northern lights

northern lights
image

Wednesday 5 February 2014

My fight with cancer.

 World Cancer Day is marked on 4th February to raise awareness of Cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. According to a report of a Cancer Society there are four myths regarding cancer



myths.jpg

 Today is World Cancer Day.  Today I am laying bare my experience of bearing the pain and fighting with this deadly disease.  It was  the month of June 2002. My children had gone  to Kerala during the summer vacations. Onlly my husband and myself were at home. One day while taking bath, I noticed a  small lump in my right breast. I felt scared. What could it be ......the first thought that came to my mind at that moment was "can this be cancer?" There was no pain on that spot.  I told my husband  about  the lump. He  laughed it away., but I knew that he felt concerned. It was just a chance that our daughter, who is a Doctor, was coming to spend the day with us. After  she arrived, it was my husband who told her to examine me. She checked  the lump, and said that  we  must consult an Oncologist. She phoned her husband,also a doctor, and told  him. Our son-in-law told her to bring me to the hospital immediately.  J(our daughter)  my husband and myself  to the Hospital. Dr. B. a foreknown oncologist was already  there. He performed a needle test, and advised mammogram. Mammography  result was not  very positive.. Biopsy was recommended.  In the meantime children were informed. They cut down    their vacation and returned  the next day. The biopsy  confirmed that the lump was malignant. The news shook me. Why  and how I was inflicted with this deadly disease!! But the negative thoughts  did not last long. I accepted the fact and remained cool.The date of the surgery was fixed. I was admitted in the Nursing Home. Next day the surgery was performed.  The affected breast was removed.I was in the Nursing home for three weeks. The ordeal was not over. Even after the surgery there were more procedures.  I had to  take medicines for five years.
                                                 Twelve years have elapsed after  I was operated upon. I accepted the fact that I  have  to live in that situation. I had regular check ups. After five years I  am  having yearly checks. I am hale and hearty. I am thankful to God that He gave me the strength and energy to to face the deadly  disease! The love and support of my family strengthened my  will power.
                        My doctor told me that the main reason for my survival was that I sought  treatment at an early stage.People should not shy away from visiting the  doctor.  If  they consult the doctor at the last stage, the proper treatment becomes difficult.


  pic courtesy report of the cancer society.





World Cancer Daylinked to Write Tribe-: World Cancer Day















30 comments:

  1. Hats off Ma'm , for your patience, your positive attitude and the timely action that you took. Wholehearted appreciation for sharing this story with us all. You just wouldn't know how inspiring this will turn out to be !
    I have no more words to say, I just say that I'm proud to know you as someone who's living life to the fullest , having fought the hardships beautifully with positivity !
    Cheers !! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sreeja. Best wishes from friends motivate me to face adversities.

      Delete
  2. Early detection helped in the treatment and your recovery Usha Maam.
    Its the self-denial that acts as an impediment in early detection.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hats off for your courage to accept things as they are. Sure you are a paradigm in this matter.Pl.visit my blog 'My Sister' posted by me in Nov.2013, if time permits.

    ReplyDelete
  4. woww.. you are a strong woman... thank you for sharing your story... I am sure it's inspiring to many.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I really admire your positive attitude Ushaji, timely consultation can be a life-saver. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Captain Courageous as they say!
    Perhaps you must if you have not read yet, read the book "Emperor of Maladies", the Booker prize winning work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anil. I have got this book. but not yet started reading it.

      Delete
  7. early detection is the key to success in treatment..you are brave to face this and share it..your post will give many a courage to face their fight.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for sharing, ma'am. I bow to your spirit, courage and endurance.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing , I will always remember your courage and positive attitude.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing your story of courage, hope and inspiration, Ma'am. Early detection can help a lot in the treatment of Cancer!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You already are at a very high position of admiration and respect in my eyes. This post has pushed u even higher. Hats off mam

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is always better to consult a doctor when in doubt, and you did the right thing and got treated for it immediately.
    In the case of my sister in law, she chose not to take the timely advise given to her by her own sister who is doctor, to have her utres removed much earlier, for she felt if she continued like this, she might end up with cancer. This sister in law felt she can get help from Homeopathy, and Ayurveda, and kept on postponing to follow the advise. Later after about 2 years, with complications recurring on and off, one fine day she felt very sick and when taken to the doctor, she was told that she had the last stage of ovarian cancer, and that it was even beyond treatment. They gave her about 1 year time, though she survived for nearly 2 years. She was just 58, if only she has done what my other sister in law had advised , maybe she could have avoided all the pain, and the unnecessary expenses, and maybe she could have lived without tension.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rama. Sad to know about your Sister in law.

      Delete
  13. Thanks for sharing Ma'am.. you inspire!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, you are definitely a charming fighter - I say 'charming' because you mentioned that you took everything in your stride. I admire and appreciate your spirit for making cancer look like a simple fever. Thanks for this post, dear Usha.

    Much love and joy always,
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan thank you so much for such sweet comments. I am happy that you read the post and shared your thoughts with me.

      Delete
  15. Your attitude towards this issue is impressive - probably that too played a part in quick recovery.

    Destination Infinity

    ReplyDelete