|
|
|
| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Its Quadruplets :
Four the merrier, Part II On January 2nd 2006, Sevwandi Hettiarachchi, and Ruwan Subasinghe found out that they are the proud parents of a daughter and three sons. Though the babies were healthy, doctors feared for Sevwandi's life. Having however, recovered from her battle with death, The Sunday Observer was at the Castle Street Hospital last Wednesday when Sevwandi held her babies in her arms for the first time since they were born. by Aditha Dissanayake
What is the happiest day in your life? The day you won a lottery? The day you passed a particularly difficult exam? The day you got married? If you are a woman and a mother, your answer would definitely be No. If you are a man, read on to find out more about one of the greatest joys in life, which no man ever gets to know - the miracle of giving birth to a new life. The answer Anita Pratap gives in the "Island of Blood" when she is asked what the happiest moment in her life is, probably stands for all women. "What people expect to hear is about the time I got a prestigious international award or a fancy job... But my answer is ....the birth of my first born...". She recalls the first glimpse of her baby boy "It was the ugliest thing I had ever seen in my life! His face was pink and furrowed, his eyes shut tight and his toothless mouth wide open as he protested his exit from the womb. Then I realized it was MY SON, and he became the most beautiful creature I had ever seen." Did Sevwandi Hettiarachchi feel the same when she gave birth to her quadruplets on January 2nd at the Castle Street Hospital? Did she wait for the pains of labour to come as other mothers had before her, the pains she dreaded the most, the pains she had prayed she would be able to avoid?
No, says Sevwandi. "I can only remember being taken to the theatre for the cesarean operation. After that for three days I can't remember what happened. Even after I gained consciousness everything was like a blurred picture. It was as if I was in the land of death for a while. But today I breast-fed the babies for the first time, and now I am determined to get well as soon as possible, for their sakes". "She is fine now" assures Dr Shakila Nanayakkara, Consultant Paediatrician, as she watches Sevwandi breast feed the four babies. "All four are doing well and the more milk they get from the mother the better". "We had to give her 13 pints of blood" recalls Dr. Rasika Herath, Registrar. 'It was a team effort. Thanks to Dr. Ajita Wijesundere, Consultant Obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr. Hasthika Ellepola, Senior Registrar and the anaesthetic team led by Dr. Ajantha Perera, we are happy to say that the mother is now doing well". The dedication and care of the doctors and staff of ward three and the Intensive Care Unit too were lauded by Dr. Herath, as well as the cooperation given by the Blood bank in Narahenpita when they needed O negative blood to save Sevwandi's life. "I feel proud I am a Sri Lankan after this ordeal, because I learnt how warm, loving and caring everyone in our country is, regardless of cast or creed during the days when Sevwandi's life was in danger", says Ruwan. From Nalaka, a driver, who had sacrificed his very first day at work, to the total stranger from Embilipitiya who had arrived at twelve in the night at the hospital and all the others who had stepped forward to donate blood, to the residents living near the Hospital who had offered accommodation in their houses to Ruwan after the Sunday Observer article on December 11th , revealed the couple is from Anuradhapura, to all the staff at the hospital, Ruwan says nothing would have been possible if not for the love, care and warmth everyone has shown them. "We are grateful to everyone who has helped us," reiterates Sevwandi. "Philanthropists have stepped forward to help with the milk-food expenses. But it would help if someone could assist Ruwan to find a permanent source of income". Agreeing that he is faced with a huge responsibility (loku vagakeemak) in bringing up four babies all at once, but feeling he can do it because he loves them enough to go through fire and hell for their sake, Ruwan says 'I worked as a lorry driver in Anuradhapura before I gave it up to be in Colombo when Sevwandi was hospitalized. I would like to start a business of my own when I return home with the babies." Like all parents they too want nothing but the best for their new born daughter and three sons. 'We want to give them a good education and see them through university as well" says both, almost in unison. Seemingly no bigger than thimbles, still known simply by the numbers T 1, T 2, T 3 and T 4, surely these babies deserve to be given the best possible start in life. Write to Sevwandi Hettiarachchi at No.46, Chandranigama, Sinnikkulama, Srawasthipura, Anuradhapura. A/C 008200191752437 (People's Bank, Anuradhapura Branch |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
