Report of 16 Aug 2020

 Good evening!

The sun has set and it is dark outside.  I was sitting on the balcony until the mosquitoes attacked.  The rains are nice and welcome, except that they bring mozzes with them.  No matter - lizards and geckos need to be fed, too, and mozzes help the food chain.  

We are well and hope the same with you.  The Banyan is wonderful.  I was there on Tuesday and saw lots of patients.  Last week, one of the patients - who has seizures and might have some amount of developmental delay - called me over, rooted in her stash and handed over a very handsomely-wrapped toffee.  Clearly, it was given as a treat and she had saved it.  I was overwhelmed and thanked her profusely; she said, "I don't like sweet foods, so you can have it."  It was nice, anyway, whether she liked sweets or not.  The toffee is taped to a piece of paper and is on our fridge.  Patients would bring things for my parents ad infinitum - fruit, or sweets, or something from their farm, flowers - and I am now a similar recipient of grace.  

I do not fully think the patient mentioned has developmental delay.  Seizures are stigmatised here and some parents of children with seizure disorder do not send the kids to school.  Thus, I believe our patient is an unfortunate victim of lack of learning.  

There was a fair procession of staff also asking to be seen.  The B has a system of weekly or fortnightly rotation of staff, i.e., a section of staff enters on 1 Aug, is residential and does not leave until 16 Aug.  This minimises to and fro movement of staff, and we hope curtails the chances of COVID entry into the premises.  So, the reduced staff strength translates to increased duties and people have been lifting and dragging and heaving, thus musculoskeletal aches and pains happen.  We have an outstanding volunteer physiotherapist but she has not come since the lockdown and we are managing the best we can.  

Scott and I were at the doctor last week, too.  He had to see ENT; then he had to see derm for rashes on his hands due to chemicals.  I have a couple of derm issues to be attended to, also, and the outstanding docs did their mighty healing.  It is quite spectacular to have good docs.  

After the doctor visit, we toodled over to Egmore since Writer's Cafe had started dine-in.  It is our favorite restaurant - everyone knows our names there - and we were happy to go.  It is non-Indian food, a great love; so I had soup - delicious - and Scott had skillet chicken, and I had meatballs.  Though I try to stay clear of dessert, we had some ice cream to keep their cash register ringing a little louder, and the dark chocolate ice cream hit the spot.  We headed home, disinfected all that we had with us, dove into the shower and then washed our clothes.  This has become a routine after out-of-home trips.  

We spoke to the children and they are well.  NBA has started and we are following from afar, while the chilluns watch live games.  We do not have a TV and this is when I miss it - sports time.  Our beloved Spurs are out, but the action continues to be thrilling.  Naren shared his preferences, which were considered and good.  Nat had a nice top on, and I am in awe of this child's purchasing skills.  

I spoke to my father today and that was lovely.  My aunt (mother's sister) had called with a health concern and I discussed that with my father.  My maternal aunts are fiery and feisty ladies, and my father was keen to hear what had happened.  Fortunately, Coorg - where this aunt currently is - has some decent medical facilities and my aunt is better.   

It is a good life.  And a privilege to be in this profession as well as be a mother to Naren and Nat.

Unw -

R