The Beginning of the Storm

The COVID-19 pandemic had already begun to spread across the world when India reported its first case on January 30, 2020. But nothing could prepare us for the second wave that struck in March 2021. It was devastating. Hospitals overflowed, oxygen cylinders vanished, ICUs were full, and the fear in the air was unbearable.

For me, this nightmare wasn’t just in the headlines. It entered my home.

My Mother’s Battle

My mother had been unwell for a while. We tried to manage her condition at home with the help of our trusted family doctor, Dr. Rakesh Sharma. But her internal bleeding worsened, and we were forced to rush from hospital to hospital until she was finally admitted to a premium private hospital.

She was placed in the ICU. Yet, even the best doctors couldn’t figure out the cause of her blood loss. And then—something no one had expected—due to the hospital’s poor management, she was exposed to COVID.

She tested positive.

They moved her to an isolation ward. That moment… the moment she was wheeled away…
I didn’t know it was the last time I would see my mother alive.

The Virus Comes Home

As I kept visiting the hospital, I, too, contracted the virus. Within days, my wife Shalloo, my daughter Fiza, and my young son Mehul tested positive. Our house was sealed. We were entirely on our own.

No visitors. No outside help.
Just fear… and fever.

My own treatment was being done over the phone.
My wife’s condition was worrying—her fever wouldn’t come down.
We were surrounded by helplessness.

The Call That Broke Me

Then came the call from the hospital.

“Her oxygen levels are dangerously low. She may have only 15 to 30 minutes.”

Within half an hour, the phone rang again.

She was gone.

Gone without a goodbye.

I couldn’t even give her “mukhagni”.
The weight of being sick, grieving, and helpless crushed me.

I gave up.

A Child’s Courage

In that darkness, a light emerged.

My son Mehul, still fighting COVID himself, stood up like a warrior.

He looked at Dr. Rakesh and said,

“Papa will not go to the hospital. We’ll treat him at home. Buy whatever equipment is needed.
Dadi is gone, but I won’t let Papa go too.”

Dr. Rakesh tried to explain how expensive and risky it would be.

But Mehul didn’t blink.

“No matter the cost,” he said.

We arranged everything—a nurse, oxygen concentrators, medical monitors, emergency kits.
And then… my treatment began. Right at home.

The Road to Recovery

There was no magic. Only determination.

My wife cooked for us even in her own illness.
My daughter helped in every way she could.
Dr. Rakesh and his team worked day and night.

Slowly, day by day, we all began to recover.
The fear didn’t vanish.
But love fought harder than fear.

Emotionally, we were broken.
Financially, we were drained.

But we were alive.

Together.

The Realization

That experience transformed me.

I realized something deeply disturbing:
So many families had no idea that insurance could support home treatment under a clause called “domiciliary hospitalization.”

People were dying at home, untreated—just because they didn’t know.

As an insurance consultant, I knew I had to do something.

Turning Pain into Purpose

I began calling my clients, neighbours, friends—anyone who needed help.
I asked doctors to form care teams for home visits.
But the biggest challenge was money.

Many people simply couldn’t afford it.

I reached out to claim heads of insurance companies. Some ignored me. Some refused.
But I did not give up.

I drafted clear, powerful letters, quoting exact clauses from policies.
And slowly, approvals started coming in.

People began getting home care.
Lives were saved.
Families were given hope.

And I personally followed up on every claim—ensuring no one else was left helpless like I once was.

A Final Message

Dear reader, this is not just my story.

This is a reminder to every family:
Understand your health insurance.
There are benefits hidden in the fine print that can save lives when hospitals can’t.

And if you’re ever unsure, remember—your friend at InsuranceMart.co is always here to help.

With folded hands,
With prayers to Lord Ganesha,
And with love from a son who survived—

Namaskar. Jai Hind 🇮🇳

– Bhushan Sharma