Bhakti Tirtha Swami Health Update

Hare Krishna devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Below is the latest update on Srila Bhakti Tirtha Swami`s health
condition.

Your servant,

Narayani devi dasi



Dear devotees



Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Gurudeva and Srila
Prabhupada.

As you know from the previous update, Gurudeva's cancer had somewhat flared up
in the lymph nodes and muscle in the left upper thigh area since the festival.
Since the festival he has been continuing his intense treament programme and a
restricted diet as a means to slow down the cancer and potentially facilitate
one last visit to some yatras.

Gurudeva takes a lot of his medications via a catheter which inserts directly
into the left side of the heart. About 10 days ago Gurudeva noticed that just
above the catheter, he was experiencing some throbbing and tenderness. This
then progressed to a swelling over his left collar bone a few days ago.
Thinking the cather may be infected, a few of us went to the hospital with
Gurudeva yesterday, with a view to having the catheter removed. The doctor who
took a look at the swelling wanted a scan to see what the swelling was before
he decided whether or not the catheter needed to come out. Whilst waiting for
some blood tests prior to the scan, Gurudeva went to support his brief case
with his left hand when the next thing he heard was a 'crack' and he suddenly
jerked back in pain. Gurudeva was in a lot of pain, the swelling had become
bigger and he couldn't move his left arm very well. In light of this, the scan
was arranged for more quickly. We were all very worried that Gurudeva may have
broken something but no one was prepared for what the scan found. It turned
out that the swelling was infact a bone tumour on the left collar bone as a
result of the cancer now having spread to the bones. The tumour had eaten away
at so much of the collarbone that only a thin layer of normal bone was left and
this is what had cracked. So the cancer is now in the lymph nodes, muscle and
bones. Gurudeva's left arm is now in a sling and it is unlikely it will heal.
He currently has limited movement in the left side of the body due to the
fracture of the collarbone and his amputation. He feels that he is going to
leave much sooner than we all expected or hoped for. He has cut down on lot of
his previous treatments but is continuing with a few simple things to try and
slow down the cancer in order to settle a few loose ends.Gurudeva gave a
beautiful and powerful class today in DC from his new book Beggar 4 - Die
before Dying which will be available in 6 weeks. The class will be available
to listen to on monday on www.btswami.com

Gurudeva's internal meditation has become very deep and his expressions of
humility are heart rendering. His main concern after the news was that he
didn't want to be burden or disturbance to anyone. He has so much deep love
for everyone but he is concerned that many of us will have a lot of
difficulties in our devotional lives during and after this transitition. If we
can try and take shelter of eachother and ISKCON as a whole more, shelter of
the holy names more deeply and co operate with eachother better this would
please him very much. Gurudeva was saying in class today that the best way to
keep anyone alive is by following their instructions and exemplifying their
teachings not just individually but also as a community.

We thank you all for your continuing instense prayers and love - they are much
needed at this time

Yours in the Service of Guru and Gauranga

With Love

Your aspiring Servant

Citi-Sakti Devi Dasi


--
Jaya Radhe!

When relished with love in countless ways through service rendered constantly
by tongue, the nectar of Sri Krsna`s name delights the heart. Who can describe
the unequalled excellence of that nectar of Sri Krsna`s holy name?
(Brhad-Bhagavatamrta)