This is an inspiring story of Mr Verghese Mathew whose determination to choose keyhole surgery instead of open surgery saved him the needless trauma, time and cost. Please read on…
‘I instantly knew I could trust Dr. Senadhipan in my very first meeting with him. He is very gentle with his patients and deals with them in a very professional manner. He understands the patients’ sentiments and feelings. He does not make the patient undergo unnecessary tests and procedures. He only asks you to go through what is essential. That is a very good thing about him.’ says Mr. Verghese Mathew.
An ex-serviceman with ten years of service in the Indian Air Force, Mr. Verghese Mathew, moved to the Gulf after leaving the Air Force in 1981. In Bahrain, he lived and worked for over two decades in an executive post. Upon his return to India in 2007, he began a printing press business. One ordinary afternoon in March 2010, as he reclined to take a nap after his meal, suddenly his life changed. The heart attack took everyone by complete surprise. Subsequently, he underwent an open-heart surgery with a cardiac surgeon and was advised bed rest for six months. He was on a ventilator for two weeks.
Soon after, Mr. Mathew encountered two problems with his Pancreas.
Pancreas is a gland located in abdominal cavity behind stomach. It produces several hormones including the ones that control blood glucose. Pancreas also secrets juices into small intestine to assist digestion of food. So its important that our Pancreas is healthy.
The first problem Mr Mathew faced was of severe inflammation of his pancreas. Doctors call this condition Pancreatitis (Pancrea-ti-tis). It normally causes intense pain in the central abdomen that often radiates to the back.
Second problem was Pseudo-cyst, a further complication of Pancreatitis. This complication arises with fluid collection in the pancreas due to which the patient feels severe discomfort in abdomen. In most cases, surgery is the only solution for Pseudo-cyst.
Although Mr Mathew’s pancreatic infection was treated with medicines by the same hospital he underwent heart surgery, he was offered no choice but Open Surgery to drain the fluid accumulation. Since Open Surgery causes a large incision on abdomen of 6-9 inches (as long as a palm of an adult hand) Mr Mathew did not want to undergo open surgery. Also, open surgery has painful and long recovery period, and higher chances of incision site infections compared to a Keyhole Surgery where miniature incisions are of 5-12 mm size (size of one to three rice grains).
That’s when a friend suggested that he consult Dr. Senadhipan to explore Keyhole Surgery option to solve the problem.
‘When I met Doctor, I was in a very serious condition with a lot of pain.’ says Mr. Mathew recounting the ordeal. ‘I found that he treated me very gently and I was very relieved to know that he would do Keyhole Surgery’ to treat me.
Normally when a pseudo-cyst occurs, the fluid accumulated around Pancreas is drained into either the stomach, or Duodenum (first part of small intestine), or sometimes into Jejunum (middle part of small intestine).
Rarely do Doctors need to create a drainage from Pancreas to both stomach and jejunum at one go, unless the cyst is is too large. Mr Mathew’s cyst happened to be one i.e., too large. Hence he needed two surgeries.
Miraculously, Dr Senadhipan performed both Keyhole Surgeries in one sitting, which is a very rare feat in surgical world, so that Mr Mathew would be spared of as much trauma, time and cost as possible.
‘Financially also, I was very satisfied with my experience with Dr. Senadhipan. I found that he did not charge exorbitant rates. The treatment was affordable and the result was excellent’ says Mr. Mathew.
Mr. Verghese Mathew is now 63 years old and has returned to a normal life after his treatment.
When asked about his post-operative condition, Mr. Mathew says ‘Mostly, I am able to live the life I lived before my surgery. I also got three of my Hernias treated by Dr Senadhipan’s Keyhole Surgery method. I cannot do anything that requires strain like lifting heavy objects and doing heavy tasks. But I can do all my ordinary work at home like buying vegetables, going to the market etc.’ says Mr. Mathew, content with his own independence. His two sons live in the Gulf and he has since, wound up his printing press and is enjoying the fruits of a happy retired life.
To those seeking professional medical help or consultation he says ‘I would like to say only one thing – that Dr. Senadhipan is the right person. He carries out his responsibility efficiently. His professionalism is exemplary.’
‘My health is in good condition now for which Dr. Senadhipan is the main reason. My best wishes to him!’ he adds his deep sense of gratitude.
