Process - 1st & 2nd Clinic Visits

So what was done at this stage was a partial fistulotomy where part of the wound is cut open to the air - but only where this does not interfere with any muscle tissue.  At the same time the first thread was inserted.
The wound is "packed" in a similar manner to the UK.  At home "aquacell was used"

Where it all happens...

Out here it is slightly different but no doubt as effective.

Day 1



This is then what has to be changed initially on a daily basis...





So after a day's rest at the hotel I was back into the clinic to see the man once more.  Literally in and out in 15 mins.... Just to get fresh packing.

Day 2

The Op at Shoba Hospital

On Wednesday having seen Dr Bhat in the morning, at night I was admitted to Shoba Hospital.

The standards here are different in many ways to the NHS in UK but the speed and the quality of care were excellent.  The waiting area has these in it.

I was checked in having had Chest X-ray, Blood tests and blood pressure in 20 mins, and placed in a private room.  With ECG a little later.  Most patients have a "companion" to help out and there is a bed for them too.

There is little/no bedding and no towel!
There was also no food or drink supplied so make sure these are taken with you if you go.


To be honest I didn't sleep much - I never do in hospitals, but that was Ok.

Next morning I was awoken at 6:30 AM for a quick shave ... and not of my face!
There was also an enema just to round things off.

I was delighted to get a visit from Haim and another fellow sufferer(?)  just before theatre.  This cheered me up a great deal.  The support group out here of fellow sufferers is very strong! It's also multi National... with over 15 countries now on the listed of "treated"

However the op was scheduled for 9am and at 8:50 I was duly taken to the theatre!
Again standards are different but there were 5/6 staff there and I was sedated with a spinal anaesthetic while the op took place.  It was strange for me to be awake throughout as I have had very many ops in the UK but always under a general anaesthetic.
However, there was no pain whatsoever and I was soon back in the room.
What was a little alarming is that I had no control at all of my body from the waist down for some 8 hours or so!  That was certainly disconcerting.
However my wife Fiona came in to sit with me most of the day and all was well.  Dr Bhat came in at night to explain what had been done, what was to be done and to say "due my age!!" I was to stay another night in hospital.
Next morning bright and early I was discharged and the Dr's own driver brought me back to the hotel.

Dr Bhat

Saw the man himself today.

He's a great character. Very upbeat and positive.There is much more about him on his web page 

It's also worth saying you might need a diet change whilst here!  The doc strongly recommends NO meat and NO alcohol during the treatment.  One more burden for some perhaps.....

Hospital tonight.... op tomorrow under spinal anaesthetic.

Stay until next day then daily wound dressing for two weeks. Then weekly for two and a half months. 

Current seton doing nothing!

Partial degradation of sphincter but confident he can sort fistula. 

Relieved but nervous!

Onwards and upwards. 

For the doubters or who need family convinced watch this video.  The main man is a cardiologist in the USA!
Threads of Hope

Scans

The green is the fistula.  The red is the existing seton

These are TRUS scans. I have no idea why the UK doesn't make use of them.  They are fairly non-invasive and very clearly show what is going on.

Unfortunately, you can clearly see on the bottom of the left scan that some of my inner muscle tissue has disappeared!  (the incomplete ellipse) This is probably the result of some of the many treatments I have had in the UK  and weakens the sphincter power.  Luckily at this time, it is not affecting me but who knows what the future will hold in this regard.

Scan time

Went for TRUS scan today. 

Not much fun but very friendly and efficient. I don't understand why this technique isn't used in U.K.  

Very revealing fairly fast and uncomfortable but not painful.

Wee tip... I was asked if I had any existing scans with me.

Here's another chance to see the explanation of the scan...
TRUS

E Visa

One of the issues travelling to India is that you must apply for a Visa in advance.  The choices are many but the simplest is a tourist E-Visa which if you're applying from UK is valid for 1 year with a maximum stay of 6 months each visit.
There are many "false" websites online which will overcharge you for this.  If you use the official Indian Govt one it will be cheaper.  I paid only$40.
Visa application site

Phones!
UK roaming costs are very high in India.  The obvious solution seems to be to get an Indian SIM.
However!  This is not so easy.
First make sure your phone is unlocked...

Then.... you need your passport, a passport photo and a "permanent" address in India.
We trailed around 3 shops today before anyone was prepared to offer "Foreign Nationals" a sim card.
All credit to our driver Sumil who steered us in the right direction, albeit the wrong way up dual carriageways, car abandoned in the road etc etc (Indian driving is a whole new concept!
However we now have got the Sims and await activation.  Costs are great - approx £8 for 3 MONTHS unlimited calls/data.
cf with £1.80/minute on UK plan or £6.00/day roaming charge.