Page 33 - TB: The Ticking Time Bomb
P. 33
MESSAGES OF HOPE AND STRENGTH
“ I can personally relate to the TB episode, as I had the disease and finished my
treatment in January 2015. One of the lymph nodes in my groin area was infected
and I got it operated and it was taken out. Next day it was taken for a culture test and
it was confirmed I had TB, luckily not MDR, XDR or TDR. I am a temporary resident
in London and from my diagnosis to treatment, everything happened at a
government hospital here.
I was given two months drugs in my first consultation with the doctor so that I didn’t
have to come to the hospital every day. I had weekly / fortnightly blood tests though
and the culture tests were repeated to see if I was still sensitive to the drugs. I am
absolutely fine now apart from some aching bones which was one of the side effects
expected to happen after taking 2000 tablets in 6 months! I am taking some
supplements to overcome this and hopefully over time, this will disappear.
I think what helped me the most was my wife’s support. I also had full support from
my company manager and director. I was given 6 weeks off without hesitation,
without having to worry about my work or losing my job. My doctor was also very
knowledgeable and the nurse who was looking after me and my treatment was
educated and kind to answer my questions throughout.
When I saw your episode, I felt relief because my treatment style was exactly
opposite to the process which is being followed in India. For example, early
diagnosis, proactive culture test of the lymph node, simultaneously checking if the
bacteria I had was sensitive to the drugs I would be given, and so on.
”
- Prabhat Rathi
“ Last year, one of my roommates had TB but we roommates were very normal
with her because she was already tensed due to the disease and its treatment. What I
felt during this was that only love and care can give strength to the one who is
suffering. By God’s grace she is completely well now.
”
-
- Jharna
31
“ I can personally relate to the TB episode, as I had the disease and finished my
treatment in January 2015. One of the lymph nodes in my groin area was infected
and I got it operated and it was taken out. Next day it was taken for a culture test and
it was confirmed I had TB, luckily not MDR, XDR or TDR. I am a temporary resident
in London and from my diagnosis to treatment, everything happened at a
government hospital here.
I was given two months drugs in my first consultation with the doctor so that I didn’t
have to come to the hospital every day. I had weekly / fortnightly blood tests though
and the culture tests were repeated to see if I was still sensitive to the drugs. I am
absolutely fine now apart from some aching bones which was one of the side effects
expected to happen after taking 2000 tablets in 6 months! I am taking some
supplements to overcome this and hopefully over time, this will disappear.
I think what helped me the most was my wife’s support. I also had full support from
my company manager and director. I was given 6 weeks off without hesitation,
without having to worry about my work or losing my job. My doctor was also very
knowledgeable and the nurse who was looking after me and my treatment was
educated and kind to answer my questions throughout.
When I saw your episode, I felt relief because my treatment style was exactly
opposite to the process which is being followed in India. For example, early
diagnosis, proactive culture test of the lymph node, simultaneously checking if the
bacteria I had was sensitive to the drugs I would be given, and so on.
”
- Prabhat Rathi
“ Last year, one of my roommates had TB but we roommates were very normal
with her because she was already tensed due to the disease and its treatment. What I
felt during this was that only love and care can give strength to the one who is
suffering. By God’s grace she is completely well now.
”
-
- Jharna
31
