I am Preshita from Nashik, Maharashtra. I went through a kidney transplant in December 2017. I had a renal transplant when I was 34…quite a young age right? Today I would like to share my story here.

I’m a professional classical dancer. I’m dancing since I was 10 years old. When I was 25, one fine day out of nowhere I found visible swelling (edema) on my feet. First, I thought it must be due to dance rehearsals. But it continued to increase even after ample of rest. I consulted orthopaedic surgeon initially. He suggested me to see a urologist. My urologist sent me to a nephrologist saying that this is more likely due to kidney dysfunction. I had a biopsy done. The biopsy report suggested that I had an autoimmune disease of the kidney which leads to failure eventually. The only good part in all this was that my level of creatinine was in control for a longer period of time. I could continue my dance professionally for 9 years even after being diagnosed with nephritis.

In 2015, my routine reports showed a rise in creatinine to 3.4 mg/dl. Then it continued to go up. In 2017, I was advised to consider a kidney transplant and not rely on dialysis. It was the day when my whole world stood still. For some period of time, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was scared and confused.

At that time for the first time, I met Dr. Bharat Shah and his team in person. And I must say here that, I felt like a normal person after a long time. I felt like I could have my life normal on track. I could see a ray of hope and joy.

I was on hold as a professional dancer and teacher but most importantly as a mother! It was the hardest part of the process to be not able to be there for my 5 years old princess…it was tough! We all were looking up at Dr. Shah like a man who could enlighten us with some miracle. And he did that! I was convinced to not go for dialysis as it’s a temporary solution and I was lucky enough to have a donor in my family.

In December 2017 I had my kidney transplant done without a single dialysis. My elder brother donated his kidney. I was hospitalized for 10 days. Since that day I am following my medication and exercise regime. I have become cautious about my eating habits and hygiene.

After eight months of rest, I started training sessions again. While doing Riyaz, I kept in mind that I should not put too much pressure on myself. Gradually time of Riyaz was increased. Now I do my own Riyaz for about two hours daily and dance training sessions for four hours!

I’m the director of Nartanrang Kathak Dance Academy in Nashik, where around 100 students learn dance. We have at least one dance program every month, and I actively participate in all of them. Recently, I was lucky to perform at five different places in Turkey with my students during the International Folklore Festival. We proudly represented India and its cultural heritage.

Today I’m able to be a professional dancer, teacher and a full-time mother like before! I can play it all well because of the kidney transplant!

By Ms. Preshita Pandit, Nashik.