The Big Reveal

The gastroentrologist took 2 days to reveal the word cancer to me. It was a well thought out process that began with me having a tumour in the colon. Then I was told that it needs to be removed either through medication or through surgery. Meanwhile I had to undergo several tests, like liver profile, renal profile, CEA, prothrombin time, urine profile, cancer antigen 125 & 19.9, bleeding and clotting time etc. The tumour specimen taken from colon during the colonoscopy was also sent for a medium histopathology (biopsy). Along with these tests I also underwent a CT Scan to determine if the tumour had spread into the system.

Finally on the 2nd day she said that its cancer. But put it in a very positive way - 'if i were to have cancer I would prefer your kind of cancer which is a good cancer.' By good cancer she meant that it was a curable cancer and most probably the surgery was enough to take care of it. Bad cancer is something which is difficult to cure and tackle. So my cancer remained in the colon (till the surgeon removed it), it never spread its ugly tentacles in my mind. I preferred to stay calm then react. Frankly, I was too busy having a good time with my friends who would drop in every now and then. Gossiping & laughing are any day more important than cancer!!!

Then, after 2 days, walked in the Oncology surgeon. He spoke at length about his observations, and calmly used words & phrases like ‘malignant’, '2nd stage’, '3rd stage’. He did not beat around the bush. For the first time I had tears in my eyes. These big words scared me. However he then patiently took all our questions and tried to alleviate all our apprehensions & fears about the next steps. 

I believe that God is always around … if he gives you cancer he also sends his angels to you. Thus spoke the angel … ‘I will take care of the cancer. Nothing will happen to you. You focus on the fact that the cancer has not spread’. Magical words. They were my were my life support and pulled me out every time I would border on the lines of depression. 

Some of the questions that we had written down the surgeon :

At what stage is the tumour/cancer?

What will be the next step?

The date of the operation

Post surgery process/therapy 

Chances of complete recuperation

From when will the patient resume normal life. 

Most of these were answered by the surgeon in his initial discussion with us.  

As a concerned doctor he also enquired about the medical insurance. 

Lesson learnt:

Stay calm, don’t react, listen to doctors - When revealing a mega disorder like cancer doctors are like playwright. They create several scenes and acts so that the magnitude of the disorder does not take the patient by complete surprise. As a patient we need to stay calm, control our reactions and wait till the play is over. I realised that I had no clue what the word malignant meant. It struck me hours after the onco-surgeon left. I cried because I was ignorant … how stupid. The next day my gastroentrologist explained me the word and it sounded absolutely ok to me. Ignorance causes the wrong kind of chemical reactions in the mind - I learnt this the hard way. Henceforth I always created list of questions for my doctors. And yes, doctors are the experts. they have knowledge. Friends, aunties, colleagues, neighbours have perceptions. So always listen to the expert. 

After this talk I went back to my books and friends. Friends would come and go … they knew how to dodge the security in the hospital. Room no 515 in the hospital was the most happiest place in the entire hospital. Here was a young patient who gave a damn about cancer and had a gala time with her friends gossiping, laughing, chatting and enjoying herself. This party mode carried on till I reached the OT. Coz you strictly cannot take your friends to the OT with you!!! 

Tips: 

When we met the onco surgeon for the first time we had made a list of questions, so that all our doubts and queries were addressed. Always keep a small note book and pen handy. Each time you have a question write it down and ask the relevant doctor.  

Every time the doctor visits he always says something positive that helps you stay positive. Listen to them carefully and stay calm. 

Costs: 

CBC - Rs. 350 

Liver profile - Rs. 1600

Renal profile - Rs. 1300

CEA - Rs. 1600

Prothrombin Time - Rs. 400

Cancer Antigen 125 & 19.9 - Rs. 1900 each

Bleeding & clothing time - Rs. 250 

Histopathology charges: Rs. 1800 

Doctor visit charges - Rs. 1200 per day per doctor 

These tests are however not standard and depend upon the discretion of your consulting doctor/s only. So do check with them on these tests before suggesting to anyone you may know,having a similar disease.

Once you get admitted in the hospital the cost are different from an out patient cost and depend upon the class of room you choose. I have shared the cost to give you an indication of the expenditure that was involved. In our search we could not find any information on the indicative cost for treating cancer. Thus I hope this serves as a reference for people seeking such information. 

Sunflower, one of my paintings that defines the attitude of staying positive!