Story of a Young Mother, HODGKIN’s ’LYMPHOMA Cancer survivor.

Shalini Chaudhri Jacob

"Life was good and I really couldn’t have asked for more. 7 yr old daughter , husband , my career , maid issues , friends , balancing between PTM and business reviews, unutilized gym memberships, parties, the struggle to lose the excess 5 kilos and a long list of pending places to travel to. I think you get the drift. Basically my life was that of a regular 37 yrs old working mother in a nuclear family.

One day, on a regular business trip, I started experiencing difficulty in swallowing. Initially dismissed it as fatigue and stress but when the symptoms continued, I consulted a specialist. After extensive tests, including a biopsy I was diagnosed with Achalasia Cardia (Swallowing disorder).

I was hospitalized and treated for it, however during the routine discharge test the Doctors found some spots in my chest x-ray and as expected, multiple test were done again including a second biopsy. The verdict this time was Lymph node Tuberculosis. I was put on standard TB medication but when the body was found to be unable to tolerate ‘first line’ medication, the ‘second line’ was started. This included 60 injections along with oral medicines which made me puke my guts out. I was miserable. They said I was to continue this regime for 9 months so I started counting each day. This did not work either. After 7 months of the medication, injections, and countless tests and scans, my condition was continuing to deteriorate. I was losing weight and had developed a painful and incessant cough.  More tests followed including a third biopsy, bone marrow tests, PET SCAN and this time the diagnosis was the Big C. I was diagnosed with Cancer – HODGKIN’s ’LYMPHOMA Stage 4. So after 7 months, I was not only back to square one but also facing the toughest battle of my life so far - having to handle 3 diseases together (CANCER, ACHALASIA and TB).

I did not go into the ‘why me ‘mode.  Acceptance is the first step towards the healing process and then one has to channelize all the energies towards handling the situation at hand. I had to mentally make peace with my situation and I did so immediately.  It would be a lie to say I was not devastated when I got to know I had cancer. My first reaction was asking the doctor ‘Should I cry or do I stand a chance?’ And when he said “yes you do stand a chance”, I said “Well then let’s get started. You do your bit and I will do mine”.

10 months later, when I completed my chemo cycles and radiations, the tests showed that the response had been excellent. I was in complete Remission. What that really means is that I will be on a tight leash for the rest of my life -regular tests and scans will be a standard part of my life as far as the cancer treatment is concerned.  I still have the Achalasia Cardia which needs to be treated surgically. I have decided to live with it for the time being as I don’t want to undergo any surgery right now. I want the body to heal from the extensive

cancer treatment. I am really optimistic about the future and I count my blessing every day. its the Now that I live in