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“It has been only a little over a month since she has been with us, but she’s spent every single day fighting for her life. I haven’t even been able to see her properly. Now, as I look at her lying on that hospital bed, hooked to all these tubes and machines, I wonder if I’ll ever be able to hold her in my arms…” - Sarojamma, mother
Their baby girl was born with a hole in her heart
Devaraj and Sarojamma had been over the moon after welcoming their little bundle of joy, a baby girl, on August 23. But the troubles began only a week later, and she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, a heart condition where the pressure in the blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs is too high. As a result the arteries become narrow and the blood does not flow as well as it should, resulting in less oxygen in the blood.“We realised one night that she was having trouble passing motion and took her to a hospital the very next day. We were really worried that something was terribly wrong and to our absolute horror, we had been right. From scans and tests, we found out that she has a hole in her heart. The pressure in the left side of her heart is too high, which is abnormal and could cause damage. She needs surgery, but she’s far too young for it, and we will have to wait till she’s at least 6 months old.” - Devaraj, father
Only days later, she contracted an infection and they almost lost her
Their baby remained under observation for about 3 days, but a week later she was rushed back to the hospital with a suspected infection. The little one was gasping for breath, leaving her parents petrified at the thought of losing her. Tests confirmed that she suffers from pneumonia, and she has been on ventilator support for almost 20 days now.“A few weeks ago, she was showing much improvement and the doctors said she was ready to get off the ventilator. We were so relieved to hear that. But within hours, her condition suddenly became critical to the point that we thought we were going to lose her. Somehow, she pulled through. She’s still here with us, and fighting with every breath she takes. Her life is only beginning, yet this disease is threatening to take her away from us.” - Sarojamma
She needs prolonged treatment to recover, but her parents cannot bear the expenses
Sarojamma and Devaraj are living a parent’s worst nightmare. Watching their month-old baby suffer, has shattered them completely. Sarojamma has exhausted herself, worrying endlessly about her baby. She is weak and has yet to recover from giving birth. But she can barely rest, the thoughts of her baby keeping her up every night. All the hopes that the couple had for their future now seem like a distant dream.Their baby needs continued NICU care and treatment for the next month, to make a full recovery. But having spent everything they had, they don’t know how they will save their only child.
“I am the sole breadwinner in my family of 5, and I am just a small employee in a garment business. Since our baby has fallen ill I have been unable to work, and all the money I had has been used up in her treatment expenses. I’ve even borrowed from my family and friends and availed loans. Now I am at my wits end. With pending hospital dues that I am already struggling to clear, there is no way I can afford 8 lakhs on my own. I don’t know what to do or where to go…” - Devaraj
These first-time parents are in dire need of your help. Their newborn is hanging on to her life by a thread, and they are failing to save her. Your contributions will be of immense help to them. Click here to donate.
