For over a decade, Gaurav Kumar was trapped in a relentless cycle of agony and hospitalization, battling a disease so fierce it forced him to abandon dreams of marriage and a future. This story narrates the journey of the IRCTC employee from Delhi, who, since 2006, battled Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis a condition that tested his physical endurance, forced him to abandon dreams of marriage, and stole his hope for a normal life.
The Initial Crisis: The Pain That Stole Hope
Gaurav’s struggle began abruptly in June 2006 during a train duty, hit by severe abdominal pain so intense that he admits he was certain he “wouldn’t come back.” The pain which forces a patient to bend over and immediately seek a hospital—was overwhelming. Initial misdiagnoses included “fatty liver,” leading to three years of ineffective treatment. By 2014, multiple scans at prestigious hospitals like Medanta confirmed the diagnosis: Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis (complete with stenting, later removed). The physical toll was immense, leaving him weak, with severe hair fall, sleep deprivation, and hair turning white from stress and heavy medication.
The Systemic Breakdown: The ₹10 Lakh Drain and Loss of Future
Over the years, the disease became a “slow poison,” leading to 10 hospitalizations, repeated tube feeding, and a financial burden totaling ₹10 Lakhs. The emotional drain was worse: Gaurav recalls crying alone, convinced his life was over, and telling his girlfriend to marry someone else. His professional life suffered with six-month absences, and he faced constant misunderstanding from colleagues who viewed pancreatitis as “just a stomach ache.” After his brother in the US confirmed the lack of an allopathic cure, Gaurav was left with zero hope, convinced his life’s story was finished.
The Padaav Pivot: The Holistic Shift and Mental Peace
Desperate and mentally broken, Gaurav was eventually pushed by his girlfriend to consider Ayurveda, despite his and his family’s skepticism. He found Padaav and contacted two former patients for verification before traveling to the center in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. Upon arriving, his perspective instantly changed. He saw patients of all ages, from a 2-year-old to a 60-year-old, all fighting the same battle, providing immediate mental relief. The holistic environment clean, supportive, with a peer group, and direct access to the doctors—built the emotional and mental fortitude he desperately needed. The most symbolic moment came when, after 15 years of dietary fear, the Vaidya encouraged him to eat his favorite food: he had Chole Bhature for the first time in 15 years, right at Padaav.
The Recovery: Reclaiming Life and Marriage
The structured, timed routine at Padaav addressing dietary factors like reheated food and aluminum cookware led to immediate physical improvement. After the initial treatment, Gaurav followed the prescribed Ayurvedic lifestyle, experiencing only minor gastric issues when he lapsed on his discipline. His reports subsequently showed a complete reversal, leading him to marry and confidently resume his life. He now lives life with minimal limits, traveling and enjoying things he thought were lost forever. He attributes his ability to enjoy life today entirely to the Padaav team, who offered not just medicine but a lifetime family relationship and hope when he needed it most.
His message is clear: no matter how tough the journey, with the right support, treatment, and determination, recovery is possible. Giving up is not an option.
