By James A. Mitchell
VeAhavta Press Officer
After the surgical procedure scheduled for Tuesday, the Mercy Home resident known as "Mr. Gandhi" will have to make many adjustments. He won't be alone.
"He's going to be loved more than he has his entire life," said Grace Care Center manager Diane McLaughlin. "Every girl, every member of the staff is asking about 'Gandhi Uncle.'"
Diane's stay in Colombo this week was a mission of mixed emotions. While awaiting the outcome of Tuesday's surgery on Mr. Chandradasa, Diane visited 11-year-old Tharshala Mahendran, recovering from open-heart surgery performed last week.
"She is doing fantastic," Diane reported. Tharshala's beaming smile -- not surprisingly -- captured the heart of a medical worker who remained with the little girl through both the surgery and recovery. Last week's surgery to repair some holes in her heart came after the diagnosis last month in Colombo, and was made possible by a grant obtained by Dr. Shehan Perera. Tharshala is scheduled to return to Grace soon.
The news was not so promising for the Mercy Home resident known as "Mr. Gandhi." Last week, Mr. Chandradasa went to Trincomalee General Hospital with shortness of breath and general weakness. A blood clot was suspected to have formed in his leg, but the diagnosis was too late to prevent the need for amputation. Surgery was scheduled for Tuesday but has since been postponed to a date uncertain.
"He is very scared, and doesn't understand it all," Diane said.
Diane has been consulting with the doctors at Colombo General Hospital as well as our own Dr. Satha -- the former house physician for Mercy Home, now in Colombo -- who will be helping with arrangements.
As Mr. Chandradasa prepared himself for surgery, one thing he did understand was the love held for him by the staff and residents of Grace and Mercy Homes, and the VeAhavta volunteers who affectionately gave him the nickname, "Mr. Gandhi" for his resemblance to the wise leader.
