“My Class X exams were over, and a three-month holiday stretched ahead. We had already planned to hang out and have fun with friends. There was no worry about the results – so far, I had been scoring good marks. It was only in the middle of the year that I came down with jaundice. I put that aside and studied very hard. After the exams, though, I felt a bit tired while playing, and sometimes my stomach hurt. I didn’t pay much attention to it while I was with my friends. But after a few days, the things got worsen. Even walking for ten minutes started causing trouble. My father took me to the doctor. We were suggested to get complete medical check-up done in the hospital. To the best of my recollection, it was written in red capital letters at two places. B.N.U. 45 and Creatinine 18!

After being admitted to the hospital, I was examined by specialist doctors. I was immediately put on dialysis. I was not able to understand what was happening. I was tolerating everything, thinking that I should get rid of here soon, so that I can go back to play with my friends! That did not happen because I had to do dialysis thrice a week.

To avoid dialysis in young age, doctor advised kidney transplant. Both my parents were ready to donate a kidney, and my mother’s turned out to be the better match for me. At the age of 15, after about 25 dialysis sessions, I had a kidney transplant done! My mother gave me rebirth! I was discharged from the hospital two to three weeks after the transplant. At the time of getting discharged, I asked the doctor, can I live a normal life? The doctor gave me an affirmative answer.

After returning home, within a few days the results of my examination were declared. I scored 72% marks. I was interested in science and wanted to study in those subjects only. But my family members were afraid that I might not be able to complete my studies because of my health problems. After lot of debates, I took admission in class 11^th of science side. I scored 78.5% marks in class 12th exam. For doing B. Sc. in senior college, I took admission at Ruia College, Matunga. In the college, I used to participate in many activities. I played cricket, acted in a one act play & even went for trekking expeditions many a times. I used to practice Yoga. Simultaneously, I earned a degree in my favorite subjects, Chemistry and Biotechnology!

I did not stop here. I did my M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Mumbai University. Immediately after clearing M.Sc., I got a chance to do Ph.D. by doing research at I.C.T. (old name U.D.C.T.) I did my Ph.D. in Food-Biotechnology & earned doctorate! After working for a few years, I started my own establishment ‘Chemicalli Enterprises LLP’ & doing very well.”

—-By Dr. Amol Mali, Pune.