The 17-year-old patient says that he would not waste his academic year even as his family grapples with treatment cost of Rs 6 lakh.
Vishal Sharma, the 17-year-old, Class XII student of Khalsa English High School of south Kolkata’s Bhowanipore area is a typical average student of the class who would likes to avoid homework, shirks studies but dreams to make it big in life.
Life has, however, dealt him a jolting blow when, as he was preparing for his forthcoming qualifying test for his board exams, he has been detected with acute leukemia, in simple terms, blood cancer.
“He had fever for sometime and had to be admitted to a local hospital where they said that they suspected something serious and got him transferred to Medical College and Hospital. After running a number of tests I was told that my son is suffering from blood cancer,” Vishal's father Rajendra Sharma said.
Hailing from the lower middle class and working as a car mechanic, the news was like a bolt from the blue for Rajendra Sharma.
“When I first heard the news, my senses got numb. His mother was crying incessantly because of the term ‘cancer’. Doctors said that the disease is curable and he will have to undergo a prolonged treatment process. Tata Medical Centre where he is undergoing treatment has given me a rough estimate of Rs 6 lakh. With a monthly earning of Rs 3,000 I am at my wits end how to sustain treatment. There had been friends, family members and even his school teachers who have come forward for help but those have been far from the required expense,” Rajendra Sharma told the DNA.
The teenager has, however, faced the fact in a brave manner. Talking to the DNA, he said he did not want to lose a year.
“I had always dreamt of getting our family out of the penury we live in after I secure a respectable job. I know for that I need to complete my studies. Doctors have asked me to stay home for the next six months but I intend to take my board exams. I get tired very soon but I am trying to study for whatever time I can get. Friends and teachers have been helping me a lot. My friends are giving me all the notes from the class. The sudden news of my ailment had definitely shaken me initially but by no means do I intend to give in without a fight. I have taken it as an ailment which I have contracted and need to get well,” he said.
His family comprises his parents and an elder sister, who is a first year B Com student of a college in north Kolkata.
At present, Vishal has to visit the hospital three times a week. According to his father, doctors have said that during the first six months of the treatment there might be a sudden deterioration in health and he might have to be brought to the hospital in 15 minutes’ notice.
“Especially during pujas it will be difficult to bring him from Bhawanipore to this place so fast. So we are arranging for an inexpensive rented apartment near the hospital temporarily during this time,” Rajendra added.
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