Robin's Story as narrated by Dr. Leo Rebello

November 2, 2006

ROBIN'S STORYas narrated by Dr. Leo Rebello

This is the story of Robin, our second son, who was mischievous right from the womb. As Kashmira (my wife) used to say, Ronald (our elder one) never kicked me so much. It was a case of Placenta Previa (mid centralis floating high). Normal delivery is ruled out in such cases for fear of strangulation during delivery.

Kashmira was in 8th month of pregnancy and it was her last day in the office. All of a sudden she started bleeding profusely. In that condition she was lifted to the maternity nursing home, nearby. I was paged. Kashmira's boss (Dr. Mrs. Roshan Captain, who was like a mother to her) was by her side in Dr. Shirish Sheth's nursing home. Blood was kept ready for any eventuality, though it was not required. 7th March, 1986, when I entered the OT, around 15.45 hours, Kashmira was in a dazed condition. I have come darling, there is nothing to worry, I whispered in her ears. Mild smile and I held her hands and the Caeserian section began. Robin was born, but he did not wail. So, he had to be held upside down and spanked on the buttocks! And a full throated cry brought the joy and relief to all of us.

Kashmira was stitched, cleaned, dressed, sedated and shifted to a private room. Robin was cleaned and put into an incubator, because he was totally bone and skin with almost no hair on the scalp. That night was a crucial night for Robin and I would periodically go to the incubator and look into it whether he was breathing alright.

At around, 1.30 in the morning of 8th March, I instinctively went to the incubator and found that there was no movement. So, with a startle I took him in my arms. He was breathing alright, but the breathing was almost non-existent. The night duty doctor came rushing - "What are you doing doctor, keep the baby in the incubator immediately" she yelled hysterically. I told her firmly not todisturb the peace of the night and signaled her to go away. Emergency if any, I told her, I shall attend.I held Robin very close to my chest and in a very low but loving tone I commanded : "Robin darling, you have got to live, we love you". And Robin, who was almost limpid, opened his tiny eyes for the first time, looked at me trustingly and went to sleep.

That Robin today is 20, doing his BCA. He designs all my book covers. See the website www.healthwisdom.org which he has created for me entirely on his own.

Robin is very loving and caring and mischievous. There was a time when he never ate - fresh air, water and love was the only food he lived on. Even now he has to be told and reminded to eat. Only when I am around he eats properly. I have not inoculated both my sons, and except for sweet medicines of homeopathy they do not know what bitter medicines or injections are. Even when Robin fractured his hand some years ago, I repaired it with homeopathy, massage and simple plaster.