What more could this festive season offer as a gift to this happy sister than a bright smile from her brother? “I got the greatest gift of Bhaubeej this Diwali,” says Sangita Nayak who travelled from Pune to Goa to celebrate Diwali with her younger brother Umesh. The two of them have been sharing an extra special bond since April 15 this year. They are siblings but something has brought them even closer “ the two are sharing a lobe each of the same liver when Sangita has donated a part of her liver to save Umesh from a fatal viral attack of Hepatitis-A which almost took his life in April this year.
“I am too happy to see my brother hale and hearty,” says Sangita, 48 who was bold enough to take the quick decision of donating 65 per cent of her liver to her brother when his failed totally, pushing him into a critical state when multiple organ failure was inevitable.
“It was just a two day illness of nausea, vomiting which the doctors suspected was due to jaundice, but further testing revealed that it was a viral attack of Hepatitis-A which could lead to multiple organ failure and thus fatal, so Umesh was rushed from Goa to BGS Hospital, Bangalore by first flight on Sunday where he would undergo liver transplantation on an emergency basis,” recalls Sangita, who lives in Pune with her husband Vikram and daughter Dwiti.
The liver transplantation is a complicated process and the donor’s blood group has to match with that of the recipient patient. Umesh’s wife showed her willingness to donate a part of her liver to save her husband but the tests did not approve it. So Umesh’s younger sister underwent the tests but she could not be a donor for the same reason. Then there was a good news of getting a cadaver liver (From the body of a brain dead person or from someone who had just died.) The team of doctors went by a special charter flight to get the liver but when it was brought and tested, it was found that it was too late to use it.
Then it was Sangita’s turn to volunteer to be a donor herself to save her brother’s life which was deteriorating with each passing hour. “Time was running out for him. My husband Vikram boosted my morale giving me a green signal to go ahead with the transplantation operation,” says Sangita who immediately boarded the flight from Pune to Bangalore, quitting her exam in child counselling.
Then there were a series of legal formalities to be completed before she could proceed for organ donation “ NOCs from the close relatives, interviews, counselling, written tests, before undergoing for medical tests. All her tests except the stress test showed a red beep. She had to undergo angiography to clear the doubt of having blocked arteries. Thankfully there were no blocks and so the doctors decided to go with the transplantation operation immediately, taking the siblings in twin operation theatres.
“After I woke up from the anaesthesia, my first question was, how’s Umesh? More than my pain, I was anxious to know if he was alright and if the operation was a success,” says Sangita who being a regular exerciser and a diet conscious slim person, had a fast recovery. Umesh too recovered in three months. “This Diwali has brought us a special gift that of joy for both of us and our families,” smiles Sangita whose apt and courageous decision could save a life.
The liver transplantation is complicated and expensive but a part of the liver is enough for survival as it grows automatically to its normal size within few weeks. Though the receiver has to be on medication for the rest of his/her life, the donor can lead a normal life and without medicines once recovered from the operation.
Organ donation is not a new concept in the medical world but lack of awareness makes this decision difficult, especially for the donor’s family that needs lot of counselling “ both legal and psychological before a person can consent for transplantation. There is lot of ignorance in India about organ donations and people are reluctant to come forward. Wishing to spread the awareness regarding organ donations, Sangita shows willingness to share her experience and even counsel those who would face dilemma whether to donate an organ or not to save the life of a near and dear one. “Look at me, it’s been six months and I am normal again. If I can do it, why can’t you?” she asks with a convincing smile.
