Santosh’s Mamaji (mother’s brother) did a lot for Santosh’s family. He was like Santosh’s father after his father’s untimely death. Mamaji preferred to stay unmarried. He devoted his entire life for his sister and her children. He is around 76 years. He fell sick. His sickness was serious. He was admitted to the government hospital. Knowing this, Santosh applied for leave to be with his Mamaji. By the time Santosh reached his native village, his Mamaji began to cross the human boundaries. He was on oxygen support, not responding to medical treatment. The doctors advised that it would be better to shift him to a super-speciality hospital at Hyderabad. All was ready, including an ambulance equipped with oxygen supply. He was about to be transferred into the ambulance.
It was exactly at this time/situation that Santosh called and asked me for guidance. He asked me probably because he knew that I am a thanatologist. From the discussion I gathered that his Mamaji’s survival seemed difficult. His phone call was not about money or discomfort; it was about the trouble to the patient with unnecessary treatments. It was about protecting the dignity of his Mamaji. I replied in the following manner:
“Santosh! What will you want your near and dear ones to do if you were in your Mamaji’s place? You do the same for him.”
This statement and his discussions with his family members decided the course of action for him. He cancelled the ambulance service and took his Mamaji home, in spite of the doctors repeatedly saying that the patient would not survive more than 30 minutes without oxygen. He removed the oxygen mask. Sanosh and his entire family loved Mamaji.
On reaching home, the patient opened his eyes, looked at all the familiar surroundings and the faces of his loved ones. Happiness is evident on his face. Tear drops from his eyes soaked the pillow. He began responding to love and medications. He began having water and milk; he lived happily for the next few days. Finally, he chose to exit from planet Earth with his heart filled with the love received. He exited with happiness and dignity. He was never at the mercy of the heartless medical machinery of the hospitals. He died peacefully at home. May Mr. Istarayya’s soul rest in peace.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional. What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
