‘Have faith in God and your doctor’

In the month of August, I was having fever and despite medication it was not decreasing. Initially, it was diagnosed as viral fever and then it turned out to be typhoid. Though the treatment went on, the fever did not come down and then platelet count started falling. Despite all efforts of doctors, neither fever was decreasing nor cough. X-ray and scanning were got done and reports were sent to the PGI, Chandigarh, where some spots were seen in the lungs and then I got myself tested for the Covid-19 contagion the report of which came out positive.

On September 1, I was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh, and the first three days were too difficult. I was almost unconscious and ate almost nothing and the weakness was so immense that I couldn't get up. Luckily, my oxygen level was normal and the doctors attending to me were too kind and caring and performed their duty diligently.

Staying there for eight days and after much improvement in my condition, I returned home. My wife also tested positive for the virus and was in home isolation already. It took around a month for me to completely recover. During these days, we kept ourselves busy in reading holy scriptures. We read the Bhagavad Gita and recited Ramcharitmanas together.

My diabetes had worsened and sugar levels were high and I was feeling extremely weak. I lost around 9 kg weight during this period. As I was experiencing the effects of Covid-19, I decided to share my experience to create awareness among others over telephone, so that they may save themselves from contracting the virus and also to those who were suffering from it. I used to talk over the phone to boost their morale.

With all my sufferings and experience with the virus, I learnt that it was utmost important to have firm faith in the Almighty and in your doctor. The doctor's advice and the government instructions must be followed and one must keep a positive attitude.

(As told to Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi)