Heart Case!

It was in early eighties that Army included ECG in its annual medical check up of officers. I was a young major posted at OTS Madras. In my annual medical check up, the medical specialist at Military Hospital (MH), Chennai, noticed an abnormality in my ECG. He downgraded me in medical category from SHAPE 1 to SHAPE 3 ( temporary) and also referred me to Command Hospital for further investigation and treatment. It was a shock to me and my wife. I got admitted to MH, Chennai, awaiting move to Command Hospital, Bangalore.

It is at MH, Chennai that I came across fellow patients, some in low medical category. Major Williams was one among them who welcomed me to the club of heart cases. He made it clear to me, "once a heart case always a heart case" in the Services, be it Army, Navy orAir Force. This senior major having 24 years of experience was candid in his views, giving tips on how to take it in your stride, accept the inevitable and make the best of it! He advised me to  buy 2 packs of cards and learn how to play different games like bridge, rummy, theen pathi, and paplu which were popular. He also wanted me to learn how to make friends with the nurses and nursing assistants who can make your life miserable or bearable. Another advice was not to grumble about food although the only palatable meal in any MH was the breakfast. It was always wise to create an impression that you were highly disciplined so that you can go violating  some of the rules without inviting trouble. He cited the example of how he managed to have his two pegs every night despite orders against consumption of liquor in hospital wards. Not that he had never been caught. Though caught red handed, the staff never reported! It was all due to his equation or rapport with the staff!

Armed with the detailed briefings of Williams and several other seasoned heart cases, I arrived at Command Hospital, Bangalore in an ambulance car. I was not allowed to walk from the car, instead an orderly got me on a wheelchair and took me inside against my pleadings that I could walk. Later, the matron, a nursing officer Lt Col, chided me on my reluctance to be wheel chaired citing it as an act of indiscipline besides the danger to life in the case of a heart case!

Following William's advice, I tried my best to enjoy my breakfast of boiled eggs, bred with apricot jam, corn flakes with milk,tinned bacon and tea. I was under instructions not to step out of my bed. Later during the day the nurse, a captain, came to take samples for various tests. Although I had all those tests at Chennai barely a week ago, she insisted on repeating them. Well, slowly I started getting used to the hospital!

It took about 2 weeks for the senior medical specialist to see me. He put  me through a battery of physical tests but couldn't find any trace of a deteriorating heart. My heart behaved like that of an athlete, perhaps improving in performance like that of a champion long distance runner!

The senior specialist consulted his Head of Department(HoD) who called me to his chamber and put me through another DMT, for a longer duration. I did it with ease, the pulse rate and ECG parameters once again confirming the health and robustness of my heart!

The nursing assistant who took my tests shared the results in my ears and complimented me for the success; he thought that my medical category would be upgraded before I was discharged. But it didn't happen so, proving Williams right. Once a heart case always a heart case! The senior medical specialist tried to explain to me why his boss wanted to be very cautious in clearing my case despite the tests. In the absence any previous ECG that is 6 months to one year old, he didn't want to take a chance! He assured me that I was alright and I didn't require medication but my medical category would remain SHAPE-3 that required hospital admission and review every 6 months!

After 3 days I returned to Chennai MH and the next day got discharged to resume my duties with restrictions applicable to my medical category. I was not to attend PT, play games or take part in out door exercises!

It was frustrating to keep away from group physical activities but I had no choice. I started going for a run alone in the morning and long walks in the evening not allowing myself to be written off!  One evening I called on a civilian friend and narrated my plight. His dad, Dr Verghese was amused to hear my story. He offered to take me to a renowned doctor, Dr Cherian. Dr Cherian was a close friend of Dr Verghese and he agreed to see me the very next day.  Accompanied by Dr Verghese, I went to Vijay Hospital. We were received well and a team of  young doctors prepared a brief on me before ushering us to Dr Cherian's room. Dr Cherian welcomed us and started his examination. He spent about 15 minutes with me, a memorable experience for me. He concentrated fully on me creating a profound impression on me. He put me at ease cracking a few jokes and ended up with the comment that I was perfectly okay with no trace of any heart disease! He further added that I shouldn't take any medicine for heart disease and I must continue with my rigorous exercise regimen. In sum, don't take it to heart that you suffered from a heart problem, he concluded. Further, he referred me to Dr Lakshmikanthan, HoD Cardiology, Madras Medical  College for a free echocardiogram and opinion.

In a matter of 10 days I got two certificates on my health and heart condition from  two eminent doctors of India which restored my confidence in myself. Since I was not  due for a promotion, my low medical category didn't have any immediate impact on my military career. Although I showed these certificates to the military doctors they were unwilling to take cognizance. I continued to be in low medical category for the next 4 years reporting to different MHs every six months without any change in the category. I got a posting to J&K. My CO, at the new station, turned out to be an understanding guy, himself having undergone bypass surgery and in low medical category. He allowed me all types of tough and physically demanding jobs apart from attending PT and playing games. He encouraged me to work hard and I had been enjoying professionally.

It was time for another medical review. I was also  due to be considered for promotion in a couple of months.This time again I reported to Command Hospital, Udhampur. The Medical Advisor of this Hospital had extended my category during my last visit, 6 months ago and when I saw him again whatever hope I had evaporated instantly. I went through the tests  on the first day, rested on Sunday and reported for further tests to the Medical Department. There I came to know that the Advisor had to go to Delhi on an urgent duty for a week. An Air force medical specialist would take care of normal cases during that period. The Air Force doctor saw me and asked me to get a treadmill test done and also asked me to be prepared to go to Army Hospital, Delhi within two days. I went to the waiting room and immersed myself in one of my favorite books, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. It was perhaps the third or fourth time that I was reading that book but  I really liked it. About 2 p m, I was still in the waiting room when the doctor walked in. Rather surprised to see me there, he asked what I was doing. I told him that I was reading a book while awaiting a call for treadmill test. He said sorry that they kept me waiting for so long and asked me to come next day at 8 a m and report to him direct. He also said something about his liking for Steinbok, noticing what I was reading.

I went to the Air force doctor the next day. We discussed Steinbeck. He liked East of Eden more than any other book of his! I was impressed and I thought he was too. Later we discussed my medical history. I had stopped telling Military doctors about the opinions of Dr Cherian and Dr Lakshmikanthan but to this doctor I  gave the full account. I went for my treadmill test and the doctor called me about 1 p m.  With a smile, he told me that all my test results were positive; there was no problem with my heart. He added that  he would upgrade me without having to go to Delhi or wait any longer! I couldn't believe my ears. My low medical category was coming to an end after 4 long years!








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