Being afflicted with cancer

As per GK editorial, over the last 6 years JK has seen a staggering 80,000 cancer cases, with the highest-ever recorded in 2023 at 14,112 cases. But all cancers are not alike. Depending upon the organ involved and the stage of diagnosis, they behave differently. Even some are curable while others are lethal despite advancements in medical science.

My beloved mother, aged 61 had multiple ailments. But she was managing her ill health with the help of medicines. The one disease that she would even hesitate to utter was Cancer. She had back pain and we were planning her spine surgery. We did some routine tests including blood tests, ECG & X-Ray. Unfortunately her routine chest X-ray showed a mass which prompted us to do a CT scan. The radiologist opined it to be a Thymoma.

We went to Delhi for undergoing robotic surgery. In Delhi CT guided biopsy was done on 15 November 2023 and the chest mass turned out to be Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). This was followed by a PET scan and as per doctors she had an extensive stage of Lung Cancer (SCLC). As per doctors surgery wasn't possible and they advised us to go for Chemotherapy (Etoposide and Carboplatin). The SCLC is not curable, chemotherapy will prolong her life span and provide her some comfort but chemotherapy has its own side effects, doctors told us. We did one chemo cycle in Delhi and three cycles in a private hospital in Srinagar.

She experienced the undesirable side effects of chemotherapy such as hair loss, vomiting, fatigue and constipation. After 4 chemo cycles we did another PET scan and fortunately the mass had regressed. Our oncologist told us to go for Radiotherapy so that the residual mass is cleared. We completed all the formalities of radiotherapy in SMHS but the machines developed a technical snag when our turn came. We didn't waste time and gave 2 more chemo cycles. This was followed by the costly Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab/Keytruda). But unfortunately she no longer responded to drugs and her tumour recurred. It pressed on the vital organs in chest and the pleural effusion/fluid complicated the problem. She experienced suffocation despite being on 24 hours oxygen.

Couple of months ago her condition deteriorated and she was taken to GMC Baramulla and from there she was referred to SKIMS. “You have done everything which was to be done, now provide her palliative care”, the doctors told us. We brought her home, she remained bed ridden, slept mostly and didn't eat much. Later a Ryle's feeding tube was inserted through nostrils in her stomach and she took some meals through it. Finally on 15th of September 2024 she passed away and apparently died of respiratory failure.

Despite ailments she always had a characteristic smile and valiantly fought the dreaded cancer. She was educated, left studies after marriage, spent most of the time in household chores and was fond of cleanliness. She performed Haj in 2018 along with her husband and cherished the memories of Mecca/Medina. She was lucky to have a loving and caring husband. As it is said that sickness expiates evil deeds and wipes out sins, I pray to Almighty to forgive her sins and grant her Paradise. Ameen