In sickness and health, husband gifted with new lease of life

Recently married and looking forward to welcoming his first child, fate threw Suraj Paramasivam a curveball in 1998.

He was diagnosed with the same kidney ailment that his father had succumbed to when Suraj was eight-years-old.

Now 55, the civil engineer recalled how he was unaware that it was a hereditary condition. He was about to turn 30 when his sister informed him that she, too, was suffering from polycystic kidney disease.

There is no cure for polycystic kidney disease. Even when diagnosed at an early stage, treatment would not prevent polyps from growing in the kidneys, resulting in enlargement and decreased function.

His pregnant wife, Nirmala Vythilingam, was devastated.

As the disease progressed, Suraj was given two options...