An Unexpected Gift

A couple months ago I was introduced by a friend to the Marathon Bloggers Group, this group consists of bight, talented individuals and I feel lucky to be part of it.

Recently, I posted my Euro Trip adventure and I left my few but loyal readers with some unanswered questions about my life.

Q) Did I get reunited with my bags?

A) Yes I did when I flew back to Russia to get my connecting flight back home.

Q) What pain did I experience?

A) I will reveal this mystery later

It’s been 4 years 9 months since that trip however it has left an indelible imprint on my mind. Picking up from where I left off … When I reached Bombay the pain subsided and I thought it was a muscle pull and was a little irritated for being so paranoid. 

My early return didn’t raise any alarm bells as I didn’t tell my folks for how long I was going to be away, so they thought it was a short quick trip. I unpacked and asked my dad if he wanted to take a trip to Manali, as I still had 10 days of leave remaining. 

He agreed as long as I took care of the persistent cough I had. I agreed and we went to the doctor she said it was an allergy or some viral flu and I took some meds after a few days when the cough didn’t subside I went to another doctor.

Dr Sajnani (this man is truly Awesome) , checked me and then checked me again, he seemed a bit alarmed, he asked me to get an x-ray done and referred me to Dr JP Jadwani. I got the x-ray and when the doctor saw it, he told me that there was a mass pressing against my heart; this was causing the tiredness, cough and pain.

I can sense some OMG reactions right now and some confusion why I titled this post as ‘An Unexpected Gift’

He then asked me to get a biopsy done. I went to Holy Family Hospital; it was the 1^st time in my life I was in a hospital, I hated going to the hospital, even to visit someone. I was just too terrified.

Post the biopsy, I anxiously waited for the results, I had a niggling feeling that it would not be positive and I prepared myself for the worst.

3 days later the results were back, it was the 2^nd of May 2008, I remember holding the report, looking into the mirror and saying… “Wow James you sure got something interesting to talk about”

I was a 29year old non-smoker, teetotaller and I of all people, was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. The news had not sunk in and I just thought a few chemo sessions would eliminate this disease and I would be back on my feet.

My oncologist advised me about what was going to happen, she told me I would lose all my hair and I was cool with that. She prescribed 4 sessions of chemo. 

Session 1 was a breeze and I thought this was not so bad, however post the session I got the privilege to experience the wonderful side effects, of Chemo. 

I was unable to retain any food for 2 weeks post the session, whatever I ate, drank came spewing out a few minutes later. I would eat so that I could puke food and water, cause if i didn't I would puke bile and that hurt, really hurt. I would vomit on an average 20+ times a day.

As soon as the effects of the drug would wear off, and I was able to retain food the 2^nd session was due.

By the 3^rd session I had given up, I just couldn’t take it anymore. Chemo was too painful, the drug that entered my veins felt like injecting air bubbles in your vein and I experience that 24 hours a day for 6 days (per session). I would rather be eaten alive by ants than go through another session. 

The fact that I had just one more session gave me the confidence to fight this incredible pain.

Post the 4^th session I went back to the doc and thought the worst was over, well let’s just say that the worst was yet to come, the doc said I needed 2 more sessions. I refused I just didn’t want to go through any more sessions. I didn’t care about anything. My family tried to coax me but I was just so fed up and tired.

I don’t recall what made me change my mind, but I did. I endured 2 more excruciating sessions and I was done. I dropped from 59kilos to 29 kilos in 5 months. After a few weeks I gained about 5 kilos with all the vitamins I was taking.

I went back to the doctor and the tumor was still present and I had to be operated. I went to Hinduja and met Dr Lala Murad, a fine young doctor who told me that I would probably lose one lung, however I could lead a normal life,  I was not really worried about it.

I remember getting prepped for surgery and admiring the operation theater, the anesthesiologist told me that I would feel very sleepy. I remember thinking this doesn’t seem to be working and then I was woken up … The doctor was smiling as I was wheeled out of the theater … he kept saying "we saved your lung”

I gave him the thumbs up sign and I realized I had tubes all over me. I was in the ICU for 2 days. After a month I was fit enough to walk, although I felt some pain.

I resumed work a month later and in time I gained weight and some hair. If you are wondering why I titled this post as ‘An Unexpected Gift' it’s because I took good health and life for granted.

Cancer wiped out all my savings, but what it gave me is a deeper appreciation of life and people around me. I started to LIVE life rather than just exist. I made it a point to meet new people, interact more often, travel, and have fun.

I spent whatever I earned going out with my team for lunches, movies, dinners, and picnics. In 2009 I had gone for over 20 picnics with my team. There was a point where we would go out every single day of the week.

I got a new lease on life and I am grateful for whatever I’ve got. I have got 6 people to quit smoking and I hope they continue to stay that way.

I learned that life can be planned only too some extent and there is no point sweating over the little stuff you got to take risks, enjoy life and live each day as if it’s your last.