Chapter 6 – The Six Week Treatment

“Om Sainathaya Namaha” 

“Those people are very lucky, who have a family” dialog from a recent hindi movie. I connected with this instantly and my recent experiences flashed past like a movie. 

All of you, who have been with me during these recent months and are now connected to me through this blog are my motivation and inspiration and have shown me the way to lead my life with strength and share it with joy. I am thankful to and feel blessed by Shri Sai to have a large sea of humanity cocooning me and supporting me in my daily living. 

Here are the happenings and learning’s of the six weeks I underwent Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy treatment at Cancer hospital in Hyderabad. 

A PET-CT scan, MRI Scan and Pathology Test of the samples removed during surgery was conducted at the hospital to decide further course and duration of the treatment to be provided. Finally met the chief oncologist, he had seen all the scans and gone through my reports. He informed: 

1. The major line of treatment would be Radiotherapy for 5-6 weeks, 5 days a week to the affected area which, in my case was left maxillary region and all around the left eye. 

2. The second concurrent line of treatment would be Chemotherapy, 1 day every week for 4-5 weeks. 

I had some unanswered questions:

1. How many weeks of Radiotherapy 5 or 6? 

2. How many weeks of Chemotherapy 4 or 5? 

3. What are the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy? 

4. Will these procedures be painful. If yes, how painful? 

5. What can I eat and drink? 

6. Will radiation affect my eye vision or damage it completely as radiation was planned very close to the eye. 

7. Finally the most important query, will radiotherapy and chemotherapy cure me completely of this disease. 
   

Answers by the doctor:

1. “Let us see how it progresses.” 

2. “We will decide as the treatment progresses.” 

3. Radiotherapy – pigmentation of skin in the final week, mouth ulcers in the final week, may be some constipation. Chemotherapy – loss of appetite, vomiting sensation, general weakness, immunity levels may be affected, may be some minor hair loss. 

4. “These procedures are painless.” 

5. “Everything, however avoid spicy food.” 

6. No damage to vision due to radiation. The doctor was 100% sure and he said so. 

7. No reply. I am not sure if this is the right question to ask a doctor or if there is any doctor who can answer this question. The answer to this question can only be realized through Faith & Perseverance. 

In addition to the above some more precautions as per doctors advice:

1. Mouth gargling with salt and soda (a pinch of each) in a cup of lukewarm water at least 4-6 times daily. 

2. Avoid exposure to bright sunlight during the radiation period of 5-6 weeks. 

3. Keep yourselves well hydrated by drinking at least 4-5 liters of water daily. 

4. Do not shave the area exposed to radiation till further advice. 

5. Do not take head bath till further advice. 

6. Do not apply any moisturizing lotion or face cream to the exposed areas. 

7. Do not wash the exposed areas till further advice. 

So, here I was, armed with all the information that I asked for, ready for the treatment to commence. All the above mentioned advice and precautions were understood and easily manageable; or so I thought. 

Surprise Life. 

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL