The suffering that began at the age of 12 for a daily wage labourer and father of five finally came to an end at the age of 44 at Amrita Hospital, Kochi. Over the past three decades, he had undergone 21 surgeries on his nose, battled a disease that eventually affected his heart, and reached a stage where death seemed imminent. This survival story is not merely a medical success, but a powerful example of science overcoming a tragedy that haunted an entire family for years. The 44-year-old, daily-wage worker from Pattimattom in Ernakulam district, traces the origin of his lifelong suffering to his childhood days in Nagercoil. Bathing in an open pond used by cows and buffaloes proved to be the turning point of his life.
At the age of 12, he developed abnormal growths in his nose. According to Dr. Tinku Joseph, Head of Interventional Pulmonology at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, the man contracted a rare disease called Rhinosporidiosis after bathing in the same pond where cattle were washed. Dr. Tinku Joseph added that this disease is more commonly seen in South India and Sri Lanka, and that bathing in open water bodies frequented by animals can increase the risk of contracting this fungal infection.
Between the ages of 12 and 44, the patient underwent 21 surgeries in various hospitals across Kerala and Tamil Nadu to remove recurring nasal growths. Each time the growths were removed, they reappeared, plunging the patient and his family back into despair. By 2022, his condition worsened significantly. Doctors identified that the abnormal growth had begun to severely affect his lungs, leaving the family devastated. Amid these life-threatening complications, the patient also had to undergo heart surgery at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram due to reduced pumping capacity of the heart. However, following the surgery, his cough and breathlessness worsened, prompting him to seek treatment at Amrita Hospital, Kochi.
At Amrita Hospital, Kochi, a detailed evaluation conducted by Dr. Tinku Joseph, Head of Interventional Pulmonology Department, led to an accurate diagnosis of his condition. The lungs were filled with small, strawberry-like growths. "This is a very rare condition called Rhinosporidiosis. There are no effective medications for this fungal disease, which spreads through water contaminated by animal contact. If treatment is delayed, it can lead to severe breathlessness and even death" said Dr. Tinku Joseph.
In this critical situation, doctors at Amrita Hospital, Kochi opted for advanced endoscopic techniques. Using specialised endoscopic instruments, all the abnormal growths in the lungs and airways were carefully removed. This complex procedure provided permanent relief from the patient's chronic breathlessness and persistent cough. The treatment team included Dr. Sreeraj Nair, Assistant Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, and Dr. Don Jose, Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi.
After years of struggling to breathe, the man has now returned to a normal life. For his family, his wife, three daughters, and two sons, the treatment at Amrita Hospital has brought renewed hope and a fresh lease on life. What began as a childhood bath in a pond that led to a rare and debilitating disease has now transformed into a story of survival and another success story from Amrita Hospital, where advanced medical care and compassion come together to give life a second chance.
