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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 30 May 2014
Image of Kamini and her husband

Says Ovarian cancer survivor Kamini Pradhan (56), six years after she was diagnosed with Stage 3-B Ovarian Cancer. Here, she talks about the hits she took and what kept her fighting. 

It was the morning of April 17, 2008. I was feeling a bit disoriented and was perspiring. I am diabetic and thought my blood sugar level may have dropped. I called our family physician, who found my sugar level, blood pressure and cardiac condition quite normal. As he was leaving, I mentioned that there was a hardness in my lower abdomen. He examined it and asked that I get an ultrasound. I was not convinced as I felt no pain, but he insisted. The ultrasound showed an abnormal growth. My husband, who had gone to Delhi, flew back to Lucknow the same afternoon. We went together to get a CT scan and a cancer marker blood test (CA-125). Both reports confirmed malignancy. 

The very next day we were at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. The CT scan report had shown a huge 22cm growth in the ovarian region. My uterus had already been removed six years earlier. Because of the unusually big size of the growth, the surgeon put me on chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumour for easier surgery. I underwent three cycles of chemotherapy without any trouble, except hair loss. I was prepared for that. 

I stayed at Tata Memorial for 28 days. After returning to Lucknow, I underwent three more cycles of chemotherapy. Apart from some urinary trouble and a bad taste in my mouth, I coped well. I got tired sooner than usual and I also suffered two fractures in my legs and torn ligaments. But I bounced back. I got my hair back, too, and this time I could choose whatever style I preferred as it was going through various stages of growth.

Round 2

I returned regularly to Tata Memorial for check-ups. In 2012, during one of my check-ups, the cancer was detected again. Since the growth was very small and the location was tricky, the surgeon decided to go for two rounds of second-line chemotherapy instead of surgery. The side effects were terrible. The skin on my face, neck and hands peeled off. The skin on my hands was peeling off in layers, even at the joints between the index fingers and thumbs, making it impossible for me to hold anything. 

I had to be spoon-fed and could not even hold a glass of water to drink. I had to bend over the glass to drink through a straw. My fingers were swollen and there were blisters filled with pus causing acute pain. To remove the pus, incisions were made on the fingers. I also had severe nausea, complete loss of appetite and severe backache, making it extremely painful to even get off my bed. My blood count was falling despite being given ‘growth factors’ (injections to raise the count). I also underwent blood transfusion to raise my haemoglobin level. 

After much debate, the doctors decided to stop the chemotherapy after two cycles. We were to “wait and watch”.

At the same time, a PETSCAN detected partial collapse of vertebrae (D-12). The doctor initially thought this was metastasis (or the spread of cancer to the bone). But a biopsy showed that it was not cancer, but a degenerative bone. I had vertebro-plasty surgery, which injected bone cement to repair the partial collapse of the vertebrae.

Since I was unable to tolerate chemotherapy and the original cancer was metastatic in nature and was growing slowly, the doctors suggested surgery followed by radiation. This was in July 2013. During the surgery, the surgeon found that the growth was flattened and was tightly stuck with the blood vessel that supplies blood to the lower limbs. The surgeon decided not to go for vascular surgery as it involved the risk of damage to the blood vessel, threatening risk of disruption of blood supply to the lower limbs. While most of the growth was removed by the surgeon, some malignant residue was left behind. The surgeon marked the spot with metallic clips to enable focused radiation at the right spot.

I was in hospital for 21 days because of delayed drying of sutures and severe indigestion with nausea. 

Then, the histopathology report of the specimen sent from the operation theatre showed the presence of malignancy at two spots (close to each other), instead of one, marked by the surgeon. So, the surgeon and oncologist recommended chemotherapy instead of radiation. This was in September 2013. 

Once again, I was given ‘growth factors’ injections to prevent drop in blood count. But my platelets fell drastically, going down to 19,000 (normal range being 150,000-400,000). I was hospitalised and had severe throbbing pain in the lower back. I received two units of platelets and one unit of blood during the night. I was completely exhausted by the morning on account of lack of sleep. But I felt much better as the pain had subsided. 

The next cycle of chemotherapy was delayed by 10 days and medication reduced by 50 per cent. The blood counts and platelets went down to 24,000 and I was hospitalised yet again. 

However, no transfusion was required this time as the counts started going up fast. After that, in October 2013, the oncologist decided to discontinue chemotherapy as he felt that my treatment had become more life-threatening than the disease. I neither felt low nor had any other symptom, so I resumed my work as principal of a nursery school.

“It’s 60 per cent attitude”

Since then I have been up and about, attending to my work regularly. Amazingly, the PETSCAN in December 2013 did not show any malignancy, despite the fact that chemotherapy had been discontinued midway.

People ask me how I coped. Cancer, surgery, chemotherapy… these are all fearful words. Yes, cancer is frightening and the hospitals were overflowing with cancer patients, many of whom did not have the support that I did. There were people who were less fortunate than me, older and younger patients and children. If they could cope, why not me?

As for surgery, I tell people, leave the worries to your surgeon. You are a passenger on a flight. It is the pilot’s job to land the plane safely. So relax, sleep. When you wake up, your surgery will be over.

During chemotherapy, try to eat well, watch good stuff on TV, movies, rest, walk and be happy.

I have coped thanks to the support of my family and friends. I never allowed myself to indulge in self-pity. I got unstinting support from every member of my family. My husband was with me all the time. My son and daughter-in-law, who live in Delhi, came down to Mumbai and stayed with me throughout my hospital stay. My relatives in Mumbai were always around to offer every possible help and care, including bringing me food to suit my taste. Even back in Lucknow, my sister or my sister-in-law (bhabhi) would come from Delhi and were always around all through my chemotherapy. They looked after my diet and kept me in good humour. My true friends were there at all times.

I lead a fairly normal life now. I don’t strain myself. I eat light food and drink boiled water. I enjoy my work and party less. Now that I don’t have other medications, I have started taking some herbs and homeopathy medicines of late.

Cancer taught me that life is precious. It has shown me how loved I am. It has taught me to count my blessings – my support system. It has proved to me what miracles doctors /surgeons can perform. Above all, it has once again reinforced my faith that life and death are in God’s hands. If He wants you to live, no one can kill you – not even cancer.

To all of you who may find yourselves in a similar situation, I say:

• Have a high suspicion index – do not ignore recurring symptoms as trivial. 

• Do not delay treatment or surgery. Remember each day is precious once malignancy is detected.

• India has the best of treatment and care. You need not panic.

• Eat well, even if you find it difficult.

• As the doctor told me, ’It’s 60 per cent your attitude and 40 per cent treatment.’

• Have only positive people around you. There is no scope for negativity.

• Be a crusader, not a martyr.

• Do not give up.

 

 

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