I Chose Life Over Death

Teenage

I was 18 years old, a student of the university, having a great time studying and enjoying life with friends and family. I was a princess to my parents. They fulfilled all my desires and kept me happy always.

Wedding proposal

One fine day, my parents got a call from some family friend for a very good proposal for me. The person who was working for an international company was well settled, decent, with good looks, and a good family background. Hence, my parents were impressed and thought we would never find such a nice proposal for our daughter, and they decided to get me married. I was happy as well, and I found him compatible too , I instantly fell in love as I saw him.

Marriage and kids

I got married by leaving my studies incomplete, as they said it would not be required as they are well settled and don’t need me to do a job.

Within 1 year, I gave birth to a boy. He was my world. I loved him immensely, as he was a very beautiful child, very intelligent, and naughty. Soon after another year, I delivered a baby girl. I was happier this time, as I love girls and had prayed for a girl.

My life was full of love and happiness as before.

The saddest moment of life.

One fine day, I found my daughter crying a lot. She was just 2 months old. She stopped feeding and kept crying all day and night. I went to the doctor, and he told me some tests have to be done as she looks very pale. I was hopeful that after the tests, we will be able to get her the right medicines, and she will be cured soon.

After the test results came, we found that she is suffering from thalassemia major deficiency, where she can never produce blood. Her bone marrow was defective. The only immediate cure for this was to give her blood transfusions every month to recover from low hemoglobin. We started with blood transfusions for her the same day. I was still hopeful that she would be cured someday.

Separation and divorce.

Just a few days after her 1st transfusion, my husband left me to my parent’s home with her, who lived in a different city. My son (2 years old) was kept behind with my husband. I had no idea why it was done, as at that time, I was at a young age of 21 years and was very innocent. Soon after he dropped me there, he left with no communication. And after a few days, he called my parents to ask for dowry, saying, “Your daughter has given birth to an abnormal child, and the illness has no cure, so I need a lot of money to take care of her.” My father, being a lawyer, was not in favor of fulfilling such an illegal demand. He denied supporting him with any amount as dowry. After a few days, divorce papers were sent by my husband to me, and we accepted them as they were not willing to listen to us.

That day I felt I should die with my daughter, as I had lost my first love, my son, and I was also left alone with my daughter, who had a serious illness that is not curable. Also, I had no source of income to take care of her. But my parents gave me hope and full support. So, I chose life over death.

We continued the treatment of my daughter’s illness. She was the cutest child ever, and she loved me immensely as well. She was very intelligent academically.

I kept courage and hope.

I, being an undergraduate, could not get a job. And my parents were retired, hence had limited funds. So, taking care of her was difficult. I decided to complete my graduation from university. And then, I found a job to support her illness and other expenses. Her medical condition started getting worse complications. She had to undergo many surgeries to live. We had to run to the hospital every few days. Every night and day was full of fear of losing her. But my parents supported me like angels on earth. And my daughter had the strongest willpower. Every prick that she got made me curse her father, who left me alone to suffer. Every visit to the hospital was a nightmare as we had to be ready for multiple pricks to find her veins. The tears were unlimited always. But God gave us patience at that time.

After a few years, when she was 7 years old, I met a very nice and caring person who promised to take care of us. And wanted to marry me.

I was lonely and needed support, so I agreed. He gave me all the love and care he could, as he knew I suffered a lot.

I always kept missing my son. Hence, I got court orders to meet him. I met him every year. But he never knew I was his mom, as his father had already remarried, and she was the mom for my son. We also did my kid’s bone marrow tests to cure her permanently, but bone marrow was not a match.

With my 2nd marriage, I conceived and gave birth to a baby boy. God replaced my first son, whom I always missed, with a boy who looked very similar.

The turning point of life.

After a few years, when my daughter turned 15 years old, she became severely ill and was critical. A mismatched blood was given to her, which caused this complication. Doctors had given up and asked us to pray for her. I was very scared to lose her again, but she trusted my prayers.

She was critical, so we chose to inform her real father about the condition, as he may want to visit her before anything happens to her. He had moved to Canada by then with his family. Hence, he could not make it back to India to see her. But he somehow regretted at that time what he had done to me and our daughter. Hence, he sent some financial support for her treatment and spoke with her over the phone for the first time.

She recovered slowly and gradually and started to walk on her own and started spreading her radiant smile again. She kept the nurses and doctors busy with her jokes and witty answers for everything. They loved her immensely and took care of her. Finally, she was back home, hearty and healthy. Then her real father said sorry to all of us and said I would like her to live with us for the rest of her life so we could get the privilege of serving her with her illness, which will continue for a lifetime. We agreed, as treatment in Canada is better, and she could stay with her brother and father as well.

Happy Ending.

They are taking good care of her now. She is studying in Canada and also doing a job part-time. She got her PR to stay in Canada. She always misses us but is happy to be there as well. She is 25 years old now. So far, she is healthy and happy. Hoping for her better health in the future, too.

This is how I chose life over death, and today, my daughter is my life. And she is the only one in the world who understands me so well. She is the soul of my life.

My elder son is 27 years old now; he came to meet me recently to India and loves me a lot, too.

I stay happily now with my loving husband and my younger son and my parents till support me, as always.

This is the “Lived happily ever after” moment for me.

A Virtual Hug.

Marziya