It’s not strictly a relapse, but Jacob Martin’s discharge from the Sterling Hospital in Vadodara, either on Monday or definitely on Tuesday, has been deferred.
“Jacob was in considerable distress around 4 am on Sunday and had to be put back on regular oxygen support...
“Besides, the latest X-ray has revealed more pronounced patches of infection in the left lung...
“Jacob included, we’re all very disappointed, but just have to be patient and keep fingers crossed...
“The silver lining is that Jacob hasn’t been taken back to the Critical Care Unit (CCU),” the former India batsman’s wife, Khyati, told The Telegraph.
Speaking on Monday evening, Khyati added: “Jacob had been pretty normal on Friday and on Saturday and so keen to return home. Now, he needs to again draw on his admirable mental toughness…
“Indications are that Jacob may have to spend as much as a week more in hospital.”
After over a month in the CCU, following a two-wheeler accident on the night of December 27, Martin had been moved to a private room last week.
Martin, 46, hurt both his lungs and liver in the accident. One of the broken ribs pierced his right lung and that led to a situation of “Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).”
“As long as ARDS persists, one has to be prepared for fluctuations. There’s also a limit on the steroids Jacob can tolerate,” Khyati pointed out.
Sanjay Patel, a former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Baroda Cricket Association, who has coordinated the fund-raising effort, said: “Jacob’s condition isn’t alarming. Let’s see how the next 48 hours go. I’m in touch with the panel of doctors treating him.”
Given the high cost of treatment at a non-government facility, the fund-raising exercise simply had to be initiated.
The moolah-raking Board, for its part, has only contributed Rs 5 lakh. Well, shocking and shameful. In equal measure.