On 7 October 23, 21-year-old Ketan, a charming fellow of Computer Science, while preparing for his final exams at the hostel; experienced a sudden severe headache and weakness in his right leg and arm. He was later admitted to a hospital with a diagnosis of STROKE. Neurologist examined him and he was given blood thinners. He was improving and was gaining strength with physiotherapy.

But this was not the end of the episode. Pain reoccurred. It was sharp, twisting, and pressurizing all over the abdomen persisting the whole day. None of the pain killers were working on him except narcotics. He was now living on intravenous fluids and total parenteral nutrition. Even the sips of water used to aggravate his abdominal pain. Many physicians or surgeons were consulted at many pioneering medical institutes but to bad luck, his pains had no diagnosis.

Until after one and a half months of struggle on 27 Nov-23, his diagnosis was hit by the Rheumatology department of PGIMS-Chandigarh. He was diagnosed as a rare subset of vasculitis known as DADA2. He was being admitted and the divine doctors here helped him to come out of his pains. His alliance with narcotics was gradually eliminated. He was managed with many newer medicines like TNFs and was discharged in 2 months with regular follow-ups.

In these two months; with his strong willpower and fighting spirit, he came out of his agonizing state. He had started eating normal diets and was gaining his lost weight and strength. His every moment was shared and was supervised by Godly doctors.

However, on 23 February 2024, Ketan developed a serious blood infection, due to which he was admitted again to PGI. But unfortunately, battling with disease and its complications for the last 4 months; our fighter succumbs to sudden cardiac arrest; the following day of admission.

Even in the midst of his struggles, Ketan’s thoughts turned to others, as he expressed a dying wish to raise awareness about his disease. He had plans to write a book himself on his ordeal and wanted to share his experiences of Vasculitis. He used to ask why other doctors were not able to diagnose him.

This reminds us of the value of time taken in diagnosing such diseases. If it had been diagnosed earlier; if could the story ended differently? It has been realized that unawareness leads to losing time. A crucial time is lost before a patient reached in good hands. This lost time costs a lot to the sufferers, physically, emotionally, mentally as well as economically and also takes away many precious moments of his/her life. An average lost time is about 4-6 years among many patients and many others may not have any access. “Time is life” is probably a true slogan to beat this kind of unawareness.

In his last desire and loving memory, Ketan Goyal Foundation (KGF) in association with www.vasculitissocietyofindia.com stands as a beacon of hope and support for all those having similar challenges. Let us honor his memory by spreading awareness, supporting one another, and cherishing every moment of our lives. Let us come together and re-join to reduce the losses a sufferer bears—time, money, friends, emotions…etc…

Let his spirit and legacy may endure within us, may reminding us to live with kindness, to live with empathy, and unwavering determination to make a difference.