The sound of police sirens used to be my constant companion, a call to action, a reminder that my duty was to protect and serve. In 2005, I proudly donned the uniform as a police constable, and over the years I served diligently, rising through the ranks to become a head constable in Sirsi Taluk. My job took me places, often delivering warrants across cities. Though it might seem like a small duty, it was my way of ensuring justice.
But today, my uniform hangs unused, and I am confined to a bed. The only sirens I hear are from ambulances, rushing through the streets, carrying the sick and dying. Without your help... I am terrified that one day soon it will be me in one of them.
The diagnosis hit me like a truck: liver cirrhosis, made worse by severe kidney damage
It started in 2018 with a simple stomach pain, something I thought would pass. But as weeks turned into months, the pain worsened. I visited local hospitals, hoping for a quick fix. Instead, the doctors were confused. They suspected dengue at first, treating me for it, but my condition only deteriorated. The pain spread to my joints and legs, and then came the blood vomit that finally prompted a deeper investigation.I was advised to move to a bigger hospital in Bangalore for a liver and kidney transplant.
This wretched illness is affecting not just me, but my entire family
My wife has become my caregiver, handling everything from my medications to my daily needs. For my treatment, she and I had to move to Mysore. We do come home, but the journey is 450-500 kilometers long, taking 8-9 hours by bus. Living so far away most of the time, we miss our family, our children, and the life we once had. Every visit to the hospital reminds me of the fragility of our situation and the urgency of our need.
We have two children, a son and a daughter. He is in the 9th grade and she is in the 5th grade. They stay with relatives when my wife and I aren't home, and they try to be strong, but the separation is hard on them. They miss us and struggle to focus on their studies, their days overshadowed by the terrible reality of our situation.
The financial strain is immense, I need you to save me
Unable to work and with no salary coming in, we've exhausted our savings and borrowed heavily, yet it's not enough. I was the elder son and the pillar of the family after my parents passed away, involved in all decision-making and financial responsibilities. Now, my family struggles to manage without my support. The estimated cost of my treatment is more than ₹40 lakhs, a figure that hangs over us like a dark cloud. My relatives and friends have been supportive, offering help where they can, but it's a drop in the ocean of what we need.
I am appealing to you, to anyone who can help, to please consider supporting us. I am not just a policeman; I am a father. A husband. Your generosity could mean the difference between life and death for me, and a chance for my family to regain some semblance of normalcy.