Santhy Balachandran Instagram – Exactly 3 months ago, on my birthday, my dad woke up in the ICU after an emergency bypass. The first thing he said when he saw me was: I’m sorry you’re spending your birthday in a hospital.
Sweet… And kinda funny because my family has never been big on birthdays. Birthday gifts were uncommon, a birthday party was a rarity, and the number of birthdays that have simply been forgotten felt like a shameful secret that made me question if we were falling short in some way as a unit.
I chuckled and said that his waking up in good spirits was my birthday present. And it truly was.
Three months later, it’s my brother’s birthday today. Another quiet day, except there’s some cake in the fridge, and Achan just got back from the hospital after acing his follow up review. To say we are grateful would be an understatement.
I took this photo of my parents a few days after the bypass while they were doing their daily round of short walks along the hospital corridor. Achan amazed the staff with his quick recovery, and this photo should tell you why.
There are few people more resilient than Achan, but I don’t know of anyone who is stronger than my Amma. While he was in the ICU, she stayed her cheery self and took everything in her stride, only focusing on what needed to be done next. And once he was in surgery, she played sudoku and crossword with my brother until the nurses wheeled him out.
When Achan opened his eyes, the first thing he said to Amma was: You are a midukki (an endearment for someone who is charmingly capable and confident). She came out beaming, and I couldn’t help but admire how he had made her heart smile even in his groggy state.
For a family that doesn’t really do birthdays, maybe we have found our own ways of celebrating each other…
To the wonderful team at Lisie Hospital, my deepest gratitude for looking after the most important man in my life as if he were yours.
#santhygivesthanks | Posted on 25/Jul/2024 19:21:10
