DUBAI Rekha Rajesh, 35, has no words to describe her situation. In 2011, when her husband Rajesh Menon’s kidneys failed, she jumped to his rescue by donating one of her kidneys. But four years on, fate seems to have other plans for the couple.
“I gave him my kidney but it wasn’t enough,” she lamented, explaining how the transplanted organ failed last year, pushing her 44-year-old husband to the brink again.
Mercy of charities
Praying for a miracle, she said her husband’s 19 years of hard work in Dubai had come to naught in the face of his illness. Today, with no income, the former marketing executive is at the mercy of charities to keep his treatment going, she added.
Menon said: “Things were moving fine after my wife donated a kidney to me in India in 2012. But in December 2014, even the donated kidney failed as I was immuno-compromised. I require dialysis three times a week until I get another transplant.”
But with each session costing Dh650 in addition to Dh150 for medication, the ordeal is proving to be a double whammy.
“It’s only because of the kind-heartedness of some people that I have been able to continue with my dialysis. I have missed some sessions because of lack of money,” said Menon.
Rekha said they had incurred a huge expense for Menon’s treatment in India. “We came back to Dubai leaving our only son in the care of our relatives, but we are now stranded. We have loans to repay and the treatment to fend for. We have exhausted all our options – relatives’ help, kindheartedness of volunteers and doles by charities,” she said.
Menon, who has lost two toes following a bout of pneumonia, can barely walk as his legs get swollen. But the thought of his wife and son, 13, keeps him going.
Rekha said, “We have found two donors for a second transplant in India. But we do not have the money to go ahead. Please help give my husband another chance to live.”
Social worker C.P. Mathew said Menon desperately needed help. “The family is going through a very diffcult time and can do with any help that can be extended to them.”
Rajesh Menon could be reached at 050-9843650