Kidney failure patient seeks public help

KLANG: When end-stage kidney failure patient Srelorsheni Nagaseigara (pic) was asked to conduct a trial class at a tuition centre, she believed there was finally a ray of hope for her.

It was like a slap in the 31-yearold’s face when the centre’s proprietor told Srelorsheni after the trial class ended that she could not have the job as the students were frightened by the big bandage on the side of her neck.

“I was heartbroken... It was really depressing to be rejected like that,” said Srelorsheni, who lives in a rented room near Padang Jawa here.

The bandage was used to cover the central venous catheter that transported her blood to the haemodialysis machine and back into her body during dialysis.

It is usually a temporary measure until a fistula, which is the preferred choice for long-term dialysis, is implanted in the arm.

“But I have to continue using the catheter because I do not have the money to get a fistula done as it costs about RM3,000 with hospitalisation,” she said.

Srelorsheni added that her neck is always bandaged because the skin around the catheter has become very thin, often tears and will need stitches.

Srelorsheni said she has no income and lives on the RM800 she receives monthly from the Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia.

“Out of this, I pay RM300 for the room I am renting and RM200 monthly for transportation to and from the dialysis centre three times a week. The remaining RM300 goes towards my phone bill and food,” she said.

She is also alone with no family support as her only sister, who is married with two children, takes care of their ailing father.

“So, I cannot expect her to take care of me as well,” said Srelorsheni, whose mother passed away from acute diabetes six years ago.

Srelorsheni said she was diagnosed with kidney failure when her limbs and face swelled-up after a traffic accident.

“Initially, I thought it was due to some injuries from the accident, so I was truly shocked when the doctors informed me that I needed dialysis. I did not see how this was possible as I was not even diabetic,” said Srelorsheni.

It was also then that Srelorsheni was informed that the battery of tests she underwent indicated she also had the autoimmune condition systemic lupus erythematosus.

Srelorsheni added that she was in denial for a few months and refused dialysis even when told she could collapse and die without it.

“The hospital informed the National Kidney Foundation... A nurse from there called and coaxed me into going for dialysis.

“She also put me through to the Tzu Chi Foundation. People from there would constantly call me to convince me to go for dialysis,” recalled Srelorsheni.

Finally, when she relented, volunteers from the foundation took her to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre where her dialysis treatment began last year.

Meanwhile, non-profit organisation Community Development and Integration Initiative director Firoza Burhan hoped caring Malaysians would come forward to help Srelorsheni get the much-needed fistula.

“Srelorsheni is faced with tough challenges at such a young age. Let’s all help her move on with life,” added Firoza.

Those who wish to help can email cdii.community@gmail. com for details.