Kochi: They are slowly returning to their routine but the vacuum left with the demise of six-year-old Bhavana Lakshmi is palpable at the home in South Chittoor here. Close relatives are around to offer support but the parents can’t forget the girl who filled the air with her spirit despite being physically weak for over one-and-a-half years.
Having donated her liver and two kidneys, mother Prasanna Murthy has not overcome her grief. She took some time to digest the idea of donating organs from the tender body when it was suggested by doctors but then became sure that the message of organ donation was more important which even reached up to the Prime Minister through her and was echoed in Mann Ki Baat.
“She was bubbly till afflicted with the disease. She had tremendous grasping power and won’t forget words that she heard once. She was curious about books. But once afflicted with brain tumour, Bhavana became sluggish and could not balance her body while walking. Many days, she could not go to class,” recalled Prasanna.
Bhavana was upset not being able to play with her siblings and friends. “She was even more upset when friends used to dance on stage. She asked ‘when can I too dance’,” said her father R. S. Moorthy.
The two surgeries she underwent cost the family Rs 4 lakh and another Rs 25,000 for radiation. “Radiation had to be discontinued as she could not withstand it,” said Prasanna. Her condition deteriorated one week before death and had to be hospitalised. “As her condition worsened, it was tough withstanding even a smile from her,” said Prasanna unable to control her grief.
Their only hope was when she began to pedal a bicycle a few months ago when treatment was shifted to Ayurveda. “But rigours of treatment (pathyam) was too tough for her to handle,” said the mother.
The support from St Mary’s UP School where she studied was invaluable.
Service organisations and Hibi Eden MLA also supported the treatment. “Still we could not save our child,” Prasanna said, looking blankly to a distance.
