People behind my survivalIt is interesting to know how many people have an impact in our life and eventually influence our lives. I am amazed that a beautiful parsee lady started my survival story even before I was born! In 1932 Lady Meherbai Tata died of leukaemia, after treatment abroad.
She had a loving husband like mine Sir Dorab Tata. Unfortunately he could not save her from cancer unlike Amitabh (my better half, he actually is much better and plays the role of the knight in shinning armour in this tale of survival). Going back to the story, fortunately Sir Dorab Tata had the foresight and the influence to lay the first foundation for my survival. Out of this humanitarian concept and commitment from the House of Tatas was born the nucleus of a Hospital, in 1941, called the TATA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
The second step was laid predictably by my parents, who gave me education, strength of character and an optimistic cheerful approach to life and two wonderful brothers with unique gene structure. The uniqueness did not help me at all for the marrow match and I had to undergo an autologous PBSCT(peripheral blood stem cell transplant).
Meanwhile another large Biswas family had migrated from Bangladesh and had a strong caring grandson named Amitabh, the strongest link in my survival.
I was diagnosed with AML in 2001, blood cancer. I am a doctor I knew leukemia meant poor prognosis and painful prolonged treatment. But the big question was where should I get treated? Then came Dr.G.S.bhattacharjee who convinced everyone that TMH was the best.
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I landed up worried and sad and totally confused at Dr.P.M.Parikh’s chamber straight from Bombay airport
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Dr.Parikh told me among other positive and truthful facts “I know its difficult time for you but statistics doesn't hold true for patients, if you survive its 100% for you” and I thought if I don’t survive then I'll start believing in re-incarnation! Bahut hindi films bhi dekhe the “KARAN ARJUN TYPES!”
Meanwhile I started my chemo therapy and Amitabh and my brothers landed with the headache of arranging blood and platelet donors.
Helpful and large hearted Mumbai citizens, technology advancement like internet and mobile phones helped.
Blood donors sites
http://www.indianblooddonors.com/http://www.friendstosupport.org/index.aspx and college posters in GS Grant and KEM Hospital were tapped for blood resource. Nobody disappointed us. Enthusiastic students, air force jawans and other friends volunteered.
Resident doctors like Dr. Ashish. Dr Chetan, Dr. Reetu, Dr Chetna managed my treatment in day to day course under Dr.P.M.Parikh . My friends and relatives celebrated each rise of wbc count, each step I took towards recovery broadcasted of course by Amitabh. Most of the time I has larynx infection so couldn't talk. I went into remission and then decision to go forward with PBSCT(peripheral blood stem cell transplant) was taken by Dr.P.M.Parikh .Though both my brothers had helped a lot during my illness, their bonemarrow did not match, so it had to be an autologous transplant. BMT unit here is so cheerful and full of support.
Indian railways board helped by giving most of the money for the treatment.
The BMT unit is a different story altogether.
The isolation and the pain because of infections challenges the human mind to seek escapes. I was always fond of reading books. So Rony (my brother ) and Amitabh went looking for lending libraries and then got the books sterilized by ETO to get them to me inside the unit. Since the concentration is low and stamina is lower, I resorted to readers digest “laughter is the best medicine” and comics and other short stories. So here comes two stranger celebreties who influenced my survial Lila and Dewitt Wallace.They are the founders of readers digest magazine.
Books, comics, readers digest kept my mind diverted during the painful infections. There has to be an escape route when the pain gets bad or infections trouble you, for me it was the world of books. I remember the discussions about novels with well read and knowledgable Dr.Tapan Saikia. It helps when the discussion is not always about illnes and treatment about about routine topics.Makes us believe about life and takes the focus off the disease.Others escape in video games or net games or TV .Actually religion and belief in God also helps most patients.
I was plagued with the dreaded relapse chances for quite a long time. This did not stop me from enjoying each moment I was alive whether it was the festivals or tours and travels I was always ready. Bald head and dark circles were not of any consequence at all. I realized that for people who loved me looks was of no consequence, as long as I was with them to share the events. There are of course hundreds of others who I did not name individually who supported and gave their assistance whenever I needed it, whether I asked them or not. The beauty of the help and support was that I did not have to ask for it always, it was offered.
I am now back in TMH today. Just saying thank you. This was my effort to acknowledge people who stood by me in this fight for life. Now I am healthy with a better quality of life since I know my priorities now and with a different focus because of one more beautiful and mischievous lady. I can truthfully say that my quality of life has improved after surviving leukemia.
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Anuska Biswas my daughter!
