief even suggested to have two programs - one for the staff, and one for the patients.....
One week later, on the 21st of July I had my Chemoport removed. It was again a little surgery under local anaesthesia, similar to the surgery of inserting it. Once again I had a bag of boxes with cookies with me, and the staff in the Operating Theatre received plenty of prasadam which I distributed on the way to my surgery. Everybody was delighted - probably no other patients had ever come for a surgery with cookies for the staff.....
I had to spend some hours on the surgical Day Care Ward, where I distributed the last boxes of prasadam. Dr Vishwanath came to see me, and I suggested that this could be our last meeting, since there was no real need for another appointment. The last blood test I could also do somewhere else and inform him of the outcome, and he agreed. He expressed that it had been a great pleasure for him to treat me, and I thanked him for tolerating me. And we wished each other all the best. As a souvenir I received a little sealed bag with the Chemoport inside, which had been in my body for almost three months. It had gone a little yellow in color - probably from all the carrot and pumkin juice and tumeric water I had been drinking. Finally, after the usual lengthy procedure of being discharged, I was allowed to make my way back to Apara Mataji's house in the late afternoon. I had been there since 8 o'clock in the morning.....
Gradually the end of my exile in Bangalore started to appear on the horizon, and it felt great. I had already booked a flight for the 10th of August to Kharkov/Ukraine to celebrate Janmastami with all the devotees, and take darshan of our newly installed Gaur Nitai Deities.
Whenever I start feeling very comfortable somewhere, it is time for me to move on. A rolling stone doesn't gather any moss - even during Chemo......
Your servant, Devaki dd
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