2019 - It's time for an update.

It's been 15 years of being NHL free. Sadly surviving lymphoma has moved down so far on my list of everyday thoughts that I have really neglected the blog. I have wanted to write, even if not regularly - but find myself putting it off.
I am now faculty at CMC, Vellore with paediatric Surgery and Anne works with the community health department as the obstetrician at CHAD. Both the boys are well and are in 8th std and 3rd Std respectively.
Working as a consultant in  Paediatric Surgery at CMC is fulfilling with the teaching, surgery, and challenges of helping out with our various peripheral centers as well. Anne and I have tried to use whatever chances we have to help mission hospitals around the country. Khariar in Orissa was the last exciting place we went as a family and was a blessed time.
My work in paediatric surgery has been an opportunity to both improve my skills - in the process be a better surgeon as well as share some hope with parents of kids with malignancy. Now with the availability of the internet on our hand-held devices, most parents (and even the kids themselves) are familiar with my blog/story and often mention that they had read parts of my journey.
Is there relevance of maintaining a blog once you are well? I'm not entirely sure of that answer. I know of many of my cancer journey partners, who chose to continue writing. Updates help someone who looks at the blog as a resource for treatment and planning for the future to make realistic plans for their future. Apart from some small memory jogs back to times of being sick, there is really nothing in my day to day life that would make me remember that I went through chemotherapy and radiation. An that is not always a good thing. "lest we forget..." - often written on war memorials, is a reminder that a reminiscence of harder times occasionally is a good thing. Being able to list all the good things God has done and say thanks is an exercise we easily omit. I am able to pull out pictures and pass on encouragement, to children I am treating. Large hospitals like CMC, can be daunting if you are already struggling with coming to terms with a disease. Millions of things race through your mind - how long to take off work, how do I arrange finances, Is this all worth the effort?. A word of encouragement by someone who's walked the way and is going to partner you through it will really help.
'break my heart for what breaks yours' - words from a song "Hosanna - Hillsong". Maybe good words to keep our hearts ready to respond to those around us in need.

2014 is here and so am I!

It is now over 8 years of being tumour free. I know there are many still stumbling across this blog when they google for Hematology, cancer centers in India, or lymphoma.
I am aware that there are many going through chemo now, who read through my accounts and identify with the various effects of drugs that break us down and make us whole again. It is for these that I am now posting. Pictures of my 2 boys. The second son born post chemotherapy and radiation and the second picture of my entire family. God has been good. There is not a day that passes that I am not aware of how blessed I am to see the new day.
I am mid way through the super-specialist training in paediatric surgery. Work is fun and I am happy that I have chosen to train further. Anne is also in a satisfying area of work, in the obstetric department at CHAD. Koby is in school and has a keen interest in plays and drawing. He is learning to play the piano and Karate.

Its been ages!

Ive been procrastinating writing this post forever! As a family we are back in Vellore for a short while. I have joined the department of Paediatric surgery at CMC vellore. I will be a student for the next 3 years of  paediatric surgery and hopefully get an Mch degree(superspeciality).
Work at Oddanchatram was  really satisfying, but there remained an interest to train further. Paediatric surgery is the most obvious choice for any general surgeon with an interest in Mission hospitals. The only flip side is buckling down to being at the bottom of the food chain or pecking order. But there is so much to learn...I realize that in even simple operations that I thought I had mastered, there is still many things that can make my technique better. I guess there is never a time to stop learning. Especially when our work is for a King!
The children have grown - Koby is now in second standard. Nishan is 2 years old and going to the creche. Anne works in the Community health department - helping out with the labour room. I don't get to see them as often as I like - but I hope that will not be for too long.
There are so many who still keep in touch and I am so grateful. I keep meeting people who come to Vellore for their check ups and we meet in the hallways / on the road outside the busy haemat department. But the common bond of having shared a common challenge is what makes the meetings special. I have put pictures from my blog onto my phone - especially those of me through chemo - and I share it with many of the chemo kids and parents who pass through my department. Most of the kids are amused to see what I look like bald - and the parents are just relieved to see that there is hope beyond what seems like eternity. Actually 2 of us that joined for the superspeciality courses in CMC this year are lymphoma survivors..
So if you do come down to Vellore - email me and will see how we can meet up. To those who occasionally check in to see how the Jacob family is doing - I can say that God has been good and we are doing great!

For unto us another son is born...

I had mentioned earlier that Anne and I were expecting a new addition to the family. Nishan John K Jacob was born at 9.30 Pm on 18th of September. Nishan means ' a sign' - this has been just another miracle in our lives to know that we serve a living God. All went well and Anne and Nishan are back at home after a short hospital stay. Koby is very proud of 'his' baby and is thrilled he has another boy to play with.

Certain things that went through my mind as we went through this experience of being parents all over again. One was that what ever our education or qualification, despite the fact that Anne conducts deliveries on a daily basis. There are so many things that can possibly not work out and so many things that just need to be left into God's hands. Prayer, and not our knowledge helps keep us from emotionally caving in when we go through a period of vulnerability.

Anne's mum was commenting that Koby while with them for a holiday in the past was all dressed to go to the beach - when it started raining. He walked out and loudly prayed "Jesus, please stop the rain - I want to go to the beach!". The family concluded that since he seems to know where to look if he needs help - then he should be all right for the future!

Another thing I realized was how God places such perfect people to look after us. Dr Gigi Mathews (Anne's obstetrician) stood by her side through the entire delivery, and with such love talked her through. She has stood by Anne through her thesis and with both Koby and Nishan's deliveries.

Being on the patient side of a hospital once again was interesting - I remember how Dr V Sitaram, my teacher and Professor of Surgery would tell us that the doctors visit is the highlight of every patients day. How true it is... Though it sometimes sounds like stating the obvious - each word spoken at that visit will determine the mood, conversation and plans for the day. Meals, visitors and medicines only become secondary.

Anyway - To the larger community that has listened to my ramble for years - Our family is now 4 people strong and bonded in Christ. Thank you for your prayers as always.

Surgery Department - CFH

Our department (Surgery) made a 2 day drive to Valparai - a hill station about 5 hours from ODC. It was an excellent drive - lovely roads, beautiful scenery along the drive - acre's of lush green tea estates to drive along. We saw a wild deer crossing our path - Anne found the many hairpin bends a bit difficult to stomach and Koby had a lovely time. We had a large group as you can make out in the picture - and we made the trip in 3 cars. Sitting right behind me in the picture is Dr Santosh Benjamin - a mentor and the pillar I lean on in our department - it was his idea actually that we made this trip. The reason I posted this picture was that when I joined ODC - this department was me and for some days - just another junior doctor (usually Justin - 2nd from the left), but now it has grown to have 3 consultants and presently 5 junior's in the unit. We will... God willing, have more join us soon. Our case numbers have grown at least 3 fold and in the last year we have bought a Laparoscope and a new video endoscope/colonoscope for the department and patients can avail these at dirt cheap rates.

I have witnessed a department show incredible growth - far beyond my wildest expectations. There is no doubt that God has blessed our efforts - when I joined this place had no surgeon for 2 months - and even simple cases needed to be referred 2 hours away to Madurai.

I only pray that as and when we move to Baripada that God will continue to bless our efforts. Unless the Lord builds the house - the laborer will work in vain. I have experienced that as true in my department over the last year.

Anne is doing OK and is due with our second in October - Miriam/Nishan are our 1st choice Girl/Boy names we have come up with.... Koby is excited and already planning for activities with his new baby.

Below is a picture of Anne and Koby who came to join me in the operating theater for a surprise birthday party that my department organized. That was a really nice day!

The God of good things

Anne and I are still in Oddanchatram. We will be here for a little while longer. The picture is of us at the recent wedding of Anandith and Aswathy in Vellore. Koby is dressed up - because he was the ring bearer at the wedding. It was a special occasion for all and Koby pulled the job off well to our relief!

Good news to announce to the larger community - Anne and I are expecting another bundle of Joy - God willing in September/Oct. So thats a another miracle to doccument for all you post chemo's out there... God has been faithful and is a God of good things.

He has brought me thus far!

The other day - I was quite surprised to hear Koby singing a Malayalam song. The words are about the gratitude we feel in our hearts in how God has brought us thus far! It's unusual for him to be singing alone - let alone in a language other than his usual English tunes.The end of December is a time to look back and also peer forward! Maybe even make a few new year resolutions.. The year has finally come to an end - and oddly enough, today Anne and I were reading entries of this blog from back in DEC 2005. I can hardly believe, when I started this blog that I was hardly months into my surgical training, Anne had not yet joined her Ob & Gyn post graduation, we had a baby on the way and I had cancer. 4 years down the line - I am clear of the tumour, Anne and I have graduated - we serve with our skills where we believe God has led us and we have a son - who is nothing short of our PRIDE and JOY and a tribute to the fact that we are part of a much larger plan.....

Anne and my sister Tripti graduated this year - The entire family was there to watch it happen. You can see the happy faces on the entire family as they received their degrees. Tripti and Santosh are now in Vellore as they wait to finish her service obligation.

We are still at the Christian Fellowship Hospital in Oddanchatram. There is so much to be grateful - for our time here. I have a busy department of surgery to work in and a lovely team to work with. Anne too is happy and able to do many new things.

Christmas at ODC has been fun - Anne and I sang in the Christmas Choir - led by Dr Susheel Tharien. Quite an experience, especially for me - singing Tamil and Malayalam songs was a really new thing to do! We also directed the children's play - difficult work, and I am sure that I will think twice before I do that again. We also helped organize the community barbecue, that was quite a enjoyable affair - with an open air BBQ for about 80 people from the hospital campus and their families. All the kids in ODC - had their own Christmas programme. Koby put in his first 'successful' stage performance as a "STAR" that shone over Jesus - when he was born - his lines ran 'I am the star, I led the wise men to Great King Jesus!'. I must admit - he did pull it off quite well. But I could be a bit biased!!

We look back in thanks, but toward the next year in impatient anticipation. Because, actually if we look back - there is an obvious hand of God in all that has happened. If I think of all the exciting operations we have done here, the close calls in various incidents of the past year, the reasons we have to be happy, thankful or upset - I can only see that we have been led and shielded. And I do wonder why...... Anne was gifted a book - this Christmas. The opening page read "may you and Tarun as a family - be always found at the center of God's will."

Hence why worry? We step out into 2010 with an incredible confidence that we can move mountains.... and who knows, if I read this post 5 years down the line - we may find that with His help and our FAITH we have actually moved one..

May 2010 find YOU in the center of his will always.

2009 - To reminisce..

There are few times in life when you need to reminisce "Wow! did we really do that?" / or "were we really in such a situation?", and a wedding anniversary is such a time. Today Anne and I complete 6 years of being madly in love with one another!... no sorry, that would be for a much longer time - but its 6 years since we officially tied the noose... and as we sat to prayer tonight our hearts were filled with a wonder and gratitude to God for another year possible together.

I thought that now would be a good time

to update the Blog. People still keep contacting me through this wonderful instrument - but to update once in a while and let you all know that all is well, is something I must do.

The blog has seen no new post for nearly a year - we are now in Oddanchatram. In the Christian Fellowship hospital, also called CFH, ODC. The hospital is based in a small village that is built mainly along a single main road, is about a kilometer from end to end and has a this hospital nearly in the center. The closest large towns are Madurai and Coimbatore - each about 2 hours away. There are about 300 beds and we have most medical care in terms of physicians and surgical work possible. There are no frills attached and this is a place that really caters to the poorest to lower middle class patients. I have spoken of Dr Tharien - the founder, in an earlier post.

Anne and I are here as the department of Surgery had a need for a surgeon and so we placed our Orissa plans on hold till we tide over that need. Koby has started going to school here - he is in Kindergarden and enjoys a full day at school. He is growing fast and is a real blessing in our lives.

Work is busy and I am gaining valuable opportunities to broaden my surgical expertise -some pretty exotic operations and endoscopic work that I would never have attempted in a larger center with the appropriate specialists. Here most patients here will refuse to move on to a higher center - or can simply not afford it. God has been with us in this place and we place every new challenge before him in prayer!

By God's grace, my health has never been better - I am able to scuttle around 24 x 7 for emergencies and the surgical routine without any problems. In fact, I have to remind myself that I am now 4 years post NHL and need to get my follow up's done when I get back to Vellore!

Anne and Koby are doing well - lot's of friends for Koby and school poses enough to keep him busy and out of trouble. A picture of us swimming in a nearby dam - on a picnic with friends from the hospital.

God has been with us as before in the past year and we do testify to that. We have had the hill and valley experiences as usual - but all with the hand that sustains beside us.

A major MILESTONE on the journey....

November 10, 2008 GRADUATION DAY, CMC Vellore.
Three Cheers for the Silver and Blue!!

Today - I have been given the Degree of Master of General Surgery (M.S. Surgery) by my Alma Mater. It's a HUGE deal. It's not so much the achievement or the relief of being done with a major part of my education - it's the disbelief that I could walk onto stage and walk off having received the accreditation that I have satisfactorily completed my training.
When I started to write this blog, I was uncertain of so much..... questions and doubts were always on my mind - would I complete chemo? what about the radiation? Costs of treatment? what would happen to the baby we were expecting in all this chaos?....My mind kept me busy enough to push finishing my training to an obscure spot maybe in the background - living seemed a priority over the learning!! I took time off (6 months) my course to be treated and it was done in the faith that I would get back to training some day..... I remember sitting after my shots of Vincristine (a chemo drug), my fingers numb and devoid of sensation (a side effect that can be permanent) - banging the keys of the computer as I blogged- without a tactile feedback and silently wondered if the side effects of lost sensation of my chemo, would wear off and let me get back to feeling human tissue as I would cut it...... Today I have my sense of touch as good if not better as the day I started my training...
As I graduate, and look at the 'plot' of the past 3 years- I realize what insignificant a role I play in the list of credits - 'I' actually play the smallest role in putting me on that graduation stage..... My family has undoubtedly been my strength and fuel. Anne, My parents, Anne's parents, Tripti and Santosh, Cherry were so much like solid anchors that I never felt tossed around as the waves hit. My God has, without doubt been my boat. I have had the comfort of feeling his security as I travelled this journey.
As I share this milestone with the world - I really hope that it can be an inspiration that there is NO IMPOSSIBLE, with our creator. The Lymphoma I had could be beaten and similarly I feel the problems that we all face can be challenged. It's just a question of believing, hanging on for the ride and not quitting early on.
Love from Tarun, Anne and Koby.

What's in the crystal ball?

I am aware that this post is 9 months after my last. However this blog has never slipped my mind. That's an amazing thing about blogsphere in that over the past 9 months - even though I have not written anything in - people continue to mail in to check how I am doing or let me know that they are in CMC and need a boost of morale. But hey - as Cherry (my brother in Law) reminded me lately "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required..,Luke 12:48)" What is happening in the Tarun Jacob family?? Well, I have just completed my exams - (in addendum... and passed.) I have joined the surgical endocrine unit in CMC till Anne finishes her exams. The pain of the 'sit and cram' is over for the moment. Though it's difficult to believe. Anne has 6 months more to go for her Obstetric course to be completed - and has completed her thesis submission and just has the exams left in March / April. Koby is two and a half now, going to school and as naughty as anyone that age could possibly be. He makes each day worthwhile - and though he often behaves as though the world revolved around him, he would be surprised to know how close to the truth that is for Anne and me. He is a miracle that was born in such a period of uncertainty that he reminds us every day that a rose can spring forth from ashes! The reason I have blogged now is to say that I've peeked into the crystal ball of our future. I just made a trip to Baripada, Orissa to visit the Graham Stain's Memorial Hospital and had an idea of what the future has in store for us. God willing we will go there after Anne finishes her course - and work in that hospital. Baripada is north Orissa, and boarders the states of West Bengal (Midnapore) and Jharkand. The place is incredibly beautiful and green - and the closest station is Balasore - that is on the coast (60Km) away. The roads are not really great in some places and resembles the surface of the moon with its craters and sand. There is a lot of malaria in the area and the hospital lab technician prides himself in being able to pick up cases from the blood tests each day.
The trip from Vellore took over 26 hours - by train. There was good weather during my stay, even though it was the monsoon season. The hospital a little over 10 beds for in patients. There were only 2 admitted when I visited (one a small child with multi-drug resistant malaria!). The picture alongside shows the hospital compound, with the hospital to the far right and in the left is a baptist church within the same compound. The hospital has a simple staffing structure. 2 doctors (Dani and Dheeraj). Dani has been there for about 5 years now and has recently been joined by his wife Baamini. A single lab tech, Medical record keeper, store keeper and 4 nurses keep the medical work moving along smoothly. They have not ventured into accepting surgical cases or deliveries. Anne and I will do that, once we get there. There is a simple operation theater room and a delivery room. These need a bit more funds and equipment to become operational, but the point is that there is great potential there. The hospital lies in the first floor, while the residential area is in the floor above. There is a need for a little more building - but funds are limited and there is a general difficulty to get funds for residential buildings. A pity though that's reality as things stand. There are sister concerns in Leprosy home, rehabilitation and a boys hostel. The Leprosy home is home to many inmates who do small farm work on the campus land and at various small scale projects and make an income for themselves. Graham Stains family did an incredible ministry there, his care for those affected by leprosy showed in so many little ways around the compound. There is a patient who has mastered making Micro cellular rubber (MCR) footwear, and others with gardening, skills etc. There are groups (pic to the right) who make grass based bags, place- mats,floor mats etc. The self sufficiency and renewed purpose in these lives is commendable. There is a lot of aspects that I can help out surgically with - Leprosy patients tend to get claw deformities of their digits and bad infections on their feet, because of the decreased sensation. Another compound of the mission is a boys home - about 21 boys till grade 6 live there and go to the local government school. The live and study in the home. Their parents support them as far as they can - they study and live in the home. The picture alongside is a few of them, the rest had gone home for the short Puja holiday.
The team at the hospital shown below. So.. I am glad I made the trip this time. I went to a school that Koby can potentially go to - an ICSE school, about 5 km away. We met the principal, I am quite relieved that schooling will not be an issue. The entire trip left me at peace and itching to go get started! There is a great challenge ahead of us - and with God's help and wisdom I'm sure we can face it.
So whats in the crystal ball?..... as I look, I see what's always been there - that we sometimes fail to see.... A promise that God's along with us as we take the journey of life.

2 years past and doing great!

It's been nearly a year since I had last written. Koby is going to be 2 years old in a few months and it also marks a land mark for me -post treatment 2 years and going strong by Gods grace.
The snap above is one taken of the family this Christmas. Koby in his Chinese costume my aunt in Singapore had sent down for him. Santosh and Tripti now together in Vellore as he works in CHAD, CMC.
My General Surgery post graduation course is nearly over - I am done with the surgery part, but need to mop up some time due in 'peripheral posting' i.e Orthopedics and Neurosurgery that I missed during my course due to chemo time. I write exams in September and with that hope to be done with studies for a while.
Anne has a year left and will complete her training in gynecology and Obstetrics in march 2009. Koby as you can see alongside, has grown faster than we could imagine! He is talking nineteen to a dozen now and has a whole bunch of friends to play with in the building we stay. He spends some of his weekends in parents house - where he is spoilt rotten by his grandparents and enjoys goofing around with Santo acchachan and Peepi (Tripti) ammama.

It has been a really good 2 years of being well. There have been the occasional scares and checks, but God has seen us through. The good parts of these 2 years have been the friends made -patients that have come through this hospital, read the Blog and got in touch. Anne and I lost a good friend too in this time, due to lymphoma having spread pretty badly to his brain and rest of his body. But in all out friendships we hope that we have instilled a sense of purpose and a encouragement. God has made our lives examples that show that he is the light of the world. The bad part's of this time was some scary nodes that cropped up in my axilla - one minor surgery later, we were reassured that they were not tumour and not significant!
Anne and I are reminded every day as we spend precious moments with our Son, how God has gifted us a second chance. And I doubt that second chances are to be wasted in feeling sorry about one's self or worried about how long it will last, but to savor the fragrance of the moment and look in gratitude to the giver.

Koby is a year old

There are many things that we can be grateful to God for, and this week as Koby turned a year old - Anne and I thanked God for a list of things. This was no short simple list- it started from me being able to celebrate this occasion with the family, the joy that Koby brings us every day and the support we have from our parents and siblings that we are so crippled without!

Koby was oblivious to the fact that there was a whole lot of fuss being made about him. He just enjoyed the attention that he was given with his usual two tooth grin.

We started his birthday celebrations in church on Easter day. Annes parents were here and Cherry as well. Tripti and Santosh were in Manipal on Sunday as Santosh finished and passed his final exams.

Koby went up during the birthday announcement - but was fast asleep and Anne received his card for him. We had a special lunch after that - Koby was dressed for the occasion in a juba and dothi.

We had another cake and party when Tripti and Santosh got back on Wednesday. Koby was thrilled by his red car cake and ate a fair amount of it.

Our little boy is growing up fast. God has been just so good in our lives and Koby is the best example.

The Surgical resident

Over the last few months, I have been neck deep in work. Our Surgical departments work with a single resident for 4 months in a year, during the time our final year residents go on study leave and the new first year residents join in March. Which means we are on call every day for a 4 month stretch.
Life is actually good over these months in terms of a learning curve, where a lot of responsibility is given to us and our decision making skills are sharpened. One does wish there was more time to spare, but with so much to operate and so much to learn, there is really no room to complain.
I was prompted to publish again after getting to meet up with an interesting chap called Tanweer. He has exactly the same lymphoma as I did and his symptoms were similar too! He is currently on MACOP-B + Rituxan and his wife joins him in Vellore today on their anniversary. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. They too have a young son. Tanweer keeps a blog too, but his was from well before his chemo - it makes interesting reading . Link up here. I had mentally decided that my blog had done it's job and it was time to quit. I guess it's worthwhile keeping the chronicles going for people to realize that the life after Chemo is just as it was before - it's just a matter of holding onto the roller coaster tight enough to get through the ride as well as to keep your eyes open to enjoy the trip.

Koby is growing up by the minute! It's just like any time spent with him is not enough time spent. His latest favorite is a game of peek a boo! Being busy in the wards does mean that I get less time to be with him. But it's not all that bad, living on the campus means I can pop in and out whenever and we are blessed with good house help- who look after him like a little prince.

I met up with Dr. Mammen with my test results and he said there was no logic in repeating PET scans regularly. I need to do just chest X rays and a thyroid function test to make sure the radiation had not nuked my thyroid gland.

6 months down the road.

It’s now 12 at night and Anne and Koby have fallen asleep. I was fairly sure I’d never open my blog again to make a new post, but something made me write today…. It’s now 6 months since I had been declared tumour free and a lot has happened in this time.

It’s been just 3 days since I went for my check up CT scan and was reassured that the lymphoma is gone for good.

Work keeps me busy, I will be the only surgical resident in my unit for the next 3 months as our seniors study for their final exams. Anne is neck deep in her postings as well, with frequent labour room and ward duties.

Koby (baptized – Nathan George Kochukaleekal Jacob) is now a 8 month old bubbly baby who keeps us just waiting to get home. He has slowly started to stand and coasts around on the furniture; he says ta-ta and just loves music. His grandparents always complain that they don’t get enough of him, but then neither do we!

God has continued to be good to us and we know we would not be this happy smiling family if not for his incredible grace.

Hope you all reading have a great new year.

In Conclusion....

The report of the PET scan reads as follows:
"Considerable reduction in size when compared to the previous imaging, PET-CT findings negative for viable tumour."

I hope that through this blog in the last few months; this chapter in my life has and will continue to give strength and encourage those who feel up against a wall. I would have never made it without so many who held Anne, Koby and me in prayer. God has shown me in so many ways, nearly every day that he looks after the smallest of things.
Thankyou Friends, family and all those around the world who held me up before God in prayer and in their thoughts.
God has given me a second chance at life and I am sure he will do the same for all who find it in them to trust him completely.

This will be my last entry in this Blog. Continue to uphold us in prayer. God bless and goodbye!

In his time, he makes all things beautiful.
Lord please show me everyday as You teach me your way
That You do just what You say, In Your time.

PS- my e-mail ID, will still be active in the future, please get in touch if anyone reading needs anything I can help out with.

To Hydrabad again.

Tomorrow (24 June) will be the PET scan, I have been waiting for – virtually for the past ?6 months! It’s just a confirmation that things are all right. And it will be.
We leave early tomorrow, morning at about 1 am, and drive to Madras. Catch the flight at about 5 am to Hydrabad. The scan will be early tomorrow morning and we should be able to leave, and catch our flight back at 6 in the evening and be home late night tomorrow.
Tripti and Santosh came over to our place in hospital for dinner tonight. It was great to have them over. The advantage of having two maids (one on loan for a month from Anne’s mum), is that we have great food 24 X 7!
Appa as CMC registrar is busy getting the results ready for the selections this year. He’s been really busy and working hard on this year’s set. He will probably kill me for this picture of him, taken at a completely different time and in a different context– but what the heck – it’s lovely!
There is a picture too, of Tripti with her hair that had been straightened out for their reception in Manipal. I quite like it, and I think it’s a good conclusion to the series of their wedding snaps. Thank you, all who wrote in wishing them well.
When they came over for dinner tonight, Koby welcomed them with a broad smile and promptly peed on both of them (welcome!).
I will close now and go get some shut eye - Looong day ahead!

Reception 2

So, just to get some words down to the pictures over the last few posts – the reception in Vellore went off really well. Poor Santosh and Tripti were still recovering from the crowds in Mangalore to get swamped by a couple thousand people again would have been a bit taxing. They are still recovering!

The entire reception was planned around our lawn at home, with various stalls for different foods – buffet style (dosai’s of various fillings, mommo’s sevai, cashewnut rava and various deserts). In Vellore a usual reception is a mutton biriyani served on a banana leaf – it’s what I look forward to in a wedding, but Amma was sure that this idea would work – and to say it in a very tail between my legs way ‘she was right!’. All those who came were impressed by the novelty and lay out. In all, it was a good evening for the couple – more importantly. Tripti’s classmates from college were there in full force being their usual boisterous and noisy self. It was great as they added a bit of life to the events. I have a snap here of a few of the “BONE” class.

Anne and I are back to work in full force. I have been posted on Orthopedic lists for these days and Anne is sorting out a lot of thesis and paper reading presentations. Koby has been his usual goo’ boi self!

I fly to Hydrabad this Saturday for my PET scan, it’s 3 months post radiation as of this week(! ya, I can hardly believe it myself), and this scan will be a confirmation that that I am tumour free.

The reception in Bagayam.

A great day in Mangalore.

I think wedding ceremonies can be very difficult to sit through, especially if it is your own sister ‘leaving’ home. We are back from Mangalore and Tripti’s wedding was such a lovely event. The Church was picture postcard perfect, there were so many of our family and friends to share in her happiness and she was looking nothing short of stunning! Santosh too was looking really great! I was given the responsibility, or should I say the honor of doing the bible reading – aptly from 1 Corinthians 13.

We had a choir from Vellore, all practiced and may I ready with a choral blessing and a special song. Koby was really well behaved and was absolutely no trouble to his parents. The inconvenience of the Bandh in Kerala, didn’t deter a good number of our family from Kerala from braving it to the wedding, despite having to walk back from stations, because some socially irresponsible people protested rising fuel prices. The clowns who made the most fuss, probably don’t even own vehicles – but that’s life.

Well I have a few photographs attached and will put in a few more as the days go by. Today – Anne and I got back to work and my parents drove back the cars from Mangalore. The reception in Vellore is still to go, this Saturday.

We have a lot to be grateful to God for, during this wedding, most importantly for Santosh – a partner and friend that I am sure Tripti will enjoy life’s roller costar ride with, secondly for a beautiful wedding that just fell into place when there were so many variables, and finally for providing friends and family that love them and have wished them well as they start of their life together.

Tripti's getting married!

Tripti is getting married this Monday (12 th June). My sister and my best friend, will marry Santosh. It’s a bit difficult to believe that Tripti is getting married, it seems like it was just yesterday that I was stuffing marbles into her mouth, making her be the eternal wicket keeper as we boys played cricket. We stood side by side in Karate, Piano, dance lesions…. We could and can still share anything with each other - Now life has taken it’s natural course and Santosh and she will start off on an incredible journey together. And knowing Santosh, it’s going to be a good one, she is in good hands – I could have wished for nothing better.

Wish them luck Guys, Tripti means a lot to me. My next post will have pictures of the wedding, we leave in a few hours to Mangalore for the wedding, and we have a reception in Vellore next Saturday (17^th).

Anesthesia posting is going off well, and I am learning as well as polishing up on my skills. Koby still has us up at night, and now that Anne’s leave is over and she has to get to work the next day, we are a bit stretched. I’ve not blogged in ages! Will write in with details of the wedding. A smile from Koby to sign off, doesn’t he just make your day?