How did the family of the suffering boy come to the decision to visit Shirdi?

As described in Chapter 34, the family's decision to visit Shirdi was born out of desperation after all medical options had failed. When the boy's painful bone-cyst did not subside in the least, relatives suggested worshiping deities. After this also seemed to yield no results, they heard word of a famous Avaliya, or saint, in Shirdi. They were told that this great saint, Sai Maharaj, could heal diseases by his sight and that if he applied his Udi with his own hand, even incurable ailments would perish. Convinced this was their last resort and the only way to potentially avert the calamity, the parents decided to go and bow at his feet, eager for Sai's darshan.