MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Whatever Happens to Me, Nothing Will Happen to My Wife: A Husband's Promise
An ordinary stomach ache turned out to be Chronic Kidney Disease. My wife Priyanka’s creatinine level reached 26, and doctors could not promise she would survive. We sold our house and every piece of jewellery we owned, and strangers helped us continue when there was nothing left to sell.
26
Creatinine level when doctors could not assure us she would survive
3x/Week
Dialysis sessions she now needs, up from once a week when treatment began
6 Days
Spent in the ICU last month alone, during a sudden medical emergency
An ordinary stomach ache
Everything started with what seemed like an ordinary stomach ache. For three or four days, my wife Priyanka kept complaining about pain in her abdomen. At first, we thought it was just a minor problem that would go away on its own. When the pain became unbearable, I took her to the hospital. A sonography revealed that one of her kidneys had already shrunk in size, and she began visiting doctors every month after that.
We still had no idea her condition would become so serious. We both worked together at our shop, and life continued as usual, until one day she suddenly developed severe swelling all over her body. We rushed her to the hospital, and that’s when doctors diagnosed her with Chronic Kidney Disease. Her creatinine level had reached 26, and the doctors could not assure us that she would survive. That moment changed our lives completely.
“There were moments when we genuinely believed we were going to lose her. When I first learned about the treatment, my only thought was that whatever happened to me, I would not let anything happen to my wife.”
— Priyanka’s Husband
Selling our house, then our jewellery
Before asking anyone else for help, we sold everything we possibly could. We sold our house. We sold our jewellery. We exhausted all our savings. Every rupee went towards her treatment, medicines, and hospital admissions. Eventually, there was nothing left to sell.
This is the gap most families facing Chronic Kidney Disease fall into. Dialysis is not a one-time cost, it is a recurring expense that continues for as long as a patient waits for a transplant, and it keeps climbing long after a family’s biggest assets, a home, a shop, years of savings, have already been given up.
How I found Milaap
It was Priyanka’s brother-in-law who first told us about Milaap. He searched online to find possible ways we could arrange funds for her treatment and suggested that crowdfunding might help us. That search led us to Milaap, and we decided to start our fundraiser.
It completely changed the way I looked at people. I realised there are truly kind-hearted people in this world who are willing to help complete strangers during difficult times. Every donation reminded us that we were not fighting this battle alone.
“We had exhausted everything we owned before reaching out for help, and your generosity gave us the strength to continue fighting for Priyanka’s life.”
— Priyanka’s Husband
Where Priyanka is today
Priyanka continues to undergo dialysis three times every week while waiting for a kidney transplant. She still faces several health challenges, including heart and lung complications, but her condition is more stable compared to the initial days of treatment. Just last month, she spent nearly a week in the ICU, a reminder of how unpredictable kidney failure can be, but she came through it.
We remain hopeful that her transplant will happen soon. Until then, we continue fighting one day at a time, and every dialysis session brings her one step closer to the future we have been praying for.
Facing the ongoing cost of dialysis or a kidney transplant wait?
Chronic Kidney Disease rarely comes with a single bill. Recurring dialysis, medicines, and emergencies add up long after savings and assets are gone. We help families reach a wider circle of support so treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does long-term dialysis cost in India?
Each dialysis session can cost a few thousand rupees, and patients on three sessions a week, like Priyanka, face a recurring monthly expense that adds up to a significant amount over months or years of waiting for a transplant.
What does a high creatinine level indicate in kidney disease?
Creatinine is a waste product that healthy kidneys filter out of the blood. A normal level is generally below 1.2, so a level as high as 26, as Priyanka’s was at diagnosis, indicates near-complete kidney failure requiring immediate dialysis.
How long do patients typically wait for a kidney transplant?
Waiting times vary widely depending on donor availability, whether a living donor is an option, and the patient’s overall health. Many patients continue dialysis for months or even years while waiting for a suitable match or donor.
How do I start a fundraiser for ongoing dialysis or a kidney transplant?
You typically need a diagnosis report and a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, along with identity proof for the patient or the person raising funds on their behalf. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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