“When a father gives to his son both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.”
Manya Hasija faced a similar situation in his teen years, when he had barely completed his graduation. In that situation, from others’ perspectives, he had two options, but from his own, there was none, just a single decision. He had to do what he had to do, and that was to save the most important person in his life. So he went on with his gut feeling and did a commendable thing for his father that only a loyal son can do. Let’s hear the story of Manya from here on:
Manya Hasija – My Story
I grew up in Kolkata in a four-member close-knit family with my mom, dad, and my older brother. I have had a special bond with my dad since childhood. We played together. I was a mischievous kid. That’s why sometimes he’d tie me to the window so that I wouldn’t keep jumping up and down and end up hurting myself. I was a very reckless child.
I grew up, but the bond with my father never outgrew itself. In fact, it became deeper and more meaningful. Even though we didn’t spend as much time together as before, he was always around whenever I needed something.
He helps me with my career choice too. Last year, I was depressed because of my career choices. I wanted to take wildlife photography as a profession. Instead, I opted for another subject. I was panicking about my career when dad came and talked to me. He told me not to worry. I burst into tears, unable to control my emotions. Seeing me, dad started crying too. The very next day, he bought me a wildlife lens without even asking. There had been so many instances where he just gave me what I needed without even asking. So, when my time came to do something for dad, I knew exactly what I had to do.
It all started on 11th March. In the morning, we noticed that Dad’s stomach had all swollen up with water. He had acute pain, but till evening it subsided. So, we didn’t overthink it. During midnight, the pain again started acting up. We rushed dad to the hospital.
The doctor, after seeing dad’s condition, in an instance, asked us to admit him as soon as possible. He recommended tests, including covid and blood tests. After two days, he was tested covid negative. Still his liver tests showed very critical stats. We went to seek advice from our family doctor.
He advised we must shift dad to a big hospital if we wanted to see him healthy again. One of our family friends suggested bringing dad to Bhubaneswar so that the doctors could check him. In Bhubaneswar, doctors diagnosed dad with liver Cirrhosis. Dad never smoked or drank even once in his life. So, when he heard his report, he was crushed. Along with him, my whole family was worried and tense about what the future may hold.
The doctor told us that dad would most probably need a transplant. He asked us to take him to a better facility. So, we again went to a hospital in Gurgaon. There, doctors suggested we do the liver transplantation surgery immediately because he was in his final stage. With his condition, he had only a little time left. The doctor explained the procedure, costs, and everything we needed to know.
Because of the covid situation, it was best to perform a living donor procedure in the doctor’s opinion. The procedure meant that one of the close family members had to donate some parts of the liver to dad, which would later regenerate itself. We came back home for a while and discussed it among ourselves. Every one of us was ready to donate if the chance came.
Dad and I, after one another, got infected with covid and the injection worsened his condition. His body became weak because of covid after symptoms, and his stomach acted up again. Later, he was affected by jaundice. When dad recovered from jaundice, we felt it was the correct time for the transplant surgery. We went back to Delhi and each one of us- mom, Bhai, and I, took the donor test.
Luckily, we were a match, and I was chosen for the transplant surgery. But dad was skeptical about taking such a big thing from his son, which could endanger his life. Apart from that, I was the youngest kid, and the fact added to his trouble. Dad wanted me to enjoy my future.
We convinced him a lot and after the conversation, he finally agreed and allowed me to do it. When the date for surgery came close, I had fear in my heart too. My hands were shaking while filling out the consent form.
Negative thoughts captured my mind. Questions like, ‘What if we don’t see each other again? Will everything be okay for dad and me? What will be the side effects of this surgery? What if I lose my father? How will they perform the surgery?’ disturbed my peace a lot.
However, the fear of surgery was nothing in front of the chance to give dad a new life. All that mattered was that dad would be healthy if the procedure went well. Mom and my brother were also worried because the surgery risked our lives, and no one could predict its result.
On father’s day, they started the operation. The doctor transplanted the right lobe of my liver, along with my gall bladder into my father’s body. The operation continued for 17 hours. I couldn’t even imagine what mom and Bhai would have gone through outside the OT, waiting to hear any positive news. The operation was successful. Dad and I were shifted to the ICU ward, where we were kept under observation for five and two days, respectively.
Our observation reports were fine, so the doctor moved us to a normal ward. I got discharged after seven days. Things had just fallen back on the place, but the very next day, I was readmitted because the reports showed my condition was deteriorating. They treated me and after two days, they discharged again me.
Dad was also recovering at a reasonable speed. So doctors agreed to shift him to our home only if we both stayed isolated. Our doctor suggested isolation as a precaution from corona because, after the operation, our body had a low immunity level.
My isolation period was for one month, whereas my father’s period lasted for three months. Meanwhile, our reports kept improving. After four and a half months, we were back to being healthy and fit.
Fortunately, there were no side effects of the operation on my body. My liver had already regenerated most of its percentage. Although, I faced digestion problems. The doctor advised dad to take pills on time to avoid the risk of organ rejection. We are told to focus on eating healthy food and not gaining weight, otherwise, it may cause trouble. The precautions are a little tiresome sometimes. But it’s nothing when you get your father’s life in exchange.
At one point, when the news and social media published our transplantation story, I received a huge amount of backlash. People called me fake and commented on hurtful things about my father. The comments about me being fake didn’t affect me because I knew whatever I did was to save my father and I didn’t regret my decision.
However, the realization that people are unaware of such life-saving procedures like liver transplants amazed me. If people aren’t aware of it, that means there are only fewer donors for a very large number of patients struggling for their life.
This needs to change. People need to come forward to pledge for organ donation. One could be a living donor or could donate after death. Either way, you will save a whole new life and the lives of people connected to them.
Words of Wisdom
So, for people who want to take anything from my story, then I request people to become organ donors. Trust me, there is nothing better than the feeling of giving someone the gift of life.
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