For a year, she has been in and out of the hospital, continuously on chemotherapy drugs. It has taken her hair, radiance, appetite, strength, and innocence. So far, it has not been able to steal her smile. The day that fades is the day we would lose hope.
Sana is 5 years old. We found out she has cancer last winter. I had to move to Bangalore and live with my mother while my husband picked up double shifts in Shimoga to make enough money to get us through at least one chemotherapy cycle. We have been struggling, but now our efforts have come to a standstill. Sana is fighting, and we need her to win.
She was not able to breathe because of cancer
Around last November, my daughter had a severe bout of cold. I thought it was normal for the season. It was when she started coughing continuously and began having trouble to breathe that I panicked. We went to a hospital in Shimoga.
Her lungs were filled with fluid. It took days for her to recover. Still, she was sick and the doctor suspected some other underlying reason. He tested her lymphatic system. Her lymph nodes were swollen. He suggested we come to Bangalore because it looked like Sana had Lymphoma.
We lost the only help we could avail
Cancer is as scary to us as a terrorist blast to city folks. We did not want to believe and came to Bangalore for a second opinion. Before we knew it, a bone marrow test, CT and MRI confirmed her condition. We hardly had time to think. Within a blink, she was in chemotherapy. If we had delayed, her condition would have gone beyond help. It is that aggressive. My husband, Suresh, had benefits from ESI. So we got through the first few months somehow. He used to travel every weekend. Gradually, we lost the ESI benefits.
We had to pay from our pocket, and with bills going up to Rs. 3 Lakhs over the year, we are in debt. Once we start chemo there is no option to stop. Any pause or delay in treatment can endanger my daughter's life. She still needs more cycles of chemotherapy and radiation to beat this disease.
There is no turning back now
3 years is the time needed for Sana to defeat this cancer. She is 5 years old. She should not be in this much pain. I am proud of my daughter for putting up a good fight. She cooperates with doctors and takes her medicines. Although the effects of chemo are severe, she wears a brave face. Yes, it pains me when I hear her scream in pain sometimes when it gets intolerable.
It is our job as parents to protect her. We are giving her more pain by living apart. She misses her father. She misses friends. She knows we are lying to her about the disease and she longs to play outside like a normal child.
How can you help?
Suresh is a plumber. He makes Rs. 300/day. At the most, when he picks up more shifts, he is able to make Rs. 6000/month. We are not able to save Sana on this income. The total treatment will cost us Rs. 5 Lakhs. I am afraid we will be forced to stop her treatment because we cannot afford it. It means we will lose our baby girl.Please help us.
Your contribution will save my daughter's life. It's been a long and tough journey. If you stand with us, we can win this fight.
Supporting Document
The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.
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