Write an article about A father’s sacrifice, a son’s second chance at life .Organize the content with appropriate headings and subheadings (h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6), Retain any existing tags from Ayub Abdul Ghani quit a smoking habit so he could donate a kidney to his son, Dr Mohamad Zulkifli, battling end-stage kidney failure. (Dr Mohamad Zulkifli Ayub pic)
PETALING JAYA: Most fathers would go to great lengths for their children – and in Dr Mohamad Zulkifli Ayub’s case, his father’s love became his lifeline.
As a 23-year-old medical student back in 2020, Zulkifli was filled with hope for the future. Becoming a doctor was his lifelong dream, and he was the first among his siblings to achieve it.
But everything changed when he began experiencing nausea, dizziness and vomiting. “I went to the hospital where I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure,” the 28-year-old told FMT Lifestyle.
The diagnosis was devastating. “I was still young, and it felt like the end of the world. I was so sad,” he recalled. He had to start dialysis immediately.
The first person he called was his mother. She too was living with end-stage kidney failure. “She was so sad. Later, she blamed herself, thinking that the illness might have been hereditary.”
His father, Ayub Abdul Ghani, was equally heartbroken – especially since none of their other children had the disease.
“I tried looking for traditional medicine to help him,” Ayub, 62, told FMT Lifestyle. Sadly, these remedies didn’t work.
Zulkifli’s mother, Midah Mamat, (in a wheelchair) died from end-stage kidney failure in 2022. (Mohamad Zulkifli Ayub pic)
Ayub’s grief deepened when seeing his son struggle with the exhausting demands of dialysis.
Zulkifli was undergoing peritoneal dialysis, which he managed on his own while living on campus in Kuantan, far from his family in Kelantan. This is a treatment that uses the lining of the abdomen, or belly, to filter blood inside the body.
“I used to wake up around 6am and carry out dialysis for 30 minutes before heading to class. During lunch, I’d return to my room for another round,” Zulkifli recalled.
“After classes ended at 5pm, I’d do it again, and once more before bed at 11pm,” he added.
Balancing medical school with the physical toll of dialysis was not an easy feat. “I felt tired, and my stomach would feel a bit bloated,” Zulkifli shared.
“I could only drink 500 ml of water a day,” he said, adding that his haemoglobin levels were also low, and he was diagnosed as anaemic.
Things got tougher during his housemanship, which involved tiring, overnight shifts at the hospital. Fortunately, he was posted to a hospital in Kelantan.
Sadly, in 2022, Zulkifli’s mother died from her kidney disease. This happened before he began his housemanship, making an already difficult time for him even harder.
When Zulkifli’s doctor suggested a kidney transplant two years later, his younger sister offered to be a donor. But when she was found to be incompatible, the doctor suggested his father instead.
Ayub agreed immediately, determined to do whatever he could to help his son, although he did admit to feeling nervous as he had never undergone major surgery before.
Ayub’s sacrifice is all the more meaningful as the kidney transplant is successful. (Mohamad Zulkifli Ayub pic)
Still, one major obstacle stood in the way: Ayub’s four-decade-long smoking habit, which started when he was 18. He typically smoked two to three cigarettes every day.
He knew he had to give up smoking altogether if he was to donate a kidney to his son. And as tough as it was, he did.
He ate sweets and fruits instead to curb his cravings, and after three agonising months of battling withdrawal symptoms, Ayub was finally off cigarettes for good.
Constantly reminding himself of his son’s health predicament helped him overcome the smoking habit. It was a sacrifice worth making as the kidney transplant conducted last November was a big success.
Today, life feels promising again for Zulkifli. “I can drink as much water as I want. I feel much healthier, and my anaemia is also improving,” he said, adding that he no longer requires dialysis.
Zulkifli has a new lease of life and it’s all thanks to his father who donated his kidney to him last year. (Mohamad Zulkifli Ayub pic)
As for Ayub, he hasn’t touched a cigarette since quitting, adding that he feels much better without it. And his greatest reward? Seeing his son happy, healthy and thriving.
“This is what a father’s love looks like – being willing to quit smoking just to donate a kidney. It’s a sacrifice so great, it can never be repaid,” concluded Zulkifli.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads who make sacrifices for their children every day.
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