A Cardiologist Recounts his Fightback from a Near Death Covid19 Infection

Editor’s Note: This inspiring Covid19 journey of Dr. Amit Raj, who prefers to call himself a frontline worker battling Covid19, will inspire you to believe that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel and it is our determination to hang on that will see us through.

I first met Dr. Amit Raj, at iPas 2019 at The Radisson Mumbai. I was moderating the day-long seminar and it was an invigorating experience to have an eminent cardiologist like Dr. Amit Raj in the audience, sharing his insights.

I was fascinated with the pioneering work that Dr. Amit Raj was doing to deliver cardiac care at the grassroots with innovation and technology as suited to Indian conditions.

Here is Dr. Amit Raj’s account of his battle with Covid19 in his own words:

The journey of striving through the COVID

In the lockdown, while I was on regular OPD and ICU rounds at a COVID hospital, I started noticing some mild symptoms of the Coronavirus infection. Being in the medical field and considering the severity of the pandemic situation then, I was very careful and cautious, and observed the symptoms closely. The symptoms persisted and I had to self-quarantine until the medical test reports came. It was important for me to isolate myself from the rest of the medical team and prevent the spread of the virus. Finally, the report came: I was COVID positive!

Stunned and slightly devastated; I broke the news to my family who could not believe it either. As a doctor, I could only treat, comfort and empathize with the COVID patients undergoing treatment; completely isolated from their loved ones. But now, I could actually feel the uncertainty of the situation. I was hospitalized and continued to experience body-ache during the admission. It was a stressful situation where I felt anxious and stressed about everything!

My CT scan reports showed mild lung infection on the day of admission but as the cytokines storm developed, my lungs were 76 % damaged in 3-5 days and I was short of breath and my oxygen level deteriorated to less than 80.  I was shifted to an ICU with high-flow oxygen and was on a BiPap machine which I had purchased a few weeks ago for the hospital and never imagined that I would be using myself one day.

My team panicked and they were looking for air lifting me to either Chennai or Delhi or Bangalore, whichever higher center was available to bring me out of danger. As hours passed by, I could see the pain all round. The two patients lying in my neighboring beds in high-flow oxygen ICU were the ones whom I had medically consulted a few days back. The following night, the patient next to me who was on a ventilator expired and that was the same patient I was treating. This death devastated me from within and I felt as though I didn’t know what lay ahead of me. I slowly started to lose hope as I was on the BiPap machine for continuous hours and was becoming weak with every passing hour.

I got the courage to inform my Doctor friends that I would stay in the same place and would face the consequences. The worst nightmare was still awaiting. Suddenly due to shortage of oxygen the pressure in the oxygen lines started falling and for a few minutes I was gasping for breath.

Luckily, my nurse in charge, due to his good presence of mind put all ICU patients on cylinders till the main line oxygen pressure was restored. I could see death in front of my eyes but wanted to stay strong mentally therefore I was praying and motivating myself with the thought that I have a purpose to live for. 

Highlights: As hours passed by, I could see the pain all round. The two patients lying in my neighboring beds in ICU were the ones whom I had medically consulted a few days back.

The worst nightmare was still awaiting. Suddenly due to a shortage of oxygen the pressure in the oxygen lines started falling and for a few minutes I was gasping for breath.

Few days passed and slowly I was recovering and was off the biPap and shifted to a ward with high oxygen flow. My parents were in Delhi and virtually I could see them after a few days on a video call. They almost cried seeing me.  Loved ones cheered me through the video calls. I had immense trust in my Nursing Team and Doctors.  The treatment followed the bombardment of Remdesivir, antibiotics, Pentaglobulins etc. The storm of the ‘Steroid effect’ left me with extreme weakness and rapid weight loss. My ward boys and nursing guys took good care of me irrespective of the working hours.

Fortunately, after 15 days of treatment, and taking proper care and precautions; I tested COVID negative.

Looking back on those days, I feel that the unpredictability of the Coronavirus situation, the uncertainty surrounding the disease, and the isolation period at the hospital was the main contributor to stress and anxiety rather than the virus itself. And then I realized that it is only mental strength, persistence and will-power which can make you thrive through each day. I am recovering slowly and have started focusing on building myself up, mentally and physically.

My take-away from the whole experience was that one should work on their immunity, mental health, quality of life and always be positive. Stand up to the highest challenge and face the darkest phase of life with courage.

Where is God no one has seen, but I prayed in my helpless situation and was bestowed with innumerable blessings when my nursing boys brought nutritious food for me from their house (as parents were away in Delhi). The need for Remdesivir was organized by people I had never met in my life.

These real-life experiences make you believe that truly there is a power named God and he listens to you. Lots of lessons have been learnt. I made new friends as well as lost loved ones in this pandemic wave.