Two weeks after heart transplant, Vikhroli teenager back home

Mumbai: Vikhroli girl Sweden D’Souza (16), who is the first paediatric patient to undergo a heart transplant in the city, went home on Tuesday after a swift post-operative recovery. She had undergone the transplant two weeks ago at the Fortis Hospital in Mulund. Her father Anthony said they have cleared out a tiny corner in their apartment that will be treated like an ICU.“She has to be kept in a sterile environment with minimal chances of infection,” he said, adding that the family could not afford to rent a separate place for her recovery as most transplant patients do. Cardiac surgeon Dr Vijay Agarwal said the family has been extensively educated about home care.
After a series of TOI reports on the family’s struggle to raise money for the surgery and post-operative medication, financial help has poured in from several corners. Anthony said the family has got over Rs 1 lakh, while several Samaritans have approached the Mulund hospital wanting to take care of her treatment and education. Sweden has to be on immuno-suppressants costing about Rs 30,000 a month for at least one year.