Day: September 26, 2023

Home It Was A Challenging Phase, But It Opened My Eyes To My Inner Strengths: Malavika Shah Shares Her Journey In life’s unpredictable script, a cancer diagnosis often arrives like a sudden plot twist, catching us off guard and unsettling our very core. The journey through cancer can be an arduous expedition, depleting not only our physical reserves but also challenging our mental, emotional, social, and financial fortitude. Malavika Shah, a woman leading a seemingly ordinary life, effortlessly juggling work and family, found herself thrust into this unforeseen narrative when an unusual bump on her neck and persistent fatigue cast shadows over her days. Today, she graciously shares her transformative journey with the CancerMitr team. Fatigue, an unusual and disconcerting symptom, and a lump on her neck became her constant companions, and the former left her perpetually drained. Despite consultations with medical experts and a battery of tests, the elusive truth remained veiled. It wasn’t until seven months later, when dizziness and fainting spells entered the scene, that Malavika sensed something more profound at play. Sleep became challenging, and an irritating itch tormented her skin. Faced with these distressing symptoms, she sought answers through comprehensive blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), a diagnostic tool that reveals vital information about the blood’s composition, such as red and white blood cell counts, platelet levels, haemoglobin, and hematocrit. Any abnormalities in these parameters spark concern. “I was informed that my white blood cell count had skyrocketed. Suspecting an infection, I was prescribed medication,” she recalls. However, as the lump on her neck persisted, she confided in her physician, setting the stage for a crucial turning point. A neck lump could signify various conditions like infections, thyroid nodules, tonsillitis, or abnormal cell growth that ranges from benign to precancerous or malignant. In the realm of abnormal cell growth, only a biopsy could unveil the true nature of the cells within. The biopsy results delivered the sobering verdict: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Read also: A Comprehensive Guide To Blood Cancer – CancerMitr  As the biopsy results materialized, Malavika was travelling, leaving her family to receive the news before she could grapple with it herself. She vividly remembers the numbness that enveloped her. “When the news was revealed to me, my mind went blank. It took a while for me to process the news,” she said.   The subsequent days tested her resilience to its limits, subjecting her to further tests that would determine the stage and grade of her cancer. Each test was a critical measure of her odds against this relentless adversary, a period marked by an emotional numbness as the reality of her situation sank in. “You need to understand that these tests were meant to check my chances of beating this disease. Mentally, I was undergoing a state of numbness because all of this was happening to me. In addition to all that, I was stressed about how I was going to break this news to my sister and other dear ones,” she recalled. Additional tests revealed that her battle was against stage 3B Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Read: Innocent Vareed Thekkethala: A Tribute To Actor, Former MP And A Cancer Survivor Who Advocated For Fellow Patients  Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin’s disease, intrudes upon the body’s intricate lymphatic system, comprising organs, nodes, and vessels that network throughout. Lymphocytes, white blood cells within this system, ordinarily combat severe infections. However, in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, these blood cells multiply uncontrollably, disrupting the harmonious functioning of normal lymphocytes. Swollen lymph nodes, whether in the neck, chest, armpit, abdomen, or elsewhere, often serve as the initial signposts of this condition. Other indicators include fever, night sweats, fatigue, cough, chills, weight loss, loss of appetite, and itchy skin. In Malavika’s case, the giveaway symptoms were the neck lump and the relentless itchiness, apart from fatigue. Recognizing the urgency of her situation, she embarked on her treatment journey at Mumbai’s Jaslok Hospital. Her cancer treatment regimen unfolded with 12 sessions of chemotherapy and 14 rounds of radiation therapy, both notorious for their formidable side effects. Throughout her journey, Malavika experienced hair loss, constipation, change in appetite and the ever-persistent brain fog. “For me, brain fog was the worst. I mean, the way in which your body changes during these phases is not something that can be explained with mere words,” she said. Yet, within this formidable battle, Malavika found solace in the presence of essential pillars of support: a compassionate physician who empathized with her struggles and a family that fortified her spirit. She commended her doctor for offering unwavering guidance and the information she needed to navigate her treatment journey. To mitigate the side effects, she diligently adhered to a structured diet and exercise regimen. Nevertheless, she remains mindful that every journey is uniquely individual. “As I mentioned before, our bodies face an array of unexpected challenges, morphing in ways we cannot predict. Each person’s experience is distinctly their own. Every journey is a singular expedition, necessitating personalized support, therapies, and protocols,” she reflects.In time, Malavika emerged victorious over the relentless adversary that had invaded her life. Today, she radiates with pride at the distance she’s travelled since vanquishing the disease. Throughout her journey, the unwavering support of friends and family, particularly a fellow warrior in the battle against cancer, provided her with the strength to persevere. While every cancer journey carves its own unique path, one constant remains the universal need for empathy and understanding. Her message to those currently navigating their own tempestuous seas of adversity is one of resounding hope: “Remember, faith has the power to move mountains. My faith kept me going. If you believe in yourself, your faith becomes your strength and will help you in the darkest of times..” Contact CancerMitr for various packages. Our counsellors offer the required guidance to our patients in pursuit of good health. CancerMitr offers a holistic plan to deal with all cancer-related challenges, from discovery to recovery. Click Here

Home Overcoming the fear of cancer is the first step towards it’s defeat – Sumitarani shares her cancer journey with CancerMitr People fervently look for stories of hope when it comes to a formidable foe like cancer. The mere mention of “cancer” sends shivers down one’s spine, instilling a paralyzing fear that can deter them from even undergoing routine screenings, conversing with a cancer patient and all. Amid this grim backdrop, Sumitarani’s compelling journey with cancer is a testament to the power of facing one’s deepest fears and emerging victorious over the disease. Her profound story of survival unfolds as she sits down with the CancerMitr team to recount her experience. Sumitarani Das is a tenacious businesswoman from Odisha, a loving wife, and a devoted mother of two. Her life flowed smoothly through her usual rendezvous with clients and cherished moments with her family – until- an unforeseen twist disrupted her life. A peculiar white patch, accompanied by an ominous pain, appeared on her tongue. Seeking answers, she consulted a physician who presented a range of possibilities, including the dreaded “C” word. “No one in my family has had cancer, so we had no experience dealing with the disease. The scenario terrified us.” Driven by this visceral fear, she, along with her family, embarked on a journey to a government hospital, undergoing a battery of tests that culminated in a biopsy. The result was a chilling confirmation: tongue cancer. Tongue cancer is a type of head and neck cancer – the result of abnormal cell division in the tongue, forging a malignant mass that invades adjacent structures, organs, blood vessels, and lymph nodes, often spreading to distant reaches. Noted symptoms of tongue cancer include a white or red patch, persistent ulcers, unusual bleeding, chronic pain, numbness, impaired tongue or jaw mobility, and a searing sensation. Read also: 10 signs and symptoms of tongue cancer you should not ignore “My mind underwent several racing thoughts: where will I go? What will I do? How will my family handle this? When and how can I get suitable treatment.”    Sumitarani recounts her emotional turmoil upon receiving the dire diagnosis. Fear and desolation gripped her as the weight of the news settled in. “I remember my exact emotions when I was told I am cancer-positive. I was feeling scared and lost,,” she narrated her ordeal. Medical guidance suggested that the most effective course of action for her stage III tongue cancer was surgery combined with chemoradiation. This proposition, though medically sound, ignited new terrors within Sumitarani’s heart. The prospect of losing her tongue, her ability to speak and the pleasure of savouring food loomed as an unfortunate reality. In her work, Sumitarani meets and converses with a lot of people and worries about her future. “I was worried more for my children and how this was going to affect them. My ten-year-old son needed me even for smaller things,” she said. I was facing a scenario where I might never see him again, or things won’t be the same between us again.   For Sumitarani, it was just a matter of her finding the courage to face the disease. With her family and friend’s support and motivation, she finally found the spark that transformed that perspective towards life. She navigated through the medical landscape and found herself in a cancer treatment facility. The medical team assured her that her entire tongue need not be removed; only the tumour would be removed surgically. The urgency was palpable – stage III cancer necessitated immediate intervention to prevent the tumour’s metastasis, particularly to vital sites like the brain. Depending on the size and location of the tumour, cancer is divided into four stages. Stage I and stage II are regarded as early stages where the tumour is localized. Stage III tongue cancer means either the tumour has gone deeper than 10mm into the tongue or has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. Immediate treatment ensures that the tumour won’t show up in distant sites, including the brain. Summoning all her strength, Sumitarani plunged into treatment. A combined approach of chemoradiation and surgery became her battleground. Chemoradiation involves both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy targets and destroys malignant tumours with high-energy X-ray beams. Patients with stage III tongue cancer should get a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Also read: From palliative care to cancer recovery: Atul Thakkar shares his father’s cancer journey Surviving cancer isn’t a walk in the park; the treatment causes several side effects. Sumitarani encountered a host of challenges: coughing fits, eating difficulties, vocal impairment, fatigue, and emotional stress. “Doctors gave me medications to overcome these side effects along with supplements like Nutrilite protein powder,” she said. Side effects are managed through integrative therapy options like diet, supplements, mental health counselling, and supportive therapies like Ayurveda, hot and cold therapy, etc.  Reflecting on her transformative journey, Sumitarani marvels at her regained voice – a voice that spoke louder than her past fears. Friends and relatives were astonished at her unexpected articulation, a testament to her unyielding spirit. Her response encapsulated her philosophy: “We must confront the disease, battle it valiantly, rather than succumb to fear or bow before its consequences.”   She focused on her work and spent ample time with her family throughout her treatment, finding solace in their embrace. Simultaneously, she champions the indispensable role of rest, a crucial pillar of healing that her body earnestly craved. And today, five years after that fateful diagnosis, Sumitarani stands in triumphant remission. Her tale brims with lessons, notably the imperative of regular cancer screenings and early detection. She emphasizes, “While it’s undeniable that cancer takes a toll on one’s finances, early detection is the beacon that can spare lives. By catching the disease in its juvenile stage, we diminish the burden of treatment.” But fear of a positive diagnosis often prevents people from undergoing routine screening processes. Sumitarani’s message is that the first step towards the complete defeat of cancer is overcoming