Stories of Life

 Stories of Anaesthesia.

Being an Anaesthesiologist, I come close to vulnerability of people.
People face life struggles in a different way.
Some teach Life Lessons.
Simple approach to struggles in Life....

I was asked to sedate 2 Young girls- both sisters.One was about 12yrs.The other was around 5yrs.
Both had ADHD with Mental retardation.
The older girl was extreme case.Obese,violent, aggressive and difficult to manage.
The younger one was milder and quieter than her older sibling.
The Mother accompanying them was highly educated.
She seemed to be the sole caretaker for her dependent daughters.
As multiple tests had to be carried out on the 2 girls, I got to interact with the Mother for long time.

The Mother was a Professor in a college.
After the birth of the 1st child who was diagnosed ADHD with delayed motor and mental development, she resigned.
The child needed lot of care and treatment.Prolonged sessions of therapy.
A very difficult child to manage.
Then,after few years,she decided to have another child.
Unfortunately, the 2nd child too was diagnosed Attention Deficit but mild motor and mental development.
The Counselor suggested the Mother to resume her professional career for her mental health.
But the older child didn't adjust to the Mother's absence ( only few hours) .She became even more violent and aggressive. She destroyed the whole house and tore everything at home including her Mother 's books.
Both children especially the older child needed Medical help.
To adjust the prescription, tests needed to be conducted.


Dear Friends,
Life is never easy.For some,Life brings you to a dead end where one is left clueless about further journey.

This Mother was on that phase of Life.

The few hours of interaction with her....taught me Life Lessons.

The Mother not once was negative.
She neither blamed self nor her daughters for the extreme challenging situations in her life.
She was sole caregiver for her dependent daughters. She didn't make it an issue nor did she glorify herself.

After her older daughter violent reaction to her joining college, did she have thoughts of discontinuing her professional career?
No.
She was confident that she will make arrangements at home and make her daughters comfortable in her absence but for her mental health, she will pursue her career.

The daughters especially the older one was violent and aggressive. But the Mother was very calm and composed. She would patiently talk to both daughters and soothe them.She not even once lost her temper or emotions.

The best Lesson came in the end....
The Mother had a great sense of humor.
She told me small moments of her life as a Mother which brought her immense joy.
How her daughter uttered" Mamma" for 1st time at age 5 or so.....
How naughty her daughters were.....
How she entertained her daughters when they were very anxious....
How she was " Strict Mother " to discipline her Older daughter who threw tantrums and Resilient to everything....treatment, Therapy,Social activities etc.

Whenever life goes tough.....
Acceptance solves most of the problems.
However difficult and stressful time is....NEVER LOSE  HUMOR....
Situations become less difficult if one always finds humor in them.

Find small joys in life.They help in keeping the mind calm and happy.

POSITIVE MINDSET

If we are always positive....and never allow negativity to enter into self....
A composed Mind controls all emotions.

EXPECTATIONS.
If we expect a lot from ourselves and from others.It brings disappointment as ever there will be shortcomings.That will lead to anger and hurt.

SELF IDENTITY.
Many times we take our " Role" seriously.
Role of Parent, Partner,Profession.....
We tend to immerse ourselves completely into it.
Self Identity gets lost.
The Role we play becomes our purpose, pursuit and Identity.

Do find your inner self. Retain that person forever.....Whatever and however be the situations in Life.

Those few hours I spent sedating those girls to get them through various tests....
I thought my job and role as Anaesthesiologist was more important. It was indeed.
In return, THE STRONG MOTHER taught me bigger Life Lessons which remain with me forever.

( The Blog is very long. But please be patient, my Friends.)

Thank you for reading.

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali.
Anaesthesiologist, Hubli.