It’s that time of the year!

Christmas Celebrations at Frontier Lifeline Hospitals were marked with a number of fun filled activities. Carols were sung by the FLL stuff and ‘Luthran Mens Voice’. Father Aby Elias and Father Jerry Kurian read out the prayers and blessed the Hospital and its staff.

On the occasion, it was decided to pick a person’s name from a lot and that lucky person would receive a gift. This time around, the chief, Dr K M Cherian got lucky. A kid recuperating at the hospital gave away the gift to the doctor.

Then it was time for Santa Claus to spread some cheer. Peter from Frontier Lifeline, was dressed up as Santa Claus. He danced his way around and gave away gifts to kids, spreading the joy around.

Dr. K. M. Cherian also cut the Christmas cake and distributed it among kids and staff. Speaking on the occasion, he said “By god’s grace, the hospital has been able to function in a fine balance between a corporate hospital and missionary” He sought the Almighty’s blessings for the good work to continue and wished everyone a Merry Christmas

Beneficiaries of Kalaignar Kappitu thittam felicitated

Mr. M. R. K. Paneerselvam, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu today felicitated the beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Kappittu Thittam scheme at Dr. K. M. Cherian’s Frontier Lifeline Hospital. Dr. S. Prakash, Director, Star Health also met the beneficiaries on the occasion. Frontier Lifeline recently signed up with the Tamil Nadu Government’s Kalaignar Star Health Insurance Scheme (Kalaignar Uyir Kakkum Uyar Sigichaikkanna Kappittuthittam). Under this scheme, life saving cardiac treatment to the underprivileged is accorded at premier private hospitals.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K. M. Cherian, Chairman & CEO, Frontier Lifeline & Dr. K. M. Cherian Heart Foundation said, “Frontier Lifeline is privileged to be the part of the Government of Tamil Nadu’s Kalaignar Kappittu Thittam scheme. Since December 2007, we have successfully performed 49 coronary artery bypass surgeries, 31 valve replacements, 1 heart transplantation, 23 interventional procedures, and 68 open and closed heart procedures including complex cases such as arterial switch operations and total anomalous pulmonary venous repair. About 171 patients have benefited from the scheme so far.”

Frontier Lifeline has been providing treatments successfully ever since its association with the KKT Scheme. A large number of patients, especially children who have had complex congenital heart disease  (between one month and 15 years of age) have been operated for complex procedures such as arterial switch, single ventricle repair, AV canal, tetrology, pulmonary atresia etc.  Some of these procedures required the use of indigenously prepared biological valves, conduits and membranes.  These biological cardiac valve substitutes have been prepared by Frontier Lifeline’s Tissue Laboratory, functioning from TICEL Bio Park (Tamil Nadu Biotechnology Park). This is the only centre in Asia and probably the second in the world, next to Berlin, which has the capacity to produce its own valves.

In order to help the poor and needy children under the KKT and ISIPT schemes, use of these products has made Tamil Nadu the first state in the country to use this technology. The upcoming Frontier Mediville at Elavur village will have a state-of-the-art facility for producing these valves which in addition to benefiting patients, will also save foreign exchange and create jobs in rural areas.

ABOUT ILLAM SIRAR IRUDAYA ARRUVAI SIKKITCHAI THITTAM SCHEME

Due to the awareness of cardiac problems, more cardiac patients are identified with heart diseases at Government hospitals especially in early childhood and as such there is a long waiting list of patients who require cardiac surgery in Government hospitals. A novel scheme was initiated by the Government of Tamil Nadu which has been extending financial assistance to poor and distressed individuals requiring medical assistance.

Therefore, the Government has decided to refer some of  these poor cardiac patients, less than 12 years of age and residing in Tamil Nadu, and whose parent / guardian income is less than Rs.50,000/- per year, to private hospitals which are certified by a medical team formed by the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services, Chennai. 

The gift of life

My name is Reena Raju and I’m from Bangalore. I recently underwent a successful Heart Transplant at Dr K.M Cherian Heart Foundation Frontier Lifeline. Now I’m fit & healthy like anyone else, however life for me has been on a different path than it is for everyone. I was diagnosed with Dialated Cardiomyopathy at the age of 25. In this condition the heart enlarges & does not pump blood properly – severe LV dysfunction. For a normal person the heart functions at 50-70% but for me it was 15% & gradually increased to 30 & finally dropped to 25%!

I was an outgoing person & represented my school, college & university at the national level for hockey. After my illness I was unable to do most of my normal activities. I could not climb more than 2 steps & had to stop n relax. My diet was restricted & even my liquid intake was restricted to750ml-1ltr a day which included water, juice, curd, soup etc. I was in constant pain & unable to do much. I believe life is about choices. I could either crib & cry or enjoy the experience, chose to live and relish every moment. I did it all! Though I could not play hockey, I played the guitar and sang my heart out. A vocalist since childhood, I performed with my Fiancée Raj, did voice over and much more. I also used to write and will publish a book this year.

I met Raj after I fell ill. I wanted to do something constructive so I bought a keyboard and was looking for a good tutor. That’s when I met Raj & we just knew we were meant to be together. He held my hand then despite knowing my condition, he never let go of me. He nursed me back to health, never made me feel like a patient & would sacrifice his TV interviews, press conferences ands shows just to be with me in the hospital. Raj is a music director in the Kannada film industry & has made Shankar Mahedavan, Chitra sing to his compositions. A live performer, he plays 6 instruments and opened for Boney M, Rednex to name a few. Raj has also acted in a movie too!

During 2009 my condition got worse and the only option left was a Heart Transplant. Time was running out. My sister, Raj and close friends did a research on good Heart Transplant Hospitals. That’s how we got to know about DR KM Cherian’s Heart Foundation. I registered in Chennai, received a call in a month that they had found a perfect match but I refused as I was scared of what will happen. Later I felt guilty cause I missed an opportunity that God gave me. I had surrendered to the will of God cause none of us are wise in deciding in the matters of life & death.

I got a call again from Frontier Lifeline that they had found another perfect match. This time I went for it. By then I was in a critical state with my heart functioning only 20%, so weak and fragile. All my close friends pitched in & helped right from, booking flight tickets to raising funds to being there with me on the night of the transplant. I was anxious but believed that God will do what’s best for me. I somehow made it to Frontier Lifeline at midnight, whispered a small prayer & hugged everyone, my sister Roopa, my best friends & pillars of strength, Raj, Vinitha & Dennis. The hospital staffs took me in quickly & prepared me for the transplant. I was just 28 years, I was biting my own nails and remember being given anesthia.

The next thing I remember was waking up with tubes, feeling like a log and saw a nurse walking around dressed like an astronaut! I thought Jesus this should not be heaven. I was made to walk two days post transplant. I was shifted to another ward after three days. I started eating well and played pranks and joked with the doctors and nurses at the ward. I remember my first meal vividly, the sponge bath after, kind people around who took care of me like a baby. Priya Jabekaran the transplant coordinator gave me constant emotional support and strength to my loved ones when I was battling between life & death. She takes care of every patient with a lot of attention even post transplants.  We’ve become best buddies now!

I was in Chennai, a place I’ve never been before but felt loved and cared for, felt good despite of pain. The diet food was yum, grill chicken custard meals. My birthday is on December 4th & I was at the hospital then. My sister & I usually celebrate our birthday together as we are twins but she was in Bangalore preparing for my return. But I was in for a surprise; the staff filled me with cards and also ordered a special diet birthday cake for me! All the people I had ever met before were there, celebrating with me! It was an awesome birthday, one which I’ll cherish and never forget. 15 days and I was back in Bangalore with an angels heart.

There is a God and He’s given us Dr. K M Cherian, and through him Frontier Lifeline and because of FLL, many patients have gotten a new lease of life, including me! Dr. Cherian is a visionary, a mon of few words and a pioneer in his field but very down to earth. A wonderful human being, precise and cheerful, we often call him Cherry boy lovingly and look up to him. Any man at his age would want to retire and travel the world, but not the doctor! He is already working on Frontier Mediville, a mega project 10 km away from Chennai that will benefit not only patients but also provide an ideal stage for students

3 months post my transplant I was back in Chennai performing for the Frontier Lifeline  annual function with my sister & fiancée Raj. I sang 3 songs and played the guitar for another. I had also recorded a special song for Dr K M Cherian just 1 month after the transplant that had made a big difference in my life. The quality of my life has definitely improved. I hate it when some people pity me cause I’ve never lived like a patient & all of us are here with an expiry date. It doesn’t matter how long we live but what we do with our life. I’ve resolved to make the best of this beautiful life. Life is so beautiful that it’s senseless to hold on to any pain.

The rest my article says it all. I never knew I was the first & youngest heart transplant woman in the state of Karnataka. I took part in the Sunfeast World 10k Marathon on 23rd May this year promoting organ donation. I’m alive against all odds for a reason. Now I sing, play the guitar, jog, cycle and hang out with friends…the quality of life has definitely improved post transplant. My heart functions now at 60%.There’s meaning to my life now and I’m young and even more confident to promote organ donation. Doing my bit here, I want to reach out to the nation and let them know what a difference it has made in my life just because an ANGEL donated a heart for me. When it’s time for me to leave this world I would definitely want to help another live by donating my organs. Every state should take the initiative to propagate organ donation. I am all set to publish my book this year. I’ve been writing for 3 yrs now about my experience and how I conquered fear through faith and joy despite the pain. I also plan on becoming a motivational speaker. For 4 years I’ve been on the receiving end now I’m happy to also share a bit of my life to motivate others. It’s wonderful to give than receive.

Seeing is believing and I’m all set to give my bit to society. I remember everything, my childhood playing hockey and all the singing – some people have this misconception that when the heart changes a person changes but I’m still the same, in fact even better! I can still play hockey dribble & scoop; as kids my sister used to be the victim of all my pranks as we looked the same & she’d get punished for all my mischief – not that she was any less! I’m a living example for all to see now & know that no one changes with a transplant and I’m relishing every moment in life. Thanks to God for Dr. K M Cherian and all the wonderful people at FLL who through the grace of God add color to the lives of less fortunate people. My scar will be my style statement, it reminds me of how I got my life back & I’ve stared at death in its face so many times over the past 4 years. I’ve conquered the fear of death. It’s a wonderful experience. Vinitha my childhood & best friend says that it’s my faith in god & sheer will power, that healed me.

The author can be contacted at reenanraj2010@gmail.com

Yet another feather…!

Article in The Hindu – 04.03.2010

Online:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/04/stories/2010030460720200.htm

Message from Dr. K.M. Cherian

Reaching out ...

In one’s lifetime, one is witness to a whole host of interesting and exciting phenomena. Needless to say, one of the most dynamic things that we see right now is the constantly evolving face of communications, especially in the online space. Gone are the days when we could communicate only face-to-face or even over the phone, and that too, only with people we know. Today, it amazes me that we have so many unique ways to reach out to people literally sitting seven seas across, especially via the social media. Be it Twitter, FaceBook or Orkut, we all have so many ways to reach out to others.

And this is the essence of what we at Frontier Lifeline believe in – reaching out to others. To make a difference to them, somehow. To give them hope, where previously, there was none. To offer our services and expertise, which may place a beautiful smile on the lips of little children, far far away from here.

I am filled with excitement as I think of the possibilities that entering the social media universe may open up for us. This is especially true where blogs are concerned. For, in the last few years, we have undertaken some truly path-breaking work and over a period of time, we will be sharing posts on some of the unique surgeries that we have conducted at Frontier Lifeline. What we will talk about on this blog will range right from simple tips to maintaining a healthy heart to de-mystifying cardiology-related topics. Other doctors will also be writing about their own unique experiences and we hope that such information will be a ready reference tool for our audiences, indeed, to benefit from, at some point.

As medical bloggers, we will adhere to the dictum of preserving accuracy and patient confidentiality. The same amount of professionalism will be practiced in online communication as with other forms of public expression. We will strive to ensure that all information on medical topics will be accurate and authoritative, and sources will be cited when appropriate.

We also hope that this will be an effective platform that will enable you to write in to us directly. For any specific queries, you could log onto our website www.frontierlifeline.com or write in to us at digitalcomm@frontierlifeline.com.

Happy Blogging.