Going a little back in time.
It was 27th-28th of October 2013, Aseem and Divya were preparing for their hospital visit. With loads of doubts in their mind, lots of questions popping every now and then, they were getting ready, early in the morning. The plan was that Aseem will go early and start going through the tests. The hospital has huge queue of patients. just goes to show the ever so growing number of cancer patients in India, more about that sometime later though.
So Aseem was supposed to go early and Divya would come a little later, after dropping their daughter to the daycare. She called up Aseem's parents back home in his home town, spoke to them told them about what doctor had said the other day. Aseem wasn't/isn't sure what they spoke and what the level of emotions were, he could only see Divya trying to control her emotions with all her will. She then handed over the phone to him, he somehow had become calm in these couple of day. Just picked up the phone, spoke to his mother and told that they do not need to come all the way to Mumbai and that he will keep them informed.
At hospital it was around 12 noon, when Aseem had gone through all the tests, the reports come in about 4 hours, online, doctors can directly access the same on their systems. A couple of tests were done a couple of days before. Both Aseem and Divya were waiting in queue for their turn, seeing huge number of patients around them. One unique thing that both of them noted was that most of the patients around them did not look to be troubled or under pressure or in pain. they just displayed amazing amount of courage, content on their faces. That definitely was a pleasant surprise for them. Also it was a kind of encouragement to them as they started thinking that if people are not looking troubled and sad then the treatment must be working for them and even Aseem is going to be in safe hands.
While whatever happened at the doctor's chamber can be reserved for some other chapter, what Aseem realised in next few days is that when one is fighting a life threatening disease like this its his/her support system which has the potential of keeping him/her afloat despite most adverse of situations. This support system is sometimes interpreted as your friends and family only, but in Aseem's opinion it was a much larger set of people. Some int he family, some in friends, some in colleagues and some obviously in the hospital. All of them play their parts and collectively ensure that the person can face, fight and overcome most adverse of situations.
For Aseem the support system began at home with Divya. While their families back home too had supported them, but it was Divya who was always with Aseem in those difficult times earlier on. She was a headstrong woman who in last week or so had become so strong mentally and emotionally, that no one could even assume that she is facing one of the toughest challenges of her life.
Reading books, reading journals, blogs and what not. Understanding the disease, understanding the patient needs, understanding ways to help a patient. Within just a couple of month's time, you think of any area connected to the disease and Divya was full of knowledge and information. She had even started thinking, working and planning in various directions to have better control over their finances.
Its this grit and strength that gave Aseem the precious time to think through and be calm and take his time.
The Doctors and staff at the hospital was another important piece in the support system. More so because they never treated their patients like patients. All the discussions would be as if they are discussing some common cough and cold issues. No separate treatment for patients and their relatives, no sympathetic talks etc. This approach has a potential of taking that 'illness thing' out of your mind. One starts looking at himself/herself like any other normal person. Mind you one needs an apt mindset to fight these diseases, most of the fight is won or lost in the mind. Medicines can work wonders if a person is in positive frame of mind and best of medicines can fail if a person does not have a belief.
At the office Aseem's boss Mr. Gupta was the one who actually asked him to go to this hospital. He was the one who on his own approved leaves, kept all important people within the management in loop, just in case Aseem needs some financial support
Sarika, was just a new joinee in Aseem's team in office and had not even completed first month with the company. She was called and told by Mr. Gupta that she should not call Aseem for any reason for whatever reason for at least a week (starting 24th of October). It was really amazing how she managed the work in these 3-4 days. Managed kind of work, of which she sometimes did not have any background at all, yet did not disturb Aseem at all.
All these people played and are continuing to play important parts in Aseem's life and are truly his support system. Without them he would never be able to fight the battle.
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