When Raveena Naidu found out her husband Devendren needed a kidney to survive, she donated one of hers
True love really has no bounds. When Raveena Naidu found out her husband Devendren needed a kidney to survive, she donated one of hers. That the surgery could have severe implications for her didn’t faze her one bit. It was just something had to be done.
Today, thanks to his wife’s donation of life, Devendren is thoroughly enjoying his new lease on life … and eternally grateful to his spouse.
“Initially, I didn’t want her to risk her life,” he said. “I was worried she might have kidney failure, or not survive the surgery. But she was adamant. She has given me the greatest gift of all: life.”
He has only praise for the surgical team at eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre, where the surgery was performed. “They were, and are, fantastic. We couldn’t have asked for better treatment, both pre- and post-surgery.”
Devendren said factors leading up to the surgery had included “a bit of family history, stress, and ignoring telltale symptoms”. “I thought I had flu, ignored constant headaches, assumed it was stress. By the time I finally saw the GP, I was admitted to hospital immediately. I was on the verge of a stroke.” He was just 32.
It took three days to bring down his blood pressure, and when a biopsy was done to check his kidneys, the nephrologist confirmed severe kidney damage. “I had nephritis, a kidney disease, and slow degeneration. There is no cure. It was kept more or less under control for eight years, but when I went for my check-up last year, they discovered things had taken a turn for the worse.” Devendren was put on dialysis. “My feet were swelling, I was tired, had to be on crutches, and was grumpy from all the toxins building up.” His nephrologist suggested a transplant. Daveena went for tests, and thereafter the couple went through rigorous testing. Government approval is mandatory. Finally they got the stamp of approval.
“I was worried about her having the operation. But the surgical team at eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre was fantastic. The specialists, nurses, co-ordinators … transplant co-ordinator Belinda Moolman is no longer just part of their team. She’s my family. She’s brilliant.”
Devendren will be on medication all his life, must follow precise lifestyle habits, and guard against even the slightest infection.
But the family has a new lease on life. “We’re closer than ever,” he said, hugging his daughter Aradhana, 14. “Life couldn’t be better: thanks to Raveena and the extraordinary team at the hospital.”