In Loving Memory of Yasica
With unwavering love and boundless joy, our precious ‘Chitti Thali,’ Yasica—fondly known as Chitti, Junglemudikis—graced our lives on July 24, 2016. Her presence was a symphony of pure bliss, from her tentative first steps to the unrestrained laughter that filled our home. As parents, with Yasica and (her older brother) Ritvik, our world was complete.
But the melody of our lives changed its tune in October 2020! A sudden unexplained fever for weeks, nausea, loss of appetite and prolonged sleep became a devastating revelation at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, California—when we got to know that our beloved Chitti was facing an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) in her tender young brain. The world blurred, leaving us numb and unprepared for the journey that lay ahead for our Yasica.
Then the battle against this cruel adversary, ATRT, began. At mere age of 4, Yasica, faced excruciating pain every day. With an unwavering support network—Papa (Sudheer), Amma (Yamini), Brother (Rithikkk Anna), family, and friends—she went through the agonizing treatments for this pediatric brain tumor. As days passed, Radiation and Chemotherapy became her bitter companions, MRI machines were her confining chambers, feeding tubes inserted into her tiny nose—all while she bore it with a strength that silenced our hearts.
For 3 unyielding years, hospitals became her transient abode. Her innocent words pierced through our attempts to shield her from the stark reality—”again you brought me here!” (indicating how much she hated hospital). Our hearts shattered as we remained powerless against this unrelenting challenge.
Our baby fought valiantly. Two brain surgeries were attempted to remove the monstrous cyst from her delicate brain, yet ATRT persisted, refusing to release our little warrior from its grasp. Another brain surgery for a VP shunt placement, led to left side weakness as an overall side effect, yet our baby continued to smile every day. Despite the bleak predictions from doctors, Yasica’s spirit endured. “Probably this would be her last Christmas,” they predicted in May 2022, but Yasica defied their prognosis.
In August 2023, we sought refuge in India, yearning to capture timeless moments with our precious Yasica. But fate tightened its grip on her fragile health. Sadly, a week before her 7th birthday, her radiant vision dimmed. Yet, Yasica faced this inevitable journey with unwavering courage, never shedding a tear or causing a fuss. Each day became a cherished gift, an irreplaceable treasure.
Surrounded by her dearest family, Yasica found solace in heartfelt goodbyes. On November 14, 2023, she ascended into eternity, becoming the angel we hold dear as the forever 7 Yasica.
Life, without her radiant presence, is an altered landscape. Our 12-year-old Ritvik feels her absence keenly, and our hearts ache with an unfillable void.
Yasica’s impact reverberates in the lives she touched. She graced us with a purpose, and we pledge to honor her legacy with unwavering resilience.
Yasica lives on in our hearts, inspiring us to be a steadfast pillar of support for young warriors, their families, and the relentless research teams combating this Beast—Pediatric Brain Cancer.
In Loving Memory of Yasica
In Loving Memory of Yasica
With unwavering love and boundless joy, our precious ‘Chitti Thali,’ Yasica—fondly known as Chitti, Junglemudikis—graced our lives on July 24, 2016. Her presence was a symphony of pure bliss, from her tentative first steps to the unrestrained laughter that filled our home. As parents, with Yasica and (her older brother) Ritvik, our world was complete.
But the melody of our lives changed its tune in October 2020! A sudden unexplained fever for weeks, nausea, loss of appetite and prolonged sleep became a devastating revelation at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, California—when we got to know that our beloved Chitti was facing an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) in her tender young brain. The world blurred, leaving us numb and unprepared for the journey that lay ahead for our Yasica.
Then the battle against this cruel adversary, ATRT, began. At mere age of 4, Yasica, faced excruciating pain every day. With an unwavering support network—Papa (Sudheer), Amma (Yamini), Brother (Rithikkk Anna), family, and friends—she went through the agonizing treatments for this pediatric brain tumor. As days passed, Radiation and Chemotherapy became her bitter companions, MRI machines were her confining chambers, feeding tubes inserted into her tiny nose—all while she bore it with a strength that silenced our hearts.
For 3 unyielding years, hospitals became her transient abode. Her innocent words pierced through our attempts to shield her from the stark reality—”again you brought me here!” (indicating how much she hated hospital). Our hearts shattered as we remained powerless against this unrelenting challenge.
Our baby fought valiantly. Two brain surgeries were attempted to remove the monstrous cyst from her delicate brain, yet ATRT persisted, refusing to release our little warrior from its grasp. Another brain surgery for a VP shunt placement, led to left side weakness as an overall side effect, yet our baby continued to smile every day. Despite the bleak predictions from doctors, Yasica’s spirit endured. “Probably this would be her last Christmas,” they predicted in May 2022, but Yasica defied their prognosis.
In August 2023, we sought refuge in India, yearning to capture timeless moments with our precious Yasica. But fate tightened its grip on her fragile health. Sadly, a week before her 7th birthday, her radiant vision dimmed. Yet, Yasica faced this inevitable journey with unwavering courage, never shedding a tear or causing a fuss. Each day became a cherished gift, an irreplaceable treasure.
Surrounded by her dearest family, Yasica found solace in heartfelt goodbyes. On November 14, 2023, she ascended into eternity, becoming the angel we hold dear as the forever 7 Yasica.
Life, without her radiant presence, is an altered landscape. Our 12-year-old Ritvik feels her absence keenly, and our hearts ache with an unfillable void.
Yasica’s impact reverberates in the lives she touched. She graced us with a purpose, and we pledge to honor her legacy with unwavering resilience.
Yasica lives on in our hearts, inspiring us to be a steadfast pillar of support for young warriors, their families, and the relentless research teams combating this Beast—Pediatric Brain Cancer.
About Foundation
Yasica’s Bout
It was in October 2020, the mystery behind Yasica’s unexplained weeks-long fever, persistent nausea, loss of appetite, and prolonged sleep was unveiled! Our baby had a Tumor in her head! A malignant beast – Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT).
Our journey into the unknown began relying on experimental approaches, in the absence of a well-defined solution for this monstrous disease.
Painful Processes for Life
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