I was suffering from throat irritation for last 6 months. Initially I went to my nearest ENT specialist at Hyderabad. He checked with rigid scope and shaw one white patch near to epiglottis, which he could not identify p

I was suffering from throat irritation for last 6 months. Initially I went to my nearest ENT specialist at Hyderabad. He checked with rigid scope and shaw one white patch near to epiglottis, which he could not identify properly with his instrument because limitation of his instrument. So he has referred me to one of the big cancer hospital in Hyderabad city suspecting something wrong near to neck and throat. Accordingly, I went to this super speciality hospital to consult chief ENT specialist and oncologist. He has used his flexible scope to check through my nose and found one white spot in backside of my epiglottis. The spot is in very difficult location to reach out with normal instrument. So, he has suggested me to go for robotics for taking out the sample from the throat for biopsy. And if it is confirmed by rapid test, he will do neck dissection with same general anaesthesia and he will remove all my neck glands according to cancer norms. I went alone to doctor and after hearing all this big procedure I got afraid. And he has confirmed 80% by seeing only that I got cancer cell inside throat. It is a risky and costly also. Next day I have discussed with my friends. They have suggested me to go for 3rd opinion with Dr. Sampurna Ghose. I heard that she is very efficient and experienced as neck and spine surgeon. I took appointment and went to her. Explained her all the history. She has checked with her flexible scope and told me that yes, there is a small flash type thing, which is quite inside. To get sample for biopsy she has to do general anaesthesia and get the sample. But she was telling it may not be the cancer. But to confirm that better to do the test. According to her advice I got admitted and got it tested. I was lucky that biopsy test result confirming that I am alright, there is no cancer cells in that. She had reconfirmed with another test with same sample. That has also favoured me. She has diagnosed that my problem of throat irritation is due to acid reflux for long time. So, she has prescribed me few medicines. Now I am absolutely fine from my illness and mental agony I have suffered for last few months due to previous doctor advice. I am very much tankful to her and her team for their cordial behaviour and cooperation. Mr. Faruk, secretory to Dr. Sampurna Ghose also very helpful. He has given me lot of moral support. I would like to give special thanks to Dr. Sampurna Ghose to talk to my wife after the procedure and gave her full moral support and always positive attitude towards patient and patient family. Wish her all the best from bottom of my heart and from my family.

Before starting review - I can only say heartful thanks to Dr.Sampurna Ghosh and appreciate her commitment in curing my mother. "Amphotericin B being one of the Life Saving drugs --- Dr. Sampurna Ghosh being Life Savi

Before starting review - I can only say heartful thanks to Dr.Sampurna Ghosh and appreciate her commitment in curing my mother. "Amphotericin B being one of the Life Saving drugs --- Dr. Sampurna Ghosh being Life Saving doctor"

It might look a very long review or story but our family had to go through all this in our lives.

My mother got infected with Rhino Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis (i.e Black Fungus). We had to admit her due to O2 requirement during the COVID-19 quarantine period at a different hospital(not Medicover). Post COVID she was suffering from headache for 3 days. We initially took her to same hospital but no result and were given medication to make blood sugar values normal. Later, I took her to General Physician and explained symptoms and then we were told it looks like Black fungus better consult ENT. We initially went to Yashoda, as it was nearer hospital and got diagnosed. Got confirmation that my mother is infected due to black fungus and right eye pain also started. They said emergency surgery required and Amphotericin-B injections.

I was very sad and upset because, I wasn't close enough to look after her while she got admitted in hospital for COVID treatment, because at the same time I was admitted in same hospital in ICU due to Oxygen requirement & COVID treatment and my father got just discharged on the same day when me & my mother were admitted. When I checked all the reports and medication, got to know due to Steroids and my mother being diabetic her FBS and PLBS level were >500 almost every day, and I got to know she wasn't treated with Insulin.

Then I and my father spoke to our relatives etc and got reference of Dr. Sampurna Ghosh. On May 15 we approached her via whatsapp. She was courteous enough to respond and understand the problem. She did what all help can be done from speaking to hospital management for a room, investigations before she come next day, surgery plan etc

While I just got discharged I had to go every corner in the city for purchasing Amphotericin B injections as the drug was in scarcity and hospital team informed to arrange ourselves. We started giving injections from May 16 and as per MRI doctor explained the fungus spread all over right side cheek, near eye orbital, until neck. On May 17 Surgery completed successfully. Got discharged on May 22 while continuing amphotericin B. However again right side cheek started paining, swelling and when we visited on May 25, was diagnosed and informed my mother should be re-admitted for 2nd surgery. We have admitted and this time due to inflammation and mouth got almost closed. After investigations and MRI, May 27 2nd surgery completed successfully. However, because of this 2nd surgery my mother lost taste as few nerves got damaged and removed. Got discharged on June 3. Amphotericin B injection course for 14 days completed. We were told to start using Posaconazole Syrup.

After few days(in July) again my mother started having headache. We visited doctor, repeated MRI, took opinion of Infectious disease specialist as well. However, got to know some sort of spreading towards meningeal area(brain etc). We had to start Amphotericin Injections again for 14 days. This time we arranged the treatment at home but it was very difficult my mother had uncontrollable chills, vomiting, pain, agony etc, also we shifted to Posaconazole tablets from syrup. Finally the headache got reduced after the course and repeat MRI looked normal.

In Aug we went again for checkup and doctor found necrosis bone in skull base and she said sometimes it could recover or completely get melted or to be drilled out via surgery. Unfortunately my mother had to take 3rd option only because it either not recovered or melted. This time we admitted her for 3rd surgery, but my mother wasn't having previous symptoms like headache or eye pain etc. But this necrosis bone should be removed as it is completely damaged due to fungus. Since CRP was still on high side (>30) where initially after 1st surgery CRP went upto ~370, we had to administer Amphotericin B injections again for 15 days. Doctor explained it is critical surgery, need to involve neuro surgeon as well as the necrosis bone is just beside pituitary glands etc. Finally, the 3rd surgery got completed successfully.

Got discharged, continued Posaconazole tablets till Nov. Slowly the CRP came done, still on date it is ~10, which should eventually get reduced. Mother is asymptomatic and slowly she is involving in household activities. From no hope to this date and recovery, I have seen a different phase and went through different journey in my life. Hope my mother becomes normal and be active as earlier. I seriously pray that no one else should go through this.

All through this time, I'm thankful to other doctors in Medicover (General physician: Jagadeesh K - for Sugar levels , Nephrologist: Arun - for Creatinine to become normal as it will increase due to Amphotericin B, NeuroSurgeon: Srikanth Reddy) and I salute to Dr. Sampurna commitment, followups to check patient condition via whatsapp, swift response via whatsapp and availability. I should also thank my other family who helped me financially, emotionally. Thanks for taking care of my mother and giving her back to our family and myself.

Trust & Believe the doctor - You will get cured and get our lives saved until we have doctors like Dr.Sampurna Ghosh