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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 22 October 2016

Mamta Goenka suffered bilateral breast cancer and naturally went through the entire gamut of treatment along with emotional turmoil and pangs of mortification. But she decided to challenge her cancer and the hair loss with her head held high. She emerged victorious and turned crusader and lymphedema management guru.

Please tell us a bit about your condition :

I suffered from bilateral breast cancer!

When were you diagnosed?

I was diagnosed with right breast cancer in 1998 and then with the left one in 2001.

What were the early symptoms?

In my case, my right breast had become inflamed and sore. I found it difficult to even hug my kids hard. My older sister had just been diagnosed with breast cancer 6 months ago, so her doctor had alerted me about it. I would have normally just seen a GP about the inflammation. Because I was already warned, I saw an oncologist right away.

Is there a history of breast cancer in your family?

My sister who was 42 years old was diagnosed with it. With no proper onco-care during and post-surgery, she passed away at the age of 44.

What is your present condition?

I am hale and hearty!

Please describe your experience of managing Breast Cancer.

I believe that tough times never last but tough people do! I live by that mantra and have taken this diagnosis as just another chapter in my life.

Any related complications?

During my second cancer diagnosis, I did suffer a fatal reaction to a chemotherapy cycle. I experienced diarrhea, vomiting and high fever after receiving a new drug called A/C Protocol. I landed up in the ICU with low BP and had to discontinue my chemotherapy right away.

What medications are you on?

None at the moment!

Were there any side-effects of the medicines?

No major side-effects! I loved my hair loss! I shaved my head the day before my chemo cycles commenced to avoid the grief of finding hair on my pillow every morning. I also found a shaved head easier to manage. It’s only a perception that beauty lies in the hair! I decided I wanted to look bold and tall just like my walking buddy at the time.

Have you learnt anything in managing in your condition that you wish you knew before?

The lymphedema which I call the “dirty secret” of breast cancer! In 2003, my arm started swelling. During my breast cancer surgery, my lymph nodes had been removed but I was never warned about this side-effect. I was caught unaware! Not finding the right resources to guide me through this in India, I sought a therapy course in the USA for lymphedema management. The therapy was extremely helpful and most effective! I returned to India and felt the need to spread the word about this condition. I started talking to individual patients at the hospital where I was treated.  Soon the word spread and people started coming to ask me about how to deal with their lymphedema. I soon filled the gap in the system that provided little or no education about such a condition!  I currently conduct the Br Ca post-operative care classes at the hospital for patients and their caregivers. This class includes counselling, discussion on wound/suture care, arm care and physiotherapy exercises.

What kind of specialists do you consult and how often?

Every 6 months, I get a clinical exam done by my oncosurgeon.

What resources are available to you in your city to help you manage the condition?

In Mumbai, Tata Memorial hospital was the best resource I had. My oncologist and entire treatment was with them.

Have you had to make some changes to your lifestyle because of your condition?

Not really!

Have you tried complementary medicine or therapies, like homeopathy or yoga?

Not at all, I don’t believe in them!

Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition?

The first time around, I hated it all but the after my second diagnosis, I decided to win this battle! I wanted to seize control!

How has your family supported you?

My children were too small at the time to accompany me to all my hospital visits and I never wanted my husband to do that either. I am an independent educated person and could handle the medical care on my own. However, I had all their love and support at home.

Did you see a counsellor for support? Were you offered counselling by doctor?

No, there was never such a facility in the hospital.

How did your friends treat you ? Were you isolated?

I didn’t have a lot of friends around because most my friends were staying far away.

What was the hardest part of the treatment? What kept you going? How has this changed your life’s perspectives and ambitions.

I used to feel less beautiful when I first lost my hair, had to miss out on activities with my children and husband. My family and self-resolve have been my strongest suits. Cancer has changed me for the better! I used to be a shy person and public speaking was never my forte. I have come out of my shell tremendously and cancer has made me part of a crusade that is bigger than myself.

What were some of the challenges you faced and what is your advice to patients who face similar challenges?

I personally believe that 90 per cent of the disease is in the mind and only 10 per cent in the body. I find that all is in the attitude and mindset that one can have towards life and the life-changing diagnosis like cancer. 

So my advice to other patients is instead of saying “why me, say try me”!

Mamta ‘s 2nd relapse

My second relapse occurred in December 2017.

I am very particular about doing my self breast exams every month, and during one such exam I felt a lump in the breast (the same breast affected with cancer in the past). I knew something was wrong and immediately went to consult my Oncosurgeon at TMH. After a clinical examination, he sent me for an MRI, and a core biopsy the same day. The reports confirmed that it was a cancerous tumour. The good news was that it had not spread which was confirmed by a PET scan.

I took the news like I had the first two times, with a calm and firm state of mind. The family takes it how you take it and they know I am a strong person who can handle it. The relief was that it was small in size and confined to the breast. However, you know you have to be ready to go over the entire treatment process once again, in my case the third time.

This time around, there was no radiation and treatment included surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery decision was made to remove the entire breast now.  All the nodes on that side had already been excised in the past operation. Post surgery, chemotherapy commenced and all went smoothly. I was found to be ErPr (estrogen and progesterone recptor) positive and so am now on hormonal therapy.

I have a daughter who is 35 years of age now. We got her clinically tested as well and she too does her self-exams regularly. I had done my genetic testing in the past and was reported to be BRCA negative. So, the doctors have suggested there is no rush or need for her to go through any genetic testing.

I believe that we must keep our hopes up and deal with any crisis as it comes. Our body has an inherit capacity to heal and recover. Be strong and do all you can to help with the healing process. Do not let any relapse bring you down or distract you from what you have to do to get well again.

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