Sister's kidney gives man new life

Six months after receiving a kidney from his younger sister, 52-year-old Dnyanraj Patkar has been leading a normal life. An avid tennis player, Patkar has autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary ailment which had afflicted all the male members in his family.

“My father and my two uncles died close to the age of 50 due to this disease. My world came crashing down when I too was diagnosed with it five years ago,” said Patkar, who is all set to participate in the ‘Transplant games 2009’ on Saturday. The event has organ donors and receivers participate in various sports to show that they are fit and are leading a completely normal life.

Patkar, a businessman who manufactures humidification equipment, has travelled extensively in India as well as abroad. “The business took a backseat as soon as my kidney ailment was detected. As we had already faced the haplessness before, the entire family was disturbed,” he said.

Patkar then began consulting Dr Bharat Shah, a nephrologist attached to Lilavati Hospital, who advised him to observe a strict diet and control his lifestyle. “I had to curb my travelling,” said Patkar, who resides in Shivaji Park. While Shah had already alerted Patkar that he would have to go on dialysis or get a kidney transplant, he prepared a diet chart and other norms for Patkar to reduce the deterioration of his kidney.

“But last year in August, I gained around 15 kg in 15 days, despite following all the norms. There was a lot of water retention in the body, due to which the doctor put me on dialysis,” said Patkar, who remained on dialysis for eight months. “I had also applied to the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre, where they told me that I will have to wait at least for three to four years for a transplant,” he added.

When Patkar’s condition deteriorated, his sister Gauri Pore decided to donate her kidney. Pore, who works in a hospital in Pune, was backed by her husband and in-laws. “Pore’s kidney was removed through a laparoscopic surgery, ensuring less complications for her. She was fit to leave the hospital in four days,” said Shah, who conducted the surgeries on the siblings. Shah is attached to Nanavati Hospital and Narmada Kidney Foundation. “I ensured that the donor has limited surgery and faster recovery.”