Alpa Amish Chedda, 45, was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2019 with a relapse three years later. Here she recounts her experiences with radical surgery, new chemotherapy drugs and the importance of staying positive and hopeful.
It all started in early December when I found my stomach bloating. I used to feel uneasy in my abdomen and would experience slight breathlessness. Looking at my bloating tummy, my husband, Amish, would often tease me and would ask me to focus on my workouts.
I would dismiss the bloating sensation to flatulence, constipation, gas or digestive problem.
When the bloating did not subside and I started getting pain in my abdomen, I went to the doctor. He said my stomach was swollen and hard, and suspected a case of gall bladder stones. But an abdominal ultrasound indicated no gallstones. I was then advised to go for a CT scan and CA 125 (a blood test that measures the amount of protein CA 125 in the blood to detect early signs of ovarian cancer).
I decided to attend office and then go for my scan in the evening. I have been working as an account manager in a private company for the last 20 years. My colleagues and family members would call me a workaholic because I was so dedicated to my job and seldom took leave.
I have no kids. We could not conceive for a long time. Then we tried the Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — a type of artificial insemination – for infertile couples, but unfortunately I had a miscarriage after 3 months. Thereafter, we got busy with our lives and did not feel the need for kids. I was staying with my elderly in-laws and needed to look after them which kept me quite preoccupied.
Diagnosis
On 12 January, 2019, I got my scan results. I was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer. My tumour was larger than 2cm on the lining of my abdomen (peritoneum) and had spread to the lymph nodes. Oh God! What was happening to me? I had been a healthy person with no ailments and no health complaints. Now at age 45 to be suddenly detected with ovarian cancer shook me severely. I saw my life go upside down.
Treatment
Since I live in Bengaluru my family decided on Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital. There my treatment began straightaway. The first step was to remove abdominal fluid. Ovarian cancer can cause a build-up of fluid in the tummy. In my case, approximately 2.5 litres of fluid was removed from my abdomen. This was followed by chemotherapy. I had to undergo 9 chemo cycles in April. The chemos were followed by surgery. My surgery lasted for three hours. I had an incision from the upper to the lower abdomen. There were 45 medical staples across my midriff and 18 dissolvable stitches. My uterus, along with both ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed. Post-surgery I had to go for another round of chemo cycles.
Side effects
Side effects of chemo were mouth ulcers, constipation and nausea. I did not have lymphedema. I got my head shaved before chemotherapy without any hesitation. The loss of my hair never made me weak.
Diet alterations
There were a few changes I made in my diet which I think helped build my immune system and regulate my digestion. These were suggested by my friends and relatives. I followed them through my treatment. I drank Alkaline Kanger water, had molasses, lemon zest, reduced sugar and dairy products and replaced it with jiggery. I also did regular yoga and pranayama. My treatment journey was not just a battle with health and medicines, but also a battle with restrictions. I was restricted from eating raw vegetables, meeting people and using high radiation devices like mobile phone directly. It was quite difficult for me to stay inside my room all day long because I had been working and active for the past 20 years. This sudden shift in my schedule was quite challenging. During this tough phase, the only thought I had in my mind was to not complain about anything and not give up.
Relapse
Unfortunately, my cancer returned three years after my initial treatment. I had been advised a check-up every three months of CA 125 blood test and ultra sound of the abdomen - which I was religiously following up. Maybe that is why I was alerted early.
In January 2022, my CA 125 came high - 36.8. (The range of 0 to 35 U/mL is considered within the normal guidelines. Levels over 35 U/mL may indicate the presence of cancer). The doctor suggested I do a PET Scan and 3 Tesla MRI (which generates the highest quality image of organs and soft tissues). There was a recurrent ovarian cancer presenting isolated lymph node metastases.
This time I had to undergo a more advanced surgery called HIPEC surgery or the Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in which cancerous tumours are surgically removed, and then heated chemotherapy drugs are applied directly inside the abdomen to eliminate the remaining cancerous cells.
Now I am on maintenance chemo which includes chemotherapy and targeted therapy. One targeted chemo, Bevacizumab 500 mg, is administered intravenously every 21 days, the other is given orally. I take two tablets every morning and night.
Main support
In my battle against cancer, I found my husband, sister, sister-in-law, family, friends and well-wishers as my biggest support. They rallied around me at different stages of treatment - during my various hospital schedules, surgery and chemo cycles. The environment they created for me was so positive and soothing that it helped me fight my cancer and recover faster. My elder sister, Taru, would play my favourite Hindi film songs to keep me peppy. She is also good at tatting and crochet, so I too would make delicate laces with her during my recovery. My sister-in-law, Ranjan, would come from Jalgaon and cook some delicious food for me. My brother, Abhay, stood by me like a rock. Even during my treatment, I used look after my in-laws, take care of their medicines and nourishment which kept my pretty busy. Overall, I was kept very comfortable and positive and never felt my treatment was going on.
The second time round also my husband and family were exceedingly considerate and cooperative. They have been with me during all my difficult stages. Their support helped me keep my chin-up.
Fighting cancer is not just a battle with the disease. It’s all about acceptance from within and also from people around you. I found my journey a little easy because of the people around me who never made me realise that I was being treated for cancer.
Motivation
- I started journaling my story during the treatment. That really helped me relieve pressure and negative thoughts.
- The extensive encouragement provided by Mr. Krishnakumar Chandak, the father of my friend. He had prostate cancer and fought it alone which motivated me immensely. When I had cancer, he used to send me encouraging messages and motivational articles which helped me keep my spirits high.
- The story of Sonali Bendre and her successful struggle with metastatic breast cancer touched me deeply.
- During my chemotherapy, I also came across a 5 months old baby girl battling blood cancer and that baby inspired me to keep my strength about.
Advice
I often tell other people: If the environment of the patient is made positive and happy, the patient can battle any type of disease but if the environment is kept negative, the disease might get healed but the patient would die of emotional breakdown. Stay calm, think positive and be in mind set of winning.
