Today is the second anniversary of my being diagnosed with esophageal tumor. I remember the shock that I received. For the first 24 hours, I was planning how to make certain that my responsibilities are taken care of.
I was in Georgia and luckily Sudha was with me. After the first 24 hours, my mental state started changing and when in the next week it became clear that my cancer was in very early stage, I became an optimist.
In any case, after chemo-radiation-and surgery I was cancer-free on May 17th. Though most of 2004 was spent in a very weak condition, now I feel much better. In some respects, Cancer did some good things in my life. I started thinking about the life very differently — as something that is precious rather than as a thing to be taken for granted. Until you face death, you think of life differently. In this respect I consider myself lucky to have this encounter.
Another thing that is a valuable lesson is that medical art (or science) has advanced significantly. At one time, cancer was the news of death; no more. Cure may be painful and long (as in my case) but it is there.
One learns the importance of family, friends, and the support system at such trying moments. And I am so lucky to have a wonderful system around me starting with Sudha. 2004 definitely showed me importance of these basic things in my life.
Incidentally, my last check-up about 1.5 months ago showed no signs of cancer. I still feel somewhat weak, but mostly I feel better than I used to in 2003.
This cancer survivor definitely loves life and wants to make good and enjoyable use of what is offered to me.
Reading your blog make me reflect on the value and meaning of life.
You are one among three friends of mine who have gone through cancer treatment. In fact the other two – both former Presidents of AIT are undergoing treatments still. You are out of it and it is great.
I found one thing common of all of you. You value life, its color and glory. One who has not gone through these turbulances do not value what one has. It make me reflect a lot how you took the news on the first day and how Sudha, family and friends supported you.
You are great a friend and mean good to all who came in association with you. I am sure you are proteced by the goodwill and good wishes of so many people.
Thanks, Sadananda.
I was definitely very lucky to be diagnosed early.
I tell all my friends that don’t ignore any pain or other unpleasant signals that your body sends to you — they are ‘help’ calls from your own system.
After reading your article thought of sharing my views about tumor as there are millions of people all over the world who are unaware of tumor. Well Tumor is abnormal growth of the cell of the particular part of our body. Tumor can happen at any age and to any body. Tumor originally means “swelling�. Often tumor is used to mean this but swelling is one of the five major common characteristics of tumor. Tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function.