Leave no stones unturned, The story of my Stones

It was early August 2022, during a rainy weekend marked by large-scale monsoon-related mishaps across southwestern India. Mentally stressed out and desperately seeking an escape from normal life, my friends and I embarked on an impromptu road trip. Originally, the plan was to just keep driving until a point and return in a couple of days, but fate had its own plans. We eventually decided on Dharmasthala.

Setting out early from Bengaluru, we drove along the national highway, enjoying the amazing weather and stopping frequently for breaks, relishing boiled corn and engaging in deep discussions. By midday, we reached Chenarayapatna and stopped for a satisfying lunch at a local Dhabha, accompanied by roti curry and a couple of pegs of whisky.

Around 5 PM, we realized we hadn't booked our stay at Dharmasthala and scrambled to find accommodation online. Eventually, we found a remote homestay nestled 20 km from the main temple, amidst forests and plantations. As we journeyed towards the homestay, navigating through the Ghats, we discovered new waterfalls along the roadside, while heavy rains persisted late into the night.

By 9 PM, we were near the homestay, stopping for a quick break and sipping coffee in the cold rainy night. However, we soon realized that most hotels were closed, leaving us with no dinner options at the homestay. With no streetlights and confusing Google maps, we finally reached the cozy 2 BHK house in the middle of the forest, next to a river. We unpacked our luggage and began preparing dinner.

Suddenly, without warning, I began experiencing intense chest and abdominal pain, along with unbearable cramps. Despite taking medication, the pain persisted, prompting us to rush to the nearest emergency hospital, 20 km away. After receiving treatment, we returned to the homestay around 3 AM, where sleep eluded me due to persistent discomfort.

The next morning, despite my lack of sleep, we proceeded to Dharmasthala Temple, where my friends visited while I rested in the car. By noon, we began our journey back to Bengaluru, although I could barely eat or enjoy the scenic route.

Upon returning home, the pain persisted, prompting me to seek medical attention. After being admitted to a nearby hospital, I received treatment for chronic inflammation and multiple stones in my gallbladder, which required surgical removal to prevent further complications.

Life began slowly returning to normal, but I had to make significant changes to my diet and lifestyle to accommodate my gallbladder and liver health. Consulting Ayurveda physicians, naturopaths, and homeopaths, I received a myriad of advice, all advising against gallbladder removal, insisting it was curable with the right approach.

I adhered to a strict diet, eliminating foods that could aggravate my condition, abstaining from alcohol, heavy workouts, and non-vegetarian meals. In just two months, I shed five kilograms, though I felt both pleased to lose excess weight and weaker than before. It was my first encounter with the difficulty of self-denial, but the hope of recovering my gallbladder kept me determined.

While following this regimen, I heard anecdotes in social circles of acquaintances who had undergone gallbladder removal and resumed normal life. Though Ayurveda helped alleviate certain digestive issues and reduce the size of the gallstones, significant improvement required a prolonged commitment to this new lifestyle.

Despite the challenges, I experienced no symptoms or issues thereafter, which provided a glimmer of hope for a brighter, healthier future

n November 2022, I made the decision to gradually ease out of my restricted diet regimen and reintroduce normal foods, albeit in smaller quantities. However, during the usual yearly road trips in December, I indulged without many restrictions, curious to observe the impact on my digestive system. To my dismay, a checkup at the start of the new year in 2023 revealed that my gallbladder stones had worsened.

Realizing that surgery was no longer a choice but a necessity, on January 17th, 2023, I underwent laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery. As a memento of this significant moment, I gifted myself my own "gallstones" preserved in a bottle.

A week post-surgery, I experienced significant improvement both physically and mentally. While my diet slowly returns to normal, I understand the importance of avoiding fatty foods, which I wasn't particularly fond of anyway.

The journey through my gallstone ordeal taught me valuable lessons about the intricate workings of our biological systems. It's fascinating how something as seemingly minor as a gallstone can cause severe problems, yet our bodies can adapt and continue functioning even after the removal of a vital organ like the gallbladder.

Post-surgery, I've been advised to take it easy, avoiding heavy lifting and abdominal stress to prevent hernia for the next two months. It's a reminder of the delicate balance within our bodies and the importance of caring for ourselves.

Despite the challenges, I'm reminded of the incredible gift of life and the remarkable ability and intelligence we possess as humans. Let us cherish this gift and continue to experience life in all its complexity and beauty, never giving up on ourselves or our well-being.