Homecoming!

After spending over three weeks in the hospital, it was finally time to go back home. But contrary to what one might think, I wasn't completely happy that day. Yes, I was a little glad that I could enjoy some home comforts with lesser restrictions and all that. But still, something really bothered me deep inside. I wasn't really sure if my parents could handle the extra burden that would be put in their hands..

That one thought made it so hard for me to really rejoice in the fact that I'll be going home. In the hospital there were nurses to look after my basic needs. If my health fluctuated ( as it did so easily in those initial days ) there were doctors to come immediately to take a look. If there was a need for a blood test or any other medical examination, there were facilities to do it all in an easy way. But at home we had none of these.

There were the many problems, but there was no simple solution. At that time, I didn't realise how long I would be in this condition. In my mind I thought perhaps I would be immobile for just a short time. I thought a couple of months of therapy would be enough to make my legs function again. So I imagined we could just be in the hospital, become normal again and then go back home. No one denied that out right. No one told me, "No Amos, therapy cannot make you walk again, what medical science could do, we have already done..". 

The doctors however gave another valid reason for why I could not be an in-patient for long. Hospital infections..! These infections are high risk to anyone who has been physically weakened. And since I had a spleen ( a vital organ in the body's immune system ) removed, and countless other weakening procedures, I could catch one of those infections quite easily. Treating them could be a huge headache for the doctors as some of these organisms do not respond to standard treatments. If I caught one, it could possibly be life threatening. So there was no arguing that, we just had to make do at home..

All the training and preparation my parents had was seeing the nurses help me out. Since I had spent most of my time during my hospital stay in the ICU, such occasions were limited. So I knew they weren't confident about it. I knew for certain that they had no issues with working as much as was humanly possible for my sake. In fact even when it was perfectly healthy they almost carried me in their arms for most of my life. Pampered. Yes, I was. And I had no doubts that they would continue to do the same..

Yet, I knew how frightening even the smallest of tasks would be for them, knowing that a little mistake could have a big impact on my health. We decided to arrange a home nurse and that eased some worries. ( But then, till this day we've never taken any full/part-time nursing help. It's usually mum and dad, or sometimes my sister. Occasionally when none of them could help out, my aunts or cousins have pitched in to help me with my needs.. ) 

Momentarily though, these worries would take a back seat. The staff at the hospital did something that I'll never forget all my life. That day, I wasn't really happy, I was just relieved. But what these people did changed all that. They made the day a day of celebration.

Even before anything started, I had sensed that something was going on. Slowly I started getting titbits of information about what was happening. They were going to have a cake cutting to celebrate my discharge from the hospital. I found it a bit funny and embarrassing to be honest. I've never been a guy who enjoys being the centre of attention. And in the state that I was at that time, that trait of mine hadn't changed. I just hoped it'll be done without much fuss and will be over soon.

The Cake.. 😋

But what happened was just the opposite of that. I was surprised, in a good way. Doctors, nurses and all who were associated with me in great or small ways, came to celebrate that moment. Songs were sung by a small choir. The hospital wasn't a christian establishment, but they arranged for songs with an uplifting christian message, knowing that me and my family would take strength in them. We cut the cake and shared it with each other. Those whom I had come to know on a personal level through the course of the past three weeks, came and shared some words of encouragement..

All that happened didn't ever feel like a formality, not for a second. There was some genuine love and care that I could make out. One of the doctor's who took great interest in me when I was in the ICU had a flight to catch at that time. He was keen on staying with us during the send off to the point that he could have missed his flight. He stayed, cut the cake and fed me a piece and only then did he leave. Overall, it was sweet gesture that they didn't have to show, but did. And it was something that did lift up my spirits before my long journey.

After bidding goodbye to everyone at the hospital, it was finally time to make a start. We boarded the car, it was an Innova. Our car wasn't a very spacious one, and since a bigger car would be easier for myself and for everyone travelling with me, my uncle decided to bring his. The journey began and for the first time in weeks I could see the outside world. It was refreshing to see people going about their carefree lives. Of course they might each have problems of their own, but still, they weren't worried about me, that surely was a change from all the people I interacted with in the recent past.

Sitting up for a prolonged period wasn't comfortable. But I didn't complain. Everytime I saw someone driving rash I could only think of the worst. Yet, somehow I drew courage that the Lord is looking after us. We reached home. And a welcome party was waiting for us.. For me..

Our temporary rented house ( our own was under renovation ) was on the first floor, and we didn't have a lift ( we never thought we'll ever need one ). So I was made to sit on a plastic chair with arm rests and I was carried up the stairs by my uncles and my grandmoms driver. Sounds like one of those pompous royalty from those period flicks right..? But I would've done anything to have it any other way. It was risky, not just for me, but also for all those who carried me. We couldn't have done it any other way. Thank God we were able to make it..!

I was welcomed home by my aunts and uncles, my cousin, and specially my amachi ( grand mom ) and thatha ( granddad ). I've always looked up to thatha as an upright man. He has held distinguished posts in the government. He was involved in the church ministry along side that, and after retirement he was even more active in that regard. But off late he had lost the confidence to move out of home because of his age and all the issues that come along with it. He stayed at home mostly, it was a worry for all of us. But that day he had come all the way here just to welcome me. His presence itself was quite special. 

I often feel, if you ranked people who were most devastated by my accident, I would come pretty lower in the order. People around me, the closer ones, worried more for me than myself. Mum and dad had such a hard time dealing with it. But I'm pretty sure if there's anyone who was hit the worst, it was my amachi. Till this day, nearly two years after my accident, I'm still the biggest worry of her life. She still loses sleep at night, staying awake praying and pleading for my sake. That day when I came home, she cried a little when she saw me. And I had to console her.

At home, everything was prepared before my arrival. My uncle and auntie ( mum's brother and sister ) along with my cousin and some helpers had cleaned up the house completely and re-arranged the furniture and everything else to suit my needs. So all we needed to do was get settled back in. All of us shared a wonderful dinner that night and it was nice to be back in their company.

I was showered with love that day, firstly at the hospital, and then at home from my family to show me that they were there for me. To this day my family has been my biggest source of strength and encouragement. They've supported me in every way they can and not once have they made me feel like I'm indebted to them. I can do a lot, and still fail to repay such love. 

But as great as their love for me is, even greater is the love God has shown toward me. He has used the people in my life to show me how much He loves me. If there's one thing in life that I can be sure of, it's that His love will always be the same..

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39