Period: 1968
Location: Southern Tamilnadu, India
Dr. Moses was kind of family doctor Mr. Rathna's family, and was famous along with Dr. Balakrishnan - both of whom had set up clinic in their own house. Mr. Rathna used to bring homemade palm jaggary as gift for both these doctors occasionally. Only the people with some emergency or with some money went to them. Other wise the government hospital at the temple town of Tiruchendur was good enough.
After doing the preliminary checks, the doctor mentioned, "It is going to be very difficult. She needs regular checks. I am not too sure, if the child will survive. Let us hope." He prescribed some medicines. Remember that in those days no USG was available (except in Britain, and only in 70s, it moved to major part of Europe and the America). So, it all depended on what Mrs. Rose felt about the baby and what the doctor's hands felt!
The months slowly moved through the summer of 1968. A relative stayed at Mr. Rathna's home to support Mrs. Rose, and their daughter who was now in 8th Grade shared some additional works. It was also the season for tapping palm trees for the juice to be converted into jaggary. The village had a very unique style of living. During the palm tapping season (usually between April - late September / first week of October - latest) they lived in thatched houses outside the village, close to the palm trees that were taken mostly against paying a fixed amount each year against each tree to the St. Jospeh's Charity Institute that owned them. Only a few families had large swathe of land that also had the trees. As the season was waning, soon, it was time to shift back to the house in the village.
The regular checks and medication had kept Mrs. Rose in somewhat good shape. The last of the tests done in early November of 1968 wasn't a good news for the family. Dr. Moses said, "It looks like we may have a big struggle ahead. Be prepared for it. Have Mrs. Rose admitted on 15 Nov, if there's no labor pain by then. We shall see what happens. Rest is up to God!"
On the scheduled day, Mrs. Rose was admitted for observation. Dr. Moses tested her and then called Mr. Rathna for a discussion. "We have a situation here. The child has low signs or nearly no sign of life. With the kind of available medical facility in this hospital, we can focus on either saving the life of the child or your wife. Let me know, how should we proceed. Attempt to save both may put both the lives at risk." Mr. Rathna responded, "Sir, you know that I have three children. So, kindly focus on saving my wife. It is fine if the child is not saved." The doctor asked for Mr. Rathna to sign a bond as there was risk for the mother and child, so that the doctor or his clinic will not be held responsible. Mr. Rathna signed it. It was decided that there would be a Cesarean on 16th.
On 16th morning, the C-section was done of Mrs. Rose. The baby was taken out. A boy. The child did not cry. There was no vital signs of life. No heart beat, no breathing. The nurses cleaned the baby. The doctor declared the baby dead. Mrs. Rose was shifted along with adequate flow of medicine and saline, and was being cared in a room. The baby was kept in a room beside hers so that the baby can be taken by the family for burial.
Next on 16 May 2020 : Birth of a Miracle - III : Shock of Life
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