A testimony about Athena

A testimony about Athena

This is a personal testimony, which we wish to share with you –about the illness of my 12 year old daughter, Athena.

On 24^th June, 2011, our worst fears were confirmed. After several weeks of recurrent throat infection and rounds of antibiotics, we were referred to St John’s Hospital, wherein she was diagnosed as suffering from Rheumatic Heart Disease, with a leaking mitral valve –which could degenerate further, and lead to open heart surgery at a later date. She was advised a penicillin injection every 21 days for the next 28 years.

As you can imagine, we were devastated. We had no answers to Athena’s plaintive cry: Why me?

A pall of gloom descended on our lives. Managing her pain, and reassuring her that she would be cured some day, became our priority.

Through Regina, mother of Karishma, Divya’s friend, we were persuaded to go to Narayana Hridyalaya –and she requested Yvonne Thomas, of St Marks Church, to set up an appointment with Dr Colin John, Paediatric Heart Surgeon at Narayana Hridyalaya ofr his opinion.

So, we visited Narayana Hridyalaya yesterday –and had to undergo a series of tests and Echocardiography –and a team of Doctors –Dr Sejal Seth and Dr Saraf – recorded their observations and requested us to meet Dr John for his expert comments.

Now, this is the part that I do not know how to express in words –for words fail me. The tests have indicated that Athena’s damaged mitral valve had miraculously regenerated itself –and she does not have rheumatic heart disease – and her condition was re-diagnosed as Post Strep Arhritis, which is not life-threatening at all –if one takes treatment regularly. The treatment was now reduced to 5 years injection only – and an annual checkup every year.

We were in tears of joy. All the prayers –our well-wishers as well as those of our own family members –had made possible for us to witness a live miracle. Dr John even made us visit the Paedtriatic Heart Ward to watch how little children—some, a few days old –were recovering from heart surgery –and therefore we should count our blessings. We prayed that God bless those wonderful Doctors, who save lives, day in and day out.

It’s a miracle, and we have experienced it --and all we can say with gratitude is: Praise the Lord.