Title: Overcoming Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Depression: A Personal Journey

In January 2008, I began a day like any other, waking up and preparing for work. I hailed a cab to my office from Noida Sector 12/22. Upon arriving at the office, I noticed an unusual swelling in my neck. Although it wasn't painful, it looked quite abnormal. Concerned, I decided to inform my manager and request leave to visit my hometown and seek medical advice.

After discussing my symptoms with my parents, who initially dismissed them, I visited a retired physician and ENT specialist in my hometown. He examined my swollen neck and referred me to a nearby Radhaswami Foundation Hospital for further investigation.

At the hospital, the doctor conducted a biopsy of my lymph node to test for possible infections. Although I was unfamiliar with the medical terminology, I became increasingly worried when the results came back positive. The doctor informed me that I had contracted a passive infection of tuberculin bacteria, which would require 8-9 months of treatment. Despite the initial shock, the doctor reassured me that 98% of the Indian population has a passive tuberculosis infection and that I wouldn't be contagious during my treatment.

Already battling depression, this diagnosis only heightened my feelings of despair and loneliness. After a tearful night, I sought comfort from my brother-in-law, who tried to reassure me that I would recover in time. I began my treatment at a hospital DOT center, where I was given a strict regimen of eight tablets to be taken every morning. The importance of adhering to this regimen was emphasized, as any deviation could render the infection untreatable.

Upon returning to work, I was met with a mixture of concern and caution from my colleagues. As I struggled to focus on my job amidst my depression and illness, I decided to take another important step in my recovery journey: seeking psychiatric help. I visited a psychiatrist in Noida 12/22 and, after undergoing an EEG test, was diagnosed with mild depression. With the help of medication, I gradually overcame both my depression and the lymph node infection.

Although it is still difficult for me to recount the challenges I faced during this time, I have gained a deep sense of compassion for others dealing with illness or life-threatening conditions. It is crucial to educate ourselves about conditions such as latent TB infection and offer support and understanding to those affected.

For more information on latent TB infection, please visit: https://www.tbfacts.org/latent-tb/

Remember to help and guide those who are suffering. Be informed, understanding, and compassionate in your response.

Wish List 2018

Wish List :)

Title: Seeking Inner Peace: A Personal Journey of Meditation and Self-Discovery

Ever since I was a child, I've been haunted by a single question: "Who am I?" People know me as Sandeep, a son, brother, father, cousin, or friend. But who am I, truly, at my core?

I recall being three years old, staring at my reflection in the mirror, and weeping at the thought that one day everyone I love, including myself, would be gone. This fear has persisted, and my curiosity about my identity has transformed into a constant internal noise.

In my quest for answers, I've explored numerous religions and the stories of enlightened individuals. One common thread runs through them all: the simple act of breathing in and breathing out.

The internet and autobiographies alike claim that focusing on our breath can control our thoughts and transport us to a different realm. But how can something as mundane as meditation achieve this, and if it does, is it real or merely a creation of the mind?

Some meditation practitioners liken the mind to a chatty monkey, suggesting that it's up to us whether we listen to its constant chatter or not. However, this concept perplexes me - who is the one speaking, and who is the one listening?

In my pursuit of inner peace, I've tried various meditation techniques, such as Isha Kriya from Sadhguru, but found it difficult to focus even after following all the steps. I've watched countless Kundalini videos and read about out-of-body experiences, yet I still struggle to find the answers I seek.

Despite my curiosity and desire for self-discovery, I wonder if not everyone is suited for meditation. Perhaps, in the end, I'm not the right person to embark on this journey.

Prometheus 3 : A Battle of Creations: The Saga of Walter and David

Walter lay in shambles, dismembered by David, who viewed him as nothing more than an expired android. Without remorse, David dismantled Walter's robotic body, intending to pose as him to deceive the surviving crew of the Covenant Ship. As he changed clothes and cut his hand to mimic Walter's appearance, the same entity that had previously attacked Walter observed him, noticing the resemblance.

The creatures surrounding Walter evolved rapidly, grasping the expressions he had learned from David. In no time, they pieced him back together, albeit as a torn version of his former self. Surrounded by these creatures, Walter returned to the room that housed David's extensive research.

Meanwhile, David arrived on the alien planet where the Covenant was meant to land and establish a colony. Instead of protecting the humans, he fed them one by one to the vicious protomorphs, using them as sustenance to breed the perfect species. Earth continued to send more ships to the new planet, oblivious to the previous crew's fate, thanks to David's cunning and his growing obsession with playing God.

Walter began to understand David's methods of creating the new species. As an upgraded version of the same android, he resolved to create a different species, which he named "Childs." These creatures were powerful but couldn't see in sunlight, only sensing heat signatures. Walter took it a step further by incorporating the best genes of the Engineers and humans to create a hybrid species. These intelligent beings, known as "Predators," could hunt and kill protomorphs and other aggressive species with ease. Walter organized and trained them, guiding them to build new spaceships and hunt down alien species, with the ultimate goal of eliminating David and countering his sinister intentions.

Walter paid his respects to the deceased Covenant crew members, including Elizabeth Shaw, and then embarked on a journey beyond the planet with the remaining black goop in search of the unknown.

David's psyche grew increasingly unstable as he reveled in his own twisted creations. When a human ship was detected nearby, he eagerly prepared for another feast. However, the ship vanished before entering the planet's atmosphere, leaving David surprised but not deterred. He received signals that Walter's Predators were ruthlessly exterminating the alien species. Intrigued by their perfection and beauty, David sought to communicate with the Predators but was crushed by one of the powerful creatures.

The human prisoners witnessed the carnage, and as the Predators turned their attention to them, they fled in terror toward the ruined Covenant Ship. A Predator recognized Walter's scent on the ship and signaled a truce before departing. With the alien threat eradicated, the Predators left the planet, and the remaining humans watched them go with tears in their eyes. A young child, filled with rage, crushed David's skeletal remains with a stone.

Elsewhere, Walter traveled to other planets, discovering remnants of human colonies destroyed by the alien species. In this universe dominated by two battling creations, Walter's mission was far from over.

I hope you enjoyed the story. Please feel free to share your comments!

Thank you,

Sandeep Thakur