From clocking sixteen thousand steps on my Fitbit in March 2018, to trekking at 9,000 feet in April that year, life threw me a curveball when I least expected it to just a month later.
This phase in our lives of social distancing, and my last two challenging years of poor health, have left me not just reflecting on life itself but also being immensely grateful.
In May of 2018, just a month after I was my most active and energetic self. I found myself driven away in an ambulance only to be admitted to the ICU as I was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome. The doctor assured me that it was the least serious of kidney ailments and a condition that was reversible. What followed was nearly two years of frequent hospital visits, alternate day lab tests and being monitored and treated not only by my nephrologist but also by the pulmonologist, the cardiologist, the gastroenterologist and the hematologist who handled inter-related complexities with constant mutual consultations. But all the side effects of long term medication even seemed to hasten cataract resulting in partial blindness. Life was challenging, paralyzing at times and disheartening. Here I was at the age of 68 and fighting with all of me to see the light.
Jaya at the height of Cushing Syndrome
But I wasn’t alone in this. My pillar of strength – my husband Kalyan just slipped into a new role of a home maker and a caregiver while handling medicine schedules and methodically maintaining my medical records. I was ridden with guilt as my body was in a constant state of rest and I just lay in bed. To cheer and strengthen me, he often strummed and sang to me. This memory still chokes me up! I feel forever feel blessed for the partner and the support I found in him through this difficult time.
Jaya singing along with her husband Kalyan on our Silver Holiday to Bhutan
Then one day, I just got back to knitting since the fingers felt so agile and I cajoled my brain to concentrate on knitting instructions. From knitting to decoupage and to being back on stage in spite of Cushingoid (a condition where the body and face bloat due to heavy doses of steroids) was both healing and emboldening! They say art can be a therapy. It most certainly was for me. It sure contributed to the healing process. I have also had my cataract surgery, and now I see!
From decoupage to knitting to theatre. Art therapy kept her going!
Did those two years, in a way, prepare me for this lockdown? While I pushed myself to think of the positives then, I know exactly how to handle this lockdown phase. Being home bound and feeling as good as new, I am slowly but surely building up my energy, strength and stamina. How do I spend my time in quarantine today?
While coloring a page a day is both meditative and therapeutic, the most feel alive feeling comes from dancing like nobody is watching! I exercise to the peppy numbers that I once danced to, starting with just one song and now being able to ‘dancexercise’ to seven songs at one go! The cooling off includes pranayama and meditation. I make it a point to call up one friend everyday for a nice long chat, just to exercise our vocal chords. I revisit poems I once loved but have forgotten. I am now working on my singing voice as part of my daily routine. And when my husband strums his guitar, I sing along in harmony.
With this Covid-19 bringing us down on our knees, I reflect on my life that was and is, and feel grateful for everything that the universe conspired to put together for me. Fate gave me a second chance and I truly and humbly believe life is a gift that’s got to be lived to the fullest. I’m grateful to life itself for teaching me this.
As written and contributed by Jaya K. – A dear friend of The Silver Surfers Club and Blog Contributor.
We sincerely thank Jaya for opening up her heart to share her story with us. One that we hope will inspire many to find strength in the time of ill health or adversity and always look out for that Silver lining.
If you’re over 55 and would like to join The Silver Surfers Club – a growing community of active seniors we call Silver Surfers, write in to us on info@silversurfersclub.in
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