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lace: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Disease: Multiple Myeloma, L1-L2 Vertebrae Fracture

Age 56 years December 20th, 2014: It was a regular day, I got up in the morning and was getting ready for office, at a sudden instance I felt immense pain in my lower back, the pain was so excruciating that I couldn’t bear it and I eventually fell on the ground. It was very difficult for me to even move. In a hustle, I contacted my colleagues who arranged for a local medical practitioner visit (in Azamgarh, U.P. – as I was posted in Azamgarh that time) who provided injections and some pain killers which resulted into temporary relief. As my pain reduced a bit, my colleagues accompanied me to Lucknow, (my home). In the first week of January 2015, the pain started to gradually increase so I consulted a neuro physician/surgeon for the same. He advised me to get one MRI scan done as the pain was severe. It was through this scan’s report I got to know that I had fractures in my L1 and L2 vertebrae. With instantaneous efforts of my family, on 6th January 2015 I was taken to Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, via air ambulance in a serious condition and got admitted the very same day.

After several medical examinations I underwent a spinal surgery (Kyphoplasty) on 10th January 2015. There was eventual reduction in my back pain after the surgery and I started walking the very next day of it. In the mean time I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (which was the reason for this pain and fractures). The treatment for the same started in the Haemato-Oncology Department under Dr. S.K. Gupta from 14th January 2015. I found him very supportive as he explained how to tackle the situation and how the entire procedure for the cure would be carried out by cycles of chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation (BMT).

I was given 6 cycles of chemotherapy from January till June 2015. There were several side effects of the same. It was after the three chemotherapy cycles that I lost complete taste. I had difficulty in chewing and swallowing food, as most of the time I used to have dry mouth because of less saliva formation. I often got fever and loose motions as well but there was not much weakness. Succeeding these 6 cycles of chemotherapy, I was given a rest period of 45 days from chemotherapy sessions after which I was again admitted in critical unit of the hospital for Stem Cell Transplantation (BMT) which was done on 19th July, 2015. The doctor told us that this BMT is required to combat the effects of this disease on a long term basis. It was a precarious period for me and for my family as we were well aware of how strenuous the procedure would be. During BMT procedure firstly my own stem-cells were collected

from blood by giving 5 days of injections beneath skin (subcutaneous). After collecting the adequate quantity of stem cells, a high dose of chemotherapy was given for 30 minutes. It is a procedure of approx. 2 days including the extraction, culture and transplantation of stem cells. There were immediate effects of this procedure. I had significant swelling in my body, after two days I suffered from loose motions, difficulty in ingesting food, blisters in mouth and throat and complete hair loss. These side effects prevailed for 2 weeks but slowly decreased with the duration of time.

Within 4 months of BMT I often suffered from fever, loose motions, loss of appetite, frequent cough and cold related problems but all of these side effects faded with time. I regained my hair as well.

I had taken approx. 1 year of medical leave for the treatment but I resumed my job on a regular basis in Intelligence HQRS, Lucknow, from 22nd February, 2016. During this entire treatment my HOD (Additional Director General of Police), seniors and colleagues have always supported me. My family and friends always had my back , they have always encouraged me and given me positivity to fight the disease. I never lost my will power no matter how adverse the treatment or its side effects be. One should never surrender to the unfavorable situations in life, instead we should outstare them with self-confidence and resoluteness. I am leading a normal life and continuously working from 22nd Feb 2016. I even got a promotion in November 2017. I work as a Dy. S.P. (Special Inquiries HQRS, Lucknow) and in continuous follow up of Dr. S.K. Gupta. I consider myself fortunate enough to be treated by the doctor who is highly responsive to all my queries arising at any point during the treatment. I want to say that timely diagnosis and a specialized doctor can bring you back from the clutches of the disease. After all it’s not the illness that defines us but the strength and courage to combat it surely does. You will never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

Cancer changes us definitely, but it’s only going to be a chapter in your life not the whole story, so instead of being scared, it’s better to fight it with courage and determination. One should always have a positive mind because with each passing day you are stronger than the day before. You will make it through this, and it will make you even stronger.