In death, she lives

By Vikas Vaidya

SHE had always wished to donate her organs after death. Never was she aware that death will catch her unexpectedly at a young age. Deepali fell to destiny’s sudden blow but her wish, shared in a casual conversation with her husband Chandrakant, was fulfilled. In death, she gave life to two people.
Deepali Zoting, aged 37 a lecturer at Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management (RCOEM), suddenly fell ill and became unconscious on last Thursday (November 6). She was brought to Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI) and then to the Neuron Hospital at Dhantoli where Dr Chandrashekhar Pakhmode, well-known neurosurgeon checked her.
The doctors tried their best but Deepali’s condition kept worsening and after two days she was brain dead.
“The blood supply to cerebellum and brains stem had completely stopped. She was brought unconscious to our hospital,” Dr Pakhmode said. He further explained the cause behind this sudden occurrence.
“Hyperhomocysteinemia was the reason behind her condition. A high level of homocysteine makes a person prone to endothelial injury, which leads to vascular inflammation. This in turn may lead to atherogenesis, which can result in ischemic injury. Hyperhomocysteinemia is therefore a possible risk factor for coronary artery disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been correlated with the occurrence of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. But she was too young and it should not have happened in her case,” said Dr Pakhmode.
On Saturday night, doctors explained the situation to Deepali’s husband, Chandrakant. “When the doctors told me that she was brain dead, I decided to donate her organs. Once we watched a programme on organ donation on TV. After watching it Deepali had told me that whenever she dies, her organs be donated so that they could be of use to some needy,” narrated the Chandrakant at his Surendranagar home, his moist eyes gleaming with pride and respect for Deepali.
“I discussed the issue of organ donation with all our relatives and everybody agreed. My 9 year old son Aryan, also gave his consent, which moved me to tears. We conveyed our wish to Dr Pakhmode and he made all arrangements,” he added.
Deepali was shifted to Wockhardt Hospital but there was no arrangement of receivers for kidney transplants. The family had planned her funeral on Wednesday but before that doctors found two patients in need of kidney transplant. Her eyes were also donated.
Dr Sanjay Kolte, noted Urosurgeon who performed the transplantation, said, “Deepali was shifted to Wockhardt Hospital on Tuesday evening. Kidney transplant was finalised on Wednesday and I began the procedure. Her kidneys were given to two persons who got a new lease of life. I must salute her husband for taking this brave decision.”
Deepali, a BE and M.Tech and a dedicated and devoted teacher, left for heavenly abode but not before making two lives beautiful.