The Cat with More than Nine Lives, lives through another accident Mt.Abu

The Incredible Story of the Cat Who Has More Than Nine Lives

The day began in the early hours of April 28th with surprising news. My good friend Kunoo, the Thakur of Bera Village, called to inform me of his mother's death. With the funeral set for 11.30 a.m., I rushed to contact family members in the hopes that they would join me in this moment of support and solidarity. My brother-in-law, on the other hand, indicated his inability to attend owing to approaching job responsibilities relating to his impending retirement on April 30th. This unexpected turn of events required me to attend the burial with another close buddy before returning to Abu by 7 p.m.

Around 8 p.m., I received a frantic phone from my sister, summoning me to the accident site where my brother-in-law had been involved in an accident. My blood raced cold as the fortunes of this accident-prone man were almost tragic. I called another friend to make a hasty trip to the spot because his house was in that area; I drove instantly, dreading the worst. When I arrived at the site, there was a tremendous throng and commotion, my sister weeping, Walter's eldest daughter was raging and yelling and crazy, and some cops had also arrived. 

It only took a few seconds to see that there was complete turmoil, but over the bustle, I heard my brother-in-law's painful cry, and my sinking being sprang to life. "Charlie's Aunt the old cock is still kicking and alive", I sighed, and we took him to the Global Hospital.

After examining Walter, I encouraged him to relax; his left leg was obviously in horrible shape, but it did not appear crushed; he most likely had a dislocated knee. The prognosis following the X-ray reinforced my suspicion. To his good fortune, teams of orthopaedic surgeons were on the scene since the Global Research Centre was hosting a symposium. They brought Walter into the emergency room, where these specialists set his leg.

Against all odds, they released Walter today around 4 p.m. Despite his physical restrictions, we made certain that he attended his department's retirement ceremony, although in a more muted way. It was a touching and wonderful event that celebrated this exceptional man's tenacity.

This remarkable sequence of events reminds me of Walter's unbreakable spirit, which is comparable to a cat with more than nine lives. His fortitude and capacity to persevere in the face of adversity serve as an example to us all. He has demonstrated time and again that he is more than simply a survivor, but a fighter with an unyielding spirit.

Today, I'd like to offer some photos that capture the soul of this wonderful man. A grin in the face of hardship is a testimonial to inner strength and courage.

May Walter's strength inspire us all and remember the importance of a strong spirit until the next part of this journey.

This story exemplifies the perseverance and tenacity of the human spirit. Walter's unwavering determination in tough times serves as a reminder that a resilient spirit can endure any adversity.

 33 years of service

 All eyes glued

All smiles 

 Bhagwan a dear friend

 Farewell ole  mate

 Feels good

 Gift  by the department

 Good one

Great joke

The backbone of the dept the linesman

Helping hands

Back to base

An emotional moment 

staff

Not too Bad

A great moment

Wifey n wally

Ouch 

Groan

Staff

Dharmendra the present boss

All ready to roll 

Retired staff

Speech by the big wig 

Staff n well wishers 

Helping hands

Touching

All smiles

Back home

One for the camera

The final signature

Smile man I'm retired

“Takayasu Arteritis” rises from its slumber Mount Abu.

Takayasu Arteritis: A Battle Rekindled

Liz, my better half, had lived a normal life since being diagnosed with Takayasu Arteritis—the so-called “pulseless disease”—in 2003. Over two decades, she battled the disease with remarkable resilience and determination. Life was stable until a year ago when troubling signs emerged. 

The initial sign of trouble appeared as large, blister-like sores on her right leg, the same leg where she’d lost toes. Soon after, signs of discolouration appeared on her left leg. Alarmed, I consulted our family doctor, who prescribed a course of antibiotics and ordered blood tests to rule out further complications. The treatment seemed to help, but deep down, I sensed something was still amiss. 

Liz, ever stoic, insisted she was fine. However, being her husband and a perceptive observer, I noticed subtle shifts in her behaviour. She was losing her calm; quiet desperation was growing. It became clear she was grappling with more than just physical discomfort. 

In India, many seek soothsayers and spiritual leaders, driven by anticipating miracles. Seeking solace, Liz turned to their assurances. While these moments offered her fleeting hope, I knew the disease’s resurgence was a more likely explanation for her worsening symptoms. 

Takayasu Arteritis is a relentless foe. The disease, while eradicated by treatment from 2003 onwards, was, in fact, dormant. It was as if the December cold jolted it awake. I would often find Liz rubbing her legs at night, unable to find relief. The disease, silent for seven long years, had returned with a vengeance. 

The reasons for this resurgence remain unclear. Was it triggered by the cold? The natural progression of ageing? Or had Liz stopped her medication at some point? Whatever the cause, the path forward was grim. Liz, who avoids hospitals passionately, had no choice but to undergo a series of medical investigations. 

Our family doctor, Dr. Sharma, referred us to Life Care Hospital in Ahmedabad. Liz travelled ahead of me on January 16th to meet our daughter Jennifer, who had just returned from Shillong. I joined them two days later to celebrate Keith’s birthday, though the looming shadow of her health made celebrations difficult. 

At the hospital, they performed a Doppler test on Liz’s leg. The results confirmed our worst fears. Dr Samir Dhani, a specialist recommended to us, broke the devastating news: the capillaries supplying blood to Liz’s right foot had deteriorated beyond repair. The only option was amputation. 

Hearing those words felt like a blow to my chest. How could I prepare Liz for such a life-altering decision? How could I shatter her fragile hope with this heartbreaking truth? 

Liz had faced Takayasu Arteritis for years with remarkable courage, but this was a battle unlike any other.. As I stood outside her hospital room, grappling with the weight of this revelation, I knew our journey was far from over.  

The Doppler test conducted on 16 Jan 2010

The Doppler reports made out by Dr.Darshan

Prognosis of Dr.Sameer Dani

I rang Dr Dushyant on the 18th of Jan and set up an appointment for her admission to Life Care Hospital. I had appraised Liz on her condition and said she needed hospitalization. She went into depression and began to sob. She did not want her leg amputated. I assured her no one would amputate her leg without her consent. I told her they would run some exclusive tests on her to determine the condition of her leg and her overall state.

They admitted Liz to the hospital on January 20th. She remained there for a week, being pumped with IV medicine day and night and having numerous blood tests performed on her. A team of experts came to see her to assess her condition. It had been a long and exhausting week for everyone present. She did not experience the excruciating agony she had been experiencing previously when on medicine. On the 26th, she was given another Doppler test to evaluate if her foot had improved after all the medicine she had received.

While she was in the hospital, I gently informed her that it would be best if she prepared herself for an amputation. I called her mentor, Dr. Anandan in Chennai, and asked him to help her see the light. I enlisted the help of my other friends and her older daughter to psychologically prepare her for the trauma. She was sick of being in the hospital and wanted to go home. I prepared her discharge papers and planned to take her home, but before I did, I left I spoke with Dr. Dushyant and informed him that I would be back soon with her for the amputation since there was no other option than for her to suffer through the agony of dry gangrene.

Her Doppler, done the day before her discharge on the 26th, revealed just a little improvement over the previous Doppler test. I knew it was curtains for her right leg and that it would only be a matter of time before Liz realised it would be better to get rid of it than to live through the excruciating agony that the pain would cause her.