I'm here!!!!

When we got off the plane at 430am Sat morning I expected to be hit by a humid heat but instead it was cold! They were saying it was 20 degrees but I needed a jumper. We were met by a taxi driver and we got our first taste of Indian road sense. Scary! There are just cars and mopeds coming at you from all directions. The law seems to be that there is no law and they don't even take any notice of traffic lights or roundabouts where they are in place.

Everything went well today. We met Dr Amit who was lovely. I can see he is going to be a real calming influence through this process. Such a gentle man. I feel very safe in his care.

I went for a battery of tests including ecg, echo, consultation with cardiologist, loads of bloods and a chest xray. These were so unbelieveably cheap. 250 rupees for a chest xray = 2.50. I know, that's what I thought. Bloodworks the most expensive thing at 9600 rupees, roughly 96.00. It was cheaper for a consultation with the cardiologist! This was all happening only 8 hrs after getting to the hotel. No hanging about .Waiting for official results but all was fine. 

I have one more test and that's it. Pulmonary exam Monday at 9.15. If everything's alright I could start the first part of the treatment on Tues!!

The care's amazing and because I'm a private paying patient I go straight to the front of all queues. This doesn't sit comfortably with me sometimes. Especially when there are women with crying children sat there, but it's the way it is.

As mentioned by others, Geetha is quite something. She seems to lead the International Patient office and appears to have all departments of the hospital on speed dial. What this woman doesn't know or do is probably not much. She directs the porter to what you need and he whizzes you through the hospital using my wheelchair as if it's a car on one of Bangalores roads. A few times I found myself grabbing on to the wheels trying to stop him from taking out somebodys legs. He's smiling all the time while doing this and the people he almost annihilates don't seem too concerned either.

All staff are very special . Nothing is too much trouble and I felt really safe from the word go. You could argue that this is because you are paying but I reckon they'd be just as amiable if you weren't.

The hotel staff are equally as attentive. Food here at the hotel is so cheap. You have to keep looking and checking to make sure you've done the conversion right. We just had a meal for 3 with starters and main courses for £13.00! 

Life in Bangalore is something else. It seems so busy. the cars race around with almost no regard to whats going on around them. Trying to get across the road in a wheelchair really is taking your life in your hands. 

The cows really do roam freely and women wear some of the most beautiful saris. The state of the roads and the unreliable electric supply is something that you just have to accept, it's part of the milieu.

I'm so happy to be here and to have this opportunity. I'm also happy to have jumped straight in with the testing. I can't believe that by Tues I could be starting the regime!

Time to 'do one' MS!

Do I think I made the right decision coming to Bangalore? Hell yes!!!

The only downside is there are no twin rooms so I have to share a double bed with my mum. I've just watched her reach over and nick my pillow and shove her body to my side of the bed. Time to hoof her over...

We've got a day off tomorrow before we're back in the hospital on Mon. 

Catch up with you shortly... xx