Another Dr. Raju and Aging – Susan

On Sunday, Dr. Krishna’s older brother and also a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine came to the clinic. Dr. Raju-ji (a term of respect)  After lunch he gave a lecture on a variety of topics including question and answers about the general health and how to make the most from these treatments we are receiving.  Dr. Raju runs another client in Delhi and all the guests chipped in money for his plane fare.

It was quite hot in the dining room, we had just had the big meal of the day and it was hard to completely understand his accent.  Many of the guests were nodding off, but didn’t seem to bother the wise doctor.  At one point he asked us how long we expected to live.  One person answered 80 and another 124.  I had the sense it was a trick question about our western approach to longevity.  He said there is no reason why we couldn’t live to 125.  He said that people expect to live to about 80, so they begin to create disease and winding down their lives.  He talked about people in the Himyalans, who many live well into their 100’s and said they expect it!  It certainly gave us all pause to think.

Another interesting point he made about our bodies when we age.  He said the condition of the heart is much more important than what we weigh.  He said people with some fat tend to live longer and can withstand disease better than people that are too thin.  He has seen over and over, when the very thin person gets sick, it is harder for them to bounce back than someone with a little bit of meat on the bones.  I certainly liked hearing this tidbit.

Then yesterday afternoon, the older Dr. Raju gave us each a special pulse reading.  Alan and I went in together for our reading.  He remembered Alan from last year and said he was very good.  His brother had recommended that Alan take a heavy metal prep tablet after he leaves the clinic for continued assurance the cancer does not return.  The older vaidya (Indian doctor) agreed it would be a very good measure.

Then he listened to my pulse and said, “Nice pulse”.  He said I was better and no longer had any edema.  I looked at my wrist and ankles, realizing it were true.  It had not occurred to me.  At home, often at the end of the day I could see edema where my socks had been.  He asked me why I more stressed than Alan.  True again.  I am not stressed about Alan, I feel good for about his health.  I am concerned about my well-being during the thyroid treatment and what its impact will be on me when I return to my life.  He said, don’t worry you are already so much better and will continue to improve.

I did ask the doctor how he knew I had edema and now I don’t without inspecting my body. He said when he listens to the pulse; he can hear all the memories of the body.  He can read the wounds you have had and as well those of your ancestors.  Pretty amazing, I would say!

I am on the 6^th day of the thyroid treatment.  It will be 9 days longs, so I have made it past the hump day so to speak.  I have been up and down in how I feel.  For the first two days, I didn’t take any thyroid meds and now I am taking 2/3 of my daily amount from home.  I definitely feel different; something is at play in terms of my system.  I feel somewhat off and calmer within, at the same time.  When I have my pulse read each morning, the younger Dr. Raju says my thyroid is working better.

The good news is I am sleeping much better in the last few nights.  This is a really big change, sleep been a HUGE issue for me for years.  Eating two meals a day of rice is quite challenging, but I have decided it is worth it, so making the best of it.  Every fourth meal, the rice is prepared differently, so that helps.  I just finished three meals of rice with dahl water.  Dahl is like a lentil soup.  I pretended it was like chicken broth without the chicken, of course, since most of the country is vegetarian!  Tonight I will start rice with lassi water, which is a type of thin yogurt drink.  Plus I can add some salt and have to say, salt never tasted so good!

On a fun note, I have been getting a new treatment for this second week.  It is called Parishek.   Two techs pour very warm water and herbs over your entire body, front and back.  It feels exquisite.  The table is incredibly slippery between the oil from the previous massage and the hot water; when I move I get the giggles concerned I will fly off the table!

Alan has gone off for an adventure today after his treatments.  He went with a few of the other guests to THE PALACE for lunch.  Supposed to be wonderful in terms of beauty and food!  He will have to write a post about the adventure.