MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
Walking Again: A Wife’s Round-the-Clock Vigil After Her Husband’s Kidney Transplant
When my husband Bidyut was diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease, our lives changed completely. After months of dialysis and uncertainty, he finally underwent a kidney transplant on June 15 — and today, I am still by his side every day as he slowly rebuilds his strength.
Stage 5
Chronic kidney disease that led to Bidyut’s transplant
June 15
The day Bidyut underwent his kidney transplant
Walking Again
With a walker, as he slowly rebuilds the strength he lost
A diagnosis that changed everything
When Bidyut Hazarika was diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease, life changed completely for him and his wife, Korobi Gogoi. Months of dialysis followed, filled with uncertainty about what lay ahead. On June 15, Bidyut finally underwent a kidney transplant, and today his new kidney is functioning well.
The transplant has given the family a reason to hope, but the recovery has been far from easy. Bidyut can now walk with the help of a walker, but he remains physically weak because of the tremendous blood loss he experienced during his treatment. While his internal recovery is progressing, rebuilding his physical strength is taking much longer.
“I had to temporarily put aside being his wife and become his patient-caregiver — thinking only about his medicines, his hygiene, his food, his mobility.”
— Korobi Gogoi, Wife
The weight of round-the-clock care
For Korobi, the recovery period has meant taking on the role of Bidyut’s primary caregiver. She manages his medicines, hygiene, medical follow-ups and daily needs, all while making sure he stays safe during this sensitive period after the transplant. Managing everything alone became difficult, so she hired two nurses who now work in alternating shifts to care for him through the day and night.
Keeping Bidyut safe from infection has become one of Korobi’s biggest responsibilities. Because he is on immunosuppressant medicines after the transplant, she has had to be extremely careful about hygiene around him. His blood sugar levels have also been difficult to manage, partly a side effect of the high doses of steroids used during his treatment.
The journey has been physically and emotionally demanding for Korobi, who has had to manage hospital visits, medical requirements and paperwork while staying beside her husband through his recovery.
Finding strength in a wider circle
Korobi has also had to find strength beyond her immediate family. Former colleagues from Delhi and Gurgaon, including people she had worked with at Penguin Books and Here Maps, as well as some of her former students, came forward to support her. Their support helped widen the circle of people standing with the family, at a time when Korobi was managing much of Bidyut’s care on her own in Kolkata.
Her own past experiences also became a source of strength during this time.
“In October 2023, I trekked to Kedarnath alone. That experience gave me the confidence that I could face difficult situations by myself — and it’s what has carried me through this.”
— Korobi Gogoi, Wife
Where Bidyut is today
Today, Bidyut’s kidney is functioning well and his medical parameters are largely stable, although his physical recovery is still underway. He has started walking with a walker, and every small improvement gives Korobi hope that he will gradually regain the strength he lost during treatment.
Looking back, Korobi believes that caring for someone through a serious medical journey changes the way you see your relationship. She also wants other caregivers to remember that their own wellbeing matters — caring for a loved one through a transplant can be exhausting, and finding the strength to continue requires support and self-care too.
Bidyut still has a long recovery ahead, but the family has moved beyond the uncertainty of kidney failure and repeated dialysis. With his transplanted kidney functioning well and Korobi continuing to stand beside him, they are now focused on helping him regain his physical strength and gradually return to a more independent life.
Facing the cost of a kidney transplant or long-term dialysis?
Organ transplants and the recovery that follows — nursing care, medicines, follow-up tests — can quickly outpace what savings or personal loans can cover. We help families reach a wider circle of support so treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kidney transplant and recovery cost in India?
Costs vary by hospital and city, but a kidney transplant followed by post-operative care, immunosuppressant medication and nursing support can run into several lakh rupees. Many families, like Bidyut and Korobi’s, also factor in the cost of dialysis in the months leading up to the transplant.
Why do kidney transplant patients need to be so careful about infection?
After a transplant, patients are put on immunosuppressant medicines to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ. These medicines also weaken the immune system, making patients more vulnerable to infections, so caregivers are usually advised to maintain strict hygiene and limit exposure during the recovery period.
Why can steroids used during treatment affect blood sugar levels?
Steroids are commonly used around transplant surgery to reduce inflammation and prevent organ rejection, but high doses can raise blood sugar levels, sometimes significantly. This means transplant patients often need close monitoring of their blood sugar alongside their kidney function during recovery.
How do I start a fundraiser for a kidney transplant or dialysis treatment?
You typically need a diagnosis report, a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, and 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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