Little Raziel – The Dancing Star

“A complete mischief maker, the school was always calling with complaints. But you know how kids are? She was a very smart and talented girl. I miss my little Raziel,” says Mrs. Rosy Silveira, through tears.

Raziel Silveira was three years old when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her loving mother says she took it all in her stride, with real courage.

She loved watching TV with her little sister. She would try to copy all the dance steps from videos. I was happy because it kept them busy and I could get work done in peace, those little noise makers.

Rosy Silveira, Raziel’s mother

“She was very excited to take part in her class dance for the school’s Annual Day, just before the summer holidays.”

A fever that wouldn’t go away

For most children, the start of the summer holidays is a time of joy. But in 2018, things were different for the Silveira family. A day after the holidays began, Raziel came down with a high fever. Her family took her to the local doctor, but when the fever lasted another eight days, they grew worried.

They took her to Goa Medical College, where doctors at first treated her for fever and then tested for malaria. After a few more uncertain days, the doctors suggested the family go to Mumbai for more tests.

It meant the worry of seeing their child unwell, and the cost of tests and travel. But the family made the trip, hoping for clear answers. Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, with its thousands of patients, can feel overwhelming. Because of a communication gap, the family could only complete three of the five important tests. Those tests brought hard news: it wasn’t just a fever. Raziel had blood cancer.

Two and a half months on the ward

What followed was two and a half months of worry, prayers, uncertainty, treatment, family visits and 14 blood transfusions. That is more than many adults go through.

Even a hospital ward couldn’t dampen Raziel’s spirit. She would happily splash in her bath before chemo, and she never missed changing her nail paint before each session.

Lourdes Soares, Sabrcare, who the family remembers as a great support in helping them understand the diagnosis

As the days went by, Raziel grew thinner, and her cheerful, bright spirit grew quieter. Playtime with her sister now felt tiring. To protect her from infection she was connected to needles, which kept her still in body and, in time, in spirit.

Her mother did everything she could to keep Raziel’s spirits up, colouring with her and watching her favourite Shiva cartoons together on the ward.

Despite the family’s best efforts, Raziel’s weak immune system meant she caught an infection. The treatment for it was hard on her body and left scars on her skin.

Her condition worsened until she needed a ventilator. The hospital’s only two children’s ventilators were already in use, so Raziel had to be moved to another hospital. The journey took its toll, and Raziel passed away on 25 May 2018.

Remembering Raziel

My days were always busy with these two girls. They were always either playing together or fighting with each other. Their father used to take them to the park to play every Sunday. She still cries. She misses her sister a lot.

Rosy Silveira, on Raziel’s younger sister, Sybil

How does a family find its way again after losing their little girl?

“It’s been a tough year. I keep myself busy by volunteering with the Santa Cruz Church parish. We have a lot to be grateful to them for,” says Mrs. Silveira. The family faced a large bill for the ventilator. The whole parish came together, set up a collection and helped them clear the debt.

It is heartwarming to see a whole community come together for a family in a hard time.

Shared with the consent of Raziel’s family.