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08/23/2024 Update: I am currently in hospital, I was admitted on August 13th. I was diagnosed with a blood infection. As a result, my heart function was compromised. Once they got my infection under control, the doctors transferred me to the rehabilitation unit of the hospital. Physical therapy and occupational therapy will help build my strength.

 09/10/2024 Update: While I was getting physical and occupational therapy to help me get my strength back from the nasty blood infection. The docs could not figure out why I was not getting stronger; I had full-body muscle spasms and balance issues, weakness affecting my entire body, and uncontrollable pain. MRI I had Indicted a bigger problem that explained my symptoms perfectly. A large section of my cervical spine was calcified and weakened to a point. Where if I fell. I could have gotten paralyzed and not even known it until it was too late. Just a reminder to all, don't ever overlook symptoms. Consequently, I had to have surgery immediately. I am finally lucid enough to post this update. Pain has been excruciating beyond what I normally experience. Grateful to have made it through surgery, and to actually survive surgery.

10/01/2024 Update: I am finally home from the hospital. I got discharged on 09/28/2024 after almost 7 weeks in the hospital. Grateful to all the doctors, nurses, and therapy staff for their care and support. Love to all. Regards Vish

My Story

The last twenty-one years of my life compelled me to overcome many obstacles and challenges. I am lucky to be alive. Early in the spring of 2003, I fell ill with an abdominal infection that proved complicated for doctors to treat. The same infection attacked my gallbladder, which caused it to get inflamed. As a result, the doctors had to remove it. That was when my nightmare began. What was supposed to be a routine gallbladder surgery turned out to be a life-and-death situation for me. I suffered serious complications after the surgery, so I faced multi-organ failure and two strokes and I began slipping away. I was transferred to a much larger hospital, where I found myself fighting for my life. My doctors once placed me on the heart transplant list, and as I lay there in the Cardiac ICU, I began to wonder, "Is this the end for me?” It seemed like all my wishes and dreams would never materialize, and the only hope I had, if any, was to try my best and fight to live. I spent three long months not knowing whether I was going to live or die. 

I am not sure whether it was modern medicine or mere divine intervention that my organs began to bounce back, except for my heart. Even though I was still on the heart transplant list, my doctors were optimistic that, in time, my heart would also get stronger. This great news bestowed upon me a new lease on life, and I now found myself with a second chance at life, and with a greater appreciation for life itself. My experiences with facing death and living to talk about it have definitely made me a much more empathetic and understanding person. I realized that my entire perspective of life had now changed, and after I spent a couple of years getting much stronger and had enough time to reflect on what had happened to me, I decided to go back to college and continue with my education. Despite facing many setbacks along the way, it did not deter me from achieving my goals. My number one goal was to beat the odds against me. I was focused on setting realistic, attainable goals. I also kept in mind the limitations my health placed upon me. 

Over the years, I have shared my story with other students to help inspire them. My love for helping other students was due to so many faculty and staff who helped me over the years. They saw something in me that, at the time, I didn't even notice. They have continued to encourage me to further my education, and to be honest, I must admit, I found studying very therapeutic. If it were not for a few people, I would not have taken this educational journey, this was my way of paying it forward to those who have supported me over the years. My goal was to help inspire and bring about positive change in people’s lives for the better, by sharing my thoughts and experiences. I had the internal strength to face my adversities and the will to persevere. I believe one of my greatest assets that enabled me to achieve my goals, was my natural ability to inspire and motivate others to overcome the obstacles and challenges that they may face. My strength comes from my determination, while my weakness is in letting my health dictate my future. I chose not to give up on my life. The person I am today is the result of what I have learned in life and all aspects of my life. I have crossed paths with many people over the years, with each bestowing me the guidance and knowledge I gained. My growth and progress are a testament to my dedication and determination to overcome the obstacles with which I am faced. My dreams give me hope, while my courage gives me strength, and together with dedication, I will succeed. So, I am awaiting my future and whatever success it brings.

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Much appreciated

Regards

Vish