Knowing that I had a nice hotel to go back to, I worked hard to communicate with the nurses about the actual function of an attendant – and once we had that understood, it was clear that Pat did not need me to sleep on the couch next to her. 
My routine quickly became gym early in the morning overlooking this beautiful pool on the rooftop, daily stretches from the gym staff (yeah…), yoga in the mornings from the hotel’s tri-weekly visiting-guru, shower, HUGE breakfast buffet with Western and Indian foods: fresh fruit smoothies, omelets, fruit bar, Indian dishes, coffee, cheeses, breads…HEAVEN. I would then catch a rickashaw ride from one of my two favorite drivers I befriended: Govin or Balaji and spend several hours at the hospital with Pat. It was in the afternoons that I would try and explore some of the city, as well as treat myself to some of my favorite Indian delights: sweets and Auryvedic massage! I found this wonderful bakery around the corner from the hospital – I literally visited daily! The milk cookies were divine.
Another highlight was a 2 hour traditional Ayurvedic massage. Ayurvedic medicine being one of the the oldest healing forms in the world, I was keen to have a treatment and learn more of the philosophy.
Ayurveda is grounded in the 5 elements: earth, wind, water, fire, earth & each of our bodies are a combination of these elements. Ayurveda stresses the balance of these. Massage is an important treatment, as well as the incorporation of 100's of plant based medicines -- I'm sold!
I have NEVER in my life been so rubbed, greased, relaxed or exposed. I loved it! It was a double massage, so both of these girls were on each side. Imagine: starting from my head, working their way do
to my toes, using warm almond + coconut oil for 2 hours. The 2 hours ranked as two of the top of my life. And, I'm not joking.
I spent alot of time at the hospital during that week, quickly being known by all. This was due in part because of the friendly nature of Indian people, but certainly the fact that we were the only whites in the hospital had a bit to do with it, as well. The whole experience was surreal, but I was happily in my element. Some of the things I noticed are in these pictures -- my favorite, of course, being the sign outside the Ultrasound room saying that "..disclosure of the sex of the fetus is prohibited". Male children are much more wanted in India, thus abortions are common if the fetus is known to be a girl. sad
There were Hindu shrines in many places in the hospital that visitors and employees often stopped at to pray. 
In the end, Pat's surgery went great and she rehabed well. She was able to rejoin the ship with us and is sailed the rest of the trip w/out a problem. At Apollo, we made great friends with all the nurses on her ward, as well as the International Patient Services Dept, billing, dietary, the restaurant downstairs, security guards outside, ... and everyone else we came into contact with during the week at the hospital. It was a great experience. Check out the video documentary I made for Pat!!
Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India from Stephanie Holcombe on Vimeo.
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