God Inside You

Dr Jose Chacko Periyappuram successfully Conducted the first Heart Transplant Surgery in Kerala.

The following article is written by him about an incident happened in his life a couple of days before, during another successful heart transplant surgery. His article appeared in a leading Malayalam news paper the other day.

A gripping narration about his understanding of God; I have tried to translate it, hopefully not losing much of its original aura.

 

Where does God reside inside a believer? ‘Inside your chest’- prompts our subconscious mind. This is the impression many of us somehow carry. May be true! When Hanuman tore open his chest Rama was there inside!

Every day I get a chance to peep into many chests.  I am not sure, whether God resides there or not. But one thing I always realize and experience is that 'God is with me, standing beside me; all those times. After all I am just a tool in His hand; may be just a pair of scissors  held by Him. He is the surgeon who does the curing.   

 I had experienced always a relation between the heart and the almighty.  Each time I did a surgery, I saw Him throbbing inside the open chest as if His heart is beating for us. 

Whenever I did a heart transplant I felt His presence more tenaciously. As I have written in an earlier occasion, it is a kind of pollination; transit of life from one person to another.  He being the driving force behind it.

I have witnessed many miracles during this period. I saw it happen every time. From  Abraham of Maravoor who underwent the first heart transplant operation in Kerala to Mathew Achaden of Chalakkudi who found a new life in a heart air delivered to save him. 

Recently I witnessed another divine intervention of this great power residing in the heart of a patient. This man, a native of Chenganoor was named Harikumar. He was employed abroad and has been waiting for quite some time for a suitable heart for transplant. 

He used to ask me, “will I be able to get a suitable heart by May 24^th…..?”  The question implied that beyond his desire to be alright there is another need lurking behind this query. His Medical Insurance coverage expires on that day. If the operation takes place before 24^th May he will be entitled for an insurance claim which will be a great relief. 

May be God was present inside his heart. We received a message from Thiruvanandapuram Medical College. ‘Heart of a brain dead person is available for transplant’-it was 23^rd May afternoon!.

 The ball was set on rolling; we have to get the heart as soon as possible. 

The condition was similar to that of Mathew Achadens’ case. That experience proved useful. With the help of the District Administration a Naval aircraft was readied. Though not formally established, I felt that a kind of a system for successful organ transportation was in place since the airlifting of the organ for Mathew Achaden where various authorities had joined hands and created history. All those hurdles we faced then were absent this time. The Government Machinery functioned faultlessly. Though this was during the transfer of power in the State, decisions were swift and timely from the capital. 

The aircraft was readied to takeoff from Kochi by 3pm. All the necessary things were carried out as scheduled. Then there comes a message from Thirunanandapuram. “There is some fluctuation in the blood-pressure. The organs suitability for transplant is highly doubtful, despite airlift”. All of us huddled together in search of a solution. 

Even the aircraft is ready……but. What is the alternative? The question loomed large. 

The Divine intervention happened precisely at this moment. It seems, God residing inside Harikumar, answered that question. It came through my colleague whom I saw rushing towards me. “There is a heart available in Kochi itself; in Renai Medicity. It belongs to a young man who had a brain death; all parameters matching!” he announced!!

When there was a doubt about the Thiruvanandapuram heart, God offers another one, that too nearby. Two matching hearts available for the same person in the same day; rarest of the rare incidence.

We dropped the idea of going to Thiruvanandapuram. Without wasting any time we rushed to Renai Hospital. The heart was brought; the surgery was commenced at 12 midnight on the 23^rd itself. It was over by next day morning 7 O’clock.  God’s presence was felt all that time. Harikumar’s prayers did not go in vain. The surgery was completed one day before the insurance period was over. That one day was so important in his life. 

Getting a proper heart for transplant itself is a great boon. One has to wait for days together for that to happen, if at all it happens. Here for Harikumar God has extended two hearts at a time. You experienced His presence at three places simultaneously. 

“If that did not happen?” This question has no meaning in medical science. It is only during such occasions you find God as a surgeon/physician. And for me the thoughts like, if the Thiruvanandapuram heart had failed in some way; if there was no alternate heart in Kochi, or if at all available it was found to be not matching for the patient at hand, are irrelevant and immaterial.

I think the One who is all prevalent and omnipresent, may be residing in the heart, as far as human beings are concerned.