61-yr old’s kidney gives girl new life9 May 2009, 0451 hrs IST, TNN
AHMEDABAD: Harshal Barot, 8, used to pop a whopping 60 pills daily to keep her spiralling blood pressure under check. The little girl, a class III student, who suffered from kidney failure, also underwent painful dialysis to remain alive. Her countdown had begun and she was given just a month more to live.
On Friday, Harshal got a fresh lease of life, thanks to the family of Pankaj Shah, a 61-year-old resident of Thaltej whose kidneys were donated to help Harshal live.
Last week, Shah had suffered a severe bout of nausea, vomiting and dizziness. He was taken to the local doctor who asked the family to shift him to a bigger hospital since his condition was critical.
Next day, he was put on the ventilator. Since his daughter was arriving from Canada, they kept Shah in the ICU for 48-hours during which he was declared brain dead.
“The family decided to donate his kidneys and eyes when we told them that there were many patients, including a little girl who had her whole life ahead, who could benefit from it. The family agreed and we were able to give life to two people,” said consultant nephrologist at Sterling Hospital Dr Prakash Darji.
One of Shah’s kidneys was given to Harshal who matched up to 95 per cent. Harshal’s father Paresh said this kidney was actually a lifeline thrown out at Harshal whose days were numbered. Harshal’s kidneys failed last Uttarayan when she suddenly suffered a bout of cough and weakness.
“Harshal has fought very bravely. She would gulp down 60 tablets daily to keep her BP down and also undergo painful dialysis. We are so glad we have got our daughter back,” said Paresh who received Shah’s family at the hospital on Friday. The other recipient of Shah’s kidney is 37-year-old Seema Patel of Vallabh Vidyanagar, who is a mother of two children.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/61-yr-olds-kidney-gives-girl-new-life/articleshow/4501715.cms