“My name is Sushma Shinde and I come from Mumbai, Maharashtra. Like any other person I was living a normal healthy life. I'm basically a civil engineer and I was working in IT for almost eight years. Then in July 2008 my life changed. I had a septic abortion, because of which I had complete loss of kidney function. I was told I'm having chronic renal failure and my only options for survival are either lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant. But I did not have a suitable live donor in my family. So we decided to register for cadaver transplant and we did so, in many hospitals in Mumbai. Meanwhile, I had to continue with my dialysis.

Ms. Sushma Shinde

Believe me life on dialysis is not easy. At least for me it was not easy, nothing is normal and your whole life revolves only around the dialysis centre. You cannot go out like normal people. I had to quit my job because I could not adjust my work with my dialysis timing. I was really frustrated and wanted to do something else. I even tried alternative therapies like acupressure, ayurvedic medicine, but nothing helped.

In spite of being on dialysis for four years I never got a call for cadaver transplant in Mumbai. Then as my father was working here in Chennai, we decided to come here and register for cadaver transplant. I registered myself here in Fortis Malar Hospital with the help of Transplant coordinator Mr. Sathish. We got all the required guidance from him and I registered here in June 2012. I got a call on 8th August 2012 and I finally had my surgery on 9th August 2012 and I'm still recovering but life is better, it's really better.

First thing, I'm happy about is no more dialysis for me. I can live like any other normal person, go out like a normal person and I can even think of having kids. Second thing is, in four years, I had absolutely no urine output; it may seem normal to any other person who doesn't have a disease, but the day I passed urine for the first time that was the happiest moment in my life, you cannot imagine what it was like after four years.

I'm really thankful to the Government of Tamil Nadu for giving me this chance and Fortis Malar Hospital and the family of the deceased donor who gave me this new life, a new chance. I now have a future with my husband and hope to have children. Someday.”

Editor's note:

We are grateful to Mrs. Sushma Shinde for sharing her experience at the 5th Annual Transplant Coordinators' Workshop held in Chennai on 28th & 29th September 2012.