In 2018, Mathivathan had been gearing up for an important academic year, when things suddenly started to go downhill. One evening, he returned home feeling extremely fatigued, and over the next few days it evolved into a high fever. His panicked parents rushed him to a hospital, where the doctors first suspected jaundice. But soon, multiple tests made it apparent that the real cause of his symptoms was his failing liver.
Varalakshmi and Ambikapathi had been in shock and disbelief at the diagnosis. They were unable to come to terms with how their child, who was running to school and playing around less than a month ago, was suddenly on his deathbed due to complete liver failure. Soon, Mathi’s condition deteriorated even further. He would experience seizures and also suffer from recurrent fevers amid his treatment.
"He would be sleeping soundly and wake up suddenly, screaming and begging us to wipe his head and feet with cold water. Sometimes, his body temperature would increase to alarming levels, and we would forgo sleep to look after him, night after night.” - Varalakshmi
Having lost two babies already, they couldn’t see their son suffer the same fate
Varalakshmi and Ambikapathi were no strangers to grief. They’d lost two children before they were even born and were never able to overcome the loss. Hence, they’d doted on their two children, Mathi and Karthi, and had been fiercely protective of them as they grew up.“With Mathi's liver failure, it felt like Yaman [the God of death] was back for another one of our children. We were so terrified!" - Ambikapathi
He was in need of a transplant, but his auto-driver father couldn’t afford it
According to the doctor's advice, Mathi needed to undergo the transplant procedure as soon as his condition had stabilised. But Ambikapathi had no means to arrange the INR 26 lakhs that it would cost. The family had been in such dire straits that they even skipped meals to save up for their child’s treatment. The only thing this auto driver and his wife could have done in that situation was pray that God wouldn’t take away another child from them.R - Mathi, post-transplant.
In their darkest hour, you became their light
Without a transplant, it would have only been a matter of days before Mathi succumbed to his failing liver - had you not stepped up to help him. Mathi’s parents desperately prayed for a miracle to save him, and you became that miracle for them.“With your love and support, Mathi was able to undergo a liver transplant successfully with his father as his matched donor. We are infinitely grateful to you, as it was your kindness that enabled our child’s speedy recovery. You restored our happiness, and gave our child a second chance at life. No words can truly express our gratitude. We are indebted to you, forever.” - Varalakshmi
Mathivathan was fortunate to have received your help on time, but many other children with chronic liver conditions are not as lucky. Millions of children suffer from unbearable pain and discomfort caused by their damaged liver, and their poor parents can do nothing but look on helplessly. If these little ones do not undergo a liver transplant within a specified time-frame, their lives are endangered. Funds stand between them and their healthy, bright futures.
You can help avoid these complications, by donating to Milaap Liver Transplant Corpus fund, which will ensure that no child suffering from end-stage liver disease is left behind.
Click here to learn more about how you can make a difference.