Liver Cancer

My Dad Surendra J. Singh, is my hero, guru and mentor. He started his journey in a small village in Bihar (India) at the age of 16 he came to Mumbai and husseled his way to a better life. He lived in slums and worked as a accountant in Phonix mill (lower Parel, Mumbai) and many other jobs like a construction worker, Security guard, retail shop, selling policies, to door to door sales (he his one of the hardest working man I have ever seen)

I remember him explaining the meaning behind my name one night when I was about 7 yrs old. My name was given by the doctor who operated my mothers pregnancy. Due to some serious complications, my Dad was advised by the doctors to abort me. But he did not, he instead sold his little hut and paid the medical bills and gave me life.

My name is 'Pratik' it translates to 'Symbol' in hindi. Growing up we faced poverty but we were a happy family despite of all the hardships. Because my dad had ran away from his home at a young age he was boycotted from his kin. We did not see many relatives growing up. He worked hard and provided for our family to the best of his ability. He never drank or smoked, he is very spiritual and has been vegetarian all his life to this day.

Recently he got very sick, doctors said he has joundice. When the reports came, it was confirmed that he has a tumour in his liver, which needs to be surgecially removed as soon as possible. I am supporting my family for last 8 years (I am living in NZ since 2011) When my dad was 45 he could not write because of Parkinson 's disease hence he got unemployed. And I was very happy to take over the responsibilities.He hasn't been able to work ever since.

Life hasn't been kind to me lately either. As a immigrant and a sole provider for my family I sent all my savings to my parents every month. And haven't been able to afford a vacation to see my parents. When I was expecting holiday pay from my previous bosses (Indian bosses) things did not work out that good and I had to be stoic about it and move on. I am currently in a visa change process to a new company.

Currently- After spending about $4000 NZ we haven't achieved much success to my dads health. It has only paid for the tests and shifting hospital to hospital to find the right doctor. On the 3rd of December we have booked a surgery at the ''kokilaben'' hospital Mumbai.

The cost is estimated to be $10,000-$12,000. I am unable to see him as it will cost me around $1800 for a return ticket and the situation is out of my hands. I cannot quite give a name to this felling of helpnessness, but It feels like ''Sycisipus is unable to push the bolder uphill anymore''.