Ganesh was sixteen when he was brought to me. He had developed severe deformity of the spine following tuberculous infection in childhood. Ganesh had become conscious of his deformed spine and was feeling very shy in the company of his friends. He was enthusiastic about correction of his deformity and had specially come to me with high hopes. I undertook the surgery, corrected the deformity, but unfortunately Ganesh became totally paraplegic. This is one of the known, undesirable complications of this surgery. I reviewed his case, did whatever investigations were to be done to find out there was no surgical mistake or mishap, that there was no pressure on the spinal cord produced during the conduct of the operation and when none was found, I just prayed to God, treated the lad symptomatically and hoped for natural recovery.

The waiting period was very trying. I used to cheer up Ganesh and instil hope in the relatives. I tried everything humanly possible but the paraplegia did not show any signs of recovery. After three weeks, I took The relatives into confidence. I explained to them the complication in simple terms.

It became increasingly clear that Ganesh was destined to a life in bed, or in a wheelchair. He was in the Nursing Home for three months, had other incidental complications due to paraplegia which were taken care of. During this time I treated Ganesh and his relatives with care, sympathy and understanding and a deep sense of involvement and commitment. The relatives were disturbed—and naturally so—but understood my own predicament and my sincerity. Only Ganesh keeps on asking me: "Why me? Why did it have to happen to me?” What answer can I give him? I can only try to cheer him up and suggest ways and means to keep him occupied and busy.

It is almost five years now and Ganesh comes to me for follow-up and our association continues.

 Compilation of professional reminiscences of specialists - edited by M.V.Kamath and Dr.Rekha Karmarkar.