This is about a woman who had a hernia recurrence not once but thrice and the story of how her daughter came to care for her as she grew. Children create proud moments for parents but sometimes they also create such memorable moments in other’s lives.
Renuka was a domestic help in her neighborhood and her husband too was from a humble background. They both had to work to make their ends meet. She had incisional hernia after she gave birth to her daughter. Given her humble background, I took up her case and provided her the maximum help to get her operated.
Our medical fraternity worked as a perfect team and we helped Renuka in whatever ways we could. Ungalukagha Trust came forward to contribute a part of the medical expenses. The mesh suppliers did their part by providing free mesh as part of corporate social responsibility. Everyone near and dear contributed from the bottom of their heart. Her hernia repair surgery for recurrent incisional hernia was indeed a success. After the surgery was over, I advised Renuka to take adequate rest to recuperate. But that unfortunately did not happen.
Her income too was essential for sustaining the family and hence she did not take the necessary rest she was supposed to take after her incisional hernia repair surgery. As a result, she had another episode of hernia recurrence. She had developed hypothyroidism and diabetes in the interim. As a consequence, she was operated with extreme care for her recurrent incisional hernia the second time. Once bitten twice shy – But unfortunately this saying did not apply to Renuka. Despite the fact that she was operated on for the second time, her helpless situation forced her to not take adequate rest after the second surgery. A repeat of a past mistake happened this time too. The recurrent incisional hernia recurred. To make things worse, she now had hypertension (high blood pressure) too. So in effect Renuka needs to undergo a third surgery. Was there a choice? Unfortunately there wasn’t any. But the hard fact is any surgical treatment is complete only when there is adequate rest for the body to heal the surgical wounds. So even if the surgery goes well it needs to be emphasized that enough rest is absolutely mandatory.
When Renuka approached for her second recurrent incisional hernia, I began to notice that her daughter who was a young child, was a grown up now. She had graduated, got employed and was caring actively for her family. When she learnt that her mother needs a third surgery, she instantly pitched the dependent medical insurance cover she could avail from her employer. What a beautiful moment! A family that was facing the challenges of financial struggle has now slowly pulled itself out of it. That is what good education can do and it was indeed a wonder watching Renuka’s family get there. Furthermore, this beautiful life story clearly demonstrates the need for getting medical insurance cover for the family.
Now Renuka got operated at one of the finest of hospitals in Chennai and got the best-of-best care. I am now doubly sure that Renuka will get her much needed rest to recuperate after her surgery.