Hello everyone, my name is Sheela Bhatt, 48yr,belongs to Bengaluru. I have been a housewife all my life leading a simple lifestyle with primarily a basic vegetarian diet. So, during November 2016 when I experienced a swelling in my right eye lid, I assumed it to be a simple because I did not have any pain. But to be on a safer side, my family and I visited Narayana Netralaya where my consulting doctor suspected the swelling to be cancer, hence suggested biopsy to confirm if it is cancer so as to help us plan our next few months of treatment. The biopsy results confirmed the dreaded cancer. Support from family, helped me overcome the scare and actually face the reality of fighting it. Extended family friend suggested Dr.SK Gupta who is an expert in the field of Stem cell transplant and an Hemato - Oncologist, to become our primary doctor. Neither I nor my family had any idea of whom to approach, but since Dr. SK Gupta seemed like a very good doctor, we approached him. Upon meeting him and discussing my case with him, I was instantly put at ease because he explained to me about the Lymphoma cancer- what is it ?, how can it be treated ? and the possibility of it recurring ? . Having knowledge about it really helped me with actually processing and dealing with cancer itself. Having Dr. SK Gupta as my doctor, helped me to believe that I will be able to overcome Cancer(T Cell Lymphoma) , so when the actual treatment plan was drawn up based on the extent of the cancer cells were distributed, even though it was 6 cycles of chemotherapy with 21 days gap between 2 cycles, even with the grueling prospects of this treatment, it always helped to know that I have an excellent support system in form of Dr. SK Gupta and my family. Dr. SK Gupta, explained to me in detail the possibility of side effects of chemotherapy, which usually starts after the 2nd cycle, side effects being, hair loss, stomach upset, frequent fevers. Since these were explained to me in detail, I was better prepared to the possibility of dealing with it. 4 chemotherapy cycles were completed in Bangalore, later Dr. SK Gupta shifted to Hyderabad to American Oncology Institute, Citizens Specialty hospital, but he never once dropped me as a patient. Since being motivated by him and taking the treatment, seemed to help me, we continued our treatment with him. His presence and motivation is one of the major things which helped me to overcome the side effects and focus on fighting the cancer. Once 4 cycles were completed, PET scan was done at to American Oncology Institute, Citizens Specialty hospital Hyderabad, where it was found that 95% of the cancer cells were destroyed, which is primarily due to love and support of family and my doctor. Autologous Hematopoietic Stem cell therapy is done to reduce the chances of the recurrence of my T cell Lymphoma. Having Dr. SK Gupta, really motivated me to stay positive and fight cancer, His support and motivation cannot be praised enough or appreciated enough. My family and I will always be indebted to him. For Autologous BMT I was in a sterile environment for around 20days and the experience was without any pain. I use to walk outside my BMT room two-three times a day and eat home made sterile food as well. At this point in time the caring and hospitality was very good, post that I was discharged. .
Tensions before treatment ? Truely speaking before chemo ,i thought its very high dose drugs, i may get very pain ,burning sensation ,i may not tolerate by taking chemotherapy, because we saw lot of side effect in net ,really i tensed a lot . After the doctor support and my husband support ,and one more thing i need to share that ,my aunty (my mother sister) also cancer patient ,she received 6 cycles of chemo (8 years back)now she is healthy and fine, by seeing these live example only i decided to take Chemotherapy.
Experience While chemo was on flow ? :- I received first chemo on 17/11/2016,really on that day i tensed a lot, my heart beat was increasing like anything, that it self i came to know that, chemo drugs will be given through IV fluids (in common language we call it as glucose bottle) ,in hospital before giving IV fluids nurses will put IV cannula ,while putting this i experienced slight pain full, but cannula will be removed by 2 days, after that they started chemotherapy ,i felt some what nausea. ,usually chemo drugs will be given for 1hour ,2hours,4hours depending upon drug and dose. Through cannula i experienced pain during first chemo, so in second chemo doctor explained about PICC LINE (its very new thing for all ) by this picc line also we can take chemotherapy. Compared to cannula its very very best ,we can keep it up to 6 months, with dressing once in 7-10days . As per my own experience picc line is very useful, no harm, no pain at all, we can take blood sample through picc line only, no need to prick anywhere, this my own experience , so, no need to worry while taking chemotherapy, just have a positive vibes insides and around you.
Fighting cancer, I have understood the importance of having a doctor like Dr. SK Gupta whose motivation and support has been unbelievable and very much needed along with the love, care and affection of my family. He never treated us like a patient but more like a family & friend. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. SK Gupta and his time and to my family Members,for their love and support.
with all best wishes.......
4.5
97%
Doctor Friendliness
Explanation Of Issue
Hematologist
Bone Marrow Transplant Surgeon
