Vivek Kaliyath

My younger brother, Vivek, had undergone two surgeries – a colostomy in October 2011 and a subtotal colectomy in March 2012. The subtotal colectomy was a success and he was able to eat all types of food that he wanted. However, he had bouts of UTIs (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) just two weeks after second surgery.

Over next eight months, he always had pus cells (10-20) in his urine every two weeks. The doctors just said that nothing to worry as people with abdominal surgeries tend to have UTIs, very common.

From July 2012 onwards, Vivek’s health started deteriorating. He started loosing weight rapidly and always complained of lower back, calf pain. Towards the end of September 2012, his urine color started becoming yellowish and then darker (like that of cola). I knew this wasn’t right but all I could do was tell the doctors and they said nothing to worry.

Towards mid October 2012, Vivek developed severe sepsis, pneumonia and on October 23, 2012 he passed away. (Sepsis and Pneumonia)

I really wonder if a common person can sense something wrong when somebody has recurring UTIs for eight months. Why do well-educated doctors ignore it? Or is it that they think there is no way of rescuing?

Source: by Abhishek Kaliyath (Vivek's brother)