21-05-2025
Lung transplant patient treks to life's peak
Vadodara: Just a year ago,
, a stockbroker, could barely take a few steps or complete a sentence. He was battling
, a serious lung condition triggered by prolonged exposure to bird droppings.
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But today, the 48-year-old has not only trekked up Chotila mountain in Surendranagar but also hiked up the Pavagadh hill near Vadodara, both accomplished within a year of undergoing a life-saving
surgery.
"My family and friends advised me against it, worried about the risks of putting my body through such physical stress so soon after the transplant," Anam told TOI. "Doctors had cautioned me to avoid even crowded places.
But I was determined. I had confidence that I could scale the mountain."
In the first week of April, Anam, accompanied by his wife and twin sons Priyansh and Pranshu, set out to climb Chotila. "I climbed slowly, as the path has hundreds of stairs, but I made it to the top, to the temple located at around 1,200 ft. It truly felt like a rebirth. A few days later, I trekked a stretch at Pavagadh too," said Anam, who is now preparing for a trek in the mountains of Uttarakhand.
Anam's struggle began back in 2015, when he developed a persistent cough. Doctors initially suspected an allergy and prescribed medications. But by 2020, the coughing had worsened. He consulted Dr Neel Thakkar, a senior pulmonary and critical care specialist in Vadodara.
Following a series of tests, Anam was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a lung condition commonly caused by exposure to bird droppings, especially pigeons.
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Forced to seek advanced care, Anam moved to Pune, where Dr Sandeep Attawar performed the lung transplant that saved his life.
"It's all about self-belief and discipline. I didn't let negative thoughts enter my mind. I followed a strict post-surgery routine including regular physiotherapy, a controlled diet, and complete mental focus," Amit Anam said.
Finances posed another hurdle. Anam couldn't afford the expensive surgery.
It was the generosity of his friends — who raised the required funds through crowdfunding — that made the transplant possible.
"To see someone who once struggled to breathe climbing a mountain within a year of surgery is nothing short of remarkable," said Dr Thakkar. "Most patients wouldn't even attempt such physical strain post-transplant. But Anam's spirit was indomitable."
Dr Thakkar also highlighted the broader health implications. "According to the Indian Interstitial Lung Diseases Registry, over 47.3% of new ILD cases in India are due to hypersensitivity pneumonitis, with common triggers including bird droppings, cooling appliances, and visible mould," he noted.
