The word CANCER or big C is itself horrifying and scary. Along with the physical pain and
suffering brings forth mental agony not only to the cancer warriors but his or her entire
the family who has to fight on various fronts- emotional stress, mental strain, or the financial
aspects. If the disease is diagnosed timely the chances of cure are more and would be a
great news for both the warrior and the family.
4 years back in 2017 after being diagnosed with TNBC grade 3 stage 2, breast cancer made
me face life as was destined by sheer luck. Though it was a painful journey it has
rendered me a better version of myself, emotionally and mentally more strong and spiritually
more devoted. I have become more grateful for the precious life I have been gifted with and
I am more empathetic to the pain of others. These are the aspects that exist within us but
often get buried in the rat race of life.
Now here I am willing to share my account of personal experiences of diagnosis and
treatment as well as the whole-hearted support of the community and family which I was
blessed with. I am always thankful to God for the invaluable life I have been blessed with.
Wishing all cancer warriors loads of positivity, strength, and unending hope, and amazing
resilience.
A BREAK FROM THE PAST
A BLISSFUL LIFE!
Life for me post marriage was a cheerful and contented one. I was the only daughter-in-law of very progressive and liberal in-laws. My husband and I were busy with our
educational business. The elder son was pursuing his B tech from a prestigious college in
Kharagpur. My 82 years mother- in -law, much ahead of her times in her thoughts and
action, a source of my strength, was also enjoying healthy and a blissful life.
A BURST OF A BUBBLE
The year 2017: It was the month of February with the spring season in its full bloom. On 7th
February I noticed a lump in my left breast while changing in the evening after a day’s hectic
schedule. A Sheer destiny! My right hand reached the 6 o’clock position which we usually
neglect even during self-examination. I noticed a stony hard lump which was painless. I was
really disturbed to notice it. When my husband returned home, I gathered the courage to
discuss it with him. I asked him to check it and compare it with the contralateral breast too.
Yes, it was a hard stony lump. That very night we decided to consult a gynecologist the
very next day.
The next morning we consulted a doctor who after physical examination advised us to get a
mamo sonogram. The mammogram did reveal the lump to be of fibroadenoma. The same
reports were shown to the doctor the very same day who suggested getting it removed within
two to three days, though she also suspected it to be a fibroadenoma. Somewhere my husband and I were not too convinced and we decided to take the opinion of the oncologist. We reached out to doctor friends and they suggested us an Onco surgeon. The next day, 8th February I got myself examined by the doctor (Dr. Congenial). Considering my family history, he suggested me to get an FNAC (Fine needle aspiration cytology) done. A Radiologist performed the procedure very expertly without any major discomfort (though I was very apprehensive about it). The report was expected in 2 days but I started my mental preparation for the big C since I thought it was in my DNA (Family History).
Two days later the inevitable was confirmed. The report came positive for the malignancy
(cancer). My husband was devastated by the diagnosis, but I maintained the brave face,
consoled him saying “Come what may We shall fight it”. We were more worried about
breaking the news to my mother-in-law. I told her that I need to get surgery on the breast
for a lump without revealing any major details.
My Interpretations:
- Don’t be afraid of the word CANCER: if diagnosed at a proper stage, the disease is
very much treatable with the advances in medical science. - Always have an opinion of an Oncologist irrespective of the input from the primary
care physician, because the disease is unique and requires a specialist. - If you have a family history, please get your screenings regularly and do share this
piece of information with your doctors. - Always listen to your body. It does give you signals in advance.
In retrospect, I did realize probably there were few signs which I might have ignored-
was feeling fatigued more so in last 5-6 months, though I did put an extra 7 kgs in the
period (most people would have an unintentional weight loss).