A Journey Through Darkness, Faith, and Hope: Mohammad Sami’s Battle with Severe Acute Pancreatitis

On 15 July 2026, Mohammad Sami was admitted to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, with severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, abdominal swelling, and immense physical and emotional distress. He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Like every family, we believed that with treatment he would recover. Little did we know that this would become one of the most difficult journeys our family would ever endure.

As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to SKIMS, Srinagar, on 19 July 2026. He spent two nights in the Gastroenterology ward, but despite every effort, his condition continued to worsen. Soon, he slipped into Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS). His kidneys were severely affected, he became hemodynamically unstable, developed respiratory failure, massive third-space fluid accumulation, and numerous other life-threatening complications.

He was then shifted to CCU (Bed No. 12) under the leadership of Dr. Akbar, Head of the Department of Critical Care Medicine.

Being an engineer by academic training and a civil servant by profession, I had very little understanding of the complexities of critical care medicine. During those anxious days, some of my childhood friends and colleagues working as doctors at SKIMS stood beside me through every difficult moment. They patiently explained every investigation, every complication, and every treatment while I struggled to comprehend what was unfolding before my eyes.

The most critical phase began on 20 July, when the treating team was discussing the possibility of dialysis and mechanical ventilation. Most doctors honestly informed us that the mortality risk was extremely high because Mohammad Sami had progressed to multiple organ failure. Hearing those words was heartbreaking. My maternal uncle—Sami’s father—would repeatedly ask me, “How is he? What are the doctors saying?”I would reassure him that everything was under control, while inside I was fighting one of the hardest emotional battles of my life.

I still remember that Friday when the weight of uncertainty became unbearable. I called my father and requested him to arrange special prayers in every mosque possible and to offer charity and sacrifice, seeking Allah’s mercy and healing for Sami. It was one of those moments when medicine and faith walked hand in hand.

Yet, despite the overwhelming odds, the CCU team at SKIMS never stopped fighting. Under the leadership of Dr. Akbar, every investigation was meticulously reviewed, every change in Sami’s condition was closely monitored, and every decision was taken with remarkable precision, urgency, and teamwork. Through their collective wisdom, timely interventions, and comprehensive intensive care—including the introduction of Ulinostatin—they continued to battle for his life when many feared the worst.

From that Friday onward, by the infinite mercy of Allah and the relentless efforts of this extraordinary medical team, Mohammad Sami slowly but steadily began to improve. What once appeared impossible gradually transformed into a story of hope, resilience, and recovery. Watching him respond to treatment felt nothing short of miraculous.

The road to recovery, however, was long and exhausting. Mohammad Sami underwent countless blood investigations, X-rays, ultrasounds, CECT scans, blood transfusions, pigtail drain placements, pleural fluid tapping, intensive antibiotic therapy, IVIG, physiotherapy, management of bed sores, nutritional support, and numerous other procedures. Every day presented a new challenge, but every day also reinforced our faith and strengthened our resolve.

As of 20 August 2026, it was the 29th day of Mohammad Sami’s journey in the ICU/CCU. After 29 long days of uncertainty, fear, prayers, procedures, setbacks, and moments of hope, we received news that felt almost unbelievable: his parent department had received a call regarding his shifting from the ICU to the main ward.

For our family, this news was nothing short of a new dawn.

The journey from the ICU to the ward represents the first major challenge that Mohammad Sami has successfully crossed. The ICU was a place where every hour mattered, where every change in his condition could bring either hope or fear. To hear that he was now being considered for transfer to the main ward felt like a milestone we had once only prayed for.

But we know that the journey is not over yet.

The first challenge was the journey from ICU to the ward. The second—and perhaps the most eagerly anticipated challenge—is the journey from the ward back home.

That is the moment we are now waiting for with bated breath—the day Mohammad Sami will finally leave the hospital, return to his family, sleep in his own home, and begin the next chapter of his recovery surrounded by the people who love him.

We have come this far through the mercy of Allah, the extraordinary efforts of the medical team, the prayers of our families and friends, and the strength shown by Mohammad Sami himself. We continue to place our faith in Allah and remain hopeful that the next call we receive will be the one we have been waiting for all these weeks:

“Mohammad Sami is ready to go home.”

Until that day comes, we continue to pray, remain hopeful, and take each step as it comes.

From ICU to ward—and soon, Insha’Allah, from ward to home. ❤️

Throughout this journey, we had the privilege of meeting doctors whose compassion equaled their competence. Dr. Murtaza, Dr. Sajad, Dr. Guru, Dr. Rao, Dr. Faheem, Dr. Ambreen, Dr. Gaurav and many others were always approachable, supportive, and reassuring. Their kindness and encouragement will remain with our family forever.

A special word of gratitude goes to Dr. Suhail and Dr. Waheed, whose genuine concern for every patient was evident every single day.

Above all, Dr. Akbar, Head of the Department of Critical Care Medicine*, exemplified exceptional leadership, calmness under pressure, outstanding clinical judgment, and extraordinary humanity. His reassuring presence brought hope to families during their darkest moments.

I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Summayia whose compassion, availability, and unwavering concern throughout Mohammad Sami’s illness reflected the very finest qualities of the medical profession.

This journey also taught us that recovery is never the work of doctors alone. Behind every successful outcome stands a silent army of nurses, physiotherapists, technicians, paramedics, ward attendants, sanitation workers, and countless other healthcare professionals who work tirelessly, day and night, often without recognition. Their dedication, kindness, and sacrifice transformed what seemed like an impossible situation into a journey back to life.

Today, when I look back at everything we witnessed, I have a profound respect for the medical profession. During the most critical phase of Mohammad Sami’s illness, when we were on the brink of losing him, the CCU team at SKIMS stood with him with extraordinary dedication and resolve. Their expertise, compassion, teamwork, and unwavering commitment turned despair into hope and gave our family the greatest gift imaginable—a second chance at life.

This experience has forever changed the way I view healthcare. Behind every recovery lies an entire team that sacrifices sleep, comfort, and personal time so that someone else’s loved one may return home.

To every doctor, nurse, paramedic, technician, physiotherapist, and support staff at the SKIMS Critical Care Unit, our family extends its deepest gratitude and heartfelt respect.

May Allah bless each one of you with good health, strength, wisdom, and abundant rewards for your noble service to humanity.

A heartfelt salute to the entire team.

You did not merely treat a patient—you restored hope to an entire family.

Thank you for giving Mohammad Sami another chance at life and for bringing the remarkable resurrection of hope to our family.

Regards,

Asif Malik (KAS)

Mohammad Sami’s Cousin

malikdotcommalik@gmail.com