The Second Birth!

“I am Ujwal Kerkar. It’s been fifteen years since my kidney transplant. Before my Kidney Transplant, I used to do sample designing and costing work in an export-oriented company. I worked there for almost 9 years. I started developing high Blood Pressure, followed by vomiting. I was taking regular medicines prescribed by my family doctor, but nothing seemed to help. Eventually, I was advised to get a full medical checkup. All my reports were done & it turned out my creatinine levels were very high. I had to start dialysis sessions immediately, and because of my illness, I had to quit my job. I was getting really frustrated with the treatment.

One day we read in the newspaper about a lecture on kidney by Dr. Bharat Shah in the hall opposite Bandra Lake. Due to my health problems, I was unable to go. But my wife decided to attend the lecture. During the lecture, she came to know the importance of kidney transplant. During the lecture, she met number of transplant patients and decided to donate her kidney to me. But she was told that if the mother could donate a kidney, it would be a good match. My wife came home and told all this to my mother. But the mother did not show much interest. After few days, we read about Narmada Kidney Foundation’s Organ Donors’ Day. My wife reached there with my mother. There, my mother mate kidney donors and patients leading a normal life after transplant. She interacted with them and got convinced. My mother, who was 62 at the time, decided to donate a kidney to me. I underwent kidney transplant on 20 December 2007 at Lilavati Hospital. My mother gave me second birth!

After the transplant, I was scared to even step down my bed. One day Dr. Bharat Shah came and told me to start walking. He stood in front of me till I get down and start walking. He told me, “If you do not walk today, you will never be able to walk again.”  After that day I started walking regularly. After the transplant, I took rest at home for 2-3 months and then I started looking for a job. My father-in-law had a die making business. I started working with him. After a few days I purchased my own C.N.C. machine and started making embossing dies.

Now my mother is 77 years old, healthy and fit!  My wife always helped me. My business is doing great! I travel from Parle to Charni Road by local train every day. I operate the CNC machine myself. My health and financial condition has improved after the transplant.”

———-Ujwal Kerkar, Mumbai.