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It’s been over 50 days since Dileep was first diagnosed with dengue, and as I, his liver, reflect on the ordeal, I can’t help but chuckle at how everything unfolded—yet I also feel a deep sense of responsibility for his recovery. It was a whirlwind of stress, exhaustion, and near-catastrophic decisions that pushed Dileep’s body to its limits.
Dileep had been working relentlessly—late nights on projects, tackling the traditional Diwali deep cleaning that every Indian household undertakes before the festival. It’s a cherished ritual, and this year, he had extra help from his elder brother. Together, they ventured into parts of the house that hadn’t seen the light of day in years—the rooftop and balcony passages. Little did he know, this would be the beginning of his downfall.
Two days before Diwali, the unthinkable happened: Mom fell ill. So, not only was Dileep handling the grueling cleaning, but he also had to take over the kitchen duties, cooking for the family. With his energy draining away, he skipped meals and, out of sheer exhaustion, went to bed without eating. It was then that the signs of trouble began.
That night, he woke up feeling feverish, convinced that it was just the change in the weather. But things got worse. The next morning, despite feeling weak, he pushed through the day, continuing with chores and work. He popped a paracetamol and thought he could sleep through the discomfort. But sleep didn’t come easily. The pain in his bones was unbearable, and he couldn’t find relief. More medicine, more discomfort.
By the time evening came, Dileep decided to visit a local doctor. The doctor prescribed antibiotics, and Dileep hoped he’d be better by morning. The crackling sound of fireworks and the sight of Diwali lights flickering outside didn’t help—Dileep’s body was breaking down. That night, pain surged through his body, and sleep eluded him.
By morning, Dileep was in such distress that he had to be taken to the government hospital. The doctor there administered two shots and more medicine, but the damage was done. His appetite had vanished, and food became an alien concept. He drank milk and tried to rest, but the pain kept coming back. And then, vomiting joined the list of symptoms. The celebration of Diwali was overshadowed by Dileep’s suffering. His father, ever the comforter, tried his best, gently applying wet napkins to Dileep’s forehead and providing soothing touches, reminiscent of childhood comforts. But the holiday was ruined.
The next day, Dileep went back to the hospital. Another round of shots and medicines followed, but still no answers. The doctor was cautious, warning him that healing would take time. He advised a blood test, but the hospital could only test for malaria, and Dileep’s condition didn’t match that diagnosis. With no other options available, he had to wait it out for a couple of days.
As Dileep languished at home, his brother and father also started to feel unwell. Mom, however, was already on the mend and helping with the household chores despite still recovering. But the situation wasn’t improving for the men of the house. Dileep’s frustration grew. With doctors unavailable due to the Diwali holiday, it felt like his only choice was to keep resting and wait for the festive chaos to subside.
When he finally managed to get an appointment with his regular doctor, the news wasn’t good: Dileep’s platelet count had dropped dangerously low, at 35,000, and his brother’s was not much better at 45,000. The doctor put them both on saline and prescribed a few medicines for the family. He also instructed Dileep’s father to take care of himself and avoid being bedridden. The doctor’s caution was clear: during Diwali, with many clinics closed and others overcharging, it was best to stay home and follow prescribed treatments.
The days following were a blur of saline drips, IVs, and the constant battle with food. Dileep’s appetite was nonexistent, and every meal was a struggle. But slowly, his body started to recover. The fall in his platelet count slowed, and with that came a flicker of hope. Some well-meaning relatives suggested home remedies—papaya leaf juice, goat milk—but neither helped much. In fact, the papaya leaf juice was one of the most unpleasant experiences Dileep had ever encountered, as bitter as it was ineffective.
After several days of rest, things began to improve. Dileep regained his appetite and started eating regularly—fruits, snacks, milk, cookies, namkeen. His digestive system was working again, and the weakness that had plagued him for so long began to fade. However, his brother continued to struggle, and the doctor recommended another test for him. It was a bittersweet moment for Dileep—he was nearly back to his old self, while his brother still fought the disease.
But just when Dileep thought he was out of the woods, an episode of dizziness and loss of motor control hit him. It was a frightening experience that left him with a burst of anxiety, but he quickly recovered. It was clear: his body was not yet fully healed.
A few days later, Dileep went on a long drive with his father to attend a relative’s wedding. It was a difficult journey—slow, careful driving, with the winter fog setting in on their way back. When Dileep finally arrived home, he was in agony, his legs aching from the effort. That’s when he realized the full extent of his recovery: though he had gained weight back, his strength had not returned. The lingering weakness was a constant reminder that the road to full recovery would take time.
Now, Dileep eats well, but the lingering weakness and fatigue continue. His hair has fallen out, but he’s slowly getting back to his daily routines, although his desire for exercise and walking has waned. The message here is clear: dengue is not a disease to be taken lightly. Pushing your limits, skipping meals, and overexerting yourself can be deadly. The toll this disease takes on the body, particularly the liver, is significant, and the road to recovery is long. So, to everyone out there: take care of yourselves. Avoid overworking, take breaks, and most importantly, don’t skip meals. The damage isn’t worth it.
Yours faithfully, Dileep’s Liver
Note: Based on facts, generated by Deepseek AI