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Sathwik is my younger son and we found that there was a problem with his liver when he was just 11-year-old. 10 years back, we started fearing for his life – and nothing positive has happened to take away our fear. We sold everything of value that we had to do his surgery when he was a baby and have nothing left to save him. He is still fighting to survive and now we feel helpless.
Despite his terrible illness, nothing keeps Sathwik down
Sathwik has lived all his life as a sick child. His illness has made him weak – his bones are brittle and the excess bile from his liver makes him itch until he bleeds. The bleeding does not stop as his blood is deficient in clotting factors.
Sathwik is like a different person at school - studious and affable
But has this stopped him? If only – Sathwik's energy sometimes just leaves us helpless. In the last 2 years, he has fallen and suffered 2 fractures and 1 head injury that needed 6 stitches. I work until 10 pm and every day when I come back home – I have to beg and plead with my son to eat his bland, oil-less food.
But has this stopped him? If only – Sathwik's energy sometimes just leaves us helpless. In the last 2 years, he has fallen and suffered 2 fractures and 1 head injury that needed 6 stitches. I work until 10 pm and every day when I come back home – I have to beg and plead with my son to eat his bland, oil-less food.
Sathwik is in the hospital now because his liver is completely damaged
Every time Sathwik falls down, or eats something that is not good for him, my wife is reduced to tears. We have to remind ourselves that this is not a normal child throwing a tantrum. This is a very sick child who wants something that makes him feel better. His free spirit lives in a weak and sick body. It is we, his parents who need to comfort him.
Every time Sathwik falls down, or eats something that is not good for him, my wife is reduced to tears. We have to remind ourselves that this is not a normal child throwing a tantrum. This is a very sick child who wants something that makes him feel better. His free spirit lives in a weak and sick body. It is we, his parents who need to comfort him.
Sathwik with his older brother Chetan at home
We have sent our 12-year-old older son to a government boarding school so we can take care of Sathwik. Sathwik is hospitalised at least once in three months, especially in the last few months.His stomach fills up with fluids and the itching becomes too much to bear. His skin is full of scabs and he can't digest his food. His life is hell – but he still smiles easily.
We have sent our 12-year-old older son to a government boarding school so we can take care of Sathwik. Sathwik is hospitalised at least once in three months, especially in the last few months.His stomach fills up with fluids and the itching becomes too much to bear. His skin is full of scabs and he can't digest his food. His life is hell – but he still smiles easily.
I don't have a single rupee extra – everything I earn goes to take care of Sathwik
I work as a tailor in a tailoring shop near Warangal. My wife also comes to work in the workshop to do finishing for the clothes. All my family earns daily-wages and they all have their own families to care for. All these years of taking Sathwik to the hospital have left me with no money.
We had some ancestral farmland – which was the pride of my family. I sold off all the land for Sathwik's first operation. I only have my home left and even if I sell it – I will not get more than Rs 5 lakhs for it. The doctors say we need Rs 25 lakhs for a transplant.
Sathwik with his family
My wife keeps saying – we should do it no matter what it costs, but how can we? Which doctor will do this operation if I don't have money? I see my child – this difficult, suffering child who has so many hopes and dreams. Despite all the punishment life has heaped on him – he is a happy child. I have lived all his life with a sick feeling in my stomach that he might be taken from us.
My wife keeps saying – we should do it no matter what it costs, but how can we? Which doctor will do this operation if I don't have money? I see my child – this difficult, suffering child who has so many hopes and dreams. Despite all the punishment life has heaped on him – he is a happy child. I have lived all his life with a sick feeling in my stomach that he might be taken from us.
How you can help
The doctors tell us that even though he has liver cirrhosis, he can still be saved. My wife is a good match and even though I still don't know how I will care for them after a transplant – it is my only hope of saving my son.
Please help us get Sathwik a liver transplant that will finally give my boy a normal childhood. We will forever be grateful for your contribution. 9 year old Sathwick is suffering from Biliary Atresia and immediately needs a liver transplant. He was diagnosed with the disease right from birth and is seeking out for your help.
