Kauvery Kathaigal: 1
Resilience in Rhythm: The power of informed healing
Highlights
A vibrant, health-conscious woman in her 50s with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) secondary to an immune complex etiology.
Clinical challenge: High-risk immunological profile requiring desensitization (IVIG therapy) to prevent organ rejection after a planned transplant
Key insight: A highly “expert patient” who took full agency over her complex clinical pathway.
Patient’s story
In the busy ER, she stood out—not because of her illness, but because of her clarity of thoughts and expression. A trim, bright woman in her fifties, she spoke with the precision of a clinician. While stage 5 CKD often leaves patients exhausted, she arrived with a roadmap in hand. Living in Salem but seeking transplant surgery in Trichy, she had orchestrated a complex “bridge” plan. Her husband stood by, a quiet pillar of support, his calm demeanor reflecting the confidence they both felt in her decision. She wasn’t just a patient waiting for a kidney; she was the architect of her own recovery, managing the logistics of two cities and a high-risk immune system with grace.
Treatment plan
Because her primary nephrologist was on leave and the transplant was slated to happen at Trichy, a specialized “inter-city” care plan was activated:
Desensitization Protocol – commencement of IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) therapy: this treatment “dampens” the immune response, lowering the levels of harmful antibodies to make the transplant safe while maintaining her thrice-weekly hemodialysis at her hometown of Salem to preserve her quality of life and energy. The husband’s quiet gratitude speaks volumes about this situation where a patient is thus empowered and the medical team is this supportive. Thus the spectre of a transplant becomes a shared journey of hope.
True healing happens when medical excellence meets an empowered patient and a supportive family.
