The Shocking Healthcare Issue That Made Her Leave the US: A Young NRI Family's Tragedy
Sahithi and her husband Srikanth were living the American dream in the Bay Area until a brain tumor diagnosis changed everything. What followed was a nightmare of cancelled appointments, delayed treatment, and ultimately tragedy—exposing the vulnerabilities NRI families face in the US healthcare system.
The Shocking Healthcare Issue That Made Her Leave the US: A Young NRI Family's Tragedy
Sahithi and her husband Srikanth were living the American dream in the Bay Area—good jobs, a home, two young daughters, and dreams of the future. Then a brain tumor diagnosis exposed the devastating vulnerabilities NRI families face in the US healthcare system. This is her story.
Content Warning
This article contains a deeply personal and tragic story involving medical complications and loss. Sahithi bravely shared her experience to help other NRI families understand the realities and vulnerabilities they may face in the US healthcare system. We are grateful for her courage in sharing this story.
Key Points from Sahithi's Story
- Sahithi and Srikanth moved from Hyderabad to Bay Area in 2016; both software professionals from IIIT
- Srikanth was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma (benign brain tumor) in May 2022
- Underwent 15-hour brain surgery at Stanford on August 1, 2022
- Developed surgical complication (dural AVF) causing double vision in October 2022
- Appointments were cancelled THREE times in November 2022 despite urgent need
- Waited 15-16 hours in ER before being treated on December 5-6, 2022
- Sahithi was alone with two young children (ages 6 and 1) during the crisis
- Made the decision to return to India in 2024 after the tragedy
A Mother's Nightmare: "He waited 15 to 16 hours in the ER. He went in the afternoon and came back home only at 7 AM the next day. As soon as I came out of the door, there was a social worker who asked me at that moment—'What visa are you on? Is it H1B or is it dependent?' I don't know if you are asking for me and my kids' benefit or to kick me out of America." — Sahithi, recounting one of the most painful moments of her ordeal.
🌟 The American Dream: Sahithi and Srikanth's Journey
Before sharing her story, Sahithi wanted to acknowledge the Desi Return platform: "Your platform was really helpful. I personally got motivated when I took the decision. I saw multiple videos of couples, single parents—I was searching for different cases and I found exactly the scenario and situation that I was looking for, and I got the appropriate guidance."
Sahithi and Srikanth were both software professionals from Hyderabad. Sahithi completed her post-graduation at IIIT Hyderabad in Gachibowli, and Srikanth was also a graduate from IIIT. They were working in Hyderabad, got married, and life was going well.
Their Background
- Education: Both from IIIT Hyderabad (prestigious engineering institute)
- Profession: Software engineers
- Marriage: Got married while working in Hyderabad
- First child: Daughter born in India
- US Move: 2016, when Srikanth got an opportunity through his company
Their motivation was common among young Indian professionals: explore the US, travel the world (which seemed easier from the US), and earn some money. There was some hesitation from their families, but also excitement about the opportunity.
🏠 Life in the Bay Area: Building a Future
They moved to the Bay Area, and life quickly fell into place. Sahithi had family members and cousins already in the US, which helped with the transition.
Building Their American Life
- Quick job: Sahithi got a job within 10 days of arriving
- Strong network: Srikanth had about 20 sets of friends in the Bay Area—college batchmates who had become like family
- Career growth: Both had good careers; Sahithi worked at startups and bigger companies, commuting to San Francisco
- Home purchase: They bought a home in a beautiful neighborhood
- Community: Made friends with neighbors during COVID when everyone was home
- Travel: Visited Hawaii, Mexico, and many other places
- Second child: Expecting their second daughter in November 2021
Srikanth was particularly invested in their American future. He had applied for his I-140 (green card process) and was constantly worried about the priority date situation. His priority date was 2016, and seeing that even 2012 cases weren't processed yet, he worried about their daughter who was born in India—would she be "thrown out to India" if things didn't work out?
They even had plans to move to Canada as an alternative path to permanent residency. Srikanth had been talking with his employer and friends in Canada about making the move after their second daughter was born.
The Perfect Life—Until It Wasn't
By 2020, everything seemed perfect:
- Beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood
- Strong friend circle that felt like family
- Good careers for both
- Expecting their second child
- Plans for the future (Canada move)
- Parents had visited and enjoyed the area
⚠️ First Signs: When Something Went Wrong
In October 2021, with their second daughter due in November, Srikanth noticed something concerning: he couldn't hear on one side.
Timeline of Early Symptoms
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 2021 | Srikanth notices he can't hear on one side; initially dismissed as possibly cold-related |
| November 2021 | Second daughter born; focus shifts to new baby |
| Late 2021 | Baby gets sick—cold, then ventilated at 4 weeks old; hospitalized multiple times |
| Early 2022 | Baby gets COVID at 2 months old; hospitalized at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital for a week |
| March 2022 | Physical checkup; doctor suggests MRI to rule out tumor |
| May 2022 | Finally gets MRI done |
The delay in getting the MRI was partly due to circumstances—they were overwhelmed with the new baby's health issues and the demands of daily life. Srikanth himself was hesitant:
The Baby's Health Crisis
While Srikanth's hearing issue was being delayed, their infant daughter was going through her own medical nightmare:
- At 4 weeks old: Got cold and was put on a ventilator
- At 2 months old: Contracted COVID and was hospitalized
- Multiple hospitalizations for respiratory illness and eczema
- Underwent DNA testing, genetic testing, and even cancer screening—all for a 6-month-old
The nurse at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital had told Sahithi something devastating when the baby was admitted with COVID: "Don't have high hope on your daughter. You might have to transplant..." The exact words were traumatic, and thankfully, the baby survived.
During all this chaos with the baby, Srikanth's health issue kept getting pushed back.
🏥 The Diagnosis: Acoustic Neuroma
In March 2022, during a routine physical checkup, the doctor finally addressed Srikanth's hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, acoustic neuromas are rare tumors that can cause hearing loss. The doctor mentioned three possibilities:
- Genetics (but genetic hearing loss typically occurs after age 60)
- Age-related issues (Srikanth was only 36-37)
- A tumor
The doctor recommended an MRI. They tried to get an appointment, but Srikanth kept delaying—he was exhausted from all the hospital visits for their daughter. Finally, in May 2022, he got the MRI done.
The Diagnosis
Condition: Acoustic Neuroma
What it is: A benign tumor in the ear that had grown into the brain
Size: About the size of a peanut
Complication: The tumor had a "sticky part" attached to it
Hearing status: Already lost hearing on the left side
Seeking Second Opinions
They weren't satisfied with the initial doctor's approach (who wanted to immediately refer to a surgeon), so they sought a second opinion at Stanford. Sahithi called, spoke to different doctors, sent the MRI report and CD, and got an appointment within a week.
At Stanford, they saw:
- An ENT specialist (about 70+ years old, very experienced)
- A neurologist
The Treatment Decision
The doctors explained the options:
Why Surgery Over Radiation
The complication: The tumor had a "sticky part" that complicated treatment.
Why not radiation: If radiation was used, the sticky part might attach to the body and could potentially become cancerous (metastasize) later.
Recommendation: Surgery to remove the tumor completely.
Side effects mentioned: Possible leakage, stitching issues—but notably, no one mentioned the complication that would later occur.
They also consulted doctors in India—at Apollo, KARE, and an Ayurvedic doctor. The Apollo and KARE doctors confirmed surgery was safe. However, one Ayurvedic doctor gave different advice:
Sahithi conveyed this to her husband, but he was firm:
Srikanth had done extensive research on Reddit, joined acoustic neuroma groups, followed podcasts from San Diego hospitals, and connected with other patients. Everything pointed to surgery being the right choice. He wanted to be there for his kids.
⚕️ The Surgery: August 1, 2022
The surgery was scheduled for August 1, 2022. It was a massive undertaking.
Surgery Details
- Duration: 15 hours
- Procedure: Skull had to be cut open to remove the tumor
- Hospital: Stanford
- Post-surgery medication: Strong steroids
The Challenges of Being a Caregiver
Sahithi faced enormous challenges during this time:
- Their parents had come from India but couldn't drive
- They had friends, but didn't want to disclose the situation to everyone
- Due to COVID protocols, only the patient was allowed inside
- Sahithi didn't know how to drive at that time
- She was taking trains (Caltrain) to go between home and hospital
- She had two young children to care for (one 6 years old, one less than 1 year old)
Initial Recovery: Hope
Immediately after the surgery, things looked promising:
Post-Surgery (August 2022)
In the evening at 8 o'clock, Sahithi went to see him: "He was perfectly fine. He was talking, cracking jokes with the nurse and everybody. He was perfectly fine. He was happy that he was thinking from here, life goes on. I will be happy."
After 5 days, during discharge, the doctor said: "You are very young and you are very healthy. You made our job easier."
August was a bumpy recovery month—high fevers due to the strong steroids, various issues—but they managed with family support. His parents were there, her parents were there. By the end of August, things seemed to be stabilizing.
September-October: Return to Normal
After their parents left in October (Sahithi's parents left on October 17th, with Srikanth himself driving them to the airport), life seemed to be returning to normal:
- Srikanth went back to work in early October
- His employer and managers were very cooperative, telling him to take a break and come back when ready
- He took California disability benefits and maternity leave
- They traveled around the Bay Area—Monterey, 17-Mile Drive, beaches, Santa Cruz
- He drove to all these places himself
- Life seemed to be getting back on track
😰 Complications: When Things Got Worse
About a week after Sahithi's parents left (around October 20th), Srikanth started developing a new symptom: double vision.
The New Symptom
Srikanth would stand in front of the TV and test himself:
- First noticed he couldn't see properly with one eye
- Wondered if it was his glasses prescription
- Tested at Costco and Target—vision was fine according to those tests
- But something wasn't right
Within 2 days, he understood this needed to be addressed.
The Follow-Up Appointments
In November, Srikanth had his scheduled follow-up appointments:
- MRI: Taken in the second week of November
- Neurologist visit (November 16th): They saw the MRI and said "You are perfectly recovering fine"
But when Srikanth mentioned his vision problem to the neurologist, the response was dismissive:
Sahithi was frustrated: "Don't they know that how could I be convincing? This looks fishy. I suspect there is something bigger here. Don't take it easy."
The Diagnosis of the Complication
By late November, after going to the ER (because he couldn't wait any longer), the truth emerged:
Dural AVF (Arteriovenous Fistula)
What happened: During the surgery, when the skull was cut open and stitched back, some nerves got tangled or "strung" together.
The effect: This was causing pressure on the eye, compromising vision, and raising blood pressure.
The solution needed: A brain angiogram to address the issue.
What no one told them: "Nobody has talked about this side effect. Neither ENT nor neurologist—they told that you could have a leakage or you could have some stitching issue, but nobody has talked about that."
By this point, Srikanth had developed double vision in both eyes, not just one. The pressure was building, and he needed treatment urgently.
❌ Healthcare System Failure: Cancelled Appointments
What followed was a nightmare that exposed the failures of the US healthcare system—even at prestigious institutions like Stanford.
The Struggle to Get Appointments
Sahithi tried desperately to get appointments:
Appointment Search
- Called every ophthalmology clinic in and around the Bay Area
- Checked East Bay, Fremont, Dublin, Sunnyvale—everywhere
- All appointments were post-December (it was November)
- Even checked if she could sue the hospital for not giving appointments—was told hospitals can refuse if they don't have infrastructure
The Cancelled Appointments
This is where the tragedy deepened. Despite the urgent need:
November 23rd - First Cancellation
They finally got an appointment. Got ready, prepared themselves. Then received a call: "Your appointment is cancelled because there is another patient who got a heart attack and that case is more priority. Your case is not priority."
November 26th - Second Cancellation
After much back and forth, got another appointment. Again, it was cancelled.
November 28th - Third Cancellation
Srikanth had already entered the hospital. The appointment was cancelled again.
Sahithi was doing everything she could:
November 28th: The ER Visit
On November 28th (a Saturday), Srikanth couldn't wait any longer. He went to the ER.
15-16 Hours in the ER
He went to the ER in the afternoon. He came back home only at 7 AM the next day.
What happened: He was there for 15-16 hours. It was the holiday week (Thanksgiving), and the hospital said they didn't have enough infrastructure to support his case.
His condition: By then, he couldn't see properly with both eyes. He had developed double vision on both sides.
The Holiday Week Isolation
The timing couldn't have been worse. It was Thanksgiving week:
- None of his friends were in town—everyone was on holiday
- Neighbors were vacationing
- Some friends were traveling, some were expecting babies
- Sahithi was alone with two young children
- Her parents were in India, waiting for updates
😢 The Isolation: Facing Crisis Alone
Throughout this ordeal, Sahithi was essentially alone. The isolation of being an immigrant family far from their support system became painfully apparent.
The Caregiver's Burden
Sahithi was simultaneously:
- Caring for a 6-year-old daughter
- Caring for a baby (less than 1 year old) who had her own health issues
- Supporting her husband through his medical crisis
- Communicating with doctors and hospitals
- Managing the household
- Working (she was still employed)
- Coordinating with family in India
The Suggestion to Return to India
Before the final tragedy, Sahithi had suggested to her husband that they should return to India:
Sahithi's Reasoning
- In India, they would have family support—both sets of parents
- No need to worry about who would watch the kids
- No transportation challenges
- Better ability to navigate the healthcare system with family help
- No visa-related vulnerabilities
But Srikanth was adamant:
He was scared. They were all scared. The COVID handling in India, the reports they had seen, the loss of one of his cousins in India due to COVID—all of this made him believe the US was the safer option.
The Social Worker's Question
One moment that particularly stung Sahithi occurred when she came out of the hospital:
A Painful Question
"As soon as I came out of the door, there was a social worker who asked me at that moment—'What visa are you on? Is it H1B or is it dependent?'"
Sahithi's thought: "I don't know if you are asking for me and my kids' benefit or to kick me out of America."
This moment encapsulated the vulnerability that immigrant families face—even in their darkest hours, the question of visa status looms.
💔 The Final Days: December 2022
Finally, on December 5th, they got an appointment. But even then, the delays continued.
December 5th Timeline
- Appointment time: 5-6 PM
- When he was actually seen: 2 PM the next day (December 6th)
- Wait time: Over 15-16 hours
- His condition: Not being given food; they put him on saline when Sahithi asked
Sahithi's cousin (who had no kids and could help) drove Srikanth to the hospital. Due to COVID protocols, only the patient was allowed inside—Sahithi couldn't be there to support him.
The Treatment
When the doctors finally saw him, they performed the brain angiogram. But things didn't go as planned.
The Call at 8 PM
A neurologist called Sahithi: "Your husband is not waking up. We gave him powerful shots, powerful lights, we are giving him hard strokes, beatings—he is not waking up. We are rushing into an emergency craniotomy."
Sahithi's reaction: "How many times would you cut his skull? Just tell me—will he be alive?"
Doctor's response: "He is in our hands. We will take care of him."
When they asked for her consent for the emergency surgery, Sahithi's response was clear:
The Outcome
At 11 PM, they called again: the surgery was done, he was under observation, but he was losing a lot of blood.
At midnight, a resident doctor called with devastating news. Sahithi understood the situation. She called her cousin, told her what was happening, and they rushed to the hospital.
The details of what followed are too painful to fully recount. Sahithi became a single parent that night, left to raise two young daughters alone.
📝 Lessons and Reflections
Sahithi's story is a cautionary tale that exposes several critical issues facing NRI families in the US. For families considering their healthcare options, understanding health insurance considerations for NRIs is crucial.
Healthcare System Vulnerabilities
What This Story Reveals
- Specialist access: Even with good insurance, getting timely specialist appointments can be nearly impossible
- Appointment cancellations: Critical appointments can be cancelled multiple times without adequate alternatives
- Holiday gaps: Healthcare access becomes even more limited during holiday periods
- ER wait times: Even urgent cases can wait 15+ hours in the ER
- Communication gaps: Important side effects may not be communicated before surgery
- Prioritization: Your case may not be considered "priority" even when it's urgent
The Immigrant Family's Vulnerability
Unique Challenges for NRI Families
- Isolation: Far from family support systems in India
- Visa status: The constant awareness of immigration status, even during medical emergencies
- Limited network: Friends may not be available during holidays or have their own responsibilities
- Single point of failure: If one spouse is incapacitated, the other must handle everything alone
- Transportation: Dependence on driving in areas with limited public transit
- COVID protocols: Restrictions that prevent family support during hospital stays
The Decision to Return
After this tragedy, Sahithi made the decision to return to India in 2024. The Desi Return platform helped her find stories of other single parents and families who had made similar decisions, giving her the confidence to take this step. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, understanding healthcare coverage options is essential for families navigating medical decisions.
Why She Chose to Return
In India, Sahithi would have:
- Family support from both sets of parents
- A familiar healthcare system she could navigate
- No visa-related anxieties
- A support network for raising her daughters
- The ability to rebuild her life with her community around her
Questions This Story Raises
Sahithi's experience raises important questions for every NRI family. Many families find guidance in other NRI families' return stories when making their own decisions:
- What is your backup plan if a medical emergency occurs?
- Do you have a support network that can help during a crisis?
- How would you manage if one spouse was incapacitated?
- Is the "best healthcare in the world" narrative accurate for immigrant families?
- What are the trade-offs between staying in the US and returning to India?
- How much does visa status affect your sense of security?
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sahithi and Srikanth's background before the tragedy?
Sahithi and Srikanth were both software professionals from Hyderabad. Sahithi did her post-graduation at IIIT Hyderabad (Gachibowli), and Srikanth was also a graduate from IIIT. They were working in Hyderabad, got married, and moved to the US in 2016 when Srikanth got an opportunity through his company. They settled in the Bay Area, where Sahithi got a job within 10 days of arriving. They had one daughter born in India (10 months old when they moved) and a second daughter born in the US in November 2021. Life was going well—they bought a home, had friends and family nearby, and had dreams of moving to Canada for a green card path.
What was Srikanth diagnosed with?
After an MRI in May 2022, Srikanth was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma—a benign tumor in the ear that had grown into the brain. The tumor was the size of a peanut. While benign, it had a "sticky part" that complicated treatment options. The doctors at Stanford recommended surgery rather than radiation therapy because radiation could cause the sticky part to attach to the body and potentially become cancerous later. The surgery was performed on August 1, 2022—a 15-hour operation where they had to cut open the skull to remove the tumor.
What complications occurred after the surgery?
Initially, Srikanth seemed fine after surgery—he was talking and joking with nurses. August recovery was bumpy but manageable with family support. However, in late October 2022, he developed double vision—first in one eye, then both. This was a surgical side effect called "dural AVF" (arteriovenous fistula)—a complication where nerves got tangled during the skull stitching process. This was causing pressure that affected his vision and blood pressure. The doctors said he needed a brain angiogram to address it, but getting an appointment proved nearly impossible.
What happened with the hospital appointments?
Despite the urgent need for treatment: The first available ophthalmology appointment was in December (months away). They tried calling every ophthalmology clinic in the Bay Area—all appointments were post-December. When they finally got a neurology appointment on November 23rd, it was cancelled because another patient had a heart attack. A rescheduled appointment on November 26th was cancelled again. Another appointment on November 28th was cancelled a third time. Finally, on December 5th, he got an appointment at 5-6 PM but wasn't seen until 2 PM the next day—waiting over 15-16 hours in the ER without being treated.
What does this story reveal about the US healthcare system for NRIs?
This story exposes several vulnerabilities: Long wait times for specialist appointments even in emergencies. Appointments can be cancelled multiple times without adequate alternatives. Being on H1B visa creates additional vulnerability—Sahithi mentions a social worker asking about her visa status at a critical moment. The system can fail even with good insurance (they had Sutter Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield). Holiday periods create additional gaps in care. The isolation of being far from family support systems in India. Even at prestigious institutions like Stanford, the system has significant gaps.
Why did Sahithi decide to return to India?
Before the final tragedy, Sahithi had suggested to her husband that they should return to India given the healthcare challenges they were facing. She felt that in India, they would have family support from both sets of parents, no need to worry about childcare or transportation, better ability to navigate the healthcare system with family help, and no visa-related vulnerabilities. However, her husband was adamant about staying in the US, believing he could only survive with US healthcare. After the tragedy, Sahithi made the decision to return to India in 2024, finding guidance through stories of other families on the Desi Return platform.
Thinking About Your Family's Future?
Sahithi's story is a reminder that life can change unexpectedly. Whether you're considering returning to India or want to better prepare for emergencies while abroad, having a plan and a support network is crucial.
Connect with families who understand the challenges of living abroad and get guidance for your family's unique situation. We are deeply grateful to Sahithi for sharing her story to help others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loading comments...