At 21, and fresh out
of Engineering College in 1984, I wanted to go to the Gulf to work as a
Civil Engineer and earn big money. In 1985, I joined a company in
Baghdad and was assigned the job of handling a complicated
power-curbing machine (this machine laid curbs on roads after they were
completed. There was constant pressure to keep up the pace and meet
deadlines. This caused a lot of stress to end up being bottled up, with
no outlet. After completion of the project, I returned to India in
1986.
Upon
my return, I suddenly fell ill with severe bouts of loose stools with
blood and mucous about 15 times a day. I took medical leave at once and
consulted a doctor. Even after a variety of antibiotics, my condition
did not improve. It was then that I was referred to a
gastroentrologist. On hearing my case, his diagnosis was quick and spot
on. I had ulcerative colitis.
The
treatment began with steroids and other medications. I had to start
eating bland food. I was also hospitalised to correct my electrolyte
balance and for a blood transfusion.
My
condition gradually improved. The steroids were tapered off but the
other medicines continued. We consulted another doctor who was also a
friend. He said, "You will require medication for the rest of your
life, just like a diabetic or blood pressure patient. You’ll get the
same advice even in America.” It was disheartening to know that my
problem would remain despite spending a large amount of money on
medications.
Looking for a solution
I
started research on the condition and the results were the same,
‘continuous medications, eat simple, and live a calm and unhurried
life.’ Unfortunately, my job as a civil engineer would not relieve me
from stress.
I
decided to experiment. I gradually tapered off my medicines and
eventually stopped them. I also tried out alternate treatments. But
over the months, they all ended the same way – with a relapse. This
process continued till 1999, I was in and out of various hospitals. I
had to give up my job. I tried different doctors, but the treatment
remained the same.
Alternate Remedies
Until one day, I read an article about Pranic Healing.
With great hope, I visited them and started treatment sessions. In all,
I took 56 paid sessions, and I responded to the healing process in
about 6 sessions. Before I got back to work, I learnt the process to
treat myself. Gradually, my interest in alternate medicine developed,
and I started reading on different subjects. One book on Sujok therapy
helped me a lot. I was much better within a few sessions and with
minimum effort. Thereafter, I started attending seminars all over the
country to learn various healing methods. I started offering help to
morning walkers on Juhu Beach at the Gandhi Statue. Here, I met many
members of the Lions Club and was invited to join them in 2000. Since then, I have since visited many cities across India and abroad.
We started a daily show Aastha to educate the masses on how to get well without medicines. The show airs at 12:45 am every day.
‘Bye,bye, Medication’
As of now, I have been off medications since 2000, which was the last time that I was admitted in a hospital. My sigmoidoscopy
sample tested negative to the surprise of my doctor. Being a food
lover, I, relish everything. I do take care not to over do it, but I
know that if anything does go out of hand, it can be set right in a few
days of drug-free treatment. Along the journey, I have gained 15 kg.
If it hadn’t been
for my condition, I would have still been a civil engineer on some site
working from 9 am to midnight. However, now I am fully involved in
treating people, a job that I'm really enjoying. My family keeps asking
me to slow down, but I often wonder if I ever will. All I can say is
‘Keep Smiling and be Thankful for what God has given you.’
amarsujok@yahoo.co.in
