Meera Balaji, 58 from Chennai was diagnosed with polio at 7. She talks of her challenges navigating breast cancer and uterine cancer as a person with disability.
My polio background prior to cancer
At the age of seven, I got afflicted by poliomyelitis. Since then, at a growing age, it was treatment, treatment and lots of treatment. I couldn't go to school or college. I shifted to home-based schooling. In the middle of treatment challenges, I completed my schooling and then later took up a central Govt. job. Simultaneously I completed my Masters in Commerce (M. Com) from University of Madras. I took voluntary retirement from a central government organisation in the year 2020.
My polio affected me up to the neck. I underwent multiple treatments like allopathy, ayurveda, siddha, reflexology and physiotherapy for about 3 years. Slowly, due to multi-modal treatment, I could recover partially. I was left with both my legs affected for life.
My marriage and family
In 1993, I got married. My husband and I were living nearby before our marriage and families were in touch sharing common challenges. Marriage proposal was on and off discussed for about 1 year and then materialized when my husband Balaji’s and my thoughts aligned during a discussion.
Our son was born in the year 1994. During pregnancy everything went smoothly. Delivery was an emergency caesarean section, as oxygen supply to the baby was limited. I was discharged from hospital after about 15 days. Life then was moving on with polio challenges behind me.
Cancer – My thunderbolt moment (With breast cancer)
In the year 2018, I felt a small lump I found on my right breast and went for mammogram to rule out anything serious. As it turned out, my right breast lump was only a benign lipoma. Unfortunately, during the same mammogram session, a small suspicious lump on my left breast was identified. A needle biopsy was done on the same day. After 4 days, results were positive for malignancy in left breast.
Doctor told me it was a very small lump. So, need for chemotherapy may not arise and only a lumpectomy procedure will be sufficient. So, I did not worry much at that time. I came home and informed my husband. I also informed my sisters in Bangalore and Chennai.
Unfortunately, after surgery, it was found that thirteen lymph nodes were positive. It was stage 3C, so, I had to undergo gruelling sessions of chemotherapy and radiation. Due to my polio related walking & movement difficulties, I had to depend on my wheelchair. Shifting from wheelchair to hospital table and radiation table, etc. were all tough tasks for me. Everyone used to think about the treatment, surgery procedure and all, but I was thinking about movement-related issues, like how I will move from my wheelchair to car, how I will shift to the tables in hospital, etc. This journey brought on a significant set of challenges. I recall extreme fatigue during chemotherapy sessions and along with that I was not in a situation to handle my son’s needs. Within one year I recovered from that illness.
Since I was diagnosed with hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative breast cancer, in addition to the lumpectomy surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I was also prescribed tamoxifen and now I am on letrozole.
Family History of breast cancer
To share about my family history in the context of cancer, my mother was treated for breast cancer when she was 64 years old. She lived 20 years after treatment. I did not undergo any genetic testing earlier in-spite of this.
Cancer Again – The second strike (Endometrial / Uterine Cancer)
After putting the first cancer and treatments behind me, life started moving on again. Every year I used to go for follow up checks and everything was fine in those follow ups. However, after I crossed five years milestone and about to look forward to life again with renewed vigour, I was diagnosed with uterine / endometrial malignancy. I had to undergo a major uterine surgery, with associated lymph nodes removal, etc. However, a full laparoscopy could not be done on me being a polio patient. Laparoscopy was done for the major part with a limited traditional surgery to remove uterus, ovaries and nearby lymph nodes. Thankfully with grace of God, this time nodes were negative. But being a high-grade cancer, I was staged 2C as per latest guidelines and recommended to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy again.
Family reaction & support during cancer
During treatment journeys (not once but twice) I always used to worry about my family, because my husband who cares for me a lot, got very anxious during these phases. Further, my mildly autistic son used to panic and get very worked up during my sickness and treatment journeys. Relatives, especially one of my elder sisters were a pillar of support during both my cancer journeys.
Gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions
For a second time, I had to undergo gruelling chemotherapy & radiation treatments. During chemotherapy, I had severe diarrhoea & digestion issues. Whatever I ate, immediately I had to go to the toilet. Getting down from my wheelchair, going to toilet repeatedly was a huge challenge. I soiled my dress about thrice weekly and this was a very difficult situation. Somehow, this tough treatment bridge was crossed, a second time.
Life Style Changes and support
During cancer and treatments, I have been very particular about my diet. I take lot of vegetables and fruits. I tried to be on organic foods to the maximum possible. I continue the same pattern now. I have also tried 13 to 14 hours fasting whenever possible and health is stable.
I undergo physiotherapy often for my polio related difficulties. I often get muscle cramps and stiffness.
What worked for me
One of my close friends who underwent a similar procedure for breast cancer, gave me comfort and said the process takes about a year. Nothing to worry about.
After diagnosis one has to just focus on “what next”. Further, one has to take plenty of fluids, vegetables and fruits during treatment based on health condition. As far as possible, it is best to try and smile. Full family must support and encourage the treatment process.
I used to know from various groups many are suffering with much more illness and fatal accidents, etc. So, just remaining focussed on what one has to do next instead of worrying helps. This is life’s part. That is all.
As a personality, I always have a smile on my face and used to encourage my family and try to be cheerful. I am continuing the same till now. Hope for the best in future. God bless everyone.
