I was suffering from pain
and misery due to bad knee and hip joints for more than ten years and then took
a decision to fly alone all the way to India to Wockhardt Hospitals at
Bangalore. I underwent three major joint replacement surgeries by the star
orthopedic surgeon Dr Sanjay Pai.
I was building contractor
from New Mexico and had been arthritic for last 18 years. I first started to
suffer acute pain in my left hip and was advised to have a hip replacement
fifteen years ago. I spent almost all my life savings of $40,000
dollars and in 1993 got a total hip replacement done at local US hospital.
However the nature of
construction work coupled with arthritis made my condition deteriorate and I
started to get joint pains in my other hip as well as one of the knees too. It
was not long before the left hip that I got replaced a few years ago also
started to bother me.
Life became a tough
journey for me. I went to a number of local hospitals in US and they told me
that I needed a revision of my earlier left hip and a new replacement for my
right hip and left knee. The cost would be $120,000. I just could not figure
out what to do as there was no way that I could manage to pay this huge amount
of money
Since day to day
activities like walking and climbing stairs became so difficult, I quit the
construction work and started to give more time on my favorite pastime of
singing and music. I joined a local radio station as a music presenter and
singer.
However my health was
causing me great concern as days passed and I started to limp as the implant on
one my hips which was operated many years ago dislocated and the other hip and
one of knees too lost ligament due to arthritis. I had to find a solution to
get back a life, but I did not have the astronomical sum of $120,000 .
Providence firmly on my
side, I happened to meet one of my neighbors who while visiting India had a
sudden heart attack and was taken to Wockhardt Hospitals in Bangalore. They
managed him so well, not only his life was saved, but he spent a very small
amount for his treatment. I started to search for Wockhardt on Google and Yahoo
and reached
www.wockhardthospitals.net
I was amazed to find that
a large number of uninsured Americans have chosen Wockhardt Hospitals and the
website had a number of video testimonials of American, British and Canadian
patients singing praises for the services and excellent medical outcome received
at this world class hospital. Also I was impressed with the hospitals
affiliation with Harvard Medical International based at Boston and also the fact
the at the hospital meet the high standards set by the Joint Commission
International of America, the same organization a part of JCAHO that accredits
the top hospitals in US.
I was really excited and
sent an email to Wockhardt Hospitals explaining my condition. To my surprise, I
got a response within an hour and then started a series of email exchanges and
telephone calls. Each of my numerous queries were answered promptly by the
International Patient Coordinators at Wockhardt. They even provided me surgeon’s
and some past American patients mobile phone numbers so that I could talk to
them and then decide. The hospital helped me sort out all logistics like
applying for Indian Visa, arranging airport pick up, bookings for room, surgery
and gave me one package price for the whole service.
On 26th
January, 2008, I took a flight of faith and landed at Bangalore, India.
Over a period of next six
weeks, I underwent three joint replacements – a revision of my left hip which
had gone after the first replacement 15 years ago which according top surgeon Dr
Sanjay Pai was a difficult one. Then after one week, I received a replacement of
second hip joint. After two weeks I started to walk and the hospital
Physiotherapists worked hard on me and motivated me to put in my best effort in
to the rehab program. Both the new hips now in fine form, I was ready for left
knee replacement which happened almost five weeks after my arrival in
Bangalore. One more week of rehab and I was feeling like a new man altogether.
All through my stay at the
hospital in Bangalore I didn’t stop with my radio show " Timeless Journey" on
Kedu radio.
On 24th March
2008 – I walked out of the Wockhardt Hospital. I really felt that I was taking
leave from my friends and family and it was an emotional farewell from the
hospital. All the nurses, the doctor and guest relations people shaking hands
warmly and wishing me a great painless and healthy life again.
Thanks to Dr. Pai who made
me a new man. I never really had the fear of the operations after I read the
testimonials and met Dr. Pai. The surgeries went off very well. I am very
pleased with care I got at Wockhardt , the doctors there are warm and build
personal bonds. This country is great and people are fantastic. Thanks to the
hospital for bringing great change in my life.
