ticking time bomb, considering the seriousness of it. The doctor explained to him that it could possibly be the result of his bypass surgery, which he underwent earlier. They also informed him that there was no other option than surgical intervention for this. Dr.V.V. Bashi, one of the best Cardio Vascular Surgeons under took the corrective surgery successfully. The open-heart surgery took around six hours. At first, they had to correct the pumping. Then Dr. Bashi did the grafting. One of the highlights after the surgery which Joseph recalls is that he was relieved from the constant pain associated with his first surgery. He even went to the extent of asking its secret to which the doctor replied, “After cutting and rejoining the sternum, there shouldn’t be any gap because even a small gap could give you pain.” The doctor also put a rib brace for extra protection. In 2004, the problems re-emerged. Joseph felt the angina reappearing after walking. By then, the doctors had told Joseph on how to distinguish the pain of gas/acidity from heart related pain. “If you can spot out the pain emanating from a particular body side or part, it is due to gas problems. If you can’t, most probably it could be heart-related. The chest always tends to mislead us and wouldn’t give us a correct spot of the origin of pain.” Joseph again sought medical attention and since the doctor knew him well enough, they expected only one or two more blocks. But there were altogether six blocks and most of them were above 98% ( triple vessel disease). All the arteries were affected. After a detailed examination, the angioplasty was fixed on 7th February 2004. Since the risk factor was high, Dr. Mathew Samuel himself came as the surgeon. By then, as medicated stents had been introduced in the market and their success rates increased to 98%, the doctor fraternity unanimously opted for it. The cost of one stent was around Rs.1.5 lakhs then and he needed six stents. Dr. Mathew also asked a favour from Joseph as his surgery coincided with the Joint Interventional Meeting (JIM) of worldwide cardiologists in Rome. As his was a rare case, Dr. Mathew sought his permission to broadcast the surgery to 5,000 cardiologists who had assembled for JIM. The fact that he will be able to help the medical fraternity made him happy and he agreed to do so. He recalls that expert doctors from Bangalore, Mangalore, Mumbai and other centres came for the surgery. In half an hour, they concluded the surgery. The costs of the stents were waived off to half for his contribution to the medical fraternity. After 11 years, in 2015, Joseph had again experienced the same problems once again. He went straight to Dr. Abraham and the doctor found out that there were three more blocks. Three more stents were put into his body through another surgery. With an experience of undergoing complicated surgeries, Joseph is much sought after by fellow patients for inspiration. His simple message to those who face such diseases is that to approach the disease with confidence. ‘Don’t be afraid. It will lead you nowhere. If you are courageous before the disease, the confidence level itself works as a medicine. Also, when we get symptoms of a disease, don’t just ignore it. Give it the required priority. Seek im-
mediate medical attention,’ Joseph rightly points out. “I believe that my husband defeated this disease more with his confidence and attitude than those medical procedures. For the doctors, he was always a good patient who respected and followed their prescriptions and advices. After those complicated surgeries, Joseph always acted normal often reminding us of a person who has successfully rectified his problems. He was always enthusiastic,” certifies Rosamma. Joseph mocks the way Keralities treat a patient. People tend to become extra cautious and label them as a ‘forever patient’ even if he recovers. To Joseph, faith and hope are two medicines which have got the ability to cure diseases. Joseph believes that a positive attitude can bring wonders in life and business. He has also published four books and is working on his autobiography now. In 2007, he published ‘You too can!’ as a sort of self-help book. He is also credited for authoring the first technical book which deals with conveyors in India. History of Thejo Engg.Ltd; was published titled “The Banian Spread”. Also he wrote another Book on his mother “Ammackorumma”. According to Joseph if you can have a heart free of tension, genetic problems, erratic food habits, smoking, diabetes etc; then only you can think of a trouble free heart! “Is it possible today”, he asks?
TECHAGAPPE
APRIL-JUNE 2018
19