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As we begin our conversation with Mamta, we ask her to describe herself. And this is what she said,
“I am the mother of the family. No matter how tough things get, I do my bit of nurturing my children and caring for my husband. Even if I have to drag around, I ensure our kutcha house is neat and tidy. If my husband is not there to help me sit, I lie on my belly to wash utensils. I never complain. I do my bit, without fail.”
Mamta hails from the small village of Akbarpur Simli, Uttar Pradesh. And her ever-growing leg sets her apart. Like so many other daily wager families, she has her own struggles with deprivation and unfulfilled dreams. But her medical condition makes her struggles extraordinary.
A woman of great determination, Mamta suffers from a rare physical condition- elephantiasis of the right lower limb. The term elephantiasis correctly describes the condition of her right leg. Below her knee, her leg has stretched and taken the form of a large stump.
According to the National Organization of Rare Diseases, Elephantis is a rare occurrence driven by a blockage in the lymphatic system that leads to the accumulation of lymph (fluid from the lymph nodes) in a particular area. The cause of this condition is a mosquito bite that leaves behind filarial parasites in the lymph nodes.
With a series of medical procedures at Balaji Superspeciality Hospital, Mamta’s leg could look like yours and mine. And for that, she would require:
- Lymphangiography- using an X-ray or MRI the doctors will detect the exact location of the lymphatic leak in her leg.
- Lympho-venous shunting- the doctors will put shunts to drain out the excess fluid from Mamta’s leg.
- Debulking- And then they will remove the overgrown flesh and mass.
- Reconstructive surgery- After removing all the fluid and extra bulk from her right leg, the doctors will reconstruct Mamta’s right leg.
“I developed this condition as a child- one of my legs was always a little swollen. My family tried to get me treated, but it was too expensive! My only fear as I got older was for my marriage. Would anyone marry me? Then my husband came into my life!” Recalls Mamta.
Ompal married Mamta for the beautiful person she was. Her courage inspired him to try to save enough to get Mamta the treatment she needed. But 3 children and days of daily wages have made him realise that he would need external support to help his wife out.
And that’s the only reason Ompal, a labourer from a small town has begun this fundraiser. In his effort to give his wife the life she deserves, he needs the kindness and compassion of everyone. If Mamta’s struggles and Omkar’s affection for his wife have touched your hearts, please consider donating. Mamta and Omkar are counting on your empathy.
When we asked Mamta about the first thing she would do after she completes her treatment, she smiled shyly and said,
“I have only one dream. I want to walk in the park with my children holding my husband’s hand.”
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