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“I am alive and well today only because of the firm belief that my husband had in crowdfunding - the kindness of thousands of well-wishers coming together. He knew he would be able to save me with the help of Milaap, and he was relentless in his efforts. And today, here I am, smiling beside him.” - Yogita Manoj Kamath
She went to work healthy and happy, only to come back home in a critical condition
It was March 2017. Yogita Manoj Kamath, a 25-year-old professional, had just celebrated her first wedding anniversary with her husband a few days ago. She went to work as usual that day, and at some point, she felt sudden numbness in her body. Her legs were getting weak and she was losing strength rapidly. She was already feeling weak while wrapping up work that evening, which led to a colleague accompanying her back home in an autorickshaw.On the morning of 1st April, her condition deteriorated further. The numbness had spread to major parts of her body, and she was rushed to Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Mumbai. She was diagnosed with a rare disease called Guillain-Barré Syndrome or GBS.
GBS is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. The initial symptoms, all of which Yogita had, are changes in sensation or pain often in the back along with muscle weakness, beginning in the feet and hands, often spreading to the arms and upper body. GBS is a life-threatening disorder, with about 15% of people developing weakness of the breathing muscles and, therefore, requiring mechanical ventilation.
“The doctors had told my family members that it looked like I only had 48 hours to live. But my family members, especially my husband, believed that I would overcome this. He would come to see me in the ICU even at odd hours of the night. He was so positive, and he would ask me not to worry and tell me that these days too shall soon pass. I used to wonder how he managed to do it, and I think that his support really helped me a lot.” - Yogita
She was on the ventilator for over 50 days, hanging between life and death
As Yogita’s body was getting weaker rapidly, the hospital advised that she be transferred to a larger hospital with more advanced facilities, and be placed under the supervision of a neurosurgeon. Therefore, on 4th April, she was transferred to S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai. As she was in a critical condition, she was placed on ventilator support on 7th April.Yogita stayed on ventilator support for more than 50 days. She had lost all movement in her body, from the neck down. Even when it looked like fate was giving up on her, she held on to life as fiercely as possible. She was not one to bend the knee to death.
“When he got to know that I would need prolonged hospitalisation to survive, my husband Manoj set up a fundraiser on Milaap, and began sharing it with everyone in his circle - friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues, neighbours…with just about anybody we knew. He did not leave any stone unturned in making sure that enough funds were pooled for my treatment. My family was moved by the response that my fundraiser got - everyone we reached out to contributed in every way they possibly could.”-Yogita.
Yogita is now in the pink of her health, and living her best life
After a month or so of uncertainty, Yogita’s condition started improving gradually. Doctors were pleased to note that she was regaining muscle control, and the numbness that had taken over her whole body, had started to become more localised. All in all, she had begun responding well to treatment and medication, and her health was charting an upward trajectory.“After 8 long months of hospitalisation, I was able to go back to work. It was challenging at first because all of a sudden I was having to depend on others to do even the smallest of things. I was going through hell then, but now I’m doing things by myself and walking around on my own and it feels great. I am really thankful to each and everyone for supporting me and praying for me.” - Yogita
A total of over INR 32.07 L was raised towards Yogita’s treatment through Milaap, and she and her family are forever grateful for the kindness you’ve shown them.
Yogita and her family were fortunate that your help arrived before something bad could happen to her. But the bitter truth is that many people grappling with rare disorders do not receive the same help.Millions of people suffer from cruel symptoms such as restricted movement, weakness, debilitating pain, etc, due to which their life becomes a living nightmare.
If they do not get treated within a specific period of time, their quality of life suffers, and eventually they face the risk of death. Funds stand between them and their healthy, bright futures. You can help avoid these complications, by donating to Milaap Rare Disease Fund, which will ensure that no person suffering from rare diseases is left behind.
