07/07/2017
Congratulations to Nephro team in max dehradun......
Thank you, Max Hospital. , Dehradun, Thank you NephroPlus Dialysis Centers !!!
Hi, I am Aastha Tandon and I am a Kidney patient. I write this not to announce to the world that I am suffering but to ask all going through the same problem to make informed choice about their treatment.
More often than not, we hear of the ‘corporate hospitals’ fooling patients to extract money, prolonging treatments and prescribing to expensive medicines.
Having grown up hearing similar news every now and then, this perception was deep embedded in my mind.
So when I was unexpectedly detected with this ghastly CKD Stage V (Chronic Kidney Disease), I was appalled. I was certain to not explore any corporate hospital, being deeply assured that they would rob me and make the most of my disease.
So, like most of us in Dehradun, I ran to the so called best local nephrologist in town (Not revealing the name as maligning his credibility not my intention.)
I went and soon enough I was on dialysis. Twice a week, I initiated the painful process of injecting needles and getting a machine to purify my (contaminated) blood.
I took it in my stride but alas l kept deteriorating.
In not more than 6 months, I reduced to 47 kgs from 74 kgs. (Though I was happy about it)!
What made me unhappy and caused constant discomfort was my complete loss of appetite, major headaches post dialysis, at least 10 vomits a day and zilch desire to live.
I consulted my ‘non corporate’ doctor who did not have much to say. “Aisa hota hai kidney patients ko aksar,” he would often say.
The plight of the dialysis center too was deplorable. Stinking bathrooms, unorganised medical waste, open walk in for patient’s assistants, non-air-conditioned dialysis room, staff enjoying food in front of patients and absolute acceptance of staff to patient’s high blood pressure & uncontrollable pain described the dialysis center most of the Dehradun patients rush to.
This too I thought was normal and acceptable.
But, one fine day I could not breathe. I was sinking!
I went to my doctor who said, “nebuliser laga lo, saans aa jayegi”. But ‘Nahi ayi’!!
Sadly, I was to travel to Delhi the next night. If it was not for the attendant at Mussoorie Express who made me sit and fanned me with a newspaper every few minutes, I would have probably not made it. I could not lay down during those nights and had to sit and sleep causing severe back ache. Trust me it was severely depressing.
Sitting and suffering, I reached Delhi! Obviously straight to the hospital attached to the dialysis machine.
There was commotion within family. My family which stays in another town was told everyday about the consistent pain, the discomfort and how little their daughter was eating.
So after my dialysis in Delhi, they expected the same. But to my greatest surprise, I was hungry, there was no pain and yes I could breathe.
It was an anti climax.
And I was told loud and clear, ‘CHANGE YOUR DIALYSIS CENTER’.
Back to Dehradun, after a month, alive and kicking, I half heartedly went to Dr Puneet Arora at Max Hospital.
Oh, the corporate thieves I thought.
But Dr Puneet was a pleasant surprise. He at first instant seemed to be a doctor who cared. He did not take any of my complaints for granted. He also did not find my 180/120 Bp normal. He worked on every slightest complain I had.
It was not normal for me to keep so fit and happy.
Slowly, my love for food resumed and I started eating. The headaches were history and since my first dialysis at Max hospital till now (which is four months), I have not vomited even once.
I started meeting people again and my desire to live reignited.
My dialysis at Nephro Plus became a happy experience and was not something I anymore dreaded. I will stop here to describe the luxury of getting dialysis at Nephro Plus of Max Hospital.
Wooden interiors, royal windows overlooking the lush green mountains, air conditioned rooms, washed sparkling linen, dedicated technicians and nurses, readily available doctors on round, immediate reaction to every complain, on call food, Television on every bed, stylish services and superbly high hygiene standards.
Here, I may add that the dialysis here just cost me Rs 400 extra from the previous dialysis center I was risking my life at.
The dedicated doctor and staff ensures daily cleaning of machines, round the clock services and detailed attention to hygiene which is a must for a good dialysis.
I am afraid to think whether machines at my previous dialysis were ever maintained and if they even had access to clean water for machine maintenance.
I am still suffering from the ‘ghastly’ disease I mentioned in the beginning but now I am dealing with it in a healthier and happier frame of mind.
So, if you have friends or family suffering from Kidney failure, please let them know they don’t have to suffer. It can be made easier if you go to the right doctor. Also, corporate hospitals too can be bliss. In my case, Dr Puneet of Max Hospital and Nephro Care dialysis center has given me a new life.
A life which has its problems but is absolutely livable and positive!!!
