Ananya 'Tyson' Ajay

 

It has been 18 days since I started my mission to regain fitness. I have been checking what and how much I eat. I have increased water consumption. I have been walking regularly. And I have recently started working out as well. However, the results so far have not been satisfactory. The weight has not come down much. :(

Yes, I do feel more energetic these days and that is a clear plus.

Hope to get positive messages from the weighing scale in coming days...

Steps Tracking

 

Today's Report Card

 

Today's Step Count

Dinner

Today's Dinner:

• 3 Pieces of Achaari Soya Chaap
• Omelette of 2 Whole Eggs (Mom made it and it was delicious!!)
• Glass of Fresh Lime Soda (Sugarfree)

Heartbreaking News

Life is so busy and everyone has their share of problems. Where is the time to feel the pain of others? I often hear that from people and I do not blame/question them at all. That is because it makes sense.

But then, I do get moved by pain of others and get the strong urge of doing something for them. It could be financial support or just putting an arm around them and hearing them out.

Just now, I read the news regarding a man in Chhattisgarh, who walked 10 KMs carrying the dead body of his 7 year old daughter. The child was suffering from high fever and extremely low oxygen levels. She succumbed to her conditions in the morning. When questioned, the authorities said that the man was told that a 'hearse' (a vehicle that is used for transporting a dead body to funeral) would be provided but the man left with the body. It does not sound convincing but that is not the point.

What must be going through the father's mind during the 10 KM walk? He must have been dying inside as his daughter was no more. Did he feel the weight? Did he speak to his daughter's body during the walk? Did he want to walk with his daughter as he would have got the chance to hug her all through the long walk? Was it difficult for him to put down his daughter at the end of journey? 

I called Ananya, hugged her and cried. She kept asking the reason but I could not say anything. I just hugged her for several minutes and kept crying.

I looked for the details of the man on internet....I do not know why...

May be its because of my love for my daughter, a father-daughter story especially moves me. I still cannot get over the incident in Kuala Lumpur involving a little girl and her Syrian refugee father.

Dil ka haal...

 

From steps point of view, past few days have been quite disappointing.

From food intake point of view as well, past few days have been a mixed bag and quite average.

My sister had come down for few days for Holi celebrations and it became difficult to maintain the same schedule.

Will try to change all that in the coming days.

Holi Celebration @ Home

Day 6: Healthy Breakfast

Day 5: Food Diary

 

Day 5: Step Count

Day 5: Lunch

Day 4: Report Card

Not a good day. Could not complete the step target due to pain in the legs. But more importantly, it was not a good day from food intake point of view as well. Did not have anything unhealthy but had several small meals. Overall intake was high. Did not sleep on time as well. Will try and correct things today.

Day 4: Healthy Breakfast

2 KG Weight Loss in 3 Days. Good Start!

2 KGs lost in last 3 days!! 

Good start. Will try to ensure that I maintain the momentum. Once I lose 5 KGs, I would increase the intensity a little.

Day 3: Sleep Tracking

Day 3: Heart Rate Monitoring

Day 3: Report Card

Broke down the walk in two sessions. In the morning, I went to the gym and walked for ~6000 steps. The weight and lack of activity during the lockdown made it difficult. Was getting cramps while walking on the treadmill so I decided to walk in the gym itself. Its a quite gym and remains vacant. The air-conditioner is perfect and it was quite enjoyable to walk in the gym. 

After dinner, I walked again and completed the step target.

Breakfast was healthy and so was lunch. My biggest problem remains the hunger pangs around 4 PM and then around midnight. Midnight would not be an issue as all the activities during the day make me extremely tired and I sleep as I soon as I hit the bed. However, 4PM is an issue. I had a glass of coconut water, a bowl of oats and some makhana (fox nuts or lotus seeds). But later, I ended up having 2 small pieces of tandoori chicken and an energy bar as well. Felt really bad but its a good learning. Will try to overcome this issue in coming days.

Day 3: Continuing with healthy food

• Day 3 Breakfast: Two boiled whole eggs, 5 almonds, 1 orange and 2 garlic cloves (good for fighting cholesterol)
• Day 3 Lunch: Salad. Lots of veggies. Dal. No rice. No chapati. Pic below

Day 2: Much better than yesterday!

Achieved the step target but more importantly, had healthy food :)

Big Decision

At the beginning of February 2022, COVID finally managed to catch me. Everyone at my home - my wife, daughter, parents and mother-in-law - were down with COVID and thus, there was no need for isolation. It made it slightly easier to manage.

Everyone recovered within 3-5 days but it was not the case with me. In my case, I lost sense of smell after 4-5 days of getting COVID and I had symptoms which are no longer common. It took ~2.5 weeks to recover fully but that period was filled with confusion and frustration. 

I realized (and later confirmed with my doctor) that COVID troubled me more and for a longer period because of my overall health condition. Though I did not require COVID to get that realization but this was more of a wake-up call. I realized that the ability of my body to fight infections has significantly decreased over the years and if I do not take care of it now, things would soon go spiraling down.

Over the course of next couple of weeks, I discussed my concerns with my family but no one had a clear solution. In the past, I have made several attempts to take control of my health. Each attempt was successful [till it lasted] but not sustainable. I am someone who has always subordinated my personal life to my work and I have failed to create the right balance. Sustainability and momentum are extremely important in such attempts and I needed to address them. 

Finally, we took a call that everything else is secondary and my health needs my 100% attention. I spoke to my reporting manager and was prepared for every outcome. We have started working together fairly recently and to my surprise, he was extremely supportive. Not that I expected him not to be supportive but in organizations, several other factors [and people] can come in the way. He spoke to the HR team and was communicated about the challenges. However, he managed to find a way!! 

So, for the next few months, my life would be very different. I have not taken such a break since the beginning of my career. There is a long battle to fight and I would need support, motivation and best wishes.   

Day 2: Healthy Breakfast

Day 1 did not exactly go as per plans but was not a bad day either. Hope to only increase the daily activity in the coming days. 

Shades are mine, pitcher is not!!!

Yesterday was Day 1 of my latest attempt to improve the health. Had a healthy breakfast. Since I will not be having the food I love (also known as junk food), Ananya made healthy (and thus non-edible) pizza, burger, fries and coke for me!!! My daughter is the best!!

Most Stressful Day of My Life

9 March 2022 - I will always remember this day as the most stressful day of my life.

In the early hours of 8th March, Ananya woke me up and complained of stomach pain and nausea. I was not alarmed as this is something that she experiences fairly regularly. By morning, the pain worsened and she starting puking frequently. Again this did not alarm us as she has had such episodes at least 10 times in the past and each time doctors treated her for stomach infection. We tried medications that were prescribed by her pediatrician in past and the puking went away. Soon the stomach pain subsided too.

In the evening of 8th March, she again started having stomach pain but this time, the pain was also on her right side. Since this was different from previous episodes - and more importantly, we were afraid that her pediatrician would not be available later in the night - we rushed to the doctor's clinic. The doctor examined her and told us that it 'could be' appendicitis. He suggested that we take her to a hospital and keep her there under observation. We immediately took her to the best children's hospital in the city.  Looking at her condition as well as the doctor note, they immediately admitted her.

All the puking in the morning had made her pretty weak and we were told that she is severely dehydrated. They started her on IV fluids and conducted few tests (x-ray of lower abdomen as well as blood culture). It was late and the radiologist was not available. We offered to take her to another branch of the same hospital or to another hospital/diagnostic center to get the ultrasound done but were told that its okay to wait till morning.

After couple of hours of getting IV fluids, Ananya started feeling slightly better...actually energetic. Her blood report showed increased WBC count as well as elevated CRP. She was given antibiotics as well as painkillers. However, the pain continued to trouble her through the night.

In the morning of 9th March, she was sent for ultrasound to another branch as the Radiologist was still not available. I could not go as only one attendant was allowed in the ambulance. After the test, Roshni called and informed that the tests have shown 'inflamed appendicitis'. She was told that the pediatric surgeon would tell us if this can be tackled through antibiotics or would a surgery be required. We were asked to wait.

10 minutes later, a nurse came and asked me to go to the insurance desk as they would require the details of the insurance and would communicate the inclusions/exclusions. I was told that afterwards, I will have to go to the billing section and they would give me the total 'tentative' estimate. There was significant urgency in her tone and I asked what is the matter? Then she told me that they are preparing for an emergency surgery and it is scheduled in next 25 minutes!! I requested to speak to the surgeon to understand the urgency but was told that I will be able to meet her only in the OT complex when they take Ananya there. I was confused and scared...something that does not help my BP and pulse rate. 

I rushed to the insurance desk and they threw truckload of jargons at me. Basically I understood that non-medical expenses would not be covered under insurance and ~22-24% of medical expenses would be covered. I did not understand the reason but honestly, I did not care about the money. My little princess was being prepared for surgery and I wanted to be with her. I just asked them if it would it be any different in case of the other two policies that covered Ananya and they hurled another truck load of jargons. 

I asked them to proceed with the fastest route and NOTHING should stop the medical process. Afterwards, as instructed, I went to the billing department and there I was given as estimate regarding the surgery. Though I did get a sense of the expenses involved but they kept emphasizing that all costs are tentative. Anyways, I signed the documents immediately and ran back to Ananya's room. Thankfully, I found the surgeon near the elevator and I asked her about Ananya's condition, is a surgery the only option, what are the risks involved and why suddenly there is a maddening rush??!!?? The doctor sensed that I am quite nervous and she calmly answered all my questions. She told me that they are preparing everything but the surgery would take place only after we give a nod. I did not know how but I wanted a second opinion.

After talking to the surgeon, I rushed to Ananya's room and found that she has already been prepped for the surgery and were bringing the wheelchair to shift her to the OT. Honestly, this pissed me off but upon talking to Roshni [and later my father], I came to know that they are in favor of getting the surgery done. I still wanted the second opinion but there was no time!!!

The surgeon met us outside the OT and once again answered our questions. Ananya was scared but asked some questions. The surgeon helped in calming her nerves. Soon afterwards, Ananya was shifted to the OT. We came out. That is when the multiple emotions got the better of me. I do not know how long the surgery lasted but I sat in a corner and cried all through. 

After the surgery ended, a nurse came and asked us to meet Ananya in the recovery room. Only one parent was allowed and Roshni allowed me to go first. The anesthesist met me outside the recovery room and asked if I am the father. I nodded. She said that Ananya is still extremely drowsy but she asked for me. I entered the recovery room. Ananya was not in her senses but opened the eyes and looked at me. Then she closed her eyes. She again opened her eyes and asked me if the operation is over. I told her that it is over and she was extremely brave all through. She again closed her eyes. Then she again opened her eyes and asked me if the operation is over. I replied the same. This happened few times. I sat there by her side and again started crying. I really do not know why. I had already been told that the surgery was successful and there is no danger. It is just that I had never seen her in this condition and do not want to ever see her in this condition.

Its 12th March today. We have to take her to the hospital today as the surgeon would examine the surgery wound and the overall health. Ananya is doing better. Hopefully, everything is fine. Looking back at all the events of 9th March, I still get the jitters. I was not prepared for the sudden surgery. It is something, I hope no parent has to go through. 

In this episode, I realized that Ananya is much braver than I think. Definitely braver than me!!!

(I must add something here. On 9th March, post the surgery, my best friend - Khaitan [Vikas Khaitan] - came to the hospital to help me in dealing with insurance. Like numerous times in my life, he was there to help and support me and his presence helped a lot. I am so thankful to have him in my life but do not deserve him one bit.) 

My Healthy Breakfast

RIP King Shane

Greatest spinner ever. A true showman. Rajasthan Royal's victory in IPL under his captaincy is a story worthy of a movie. 

RIP King Shane. Do not know why...but it feels like a personal loss...