Here I am at my desk, penning this post, ruminating on the
harrowing time (though self inflicted) I had last week. It all started with a
visit to the doctor a month back. In my case, such calls to a "Doc"
happen only when it becomes utterly imperative ... this was one of those times.
Now, I might not have any faith in government systems but when it
comes to hospitals I still swear by the government run ones. My reasoning is
simple, nothing to beat the experience that the doctors here have, which comes
from the sheer number of patients that they go through (the private ones
engender no such confidence - mere gloss with little substance). At the end of
the day, it is a question of faith ... the surroundings are definitely not
inspiring, however rundown government hospital may look they work better
particularly when it comes to diagnosis (better than the mercenary like 5 star
hospitals). At least that is what I have always experienced with lot of
government run services (my MTNL phone for one has not konked off even a single
day in the last eight years - so that's that).
Came back from the doc pretty upbeat. Per her, I was fit as a
fiddle - though she did prescribe some tests and there was a steely glint in
her voice when she told me to definitely get them done (she must have realized
that I was one of those careless ones who would avoid it at any cost). Sure
enough the procrastinator that I am, the tests were promptly relegated as a
TBD.
Having been brought up on a very healthy diet and with some good
genes to boot, was able to sail through the years with minor ailments. Being
under the weather for long was not something I thought could happen to me -
guess one of the remnants of youthful cockiness.
It all started very innocuously, slight problem here, a little
niggling ache there - did not pay much heed to it thinking it would go away.
But it persisted and caused a twinge every now and then, I was slightly
troubled ... cursing myself for skipping the tests. By the end of the
week the inactivity and worry had so eaten into me ... whether it was a sign of
hypochondria or otherwise a significant proportion of my body ached. I was now
shaken up enough to even skip the daily walk with my friend. By this time my
mind was on an overdrive and I was busy researching the net. My symptoms corresponded
with a lot of illnesses which did not make me feel any better. Imagining the
worst I was quietly going crazy.
Then some sense got into me when I was practically at the end of
my tether and all drained with the tension. Decided to take some self help
measures - diligently followed them and thankfully the positive attitude
helped- there was some quick relief and I felt somewhat chastened for being so
self obsessed.
My daughter of course was not going to let me off so easily, her
concern quickly turned to mirth at my neuroticism. Thank god for friends who
still give you a patient hearing and sympathize with you even when you might be
just crying wolf.
Though, all this aside it was also a wake-up call, I am
more conscious than ever before of eating healthy, am not so blasé about my
well being. It takes some time to come to terms with the fact that recovery
would not be as quick as it was in the 20's and 30's and though my spirit would
like to believe that but my body will not be in tandem with any such delusional
thoughts.
So here are my takeaways and perhaps yours too, post 30's - take
good care of yourself and your health- eat wisely; timely medical checkups are
a must so do not miss them ; and finally understand this well ... you are your
own best friend so fight off those low moments if they ever creep in.
What I gained in all this brouhaha was the hubby's attention,
something to remember for the next time when he turns a complete workaholic.
