GOOD MORNING DOCTOR
PREFACE
PROF. JOHN KURAKAR
"I am a person who,
by God's grace, has crossed over from the fearsome shadow of death into life
once again. From November 2021 to November 2022, I fought and triumphed over
cancer, and now I have returned to the loving embrace of those who care for me.
Life is indeed beautiful when surrounded by loving people. The prayers,
comforting words, and support from my relatives, friends, and many other
kind-hearted individuals were what saved me from this illness. I am one who has
experienced God's grace from the very beginning of my treatment. In November
2021, I was diagnosed with cancer. It was discovered in major organs like the
large intestine and thyroid gland, which led to my hospitalization."
"It was like aviolent storm that had only one purpose to shake my life. The size of the tumorwas not small. 'Why was I born for this?' I thought to myself as I stood in the
hospital corridor. But I was not a coward. Would my wife, daughter, and sonhave cried when they found out I had cancer? I don’t know. Every tear that
filled their eyes for me would forever hold my heart captive.
I have told myselfa thousand times, 'Do not cry,' but none of those words reached my face. Don’t
we always say that everything has its limits? Pain too has its limits, and when
those limits are crossed, pain no longer touches us. There will be a desire to
cry, but no tears will fall. When the cold exceeds a certain limit, doesn’t thebody go numb? In the same way, sorrow numbs us.
"What broughtme to a new life was the selfless dedication and support of my wife Molly, my
daughter Dr. Manju Kurakar, my son-in-law Shri Kurian Arimboor, my son Manu
Kurakar, and my daughter-in-law Surya. Surya’s father Monsy and mother Rashmi
were always there with us. Surya’s brother Akash was also a great help to me.I didn’t share my
illness with many people. Only my disciple and my parish priest, Rev. FatherSajan Thomas, knew about it. Father’s words were, 'Father, go to the hospital
with courage. From today, until you recover, I will remember you in the HolyMass every day and pray for you.'
Apart from FatherSajan Thomas and my siblings, no one else knew about my illness. I went
directly to Kochi for treatment. On my birthday in 2022, when the doctors at
Amrita Hospital shared the news and posted a photo on social media, everyone
came to know about my hospitalization and illness. Many people prayed for me.
Shri P.C. Thomas from Kundara, his family, my younger sister Sheela and Sabu,
and hundreds of friends from different parts of the world prayed for me, wished
me a speedy recovery.
"I am deeply
grateful to everyone who prayed for me. From Thiruvananthapuram, Kadampanadu
Maviy’s son, Prof. Kochukoshi, would frequently call me to inquire about the
progress of my treatment. It was comforting when Kallayapuram Mavi Kottarakkara
visited and spent a long time with me. The comforting words from my wife
Molly’s sisters, Mrs. Jolly Chechi (Chullikkal), Mrs. Geetha Chechi (Thrissur),
and Kochu Mol Chechi (Kollam), were a great source of strength and encouragement.
Rev. Father Joseph
Matthew, Father Dr. O. Thomas, Father Prof. George Varghese, Father Alex
Parankimammoottil, and Father Georgekutty, among others, were the ones who
prayed for me and inquired about my health."
"When rain
falls outside the window, my heart feels heavy. After my thyroid operation and
while staying at Amrita Guest House, even after my APR surgery and while I was
in the hospital, my younger brother Shri George Kurakkar was always there with
me. He was someone who truly understood the pain and suffering I was going
through. During the year I spent at Amrita, the home at Kottarakkara and
Kurakkar Center were often visited by Shri Jacob Kurakkar and Mrs. Mercy Jacob.
After completing chemo and radiation, when I would visit the Kottarakkara home
during the intervals, I was deeply touched by the care and kindness shown by
Jacob Kurakkar, Bobby Kurakkar, and Shobha. Words cannot express my gratitude
for them. Since Athul Kurakkar was a medical student at Amrita, he was often at
the hospital, providing invaluable support during my treatment."Saly too
would often visit the hospital.
"Anyone can
speak when they see, but only those who truly love us can understand where we
are when they can no longer see us." After being away for a while, my Guru
and fellow colleagues—Prof. Achamma Teacher, Prof. K.J. Cheriyan Sir, Prof.
K.G. Mathew Sir, Prof. K.S. Leelamma Teacher, and Prof. T.J. Johnson Sir—would
often call to inquire about my health and check on my condition."
I felt as if a huge
stone was sitting in my heart. I thought I would collapse under its weight.
Realizing the severity of the illness from the doctor, I quickly got up and
went to the veranda."
"After the
surgeries, I experienced a great deal of mental turmoil. During this time, many
people comforted me. I will never forget my colleagues in the college
department. Dr. Thomas Panikkar, Prof. Lucy Panikkar, Prof. Janardhanan Pillai,
Prof. Gomathi Teacher, Prof. Varghese John, Prof. Jessy Teacher, Prof. Jacob
Thomas, Prof. Saramma, Shri Madhavan Pillai, Dr. Williams, Prof. Susheela,
Prof. Sabu, Prof. K.C. Raju, Prof. Graceson, Prof. Johnson, Prof. G. Jacob,
Prof. John Panikkar, and Dr. Jacob John are the teachers who visited me and
offered words of comfort.
There were many
others who made offerings in churches and temples, praying for my swift
recovery, and I will forever be grateful to them.
I cannot forget the
selfless service of my wife’s brother, Shri George Jacob, and his family—Annie,
Nithun, and Naveen. During the most difficult days, Nithun stayed with me at
the hospital day and night. I will never forget that support.
I am also deeply
grateful to my dear friends, Neeleswaram Sadashivan, Shri Suresh Kumar, Dr.
Abraham Karikkam, Achchan Kunju, Shri Kunjachan Paruthiyara, Adv. Sajan Koshi,
Dr. S. Ahmed, Shri M. Thomas, and Shri Mattaikutti, for their comforting words
during my time of need."
---
"When I was in
Mumbai for further treatment, my brother from Australia, Shri Jose Kurakkar,
came to visit me and spent a day with me. That brought me great comfort. I also
remember when my wife’s sister, Susan George (Prema) , her family and George's
nephew Titto came to Amrita from New York to see me. Suraj Kurakkar, Archana,
and Bobby also visited me at the hospital.
Many organizations
and individuals visited me, including the Kottarakkara College Alumni
Association, Kerala Kavya Kala Sahithi, Kerala Palliative Care Initiative,
Round Circuit Films, Eden Nagar Residents’ Association, and the members of the
Church. I am grateful to all of them. Shri P.M.G. Kurakkaran and Saji
Padinjareveedu called me many times both when I was in the hospital and when I
was in Mumbai, inquiring about the progress of my treatment.
The person who
helped me the most in surviving cancer was my son-in-law Kurian’s mother, Mr9s.
Jessy, his sister Mrs. Sushal(deputy secretary law) , his brother-in-law, High
Court Advocate Shri Binu, and Kurian's younger brother, Jacob Arimboor, and
Anjali, who came from Sweden. I would like to express my thanks to them.
Pinaruvila Rajan
Babu, Mrs. Suja Rajan, Shri Jacob Mathew Kurakkaran, Shri Chacko, Shri George,
Shri Abraham Thomas, Shri Kunjumon Thomas, Mrs. Oman John, and Shri Babu
Kurakkaran from Thiruvananthapuram visited my home and comforted me.
I am grateful to
the doctors who treated me, and I have mentioned their names and my gratitude
in various sections of this book. The doctors from Amrita Medical College,
including Prof. Dr. Sudheendran (Gastroenterology), Dr. Ayyar (Plastic
Surgery), Dr. Sandeep, Dr. Haridas, Dr. Suresh Patentakar from Pune, Dr. Salil
Patkar, Dr. Seemantini, Dr. Sameer Chaudhary, Dr. Komalam, Dr. Bhai Mangesh,
Dr. Amit Lankotti, and Dr. Vijhay Ganesh, whom I hold dear like a son, are
among those I will never forget.
This book is a
memoir of the experiences and treatments I underwent while battling cancer. It
speaks of the journey I made from the dark corridors of life and death and what
I have to share with society.
The emotional
account written by my daughter, Dr. Manju Kurakar, which is part of this book,
is deeply moving. The foreword was written by my dear friend, fellow alumnus
and writer Prof. Dr. Abraham Karickom, Principal of Thiruvalla Marthoma
College. The thoughtful review of this book was written by my dear friends,
Prof. Dr. Gangadharan Nair, and Shri Neeleswaram Sadashivan.
The Malayalam
edition of this book was published about two months ago. Due to requests from
friends in Mumbai and Pune, the English edition is now being published. The
English translation was done by my daughter, Dr. Manju Kurakkar, and my nephew
Shri Vibin Kurakkar. The cover design was done by my friend, the artist K. Joy.
I extend my
heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the making of this book. With
gratitude, I dedicate this book, "Good Morning Doctor," to society."
Prof. John Kurakar
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