I work in the IT sector and have recently switched jobs in April'21
My wife works for the Delhi government she is a Nurse and has been doing duty in COVID (Ward, Vaccination, etc) since it all began.
Our families are settled in Delhi since the 1980s and our hometown is in Himachal Pradesh.
On April 25th, 2021 there was a wedding in our relations on my mother's side. Since there was a family function happening there after many years my mother wanted to attend it. We had planned to avoid going to HP and skip the wedding. But on the 24th morning, we decided otherwise and left for HP.
I took the car picked up my wife from work and went for it, we reached our Kangra (HP) at 11PM.
Now before you judge me that why did I risk exposure at that time. As per my thought process, my plan was simple, given the rapidly increasing cases in Delhi, I and my wife decided to leave our parents in HP along with our 1.5-year-old son, as there was not much impact there. If you have a kid you should know how hard this decision is.
25th April'21
We attended the wedding. (50 people allowed in that wedding)
26th April'21
I and my wife left for Delhi and got busy with our jobs
28th April '21
My parents informed me that they are not feeling well and had a fever.
We thought it might be because of the weather as it was too hot in Delhi and cold in HP so it was perceived as a seasonal fever by us.
29th April'21
I decided to go to HP to take them to the doctor but my father informed me that they are feeling better.
I thanked god and dropped the plan.
30th April'21 - 1st May'21
They got a fever again and my mother was feeling weak and coughing, but there was no issue with breathing.
2nd May'21
My Jija ji who was in HP took my mom and dad to a local doctor who took some blood samples and gave medicine, He predicted that it might be COVID but since many were recovering on their own so she will be better after taking medicine. Her SPO2 at that time was 85.
After getting this information me and my wife left for HP, reached night.
(Punjab police stopped me in Kharar for putting sun shade in the window, I paid 500rs)
3rd May'21
We had brought Oximeter with us, In the morning I checked and it showed 50, I was shocked and scared, I immediately started arranging for Ambulance, but after having breakfast it went up to 80 again.
I and my wife had to go for testing as we had arrived from Delhi, so we went and gave our samples came back home, and found that mother's SPO2 is in the 50s again.
We went straight to Citi Hospital in Kangra, Doctor checked it was 80 and recommended admission but they couldn't admit her as per government rule that all COVID cases should be referred by a Government hospital.
We went to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Tanda, Kangra, There was a long queue for testing we requested people that my mother's oxygen level is dropping but no one helped (Hospital also did nothing) I stood in line after 1 hour they took her sample, and the report came negative.
We were confused about what to do now, her oxygen level is dropping and the report is negative, No private hospital would take her in.
We again went to that local doctor who had given us medicine earlier, at that time her SPO2 came to 92, and I wasn't sure what was happening, I took out my own Oximeter to confirm and the reading was the same.
We came home.
4th May'21
My mother was coughing all night at intervals, and she was very weak even to using the restroom.
SPO2 was between 45-50
We took her to emergency in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Tanda, Kangra, Now listen to what they said "We don't have a bed and oxygen, please take her to a private hospital"
I told them no private hospital would take her as her report is negative, so give me something in writing, or refer her to another hospital. But they did nothing, nothing at all.
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I called Citi Hospital, and they said we don't have any beds, I called Fortis Kangra same answer.
I went to Shri Balaji Hospital Kangra, and they advised CT Scan, Her report came with a CT Severity score of 21/25, They said it is 100% COVID but we cannot write it on paper and we can't admit her, I requested them for a bed they said they don't have any. They asked me to return to Tanda hospital, I told them I am just coming from there and they don't have any beds either. But this didn't change anything.
There I was in that Hospital looking at my wife who was holding my mother, helpless, didn't know what to do, or where to take my mother, I tried everything, but Money did not help either.
(Please note: Money cannot buy everything, this is my first-hand experience)
It was around 7 PM, and one of my cousins called and said there is another hospital in Dharamshala (Zonal Hospital), go there they will take her in. Without wasting any time I reached there at 8:30 PM.
I told them everything, and they did a RAPID test it came positive, and they admitted her immediately. I remember my wife took my mother to the ward I stood outside crying seeing her go, as we knew the chances were meager and this might be the last time I am seeing her alive.
I and my wife slept in the car, it was raining all night. I had a cigarette around 11 PM.
In the morning we left for home, I dropped my wife home, took some supplies, and went to the hospital.
They don't let anyone meet the patient, but you can send things like food, juice, etc.
5th May - 16th May'21
I stayed in the car, slept, and ate in the car, hotels needed a negative report.
Also, my test results came on 9th May.
Me: Positive
My Wife: Negative
My Sister: Positive
My Brother in law: Positive
During my stay at the hospital, I met a few people who were living in their cars like me, Rajinder (for his father) Vivek Thakur (for his mother) both settled in Chandigarh.
Hotel etc was not an option, These two people became my friends there and we used to spend time attending to our patient's supply needs, having lunch/dinner in the canteen, etc
Rajinder and Vivek Thakur knew that I am positive but they supported me at all times.
Their parents also returned home after treatment. We are still in touch.
My mother came home after 15 days of treatment, but still, it would take her 2 months to fully recover, In all this, I lost my Mausi (elder sister of my mother) she was sick at the same time my mom was, but we weren't informed otherwise maybe there was a slight chance of her being alive as well. I am now the Legal guardian of her only daughter(disabled), and she stays with us.
I am grateful to my work organization to support me throughout all this, I even got calls from the central office if I need help with anything at all, and I never had to worry about work for a single minute.
During all the time I spent at the hospital, nobody came to visit, well that's very unlikely in the case of Covid but still, if any of my relatives would have come to meet me or check on if things are okay, I would have been in debt to that person my whole life. But nobody came, a lot of phone calls but nobody in person, maybe they were being cautious, but I will remember this, it taught me that "You walk alone"
I thank everyone who prayed for the recovery of my mother.
Believe in God, Do the right thing, and you're golden.
Vivek Choudhary
