From Open-Heart Surgery To Open Arms: Balancing Work, Caregiving, And A Son With Health Challenges

Becoming a mother was entirely Shrishti’s decision, and something she was enthusiastic about. “I thought the family would help, and they did. My mother and mother-in-law were there, but nothing truly prepares you,” she said. She also had to navigate most of early parenting by herself, as her partner Nishant, was posted in a different city. 

However, what began as a hopeful chapter quickly turned difficult. Her son, Rudra, was given utmost care, as he was a premature child. When they noticed sweating within a few months of his birth, they took him to the doctor. “It was a tough night. My son had a hole in his heart. We felt, now everything is over,” she said. There were no symptoms of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), and it took a while for the family to come to terms with it.

This was the beginning of the hardest journey for them. They consulted multiple doctors in Delhi for further treatment. They prescribed extreme care, and a strict regimen for Rudra. 

When he was just eight months old, they also learnt the fact that Rudra had glaucoma in both his eyes. At a year old, right after his birthday, he underwent surgery in his eyes. At 2 and a half years old, he underwent an open heart surgery. 

The hardest bit, for Shrishti, was re-joining work when Rudra was only eight months old. She was pushed by her family to resume normalcy. “Knowing that he wasn’t a normal child, and leaving his routine, was the worst,” she said.

Now, the family feels a bit relieved. Shrishti credits her mother and sister for being rock-solid support systems. 

Rudra will have some medically prescribed restrictions, like not playing cricket and some other sports. 

Despite the challenges, the parents are fiercely committed to raising Rudra without too many restrictions, or extreme expectations of achievement. “I’ve never been a protective mother. Despite knowing he’s infection-prone, I’ve never kept him away from other kids. I want a normal life for him,” she said. “I will teach precautions, but not let him feel like a ‘sick’ child. He shouldn’t think himself to be incomplete.”

What keeps her going? “He welcomes me home with excitement, dancing and laughter,” she smiles. “That’s all I need.”