The Heartwarming Story Of A 7-Year-Old Boy Who Sacrificed His Life To Save His Mother
In our FEEL GOOD FRIDAY column this week, we present to you the story of a pair who were inseparable and battled through their debilitating illnesses together for two years.
By Sadho Ram — 11 Apr 2014, 02:04 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
This is Chen Xiaotian. When he was just five doctors found a malignant tumour in his brain, months before his 34-year-old mother Zhou Lu contracted kidney disease.
Despite early signs he would recover, the disease aggressively returned, and he was told he would not reach adulthood.
dailymail.co.ukThe pair battled through their conditions together for two years. Eventually, Chen lost his sight and became so weak he was bed-ridden as a result of his tumour.
Zhou Lu reads to her terminally ill son Chen Xiatian ho went blind with brain cancer
Image via dailymail.co.ukOver time, both had become incredibly weak. Zhou needed dialysis treatment, while Chen required round-the-clock care. Towards the end, Chen lost his sight and became so weak he was bed-ridden, nearly paralysed.
dailymail.co.ukDoctors knew he would die soon. They also knew he would be a match for his mother, who needed a kidney. So they approached Chen's grandmother rather than his mother because of the sensitive nature of the issue.
'They told me that my grandson would not survive but his kidneys could help his mother and also save two other lives as well. I discussed it with Zhou and she refused point-blank, she absolutely didn't want to hear any talk of that happening,' the 57-year-old grandma Lu Yuanxiu said.
dailymail.co.uk
When Chen overheard the dilemma, he demanded that his mother let him save her. In tears, his mother agreed.
Doctors confirmed that the tissue match was perfect and when he died on April 2, he was quickly moved to the operating theatre where his kidneys and liver were removed and then donated to his mother and two other people.
dailymail.co.ukThe medical team held a brief moment of prayer and silence for the poor child before the transplant
The second kidney went to a 21-year-old girl and his liver to a 27-year-old man. Hospital spokesman Yi Tai said all three transplants were a success and that the youngster's death had allowed three others to survive and live normal lives.
dailymail.co.uk
A distraught Zhou, pictured after her operation, said her only consolation was knowing that, if her son had to die, a part of him would always be with her
Doctors were unsure if Zhou could ever live a normal life. But, thanks to her son's kidney, she will.
