Right place at the right time can change your life. My Journey to Ganga Hospital Coimbatore (A Workshop to Repair Gods Best Creation)

Today I am still in the hospital room with my little daughter who has undergone a triangular tilt surgery. Sitting here in the hospital room many things are running in my head. The first thing which is bombarding within me is to create an awareness about BIRTH BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY, to as many people as possible, who are running around hospitals in search of a right place for treatment.

Second thing which made me happy here is the generosity, humbleness and service extended by the Staff and Management of Ganga hospital to the Common Man is outstanding. This hospital operates on service oriented vision. 

For this I can give you a better example:
When we first met the Doctors, they explained us the surgery details and the cost, then the surgery was done without any advance cash deposit. Post surgery I was there in the hospital for another four days, during my stay they never requested us to pay the surgery or any other charges. Today when you enter any reputed or multi speciality hospital they have so many formalities/documentation, if they decide to conduct any surgery,  you are requested to first deposit the tentative surgery amount then only the surgery is conducted, if not you are asked to arrange for the money and then come back, why surgery even if you visit a hospital for consultation before allowing you to consult the doctor you are requested to pay the consultation charges in advance.

This shows that the Ganga hospital is not built to mint money from the people but to provide best possible service to them. Here doctors have patience to talk to the patient/their relatives to explain about the subject to any extent still you are clear with all your doubts. They have all kinds of patients visiting irrespective to the class they belong to, people who are not able to afford the surgery cost are also treated under some schemes. We could also see that many physically challenged personal are provided with jobs in the hospital such as lift operator, cash counters many places in admin based on their capabilities, this shows how much they are committed to welfare of the society.

When you are waiting for the lift you get to meet a new person who has a story or tragedy to narrate to which has occurred to them/their near and dear ones and finally they have a note to say that this Dr is a god to us. He is associated with each patient for several years, people keep visiting him to take his opinion through different phase of life post surgery. I really salute Dr Raja Sabapathy for providing outstanding services to common people. 

Being in such an environment I was touched by the service they offer to people by the best surgeons with a smile on their faces and always have a positive approach. It would be great if such kind of hospital ethics is universal.

When my daughter was identified with this problem we never knew the medical term and it's effects, it took us may be two years to find out that it is called brachial plexus.  We were so confused, whether to consult a neurologist or an orthopedist or paediatric development doctor or plastic surgeon. When we approached each of these doctors, each one had a different view about it. Some said she would need a surgery and others said she will be fine as she grows with some physiotherapy. It took me three long years to find my destiny hospital that is Ganga hospital Coimbatore, which has the complete solution for these kind of issues. 

Every day in and out they are treating many children with similar cases. As soon as they see the patient immediately they can give you the cause and what can be done to the damage part to function normal, they have complete knowledge about it and the cost of the surgery is affordable. The best way to over come paediatric brachial plexus is early treatment, because as the child grows it would be difficult to get back the effected part to normal working condition.

Now let me start my personnel journey with my child detected with birth brachial plexus. My story begins here:

As a working woman had a busy and an active pregnancy period. When ever I visited my gynaecologist I used to request her to try her best to do normal delivery. Since it was our first baby we had lots of questions bouncing in our head and advices from the experience lot. We always wanted best things in life. As educated parents having internet revolutionised world, googled for best hospitals, best doctors. After lots of research we selected a best birthplace to deliver the baby which had all fancy kind of luxuary facilities, beautiful rooms choice such as suites or normal. You can give birth in water tub or use lamaz technique. You are pampered with all gift hampers and decoration to car with a just born board fixed. Every thing was planned well, even my baggage to carry to hospital was structured and ready.

Finally the day of delivery had come. It was on a pleasant Tuesday morning march 1, 2011, Went to hospital listening to all slokas seeking blessings of god. After reaching hospital within few hours I was taken to operation theatre to perform normal delivery. During this process baby's head was out and the body got stuck and I was not able to give my last push and was about to loose my consciousness. Nurses surrounded me pushed the baby manually from the top of my abdomen and finally the little one was out and was blessed with a girl baby and very healthy weighing 3.75 kgs. Everybody were happy. I was shifted to my room and doctor visited she said the baby was good but her right hand movement is minimal and gave a scientific term rt Erb's palsy and mentioned in the record as baby had paucity of movements in right upper limb and recommended us few exercise to be done manually and gradually as the child grows she will be fine no need to panic. They didn't stress it big, assured she will be normal and sent us home.

Then we did all massages required for 9 months. In between consulted few child specialist, each one had different view on it. One doctor asked us to take a X-ray of  Shoulder bone. After seeing the report he said, not to panic she will be fine as she grows and all her bones are proper good and has no fracture.

Then I consulted another doctor to take opinion he said, just go and consult a developmental paediatric doctor she will help you. One more orthopaedics doctor gave us an opinion that she has nerve related problem out of her five nerves only three are able to pass the signals and other two are compressed. Because of which her hand functions partially saying this he referred us to meet the neurologist .

Then I met the neurologist he examined her and clearly specified it as birth brachial plexus palsy. This was for the first time we understood the problem is called as BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY. He examined the entire hand then asked us to do few exercises and come back once the child was three years, since my daughter was just 2 years. Without giving up my hope I continued with her regular physiotherapy and in mean time we were consulting doctors. Finally as they had given a name to it as BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY, we started to browse for the worlds best doctor as we were prepared to get it cured at any cost even if it requires to go out of the country. 

Through our search we found an Indian doctor settled in Texas who was specialist in this and had written a book about it, somehow we found his mail Id and mailed him about our problem we started getting reply from him and he sent us few papers about birth brachial plexus palsy, we went through it and got some information about what is happening with our child. The doctor had planned a visit to Hyderabad, India after interacting with him through mails for two months we got appointment to meet him in India. After seeing my daughter for few seconds he drafted few pages of report indicating what was her actual problem and what surgery needs to be done. He just said us that she needs a surgery to be done immediately because it's already late further you delay it would become life time problem. He said if I need to do the surgery you have to visit Texas and that would cost you more so it's better you visit Dr. S Raja Sabapathy  in Ganga Hospital Coimbatore he can give you complete solution for your problem.

After taking his advice we were out of the hospital with heaviness in heart that surgery is to be conducted and we can't escape it, from there we went to another very reputed hospital to take final opinion on it, thinking that why should we go so far to Coimbatore when we have best of multi-speciality hospitals in cities. As we went and showed our reports, which Dr from Texas had given they just ignored it and said they know the cause very well and sent us to get her nerve study done in the hospital. Spending half day over there we got all the study done, after the report was out they said they need to examine her hand movement, for which she has to get admitted in the hospital for couple of days, after examining her they would decide on what surgery has to be done. We just took their opinion and said give us some time we will get prepared for it and walked out of the hospital. Once we were out we were confused whether to go to Coimbatore or get it done here in Hyderabad. 

After lots of discussion we went to Coimbatore to Ganga hospital to take last and final opinion. As soon as we entered the hospital it was so crowded, people lying on stretchers with heavy bandages. So many people waiting for an appointment to meet the doctor. Watching this we felt that we have come to a wrong place, felt it's just an general hospital. Since we had come so far thought of meeting the doctor. Somehow managed with broken Tamil mix of English got an appointment to meet the doctors. Their were group of doctors as soon as they examined her in few minutes they explained every thing in detail and asked for an CT scan to be carried out. Once the report was out Dr Praveen Bhardwaj along Dr Raja Sabapathy took a decision what surgery is suitable for her. On the same day they informed us that triangular tilt surgery need to be performed and asked us when do you want us to conduct? We said them as earlier as possible. Next day the surgery was conducted, they had a very busy schedule but they accommodated us and conducted a late evening operation as we had come from Hyderabad and were very keen to conduct the treatment. We were so impressed by this kind of service, patients here are taken care personally by the senior doctors themselves, checking whether the place is comfortable what improvements can be implemented on your stay.  

Now surgery is completed successfully and doctors have assured us that she would get back her hand back to the nearest normalcy possible. We were also introduced to post operated kids and their development that was a great assurance any parent can witness and trust the doctors and allow them to do their job.

Post surgery, for one month her hand was wrapped up with bandages and was positioned like Statue of Liberty. Once this phase is completed they removed the bandage and gave her a splint.

She had to continue with the splint for another month. Tough part here was that  she had to wear the splint during sleep hours as well and this use to disturb her sleep pattern a lot. For any parents their heart goes for their little ones even a slightest injure happens. I had to helplessly witness all the pain she use to under go every single day those restless nights, scar healing process, mean time had to do physiotherapy which use to give her terrible pain. Our only motivation was to be positive about what we are doing and not to give up or loose our heart. We patted ourselves by just strengthening our emotions not to reach out on our faces continued each and everyday to see a better future for her.

After completing two months post surgery,  she is all free from her bandages and splint. The result of the surgery is very clearly visible. I am so happy that she is able to eat with her right hand normally.

When we went for follow up visit, doctor advised us that her hand needs some more intense physiotherapy those stretching activities, that can help in free movement. So I had to stay back in the hospital for another 10 days and got it done in hospital physiotherapy center. During my stay at hospital I use to take her 3 times a day for physiotherapy which help her a lot to gain flexibility and release the stiffness. I once again thank the well trained physiotherapy team for providing outstanding service. Since I am back to my home town I am continuing the physiotherapy process at home, it's painful for her but still can't stop doing in order to get back her hand into normal functioning without any difference. 

I have taken personnel interest in creating awareness of Birth Brachial Plexus Palsy to common people. This is my first approach, if you find any grammatical mistakes, kindly over look it and take the actual information serious and help to people dealing with similar problem because early treatment is recommended for best results rather than living it for fate to cure.  

For more information kindly follow the link below:

http://gangahospital.com/microsurgery/new/praveen%20sir/Birthpalsy.html

Ganga Hospital

313, mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641043, Tamilnadu India
Phone: 0422 2485000, Fax 2451444
Email srs@gangahospital.com, sr@gangahospital.com
www.gangahospital.com


Date: 24-11-2017 ( second post)

Today I take some time out from my routine to extend my blog further. As such I am getting many write ups or queries from parents in urge of finding the best hospital for treatment for this unpredictable injury happened during the process of child brith. You may have chosen the best maternity hospital in your area,  yet the injury happened to your new born in the hands of the best rated or reviewed doctor online. Now you call it a fate or negligence don't have the right term.  I term it as negligence when your maternity home never take a risk of explaining to you the damage that has occurred to your little one. They feel it risky to explain you what  has actually happened to those nerves,  muscles and bones of the new bone? What is the severity?  Where can they find the right doctor for treatment? Whom to consult?  Instead Doctors and management are very eager to send you home with fake assures that baby will get cured with regular oil massage In a month, along with a x ray report collecting complete package amount guiding you wayout to balloons decorated to your car. As the calender pages turn on your doubts starts pouring in and your search begins here for early treatment and fast forward recovery. But I also appreciate few maternity hospitals for excepting the fault and providing the parents with right information of what has really happened and guide you soon for treatment with constant reviews and consultation. 
Let me stop my mind rushed with thoughts and move to the actual part.  Now it's been nearly 3 years post surgery of my daughter, we are still continuing with the physio therapy slighty reduced the slots as such she is getting engaged in many other day to day activities in school,  trying out swimming and planning for other activities where she can use her right hand atmost. With constant motivation to the child and push their limits out can help such kids to use the effected hand more frequently. I feel once the surgery is completed its not all done and we should stop our efforts. Post surgery with physiotherapy or exercises she has got few postures like eating food,  writing and she looks normal like others without deformality  close to biceps , slight flexiblity aswell. For this I thank Ganga Hospital for right necessary treatment given at right time.  I would like to share few pictures of the same little girl you had seen in previous pictures when she was around 3  years. Now she is 6 years old,  one can surly notice the difference in growth pattern of effected arm. She has undergone triangular tilt and anterior shoulder release surgery. I am very positive that if I get her engaged in some regular sports activities might bring further improvement. 

Constantly working on creating awareness to parents about Erbs palsy / birth brachical plexus palsy treatment. I started  blog in 2014 to reach out and help atleast one parent who is in search for treatment but I never knew that it's would spread out, reaching several parents and they have found the information very useful in finding one of the best hospital in our country. For more information write to us: hitesh.swetha@gmail.com

Parents guidence (self motivation)

Hi friends, it's been long writing a post. This time I am writing for the  parents how to cope up with this situation or with the bad experience that has happened in once life during  the process of child birth. After reading my blog many parents write a mail seeking for more information about my experience in handle this kind of child, whose hand is effected. Many a times I speak to parents on phone try to understand the situation of a newborn mother, who has just given birth to a baby, whom she must have dreamt of seeing all healthy and suddenly, she realize that a injury like this has occurred and she is almost in a confused state of mind . Since I have past the initial days in search of treatment for my daughter,  next big thing answering to the relatives questionairs about Erbs palsy and lastly self motivation to me and endless motivation to my daughter like I always say her you can do it,  nothing has happened to your arm,  if your friends ask about the surgery scare on your shoulder explain them rather than hiding,  do not give up on any sports activities thinking you can not and lot more. I feel more like a coach than a mother.

These kids born with Erbs palsy are great fighter, from very young age they keep on trying out or doing some kind of activities to keep their arm active.

Firstly I say all the parents to thank the God that nothing worse than this has happened to the child/baby . There are different levels of severity in erbs palsy, so each child treatment may vary but plus is that they have a hope for recovery and Ganga Hospital has agained that trust in helping these raising stars to shine bright. 

In my initial days I was always questioned myself why God did this to me? I have never done any harm and why did this happen to me alone. But slowly when I use to take my daughter for neurotherapy or physiotherapy centers ( before and after surgery) I used to see dedication of the parents bringing in much severly effected kids  than erbs palsy for treatment that was my realisation point to say thank you God, you have stopped it with this now i t's my time to work harder to help this little child to gain positivity towards life. Here more than treatment motivation and support  is needed for the mother who is recovering from post delivery and for the baby through out her growing stages.  When the child with dedication is working hard to improve her posture through different excercises, their are certain people walk into their life at every step/stage to show that their is a problem or they look different or to show that they can't do certain things with that hand or gossip behind his/her back. This situation is unavoidable. Initial in baby stage mother takes the responsibility to answer all the inquisitive people but later as the child grows definitely they have to learn to explain this to people. For his child has to be given more mental and inner strength from the beginning days to face of the worst things with ease. Brachical plexus injury can happen to any individual accidentally . Many sports personal get this injury but here we have to handle it by birth. Why I had to specify this because many a times mothers are been blamed for the injury happened to the baby during birth process. Firstly  blame, mother must have got out during pregnancy out for job/work when there was solar  eclipse , so rays must have caused erbs palsy.  Secondly mother must have done some heavy work or bending too much or sitting long hours in office and more reasons to prove that mother is guilty for what has occurred. I am writing specifically to the mother's kindly do not take the blame for the mistake which you have not done. During this stage Man standing next kindly help her to stand with her head high and understand the situation, is caused due medical negligence or medical emergency or due pelvic space being small and baby weight is high and surgeon tried for normal delivery there can be many reasons kindly don't try to crush the strength before she recovery. Give her a helping hand in rising the child because in the begin lots of physiotherapy is recommended by doctors. If possible both the parent learn the exercise take turns in doing it. If you have a good family support system train an other family member to keep the excercise format continuing. I will continue writing shortly