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“There was never a time in his life where we had to take him to a doctor or a hospital. He was always so healthy and energetic. But looking at him now, it’s hard to believe that. These days, he seems more sickly. I’m still coming to terms with the reality of his condition. How did a mere fever lead to a liver disease diagnosis?” - Jayanti mother
Thinking it was a harmless fever, they never expected to find out about his failing liver
10-year-old Sandeep was a vibrant child. He enjoyed going to school, and found solace in studying. When he wasn’t head-deep in his books, he would be running around and playing with his friends. He had always been a healthy kid, and his parents can vouch for his good appetite and clean health record. So, when he suddenly ran a high and persistent fever in November, last year, it became a cause for worry.“When the medicines prescribed for his fever didn’t have any effect on him, we took him to a bigger hospital where they insisted that he undergo some scans and tests. I didn’t know why they were asking us to get them done, when all he had was a fever. But when we got back the results, and the doctor told us the reason for his fever, I was baffled. I couldn’t believe it at all. How could it be that my son’s liver was failing?” - Balu Krishna, father
His liver is damaged beyond repair, he needs an urgent transplant
Sandeep was diagnosed with acute liver failure, loss of liver function that occurs rapidly in a span of days or weeks - often in people who don’t have pre-existing liver disease. It could lead to complications like excessive bleeding and increasing pressure in the brain. Although in some cases acute liver failure can be reversed with medicines, Sandeep’s condition has progressed to a much critical stage and liver transplant is the only cure.“I was still trying to digest the news of my son’s liver condition, when the doctor dropped another bombshell on us. There is fluid build-up in his stomach that needs to be drained every once in a while.My son’s liver is severely damaged, and normal medications or injections are not enough to save his life. His condition is worsening with each passing day, and only a liver transplant can save him…” - Balu Krishna
His poor parents have left no stone unturned, but they are running out of time
Short of time, Sandeep needs a liver transplant on an urgent basis and any further delay can cost him his life. But his parents have no means of affording such an expensive procedure on their own. Hailing from rural Hassan, Karnataka, Balu Krishna and Jayanti engage in farm work. They toil the fields day in and day out, but selling their produce through a middleman doesn’t yield them much profit.“We survive on our daily earnings, which aren’t much. Besides this farm, I truly have nothing else to my name. Whatever little we had managed to save up for the future has gone into our son’s treatment. Now we’re in a situation where we don’t even know if we’ll be able to have one proper meal a day. I am only a poor farmer, how will I even arrange for 15 lakh rupees? Without it, my son will not make it…” - Balu Krishna
Sandeep isn’t entirely aware of what’s happening. His stomach gives him some discomfort from time to time, and he knows he needs surgery. It breaks his parents’ hearts to hear him constantly ask them when he can undergo the surgery and go back to school again. They have no answer, and have to console him with a lie.
A dangerous disease has endangered Sandeep’s life, and your contributions can help him get through this.
