Bhakti Tirtha Swami Health Update

[Guest guest]

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)