October 24, 2011
Tears rolled down when I was admitted in the hospital for chemotherapy, then I heard a voice, “Welcome to the club, have faith in God, be brave and fight against this disease” a German lady on the bed next to mine was trying to console me. I knew I was going to lose all my hair for the second time. This treatment was going to last for six months and another six months I needed to roam with my head fully covered till my hair grew. Looking at my head fully covered (hijab), even the priest and the pastoral helper had confusion while giving communion during the mass (but never denied me the communion).
A common perception come to our mind is cancer=death. Things have changed in the modern world. All over the world “breast cancer” awareness is spread with the help of seminars, print and electronic media. Such awareness really helps to diagnose breast cancer at early stages and also due to advance methods and treatments the whole scenario has changed. Billions of dollars are spent on research and awareness every year. During the month of October many towers are illuminated to support the cause of breast cancer Awareness.
I was impressed with Daijiworld publishing pleas of needy people and readers generously contributing towards the cause. Hats-off to Daijiworld and its readers.
Pink Ribbon Day observed around the world
Being a cancer patient I would like to share my experience with the readers to understand breast cancer and also understand cancer patients around them. As October is internationally known as breast cancer awareness month and Pink Ribbon Day is October 24, 2011, I thought it is the right time to write an article. Cancer is a vast subject which I will try to explain in simple language using minimum medical terms in the information and my personal experience.
When I was first diagnosed, I was very much depressed; future was in dark and all my plans were blown up in winds. My children were small and it took lots of courage to get myself out of that. I just looked at myself one day and thought, I can live like this - depressed and worried about my cancer - or get on top of it, try and fight it, and get through it being ‘happy and positive'. It is really hard to do that, but one day I just decided to fight it and get through it. Now almost four years later, I am still fighting with the disease with strong determination and positive attitude. I never complained about my pain, but kept smiling and some people whom I meet every day are surprised that I am a cancer patient.
If someone has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the one thing I would say is: “Never, never give in to it - Always be positive.” I have learned that we should live each day to the fullest and cherish every moment that we can with our family and friends. It's a tough road but feels great as you move on.
Once I was diagnosed with cancer, I left Kuwait and travelled to India for treatment leaving kids with my husband. After the basic treatment (Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation) for seven months I came back to Kuwait to pick up my life where I left off. I continued my treatment in Kuwait Cancer Hospital. The doctors and medical staff were very kind, co-operative, informative and ready to help at any situation. My employer welcomed me with a big smile despite my long absence which made me very comfortable. I have received immense support from my family and friends, employers and office staff. They were taking care of every little thing, which gave me a boost.
Prayers played an important role in my life. Everyone is praying for me, may God bless them all. I was just praying to God to give me the strength to carry this cross. He gave me loving family and friends, extra-ordinarily caring employer and office staff, good doctors and medical staff and generous charitable institutions.
A humble request to the readers if you come across any cancer patients around you I would say show them the concern, care for them, pray for them, help them to carry their cross, make them happy, ask for any assistance. Help them if they need financial help if you can afford, as the treatment of this disease so expensive which will drain any ones pocket, all the hard earned savings of life will vanish in no time.
What is breast cancer?
First of all we should understand cancer. Our body tissues were made up with normal cells. Whenever our body needs normal cells multiply and die whenever not needed. cancer cells are abnormal cells which our body doesn’t need them and multiplies out of control and these cells forget to die. It may happen to any part of our body and block any organ. We name them according the organ it affected like breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer etc.
There are two common types of breast cancer, Ductal Carcinoma (Medical Term for cancer) which starts in the tubes that moves milk from breast to nipples and Lobular Carcinoma starts at parts of the breast lobules that produces milk. breast cancer may be invasive (spreads to other place) or non-invasive (may invade if not treated on time). The breast cancer is sensitive to the hormone ‘estrogen’ which causes breast cancer tumors to grow. In a few cases 1cm X 1cm tumor also proved to be aggressive one.
What causes breast cancer?
Certain changes in DNA can cause normal breast cells to become cancer. DNA is the chemical in each of our cells that makes up our genes -- the instructions for how our cells work. Some inherited DNA changes (mutations) can increase the risk for developing cancer and cause the cancers that run in some families. For instance, gene BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes -- they keep cancer tumors from forming. When they are changed (mutated), they no longer cause cells to die at the right time, and cancer is more likely to develop. So far, the causes of most of the DNA mutations that could lead to breast cancer are not known.
SYMPTOMS
Cancers cells doesn’t develop overnight, it is difficult to detect at early stage unless if the lady undergoes regulars tests. I would suggest every woman above 35 years should compulsory undergo Mammography which is common test detect the breast tumors. Common symptoms are lump in the breast and armpit (lymph nodes) which are hard and less sensitive, change in the size of the breast and nipples, any type of fluid coming out of the nipples.
In my case, I noticed a lump in my left breast in Aug/Sept 2007, I was under the impression that my son could not take breast feed for 3-4 days due to fever. But the lump didn’t subsidize for a month. When we were celebrating my son’s first Birthday (Sept 24, 2007) I discussed this matter with a lady who is expert care taker of new born baby and Mother, she immediately ordered us for the tests. Unfortunately it turned out to be a cancer.
Stages of cancer: We often hear of only three stages of cancer
Stage 0 cancer cells which are not invaded to surrounding tissues.
Stage I cancers are localized to one part of the body.
Stage II cancers are locally advanced.
Stage III cancers are also locally advanced affected lymph nodes or nearby organs.
Stage IV cancers have often metastasized, or spread to other organs or throughout the body.
Pink Ribbon Day observed around the world
Tests and diagnosis
The doctor will advise the following test to depending upon the symptoms. Several tests should be conducted to come to a conclusion about the type of cancer, size of the tumor and areas of spread etc.
Mammography: to find tumors, lumps in the breast.
Breast Ultra Sound: to check whether the lump is hard or fluid filled
Fine Needle Aspiration Test: Some cells are extracted through a needle from the tumor to check the cells are cancerous.
Breast MRI: Evaluation of a lump
CT Scan: to test the spread of cancer.
TREATMENT
The treatment will depend from patient to patient, type and stage of cancer, sensitive to hormones and age. The following are most common types.
Surgery: Surgery is performed to remove whole breast (Mastectomy) or to remove the cancerous lump (lumpectomy) and tissue from breast to lymph nodes (below armpit). Surgeon and radiologist will decide upon the size of the lump, type cancer, family history, age after consulting the patient. Once the surgery is performed the tumor is sent to biopsy and the outcome will help the doctors for further treatment.
As I am living in Kuwait even though the all facilities are available I became panic and during initial stages of diagnosis it was time consuming and difficult get early dates for surgery. So I decided to travel India and get operated. Before the operation doctor did counseling, which helped me to overcome fear about cancer and surgery. My surgery was partial Mastectomy - part of the breast removed and till my armpit (partial Mastectomy).
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy (drugs infused into the vain) to eliminate any stray cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. It is used to destroy different types of cancer at various stages. Chemotherapy medicines can stop cancer cells dividing and reproducing. Our healthy cells can repair the damage caused by chemotherapy, but cancer cells can’t and eventually die.
Chemotherapy will help to shrink the tumor before surgery or radiotherapy, stop cancer coming back after surgery or radiotherapy. The type of chemotherapy medicine depends on the type of cancer, biopsy report of the tumor, age and general health condition of the patient.
This is the toughest part of the treatment. I had undergone this therapy twice. First chemotherapy was started after the surgery. It was given every third week and total six cycles. Second time doctors found there are risk of spreading to other part of the body. It was for six months total eighteen cycles. Both the times I lost all my hair even eye brows and eye lashes. This treatment has lot of side effects. Diet during this period plays an important role. Before every treatment I should undergo blood test. If not satisfactory doctor may postpone the treatment. Thanks to relatives who force fed me aloe-vera juice, combination of other juices and good diet. As per doctor my blood reports were better than other patients during the chemotherapy. This period I have undergone lot of changes mentally and physically. I have experienced side effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sleepless nights, frustration, impatience, irritation and short temper are the part of life during the treatment. During this period the people around gave me immense support to overcome these problems.
Radiotherapy: Radiation treatment destroys cancer by focusing high-energy rays on the cancer cells. This causes damage to the molecules that make up the cancer cells and leads them to commit suicide. Radiotherapy utilizes high-energy gamma-rays that are emitted from metals such as radium or high-energy x-rays that are created in a special machine. Technologies have improved so that beams can be more accurately targeted to the affected tissues.
I have gone through this process four times. First time immediately after the chemotherapy was done for 35days. Later on the cancer cells invaded to the back bones and ribs. Whenever I get the pain any part of the back bone it was treated with radiotherapy normally 10 cycles each. It has side effects like skin will blacken around the treatment and peel off, tiredness and vomiting.
The above mentioned treatments are most common procedures. There are follows-ups like physical examination, blood test, various scans time to time. Even doctors may advice to go for immune therapy, hormone therapy etc.