Surgical Separation of Pygopagus twins at Apollo Children’s Hospital, Vanagaram

TWINS...  A NATURE'S BLESSING TO HUMANITY. BUT TO BE JOINED FOREVER... ?

Let me introduce to you Ericana and Eludi are conjoined twins, who were brought to Apollo Children’s Hospital, Vanagaram by their mother to seek help. This is a true story of a mother, struggling to give her children the life they deserve. All she want from you is love and Prayers. 

Meet Ericana and Eludi, whom the nurses in the hospital lovingly call Ammakutty and Chellakutty.

Such innocents. They are meant to be happy in life and they will. Lets all join together today, forgetting our class, religion barrier and pray from these lovely blessings. GOD YOU HAVE TO LISTEN.

This is the story of two identical ‘pygopagus twins’ from Africa.

What is Pygopagus?

image courtsy: www.gfmer.ch

The term pygopagus means – ‘fixed at the buttocks’.

The mother hails from a small village called ‘Kasumulu’ in Tanzania. She went for delivery to the dispensary in her village from where she was shifted to the District Hospital because she had undergone a previous cesarean section.  At the district hospital a  ‘C ‘section was done but to the doctors' surprise there was enormous difficulty in delivering the babies out of the uterus as they were joined at the back. The mother was told that separation of the babies was fraught with risk and she was sent to the Mohimbili Hospital in the capital Dar es Salaam by ambulance. It took three days to make this journey with the newborns. At Mohimbili the doctors contacted the health officials for advise regarding further action.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai is closely associated with the Tanzanian

government by the Save a Childs Heart Initiative (SACHI). The babies were therefore shifted to Apollo Children’s Hospital in Chennai at four and a half months of age. After extensive work up it was found that the babies were joined at the tail end of the spines and shared a single anus and rectum. They were also found to have a single phallus and urinary passage.

The Operation Details

Separation of these babies is a mammoth task, which will take around 14 – 16 hours.It is being planned on the 16th of December. A team of 20 doctors from the specialties of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, paediatric surgery and pediatric urology will attempt the separation. The services of Dr.Edward Kiely – Paediatric Surgeon and Dr.Richard Howard – Anaesthesiologist both from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London have been sought to guide and help in the safe separation

Conjoined twins are rarely encountered. Although seen in one in 200,000 deliveries more than 60% are stillborn. Of the remaining, 35% die within a few days or months of birth due to various causes.

Conjoined twins can be joined at the chest, abdomen, back, buttock and head. Fusion at the buttocks (Pygopagus) is very rare and accounts for less than 17% of all conjoined twins.

Live born pygopagus twins are usually female in sex. Male pygopagus twins are  very rare. Till now in medical literature only 30 sets of pygopagus twins have been reported. Of these 26 were female and only four were male.

This set of male pygopagus twins for which separation is being done at Apollo Hospitals Chennai is the first in India. A unique and challenging aspect of the separation is the fused phallus, which has to be delicately separated to give each baby a functional penis.

The babies are now 9 months old and weigh 16 kgs. During the last five months tissue expanders have been placed in the back, buttocks and thighs so that skin flaps can be rotated to cover the large defects, which will be left after separation.

 The nurses looking after the babies have been showering love and affection on the babies who have been nicknamed ‘Ammukutty’ and ‘Chellakutty’.

The babies can say ‘Thatha’ and ‘Athai’ and the mother has picked up a smattering of Tamil as well.

We are very confident that the separation of these babies will proceed uneventfully.

What I need from my readers..........

If Only You Had Waited.....

If you had just waited…..

If you had just waited bro, you would not have left me due to renal failure. Not with science progressing at such an amazing rate. If only you had waited for the stem cell transplants to take off in India, I would not be missing you so badly.

According to the Indian Council of Medical research around 5.5 lakh of people are waiting for transplant or dialysis. You too were a number. But the sad part is you were number 3 according to ZCCK [Zonal Coordination Committee of Karnataka for Transplantation], where you were registered for your organ transplant. We got the call today. Seven days too late. 

He was undergoing dialysis for the past 3 years. I would see him going to dialysis thrice a week and then working in the night in the BPO sector. Three years of pain and loneliness. The first thing that happens to dialysis patients is that the relatives become blessing givers from far. Who would blame them? When he was diagnosed renal failure after having Nephritis from the age of 2, the doctor told us-“he has the problem of a king. Such a disease where even a king would tun pauper. “ We never understood what he meant – then.

Yes, this is Reuben's hand

For a layman to understand the concept of dialysis is  terrifying. I don’t know much of the medical jargon but I do know that you have gone through a lot of emotional and financial upheaval to go through dialysis. The scientific definition would be,’ Dialysis is the artificial process of eliminating waste (diffusion) and unwanted water (ultrafiltration) from the blood.” Our kidneys do this naturally but when your kidneys stop functioning normally, you get hooked up to the dialysis machine.

On one side I saw him doing dialysis with an ease after a few months and on the other hand I saw him undergoing many physical changes which slowly started accelerating to severe pains and turmoils. The veins swelling up, the hand swelling up, bleeding and finally severe osteoporosis. The osteoporosis became so severe, that even picking up a cloth from the floor resulted in a bone cracking. His kidney failed followed by his lungs and lastly his heart. The thing that worked most for him was his IMMENSE will power.

No, the above side effects were not because of dialysis, in case other dialysis patients are getting worried but due to the severe side effects of the strong medicines he had been taking for 20 years. 

With science improving so much, when will the day come when dialysis won’t be needed anymore? Recently Lidnsay Porter took part in a pioneering study at Northwestern University. In this study, the donors gave more than just their kidney, they gave their stem cells. The patient not only recovered fast but was taken off the anti rejection drugs after just one year. You can get all the information by clicking here and I will follow this up in my next post. 

I just hope that one day comes when all dialysis patients know that besides death there is also hope at the end of the road. I hope our government realize the number of people awaiting for organ donation and I hope we all realize that we don’t need to carry all our organs upstairs, we do get a new set, so why not leave our organs behind for someone to benefit from. 

The problem with the patients waiting for transplants is that they cannot pray to God and wish for someone to die, all they can hope for is the light dawning upon all humans to donate - either time or money and definitely organs. Is it too much to ask?

My Suggestions [Please feel free to argue. I won't be offended but enlighted]

o   Teach it in the school level. If you can sex educate them, you can Humane educate them too.

o   If you have to please God and donate money, at least don't make the priests rich only. Find out where the money is most needed. If not for this cause, any cause you believe in. The Rs.2 you put in a hundi can go to a person who really needs it.

o   Do what China does with its prisoners. The amount of rapists we are having can at least do something good. Check what China does here. [It will solve many crimes too]

o   Awareness. This needs to be done not only by the causes but also by the doctors and the medical fraternity. This is such a sensitive issue in India with religion playing major role, at least spread the awareness. If each one of us reading this article does it, then we will save many people.

To check about the The Modern Healthcare click HERE.

Disclaimer: YES I HAVE DONATED.
2nd Disclaimer:  This post is written for Apollo Hospital for the blog http://thejourneyofreubendaryl.blogspot.com/. But since that blog is new many sites are not accepting it. I will shift this post to that blog after Apollo hospital views it.

A Cry for Help!!!

courtsey: Journey to Hillsong Blog

I don't know how much blogging will help regarding this matter. But something needs to be said. Something needs to be done. As I enter the dialysis world, I hear so many cries of help, desperation. I want to close my ears. I am human. I am sure you don't want to read further. But I have to have my say here but these the cries of the silent sufferers.

Meet Anamika.....

Name : Anamika [of course pseudo. We don't want to antagonize anyone do we?] We are all Gandhiji's followers. Slap us.. I am ready with my next cheek. So what if I take care not to ruffle your feathers. You have the absolute right to charge me for living, throw me out when you want and as you want. For I am Anamika.......

Age : 24 Young. I have the right to live. But God gave me an extra problem. I know you all have problems in your life. Marriage not working, salary not enough, Kids [I tell you] should be sent to Mars- the way they trouble us. They are your problems.My problem is I cannot have these problems since I cannot marry. Have kids. So I am happy watching yours. You carry on, please. Don't pause. For I sure hope not but life does take unwarranted turns. I hope you are prepared.

My Story:

I am Anamika. My mother works in a hospital. I live in a hospital. I have been diagnosed with renal failure. So I moved from Kolkata to Bangalore to do a checkup. It was supposed to be a small checkup. But it lasted for three years now. I live in the hospital and my mother does odd jobs here to sustain our lives..

Recently I have been told to vacate the place. Where do I go? I don't have a father. My uncles cannot pull on anymore. I want to live with dignity. Is it too much to ask? Don't people like me have the right to live. I have the courage. All I need is the God's Blessing and a guiding hand. All I want is to live or die with dignity. It is my human right.

Every country has a government. My Daddy till he was alive paid taxes. Why can I not get a helping hand from the government now? How do people like me survive? Charity? From where. I belong to the Middle Class. The class that does not get anything but has to give everything. Tax, on time payments of bills, school fees and also maintain a status in the society.

I wanted to do a course. To sustain myself and my Mom. But now the hospital people tell me that I have to look for a room outside the hospital. I pay for this room too. I pay Rs.3000. But outside can I survive? I have to pay the rent. I have to give deposit money and I need to set up my home. My home? I have only a few belonging which takes up a small room in the hospital. How can I shift from here to a new house in this strange city.

From Me to my Readers....

This is a true story. I have come across this girl living in a hospital for 3 years. There is no one with her except her Mom. The hospital, St. Johns has helped her a lot but due to rules are unable to do so any more. She has to move out of the place and get a house for herself.  Without a job, finance and incurring all the medical expenses of dialysis has taken a toll in her life. Any suggestions?

The Blood Donor: Hema Murthy

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed!

This may be a proverb to many of you but I have seen this live in action. During the time of his dire needs when Reuben Daryl would pick up his phone and just say a line," I am in the hospital." friends from all over Bangalore would just come in. Where he lacked in family, he got it with friends. Yes, God works in mysterious ways.

I cannot stress much on the fact that humanity if properly expressed can win many battles. Be it for the world, health or even social causes. Wonder whoever coined the term 'Blood Relative' - did they have this view in mind which got distorted along the way?

If each one of us Donate Blood even once, so many lives can be saved. It may not be your near and dear ones, he or she may not be your friends but he or she will definitely send blessings to your being human account. 

Here is the story of a first time blood donor who was scared, terrified to give blood. But she did. For a Friend.....

Name: Hema Murthy

Age: Are you crazy asking this question....?

Relation to the Patient: A friend.

Has she given blood before: No

Was she scared : YES

Then why did she? Find out..... In her own words.......

1. What made you donate your blood for the first time?

 Rony was the reason, never thought I would donate blood because I am very scared of injections but when it boiled down to a person whom you care so much realized it was far more worth it. I guess the drive to help a loved one would be the reason.

2. Did not the thoughts of Aids and any other disease come in your mind?

No, I was fine as I saw they use sterilized needles and other equipment. 

3. How did the staff of the hospital treat you during the process?

The staff were more than happy to help , assist and guide. So was put to ease.

4.Was it worth it?

It was all worth it, had a great satisfaction once I stepped out.

5.Would you do it again?

I would do that again if that will save a person's life anytime.

My Personal Note:

Thank you Hema for coming forward. I know there are many people out there who regularly give blood and they don't want to come forward to reveal their names. But if we have to spread the word, we have to speak out. This is one part of the donation which cannot be man made. Only we humans can save each other. 

Selfless Love and Friendships

There comes a time in a person's life that whatever he had taken for granted becomes a mirage. An oasis, after which he keeps on running without thinking about the surreal situation. I meet so many people in my everyday life who are happy with what they have. Happy, satisfied, smug in their perfect world. I am afraid even I was one them. Then when a bolt of lightening hits us we feel surprised, angry, incredulous at the sudden attack. And this is the moment we wake up to find that there is a world out there where people need us and where we need others in our life.

The Gods must be mocking at us from Kailash, Olympus or simple and pure Heaven. We humans have duplicated everything... Except what is inside us. For our internal organs and for the very blood that is flowing in our body we have to depend on someone else. Someone anonymous who walks boldly through the corridors of an eerie hospital, donating an organ or blood for you. I salute each one of you who have donated your blood for someone you even did not know. 

For the critiques and the smirkys out there, YES there are people out there who have never donated blood in their entire life, who would cringe at the sight of a small needle but during the need and the demand of the hour boldly came forward to save a friend. 

Telling everyone Donate Blood is very easy. What I found fascinating about the whole thing is why do these people donate blood. Is it a do good theory or idealism? Is there a story behind the donations? Or simply they are just humans who have understood the true meaning of the word HUMANITY. 

I know I have been slow in gathering information. Pardon me. But in the last few months I have come across people who have shared their organs, given blood on a regular basis [professional blood donor] and some our to circumstances have overcome their fears. I have been interviewing some of these soldiers for some time now. Hopefully I will have many more joining me with their stories. 

Keeping on watching this space for some touching, heartening and selfless stories of love and sacrifice.

Unexpected guest

Enough of sadness. What for? He celebrated life. He made my life unique. There was never a day in our life after he was born that we were not having anything to do. Here is one incident which made him unique in his own way. Strangely, it was not me who remembered this. But it was in his letters to me. 

While we were living in Patna, one day it was raining very hard. Suddenly from somewhere a Sadhu came to our house. He was screaming on the street that there is a boy born in this lane whose destiny is totally different from others. 

Some superstitious ladies in our lane pointed him to our house. He simply entered our house and without waiting for an invitation came inside our house. My grandma became very scared since she believed that these kind of Sadhu's are not to be messed with. 

The Sadhu ordered the child to be brought in front of him. After seeing the baby he said that there is a mark of a moon in his thighs. Skeptic me mom looked in the thigh and yes it was there!

The Sadhu told that this boy is born under strange stars and his life would be different. I remember my family asking him how different. But he clamped up. He just said it would be different. 

I remember everyone contemplating how it could be different. Some said he would be in politics while others argued he would be a film star. But looking at his cute face I surely felt he would be different. 

How I wish today I get hold of that Sadhu so that I could ask him why he was so mysterious. If he knew that Reuben was different why did he not warn us in what way? Maybe ...just maybe things would be different.

Part 1: Interview of an Organ Donar- Sharath Iyengar

Is Organ Donation all talk and no response business? I thought so till I met some youngsters who made me realize that the word 'Idealism' is not just gathering dust in the pages of our book. Somewhere out there, we have few youngsters who are still burning the fire of idealism. 

Donating your organs is no small feat and it is not something our government or our social institutes can implement. It is not our fundamental rights and not our moral duty. So what makes us donate our organs? Is it only a personal tragedy that makes us realize that we have to do it? I am ashamed to say that this is what I did. But then I met some youngsters who have done this selfless act just for the deed. I felt humbled and honored to have met them. 

I will be asking some of these heroes of our world the motivation behind this. I just wanted to understand why they did what they did and hope and pray that their stories will spread the word in every household one day. 

Meet Sharath Iyengar:

I try all my very best in spreading the message and till date from March 8 2013 (my b'day), I've made around 4 people to pledge it. Though not thro' facebook, thats because it usually ends up only in "liking" the page/ re-sharing/ signign a cause. As I've seen, not everybody are interested in doing it. So, I'm doing it in my factory (I'm employed in the great HAL) by word-of-mouth, encouraging people to donate blood atleast once in half year and also to pledge their organs. Many have also come forward. Also, on Aug 15th, there is an old students association function in a rural place off Marathalli, from where one of my friends come to work. They had organized a blood donation camp on Jan 26 and attained a record collection from 192 donars. Like-wise, this time the thrust is on organ donation and I'm writing a letter to ZCCK for the same, learning to know the process of doing it off-line, since it is in a rural are and not every body are computer literate / internet users.

He describes himself as a guy with an attitude of  'Simple Living and High Thinking'. His birthday gift to himself is donating blood on his birthday. Such youngsters are rare today and I hope not extinct. And for the skeptics out there, his Facebook status states:"What better way to celebrate the b'day than by donating blood and pledging my organs?"


Sharath Iyengar- Sharing his thoughts....

What motivated you to take such a novel step?

I always had this penchant to do something back to the society and not for the individual. Try to help the needy in one or the other way. I used to donate my blood on my b'day and also made a couple of my friends to it on their b'days'. This time after seeing Reubens' causes, I planned to pledge my organs, until then, frankly speaking, never knew that our other organs could also be pledged, just like our eyes. Though I would read in the newspapers about the transplantations, never thought that it was about the organs that were already pledged and donated. I wanted this pledging to coincide on my b'day and asked Reuben itself about the procedure. Though, I could not do it on my b'day, but it took me 2 days to do it. 

Did you discuss your decision with family or friends?

I discussed this issue with my family who readily obliged for the same. After I received my card, I proudly showed it to my friends and motivated them too, to pledge and they too agreed. Though, I did not find the need to discuss about me, pledging my organs with any of my friends except for Reuben.

Can you tell the readers what the procedure is?

Pledging our organs is surely much much easier than opening an e-mail account or creating a FB profile. All one needs to do is just to click on the URL, follow the procedure available there. The online form is just one page. Before proceeding, it is good to discuss with the family members first. Once, all the details are filled in, which are very basic in nature, two witnesses are required, whose details and addresses are required to be filled up in the designated places. Once you "Submit" it, it's done, you become a proud organ-donor. Once it is done, you get a card through post/ courier which requires you to fill up and have it in your custody at all times. In case of any unforeseen incidents, the availability of that card is sufficient to acknowledge the fact that you have pledged your organs. You can have a go at the online form by clicking on the ONLINE FORM

Many people have religious stigmatism regarding organ donation? Did it ever cross your mind?

You are absolutely right. I have experienced it first hand in this case. When I was educating my friends regarding organ donation, its uses among others, this came as a reply from one of them. He said, if we donate any of our organs in this life, we will have those organs missing i.n our next life. So, I said, when we are donating our Kidneys, Corneas, Heart, Lungs, Liver, Pancreas, Heart Valves and other tissues in this life and if I'm born without any of these in my next life, I'd be the happiest person not to be born at all as a man cannot be born without a heart or lungs/ livers. How can we expect a baby to be born without any of these? So, this question back to him made him realize the myth behind the organ donations. 

Do you think we can ever understand the importance of Organ Donation?

We can surely understand the importance of organ donation only through self realization. One can only motivate the other for the cause and he shall not motivate another person unless he knows the value of the recipient's life saved. Education is the only means to reach to the masses. Not to forget the regular newspaper articles that tell the success stories of numerous recipients and those who want them. One more thing that should be highlighted, I personally feel, is that not every pledger can donate his organs. It all depends upon the type of death he/ she gets and the duration lapsed before realizing that the person is dead from the time of death. So, only a fraction of donors can have their organs kept alive in some others' physical body.  Thus, the demand is huge but supply is never met. The only hope is to enroll multiple people to pledge their organs. 

Thanks to all the Donors!!!

Talking about organ donation is one of the toughest things I have ever done. Many of us are afraid to talk about it. I wondered why. I started asking questions to many youngsters and aged. The answers I got have opened my eyes. I would wonder why people are not responding to my queries. I would wonder where I am going wrong. I would wonder whether I am making an impact. But one thing I would not wonder is - Am I right in asking this of people?

There are some names I would love to take here- who have done the act. Youngsters who are proud organ donors. I have come across young girls who have not only donated their organs but who has also motivated her family to sign up too. I am proud to know such people and I do hope they will come forward with their stories for me to tell it to you all.

And then I came across a person who asked me Have I done it or am I preaching only. At first I got very angry and then I thought why am I getting angry. I have suffered as I have seen a loved one suffering. But to all who have not faced this situation, to them this is surreal. I understand. And to answer your query I will openly say that YES I have donated my organs.

I live in Texas. When we go for our license, we are asked whether we want to donate our organs. We registered on the spot at Donate Life Texas. It is globally recognized and wherever I meet my maker, I leave my organs behind. 

In the course of Reuben's operations I have met so many of his friends who have selflessly donated blood. Once when I was by his side I saw so many of his friends who without preamble would come and give their blood and such an act would always bring tears in his eyes. He would call you all his Blood Brothers. 

This time when I was not there, I know many of you came. I heard that most of you came because of his friend's Facebook Status. I was overwhelmed. I am humbled. And I promise to be a part of this selfless act whenever I can. Here I know of someone who gave her blood for the first time. I know she was scared but she did it for friendship. That act of hers will never be forgotten. Like that so many of you turned up. I wish I knew all your names. I wish I met all of you.  But you guys are a motivation for this movement. I just hope many of you join me in my endeavor for this awareness. 

I will be following this post with the interviews of the people who have actually donated their organs. Gathering information is taking time and i am sorry if this topic saddens you. But this is my small step in saving just one life if I can.

I have so many plans which we both had discussed , especially in the last few months. I don't know how far I will be able to go alone without him but I sure am going to try. Thank you all for private messages you guys have sent me, I respect your privacy. Thank you to all those dialysis technicians who have joined me in my fight and to all those Doctor's who are so free with their information and most of all the biggest thank you to all those laymen who are afraid but yet have come forward to donate their organs.

Being Born 21st June 1982

Introduction...

Birth of a child is a joyous affair. Everyone wants kids. Marriage in India is done to have kids, right? But in this we forget that it is not only the child we want, but we want  HEALTHY KIDS. Every mom should at that time needs to look after her health, take care of what she eats and not live in stress. That said and done, it also becomes imperative that if there is an inkling of doubt regarding the child's health, start researching. If the doctor has any inclination of something being wrong with the baby, then please take necessary actions. However, much it seems heartless at that point, I can assure you, no child wants to go through an ocean of pain, social sympathy and economic torture.

From Reuben...

Dear Modern Parents, 

Please take care of your kids from the day they are conceived. If you have any inclination that the child will not be 100% perfect in mind and body, then please rethink before delivering. If you think I am being cruel now, it is nothing compared to the life I have led. 

I wanted to laugh and play cricket. I could not. I wanted to ride a bike, I could not. You still don't think I need to be aborted? Well, how about this, I never could eat salt in any form all through my childhood. When my friends were getting ready for a sports day, I was busy getting hooked to an I.V. I was always having fluid retention in my body. There were day I could not walk also. All I can say is I was not given the choice whether I wanted to live like this or not.

Don't hate me too much for this suggestion. I was only 4 when I started questioning why I am different from others.  May all kids be born healthy. Love Reuben.

From Rubina...

My mother had hepatitis when she was carrying him. The doctor would not abort and she convinced my parents that nothing will happen to the child. My mother was hooked on saline for 6 months, eating only boiled food, rasgullas and sugarcane juice.... and lots and lots of saline water.

When he would ask me why he was born I could not answer him. I knew not the purpose of his birth except for the fact that I loved my bro too much. How do I know that I loved him too much? I cried every year once when the doctors would say that he is in a critical stage. I cried like that for 29 years.

Note to my readers...
I am sorry if I have made anyone sad. All I know that no child should endure what he had endured. But then this is not a tale of sadness but a tale of bravery, a constant battle between life and death.

The first time it happened, he was in an incubator.........

Being Daryl

From Reuben to All : [His exact words] 

The transformation from being Ruben Bhowmik to being Reuben Daryl was like a journey , the path had lots of twist and turns and lots of potholes and difficulties to reach my destination of being "Reuben Daryl " and the journey also had sacrifices too ! Yet I conquered it! Well, I have never written a sort of write-ups anything in my life other than writing short stories and essays way back in my school days as assignments. But, something suddenly sparked in me to write a memoir about myself and my family. People who walked into my life my life made it wonderful and those who walked out made it excellent. This memoir contains all the memories that I shared very closely with my family members beyond mom, dad and my elder sister. It’s a journey of my life seen through my eyes, seeing my family and the people around me. The journey of my life has been exciting, filled with deceit and betrayals at the same time and yet making the best out of my life so far. 

Handling my kidney disease on the other hand is another major part of my life.  Being born on June 21, 1984 makes me a cusp between two zodiac signs, Gemini and Cancer. The characteristic of Gemini has a complete effect on me, that’s versatility. This memoir would give you an insight view of the circumstances I have been through my life so far. Remember, it’s not complains that I would be mentioning, I call them “experiences” that I am sharing which are very personal that made me.  Read the memoir and you would surely get to know what it takes to be “Being Daryl”...

From Rubina To Ruben:

So now you want me to put this up? How come I end up with all the hard work and you are always relaxing? Not fair, bro... :)  But come to think of it., we always had this fight. You the lazy and me the lazier. What a pair!

I see that you have touched a lot of people in your lives. You have certainly given me something beautiful. A destination, a journey. I hope I reach the place you had asked me to go. So here we go bro... The journey starts. Stick with me or, ok no blackmailing ......

A note to all my Readers:

This journey is the journey of Reuben Bhowmik. He was a soul who touched all our lives, family and friends. Not all are good and not all are bad. But then, that is what makes him 'Daryl' - a name he chose to become. Why does a man want to leave his family name? He was very insistent on the name Daryl. When I used to ask him why he would say," Sounds good." I always took it in his face value.. or should I say voice value. [For the last two years, he was a voice for me.. A voice I would talk to for at least 10 hours a day.]

Today I found the meaning of the name.. Daryl means Beloved Loved One... 

That is all he was searching for... to love and to be loved.