First update on Gen Namgyel-la’s health situation | 14th May 2025
- Koan@V.N.O.S.
- May 14
- 2 min read
As some of you may know I experienced pneumonia in April. The first night of difficulty I sat up all night breathing in to the beat of two and breathing out through the mouth to the beat of four. It helped, but was very tiring and every time I started to nod off, the feeling of being strangled came back. I went to the g.p. the next day and he prescribed antibiotics and other medicines, but told me I really should go to the hospital. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the thought of being in hospital. So I resisted. That was Friday night, the resistance. Saturday night I lay down to rest and again couldn’t breathe. I called for the ambulance and they were here very quickly.
They parked me in the emergency room near a woman who was detoxing from drugs. Every now and again she would let out a huge scream, which brought all of us back to earth!
I stayed in emergency all night till the next day having various treatments and then they moved me to the ward.
There were about 20 people in the ward, making various noises, and it was a difficult place to rest. At 4.30am the nurse came to wake me up and check blood pressure and weight! Just like being back in the monastery.
My specialist doctor is from Hong Kong and was young, very intelligent and cured me within a few days. The main worry was the dogs, who were waiting for me in a residential kennel. I felt bad about that.
During my stay in hospital they kept talking about kidney failure and heart failure. I have had heart checkups every year, therefore I didn’t think I could have a problem with my heart. But I did. My heart function is 27% which is too low. Since being out of hospital, I have had many tests, seems like they take blood every couple of days. X-rays, cat scan; MRI; echocardiogram on and on…..the puzzle is, why did my heart suddenly change for the worse? Next is probably angioplasty to investigate deeper and further.
Without the support of the health fund all of this would not have been possible, as the government pays for some of it, but the rest I have to pay for, including medication.
Oh, I forgot to mention that before all of this, we discovered that I have Hashimoto’s disease and pancreatic inflammation. If all this is a result of tonglen, then I am very happy and pray that all of you will be healthy and happy until you reach enlightenment.
We asked Geshe Thorte what the students can do to be helpful, and his reply is giving in this same area.
Sending you all lots of love.
Ven Namgyel.
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