Rishik Nath, 14

School: St. Joseph’s Institution

Topic: Your organ transplant journey as a teenager

Award: Special Mention, Junior Category, 2024

My Life Changing Episode

Imagine being fourteen, carefree and with a promising future when all it took was a few words to crash all hopes, “You need a liver transplant.” These few words still haunt me to this day, although I am immensely grateful for the stranger who not only saved my life but also transformed it in ways I could never imagine. Now, I look back and reflect on my previous life of uncertainty and pity. Now, with my second chance at life, I am determined to live life to the fullest and give back to the world in every way.

My journey began with minor symptoms: fatigue, nausea and lack of energy. Little did I know that this was just a start to the most horrifying episode of my life. Instead of going to parties and being an average teenager, I was always at home either vomiting, clutching my abdomen or dealing with extreme levels of fatigue. I was doing terribly in school and could never concentrate. Before these symptoms I was a rather bright student with a promising future. Finally, my parents were starting to realise something was seriously wrong. It was much, much worse. We went to a doctor and after numerous tests, devastating news hit me hard like a sledgehammer to the chest. I was diagnosed with stage four liver failure, and it was irreversible.

I knew immediately that I was doomed. My only way to survive was an organ transplant. My parents immediately volunteered but both had a non-compatible blood type so they could not donate a portion of their liver to me. This episode of finding donors was extremely hard for me. Every second, I would check my phone to see if anyone had agreed to a liver transplant. I could not help but feel sorry for myself. I would spend hours upon hours looking up into the sky blankly while my mind was constantly bombarded with questions. Why me? Why not anybody else? What have I done to deserve this? I was no longer my cheerful, happy and optimistic self. Now, I was a grumpy, depressed and anxiety-filled person who lost many friends. I spent days in isolation pondering if I will make it alive with only two faithful friends and a supporting family. Every passing day without the donor, my emotional toll multiplied.

After what seemed like an eternity, a call finally came, it was surreal. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I was sulking in my bed when my parents barged into my room with smiles on their faces. What a surreal sight! I knew instantly what it meant. My second chance at life. My mother could not stop grinning while she told me that an unknown donor agreed to a liver transplant. A whirlwind of emotions attacked me. I was elated and thankful but at the same time dreadful as I had to be in a huge operation. The donor's liver was partially transplanted allowing him to survive. Despite that, going for life-threatening surgery demonstrated his commendable courage. I was immensely grateful for the donor’s sacrifice and I hoped that the weight of the sacrifice was not wasted on me.

As I lay in the operating room, I whispered a quick prayer for the donor and prayed for this surgery to be a success. I was blinded by the operating lights and the sterile smell was overwhelming. I heard the chatter of the doctors and within a few minutes, I could feel no more. This could have been my last moment on Earth.

However, I am glad it was not. I emerged triumphant from the surgery and exhilarated for a quick recovery. The recovery was rather slow but every passing day I was feeling better and better.I was overwhelmed with excitement.

This struggle and episode of my life was a testament to who I have become today. Every day, I feel profound gratefulness to my donor.His altruistic deed secured my future. Their gift is a reminder to completely live life to the fullest and to give back whenever possible. Now, I have become a doctor and devoted the rest of my life into saving others. This deep appreciation for the donor gave me the willpower to impact today’s world for the better.

Indeed, what Barbara Marciniak said is the story of my life. "Sometimes the darkest challenges, the most difficult lessons, hold the greatest gems of light." - Barbara Marciniak.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2024 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg