Anjali Sen, 47 from Mumbai was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2019. She talks about dealing with the confusion of treatment approaches, the constant fear of relapse, and finding help with online meditation solutions.
When were you first diagnosed with breast cancer?
I was diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma on my left breast in June 2019.
What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor?
Early in 2019, I felt a lump in the left breast while changing. During periods, breasts are known to get a little lumpy, so I decided to keep an eye on it for the next two months. When I continued to feel it even after three months, I consulted the GP. He advised to get the mammography done and prescribed Primrose since I was pre-menopausal. After a few weeks, I decided to get an entire body check-up done along with the Mammogram at the closest reputed hospital. Once the reports came, I was referred to an Oncologist at the same hospital, who informed me that the results did not look good and I needed a biopsy for diagnosis..
I was also found to be ER, PR negative. Post the biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 3 Invasive Ductal carcinoma of my left breast. I was told that surgery was needed and since it was stage 1, a lumpectomy would be the procedure. I was operated on July 12th and my surgeon said that he had to remove 4 lymph nodes as it had spread and that the histopathology showed 1 node to be positive, so according to him it’s between stage 1-2.
Please describe your experience of managing your condition.
It was a huge shock and took time for me to accept it. Post-surgery, husband and brother took care of everything and helped me recover well. I resumed office as I needed the distraction and wanted to keep myself busy. Throughout chemotherapy, I would schedule it on Saturdays, take the following Monday off and go to work for a few hours on Tuesday. This way I had two days to recover and didn’t have to miss much at work. During radiation, I could manage the radiation in the morning and then commute to office directly from the hospital. My boss was very supportive which helped, even though there was a lot of office politics which seemed petty by then. As soon as radiation ended in March, lockdown was announced. In April, aromatase inhibitor a hormone pill was started for me.
What is your present condition?
I am much better now though have a few queries and doubts but due to current situation (pandemic) have not met the doctor personally I had one skype call consultation with my Oncologist but will be meeting both my Onco and Surgeon next week for my follow-up. I’m hoping to get answers to my queries regarding my side-effects, continual exercises for the arm etc.
Do you have a family history of your condition?
No
What was your course of treatment? What medications are you on currently?
- 4 cycles of Chemo then followed by 12 weekly cycles of Paltci
- Radiation Therapy for 1 month – 5 days a week.
- Meds – Anabrez –Tab 1 daily..
- Calcimax Forte – 1 daily and Vit D3 – Uprise finished the weekly course now once in a month.
Were there any side-effects of the medicines? If yes, how do you manage them?
During chemotherapy, I just had the initial vomiting and tiredness for two days. Sometimes, I would experience complete lack of sleep at nights. I wore a wig for about 6-8 months before the lockdown. Hair loss was a secondary effect compared to everything else, so never saddened me even though I used to have thick luscious hair till my waist. Now it has grown back but is all curly and boyish. My wig maker once told me that patients are not crying about their cancer but about their hair loss when they come to him.
The side-effects that do bother me are the ones that started after Anabrez. I have headaches, joint aches ( they are the worst first thing in the morning), knee pain, tingling and pins & needles in my fingers and shoulder aches. My Oncologist thinks that the finger tingling could be an after effect of Chemo and gave me Gabapentin which provided relief. My last blood test also showed an increase in cholesterol for which I need to see a nutritionist.
What kind of specialists (including Physio/ Occupational therapist/ Psychiatrist etc) do you consult and how often?
I don’t consult anyone but have been advised to see an Onco-nutritionist soon.
Have you learnt anything in managing in your condition that you wish you knew before?
I do wish there was more awareness and education about post surgery exercises for prevention of lymphedema on the affected arm. Nobody specifically told me about it. My surgeon and his nurse had casually mentioned it. When I started experiencing heaviness and numbness, I asked my Oncologist who informed me about the importance of exercises for lymphedema. The nurse at the hospital did give me a few exercises and I have now learned from here and there. I do these exercises just once a day (instead of the recommended 3 times) but I’m very regular and often integrate them into my yoga session.
Video Link Below on Prevention and Management of Lymphedema
What changes have you made to your lifestyle because of your condition?
Incorporated yoga into daily life, I do an online class for it. Brisk walks are now part of my daily routine too since the lockdown ended.
Have to incorporate good dietary changes, will be consulting onco nutritionist soon. On my own, I have started having light dinners with soups, salads etc. I often substitute wheat for jowar or ragi in my rotis.
Have you tried complementary or alternative medicine or therapies, like homeopathy? If yes, did it help?
Before my Chemotherapy started, it was total chaos , I was confused and was not sure about which line of treatment to follow ..homeopathy or allopathy, so I decided to do both. Had started homeopathy treatment but then was scared what if the situation gets bad and started the allopathy treatment. The homeopathy treatment was very expensive so inspite of getting convinced that I can continue with it along my allopathy treatment I stopped it. I also visited a Nutrition guide who would help to get rid of your cancer but never followed through.
How did you mentally/emotionally cope with your condition?
Initially I myself was unsure and not very strong. Hearing about other survivor’s recounts did bring about more awareness that it is not a death sentence. Took few months but managed with little spiritual help too viz self help aids and guided meditation. Checked lots of meditation stuff online, there is lots available on the net. I would lie down with my headphones and put on these guided meditation sessions. I have accepted it as God’s will. Focusing on office work through it all was a great distraction as well and helped avoid overthinking and stressing about the situation.
Did you see a counselor for support? Were you offered counseling by your doctor?
No
How has your family supported you? Who has been your biggest support/companion through it all?
My husband has been the greatest support. Right from the beginning he has said that we have conquered it and now it’s just path to recovery. I did not reveal my diagnosis to my mother until after I had recovered from my Chemo. She is 73 and I would wear a wig when I went to visit her. She was very upset on hearing about it but consoled when I told her that treatment was completed and successful.
How did your friends treat you? Were you isolated? Did you share your experience with them soon after diagnosis?
At first, I didn’t share with many people, just 3-4 of my close friends. My office colleagues knew because I had to take time off for surgery.
What were some of the challenges you faced?
There was too much information at times to grasp and incorporate. Often confusing as to what one should follow.
My biggest challenge was being mentally strong and positive at all times. The day would pass as I would be busy with office and household work but when my head hit the pillow at night, all the negative thoughts and suffering would come up. Every time, I hear about a person with cancer passing away, it brings me down.
What is your advice to patients who face similar challenges?
Each body is different and then there are different stages of detection so follow as much as you can and don’t get hassled by incorporating too many changes at one time.
How has your diagnosis changed your life perspectives and ambitions?
Now materialistic things don’t matter much. Don’t fret over small petty things like office politics, difference of opinion with people or friends etc. I take one day at a time.
What keeps you awake at night?
My biggest fear is the fear of relapse. You don’t know if you should leave it up to the universe or be vigilant and take extra precaution now. You don’t want to be overly consumed by it and move on but it’s tough to ignore this very real fear. Now that I know about metastasis and recurrence, even a minor headache worries me. I need to be work on getting stronger mentally.
