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Dialysis patient back after surgery in India
KIMBIA, BERBICE RIVER – Twenty-one year-old Rockel Gladstone, of Kimbia, Berbice River is back home after undergoing kidney transplant surgery in India. She is said to be leading a normal life.
The young woman acknowledged she owes it all to God. “May all those who assisted me be richly blessed. May they all continue to pray for me. I feel like a newborn baby. I have gained a lot of weight. I am so happy and thankful to be alive and healthy.”
Rockel Gladstone and her father, Frank
She said the last few years were not easy for her but now life is what she always dreamt of. In May this year, Rockel Gladstone had made an appeal for help. She was diagnosed with renal failure last year after experiencing ill health since 2005. She attended the Kimbia Mission Academy, but her stint there ended in 2005 after she got sick. One day, her teacher sent her home from the school after her eyes and feet were swollen. Subsequently her parents took her to a private hospital in Georgetown where the diagnosis of inflamed kidneys was made. After completing the medication given by the doctor, she took ‘bush’ (herbal) medicine including ‘man piaba’ and other concoctions for four years.
But in 2009, her condition deteriorated. At a private hospital in Georgetown, an ultrasound was done and it was then she learnt that her kidneys had failed. It was a long battle for her, and at one point her family members thought they had lost her.
Her father Frank Gladstone said in October last year she had to be hospitalized for four months in Barbados. “We received a telephone call from Barbados from my son…he said, ‘Dad Rockel is almost gone. Don’t do anything just wait for the phone call to say it’s all over.’ Her entire body shut down…kidneys, lungs…the only thing that was functioning was her heart. She spent one month in ICU and had a set of tubes all over her, from head to toe she was strapped in tubes including her throat to help her breathe.”
The uphill battle continued, and according to her father they spent some $80,000 weekly for two dialysis sessions and transportation. Finally they were able to raise adequate funds for the procedure in India which was arranged by the Three Rivers Foundation. They left Guyana on August 14th and the kidney transplant surgery was performed on September 17th at the Batra Hospital in Delhi. They returned to Guyana on November 1st.
Mr. Gladstone donated his right kidney in order to give his only daughter a second chance at life. According to him, they both are in good health given the nature of the procedure. He said the cost for the overall course of action was approximately US$30,000 and was made possible through the benevolence of persons both at home and abroad.
“We would like to thank Bakewell, Digicel, Farfan and Mendes, Nigel’s Supermarket, the Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders and other persons who assisted us in our time of need. We would like to thank the Three Rivers Foundation that made it possible.”
Mr. Gladstone said she must stick to a specific diet, and cannot be exposed to much sunlight among other things, but just knowing his daughter is alive and well is enough for him. Her 25-year old brother Randy Gladstone also accompanied them.
The Gladstone family is willing to offer advice and share their experience with anyone suffering from kidney failure. They can be contacted on telephone numbers 689-0908 and 660-1795.
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