My father, Capt S.C Chaturvedi who was Captain with an airline flew his last flight -Mumbai Dubai -Delhi - Mumbai as the commander of the flight in the year on January 26th, 2006.
His mouth had partially closed so he was rushed to a renowned Cancer hospital in Mumbai the next day. A well known Mumbai doctor planned his surgery in the next two days. The surgery went on for 8 long hours. Chemotherapy and radiation kept us busy for the next few months during which my father was miserable. On some occasions, I thought he won’t be able to make it any further.
Airforce training and good overall health kept him afloat.
My mother was his constant support and took excellent care of him throughout his treatment. I must say it was very painful to even watch as a family member.
My father lost most of his teeth and a lot of his jaw … so eating was a permanent problem now.
He had few small benign growths on two occasions which were removed and all was well.
In March 2018, I received a call from my mother asking me to come to Agra immediately.
Apparently, some CT scans showed something behind his eye because of which his face had swollen up.
We rushed to Mumbai from Agra.
Within a minute of seeing my father, the doctors in the consultation room told us that we must take him home and just let him be —
" My father was at the end of the road " … and that they couldn’t do anything more for us.
I will never forget those words as long as I will live. The thought of that moment still gives me shivers down my spine.
We were given morphine and pain patches and told to use them in the difficult times that were to come.
We returned to Noida. Then my husband insisted we see a doctor here since we would need an oncologist in Delhi further on.
Against my wishes, we dragged my father to visit the doctor. He was in extreme pain due to herpes which had affected his eye and face.
The Delhi Oncologist requested a Pet scan, which was turned down in Mumbai as unnecessary.
I went to my Guruji’s mandir before the scan and threw myself at his lotus feet … My worries were His.
We went in for the scan. The Doctor checked them immediately and informed us that there was nothing to worry about and he couldn’t see any traces of any cancer.
My life is blessed by my Guruji and this Doctor is his messenger for me.
My father is the most amazing man I have know in my life. The only mistake he ever made was he chewed Tobacco.
He paid a very hefty price for that mistake.
He lost his flying year, his freedom, his happiness.
I pray to the almighty to give strength to the ill and the caring families because life is never the same once this illness makes its way into our homes.
I’m attaching some pictures of my father before and through his illness. I hope it helps people understand that there is victory after a good fight.
Jai Guruji
Ashima