Mangaluru: Sweedel was ignorant about her illness till death snatched her away


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Reports said Sweedel suffered from blood cancer

Mangaluru, Apr 6: Sweedel Sweetie D'Souza (16), daughter of Stephen D'Souza and Gracy D'Souza from Asaigoli here had been preparing for her SSLC examination all through the year. She was waiting for her examinations to conclude and had appeared for all but last of the examinations. On falling ill after appearing for Hindi examination on Wednesday April 4, she was admitted into a private hospital here. However, by midnight she bid goodbye to the world before she could get first hand experience of what laid in wait in the form of her future.

Sweedel had been suffering from failing health since a month. She was a student of St Ann's High School in the city. She was very active and was very good at studies too. She was looking to score high marks in SSLC examination so that she could choose what she wanted to study thereafter. Since a month however, she often suffered from bouts of fever, stomach ache etc and the medicines dispensed by a general practitioner locally used to provide her relief from these symptoms. Family members felt that they were the outcome of the mental pressure Sweedel faced on account of facing an important examination of her life.

The symptoms continued to bother the girl even after examinations began, and stomach ache worsened on Wednesday morning. She was admitted into a private hospital here and subjected to various tests including blood tests. As the test result was expected that evening, she appeared for Hindi examination that day at Rosario High School examination centre. She returned to hospital. By evening, her condition worsened and she passed away late night on Wednesday.

The medical test reports came out on Thursday evening. The parents were shocked to learn that their daughter was suffering from blood cancer. Sweedel was to appear for her last examination, social science, on Friday but leukemia cut short her life abruptly and left her close ones in an abyss of grief.

Sweedel has left behind father, Stephen D'Souza, who runs a shop, mother, Gracy D'Souza, who is employed in a private hospital, and younger brother, Shaan (10).

 

  

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  • Joseph Rego, Kinnigoli/Ras Al Khaimah

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    May her soul rest in peace. How the parents going through this time. It is very painful to lose a child like this. God give them strength to face this situation .

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  • Thomas Andrade, Toronto

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Though I had heard about Leukamia I did not bother to know what exactly it was until my Dad was diagnosed with the disease. I think he started to have rashes on his body and when he was taken for a medical checkup, the attending doctor said it could be blood-cancer. After the blood-test it was confirmed that the doctor was right. We kept hope after hope and did the test again at another lab hoping to get positive result. Alas, no such things happened. Within two weeks from the date he was diagnosed to have the disease, he breathed his last. His last few days were very terrible. I still remember how he was begging God with his folded hands to give him death.
    So sad that Sweedel lost her life before she could stand on her own feet. She suffered much and did not give required attention to her pain mainly because her immediate goal was to attain a very good result in her exams. Parents too mistook her pain. It’s destiny, no one can take blame for it. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May the Almighty give them strength to bear their irreparable loss.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Henry Mascarenhas, Greenville, NC, USA

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Leukemia in children is curable with an early and proper diagnosis (Chemotherapy and other modalities of treatment).
    The physician (Quack) who treated this child initially for abdominal pain clearly lacks competence. Abdominal pain in a leukemic is due to leukemic cells accumulating in the liver and spleen. Other symptoms are, bones or joint pain, weight loss/loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, bleeding gums and bruises on skin areas, weakness and tiredness are a few to mention. A simple blood test (CBC with too many white blood cells) would have been helpful in the initial diagnoses leading to other confirmatory diagnostic procedures. This physician missed an opportunity to save a child, sad. Cancer awareness campaigns save lives. We export expert physicians to other parts of the globe while failing to make the same expertise available to our own citizens. Praying for the family and the departed soul.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Eugene, Mangalore/New York

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    You are a true soldier to be so focused on your future despite all the severe pain and related torment that Leukemia caused your body. Really sad that the medical professionals failed you. You are in a better place now. Rest in peace at the abode of your Lord and Savior. Your tribulations are now behind you.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • DEVEN SEQUEIRA, PUNE

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    If the symptoms started a month ago, she should have been referred to hospital for checks much earlier. It is a vital lesson for all of us not to ignore health related issues. Its sad to go so young. May her soul rest in peace. I remember the time when we rushed our son to hospital in the middle of the night a couple of years ago as his appendicitis had got infected. He was operated a few days later to have it removed. Moderate pain should never be neglected or ignored.

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  • Dr Mohan Prabhu, LL.D, QC, Mangalore (Kankanady)/Ottawa, Canada

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Very very sad to hear the shocking news. If anyone deserves to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, Sweetie Swedel does. RIP. Condolences to her sorrowing parents and brother. It reminds me of my own state at her age but it was not until a week after I wrote the re-scheduled SSLC examination 70 years ago and it was typhoid of which I nearly died. To this day I can't figure out why.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gladys, Mangalore

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Very sad to know, she must have had symptoms which she ignored and lost valuable budding child. May her soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • SUNNY DSOUZA, MARNIMIKATTE MANGALORE

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    So so Sad may her soul Rest in Peace and may God take Care of the bereaved family

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunitha D'souza, Mangalore

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    So sad! May her soul rest in peace

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    I had visited Tata Memorial Cancer hospital a couple of times and I feel, at this stage, chances of saving her were very less. There is no medicine for this disease, except, bone marrow transplant, where getting an acceptable donor is difficult and in Karnataka, as I heard, only at Fortis hospital, Bangalore, this operation is done. Other than indirect expenses, the basic charges for this operation at Fortis is 30 lakhs, Chances of success, is not more than 75%, I am told.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • C P Urva, Mangaluru/Bengaluru

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Everything we eat, breathe, drink is poisonous. We humans are responsible for this. Fruits like banana are artificially ripened, apples have Wax on them, most of the fruits and vegetables are grown with the help of pesticides. Fast foods which are delicious are the most dangerous, but we don’t care.Air pollution are increased. The sea, river, lakes are polluted. No one bothers to do anything about this. But everyone is worried and sad after the person is dead. RIP

    DisAgree [2] Agree [46] Reply Report Abuse

  • bharath1953, Mangalore

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    It was God's wish and plan. Her tragic death shall be a reminder to Parents to take utmost care of their children's health. May God bless her soul and give her eternal rest.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Really sad incident.We propose but God dispose.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    So sad, rest in peace little Angel.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • sugandhini, kulai

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    so.. sad mayLord Jesus gives the strength to bear this sadness to her family .may her soul rest in eternal peace.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lilly Lewis, UPPOOR THANE

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    R I P ANGEL.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • bala, urwa

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    So..sorry for young girl.I don't know why the hospital took so long to diagnose.Could have been saved.

    DisAgree [18] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Moras, Madanthyar

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    RIP Sweedel!
    May Lord Jesus give strength to the bereaved family to accept the loss

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Andrew L D Cunha, Mangalore

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    RIP little angel. Tears fell without notice when I read this. No words.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • hindu, kudla

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Heart Wrenching news.
    RIP

    As Jossey said- its a big enemy that strikes us when least expected.
    May the Family have the strength to bear this loss and move on without their Angel

    DisAgree Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Apr 06 2018

    Cancer is mankind's greatest Enemy - RIP Angel ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [51] Reply Report Abuse


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