Tuesday, July 20, 2010
1st AUGUST 2006
I made my first journey after my surgery and went to Bangalore and stayed in my sisters place , I was okay and felt as usual but had lost all the confidence of moving through the public, the weather was chill and I could feel the chillness and uncomfortable feeling at the opening in my throat for Tracheotomy as it is I always catch a cold within 4 hours due to this surgery on account of the opening, at Bangalore the cold was constant and kept increasing finally one day I had a small Sinus formation in my neck along the sutures line, this was becoming bigger day by day and finally at the size of a small Lemon it broke one afternoon with puss and slight blood , everyone at Bangalore was shocked, I told them not to worry.... by now I had gained a lot of confidence in my Life,, my sister Sheila was at home and helped me ; got the wound cleaned just put a piece of gauze and plaster over it, the next day she made arrangements to fly me back to Chennai and accompanied me .... I just saw the dates in my Diary---it happened on 15th August 2006, and we left the next day by the evening flight on 16th August after visiting my mothers cemetery for her 2nd Death Anniversary.
17th AUGUST 2006
The first job for the day was to rush to the Cancer Institute, since we had no appointment we made it early, here there is always a delay and most patients who go without prior appointments have to wait till the end or squeeze in between when a No Show patient does not turn up, also a lot of time is taken to get the file from the record room, even though they have a brief history on the computer they prefer the file verification and it is signed by the concerned doctors after checking each patient. Again as Luck was on my side one of the Doctors who attended on me at the Operation theatre was there, After a thorough examination the doctor told us it was an Abscess of Sinus that had formed along the suture lines with germination tissue , just told me to dress it daily just with a plain cotton gauze and a plaster over it to avoid any infection and stamped my O. P card for review on 4th September .
Everything normal started gaining weight very gradually, but the frequent pain in the right shoulder is annoying at times,
2nd OCTOBER 2006
I skipped my review for 4September and made it after a month to the Cancer Institute; had to wait for some time since I was a Walk In Out Patient without any emergency, I had told the Doctor about the constant pain in the right side of the neck area--- after examining Doctor told me that the tissues on the Lower neck area are reclining to normal hence pain would be there and suggested physiotherapy for the shoulder. Now this day I noticed I had pulled up my weight to 66 Kilograms from a mere 60 when I got discharged, Next medical examination stamped for 9th January 2007.
I made my first journey after my surgery and went to Bangalore and stayed in my sisters place , I was okay and felt as usual but had lost all the confidence of moving through the public, the weather was chill and I could feel the chillness and uncomfortable feeling at the opening in my throat for Tracheotomy as it is I always catch a cold within 4 hours due to this surgery on account of the opening, at Bangalore the cold was constant and kept increasing finally one day I had a small Sinus formation in my neck along the sutures line, this was becoming bigger day by day and finally at the size of a small Lemon it broke one afternoon with puss and slight blood , everyone at Bangalore was shocked, I told them not to worry.... by now I had gained a lot of confidence in my Life,, my sister Sheila was at home and helped me ; got the wound cleaned just put a piece of gauze and plaster over it, the next day she made arrangements to fly me back to Chennai and accompanied me .... I just saw the dates in my Diary---it happened on 15th August 2006, and we left the next day by the evening flight on 16th August after visiting my mothers cemetery for her 2nd Death Anniversary.
17th AUGUST 2006
The first job for the day was to rush to the Cancer Institute, since we had no appointment we made it early, here there is always a delay and most patients who go without prior appointments have to wait till the end or squeeze in between when a No Show patient does not turn up, also a lot of time is taken to get the file from the record room, even though they have a brief history on the computer they prefer the file verification and it is signed by the concerned doctors after checking each patient. Again as Luck was on my side one of the Doctors who attended on me at the Operation theatre was there, After a thorough examination the doctor told us it was an Abscess of Sinus that had formed along the suture lines with germination tissue , just told me to dress it daily just with a plain cotton gauze and a plaster over it to avoid any infection and stamped my O. P card for review on 4th September .
Everything normal started gaining weight very gradually, but the frequent pain in the right shoulder is annoying at times,
2nd OCTOBER 2006
I skipped my review for 4September and made it after a month to the Cancer Institute; had to wait for some time since I was a Walk In Out Patient without any emergency, I had told the Doctor about the constant pain in the right side of the neck area--- after examining Doctor told me that the tissues on the Lower neck area are reclining to normal hence pain would be there and suggested physiotherapy for the shoulder. Now this day I noticed I had pulled up my weight to 66 Kilograms from a mere 60 when I got discharged, Next medical examination stamped for 9th January 2007.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
11th APRIL 2006
Reported to the Cancer Institute as per schedule, asked me to report on the 13th with Appointment fixed with he Doctor in charge of radiation, this day I was clearly told even though the surgery has been successful and all cells free of Cancer a Radiation therapy was important for future........ so report on 13th April.
13th APRIL 2006
I was instructed to go to the Radiation Department , later put on a x-ray table and they did a bit of Geometry on my face, near the neck area marked with stencil Ink all Horizontal and Vertical lines, then went to the Radiation room, this Cancer Institute had the art of radiation equipment-at freezing temperature had to remove the shirt lie on Scanner bed that goes into a Capsule ,here the radiation beams are just scanned on the marked area for just 2 minutes, that's it so I had to do 56 SITTINGS of Radiation Therapy daily except Saturdays and Sundays.
During this period of radiation I could feel the difference of dry throat, skin turning black, loss of hair and slight numbness and finally as of this day when I am blogging there is no hair growth on my beard area of the right side, Thank God I have not lost the taste of food.
Finished my entire sitting of radiation 23rdMAY 2006, Out- patient card stamped to report on 22nd JULY 2006.......If I had gone through an early detection, timely screening just imagine what life would have been, my greatest Luck is that I escaped going through that painful THERAPY..............what.???? CHEMOTHERAPY.
22nd JULY 2006
Reported to Cancer Institute everything has been normal over the period except for my intake of food which is backdrop for my health I cannot eat more than a slice of bread and 1 egg, I felt hungry .my stomach wants more but my throat and neck area stops it,my food has to be sent down with a bit of stress by today I have got used to it and as the Doctors told me nature will take care yes it has taken care. I started gaining confidence in my life.
The P.C. at home has become my dearest companion I did a lot of surfing on Cancer got to know a few sites that counsel patients, I had gained weight slowly but feel very weak,now all the stencil marks etc have disappeared and clean I was able to shave twice a week, and that should do since I do not go out, OP card stamped report on 4th SEPTEMBER 2006
Reported to the Cancer Institute as per schedule, asked me to report on the 13th with Appointment fixed with he Doctor in charge of radiation, this day I was clearly told even though the surgery has been successful and all cells free of Cancer a Radiation therapy was important for future........ so report on 13th April.
13th APRIL 2006
I was instructed to go to the Radiation Department , later put on a x-ray table and they did a bit of Geometry on my face, near the neck area marked with stencil Ink all Horizontal and Vertical lines, then went to the Radiation room, this Cancer Institute had the art of radiation equipment-at freezing temperature had to remove the shirt lie on Scanner bed that goes into a Capsule ,here the radiation beams are just scanned on the marked area for just 2 minutes, that's it so I had to do 56 SITTINGS of Radiation Therapy daily except Saturdays and Sundays.
During this period of radiation I could feel the difference of dry throat, skin turning black, loss of hair and slight numbness and finally as of this day when I am blogging there is no hair growth on my beard area of the right side, Thank God I have not lost the taste of food.
Finished my entire sitting of radiation 23rdMAY 2006, Out- patient card stamped to report on 22nd JULY 2006.......If I had gone through an early detection, timely screening just imagine what life would have been, my greatest Luck is that I escaped going through that painful THERAPY..............what.???? CHEMOTHERAPY.
22nd JULY 2006
Reported to Cancer Institute everything has been normal over the period except for my intake of food which is backdrop for my health I cannot eat more than a slice of bread and 1 egg, I felt hungry .my stomach wants more but my throat and neck area stops it,my food has to be sent down with a bit of stress by today I have got used to it and as the Doctors told me nature will take care yes it has taken care. I started gaining confidence in my life.
The P.C. at home has become my dearest companion I did a lot of surfing on Cancer got to know a few sites that counsel patients, I had gained weight slowly but feel very weak,now all the stencil marks etc have disappeared and clean I was able to shave twice a week, and that should do since I do not go out, OP card stamped report on 4th SEPTEMBER 2006
POST SURGERY
25th MARCH2006
Shifted from I.C.U. to a special ward and this was good since presence of an attendant or family member beside me was not necessary, all I had to do was Buzz for the Nurses on duty and moreover since I was drugged heavily on Morphine tablets I was always enjoying my sleep. Now as for Food it was only thin Liquid like porridge etc. with multivitamin fed through my stomach in a tube just above the navel and this was to be continued till my throat was completely healed.
During the next few days all the sutures were removed and daily Physiotherapy was administered in bed and slow walking for about 10 minutes; and I really felt the severe weakness in loss of weight, No neck muscle to balance, After a week I was given a full briefing for discharge and even I was getting used to my second Life all by nature
3rd APRIL 2006
I was discharged by Noon and my sister Sheila was there from Bangalore all required pain Killer tablets and out Patient Card was given and asked to report on 10th April; reached home with a sigh of relief at the same time I was really worried and shattered within myself as to the new Life, a Survival.......
5th APRIL 2006
I got up in the morning and notice that the feed tube in my stomach had come out, this was due to the fact that I was restless in bed for want of sleeping dose pills, I went to the hospital and to my Luck the surgeon who operated me was on duty after a thorough examination the Doctor asked me to report to the Operation Theatre ; I was waiting a the the Pre-surgery ward and the doctor gave me some water to drink and observed that there was no sign of any wetness or water coming into my Tracheotomy done area , so they asked me to go on light food orally, I was really happy to know and did long to eat something after a good briefing I left and Out-Patient card stamped to report on 11th April .
Shifted from I.C.U. to a special ward and this was good since presence of an attendant or family member beside me was not necessary, all I had to do was Buzz for the Nurses on duty and moreover since I was drugged heavily on Morphine tablets I was always enjoying my sleep. Now as for Food it was only thin Liquid like porridge etc. with multivitamin fed through my stomach in a tube just above the navel and this was to be continued till my throat was completely healed.
During the next few days all the sutures were removed and daily Physiotherapy was administered in bed and slow walking for about 10 minutes; and I really felt the severe weakness in loss of weight, No neck muscle to balance, After a week I was given a full briefing for discharge and even I was getting used to my second Life all by nature
3rd APRIL 2006
I was discharged by Noon and my sister Sheila was there from Bangalore all required pain Killer tablets and out Patient Card was given and asked to report on 10th April; reached home with a sigh of relief at the same time I was really worried and shattered within myself as to the new Life, a Survival.......
5th APRIL 2006
I got up in the morning and notice that the feed tube in my stomach had come out, this was due to the fact that I was restless in bed for want of sleeping dose pills, I went to the hospital and to my Luck the surgeon who operated me was on duty after a thorough examination the Doctor asked me to report to the Operation Theatre ; I was waiting a the the Pre-surgery ward and the doctor gave me some water to drink and observed that there was no sign of any wetness or water coming into my Tracheotomy done area , so they asked me to go on light food orally, I was really happy to know and did long to eat something after a good briefing I left and Out-Patient card stamped to report on 11th April .
Sunday, May 9, 2010
POST SURGERY
22 nd MARCH 2006
As I blog on this day. that is precisely 48 months after my surgery, my memory is fresh as a newly bloomed flower; though time has gone so fast, it was around 4.00pm on this day that I regained my concious and opened my eyes with a numb body, Isaw myself lying in the Intensive Care Unit with tubes from my neck,stomach and with the life saving ventilation device. The nurse who was present told me everything is normal and fine and my family members have been informed about the successful operation; later the doctors came and informed me that I will have to remain in this ward for a minimum of 3 days so I was put back here till the 26th March with drips on and off with diluted liquid feed, after 2 days I was removed to a wheelchair and started to stand with support.
Oh God !! I was totally shattered and thought will never be able to survive looking at myself........ just imagine I was 75 kgs before I came in and this day I am just 60 kgs I could se my ribs and bones. The doctors who came on their round built a lot of confidence in me and told me that I must not worry and it has been a 2 nd life
As I blog on this day. that is precisely 48 months after my surgery, my memory is fresh as a newly bloomed flower; though time has gone so fast, it was around 4.00pm on this day that I regained my concious and opened my eyes with a numb body, Isaw myself lying in the Intensive Care Unit with tubes from my neck,stomach and with the life saving ventilation device. The nurse who was present told me everything is normal and fine and my family members have been informed about the successful operation; later the doctors came and informed me that I will have to remain in this ward for a minimum of 3 days so I was put back here till the 26th March with drips on and off with diluted liquid feed, after 2 days I was removed to a wheelchair and started to stand with support.
Oh God !! I was totally shattered and thought will never be able to survive looking at myself........ just imagine I was 75 kgs before I came in and this day I am just 60 kgs I could se my ribs and bones. The doctors who came on their round built a lot of confidence in me and told me that I must not worry and it has been a 2 nd life
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
MARCH 21st 2oo6---------(SURVIVAL DAY FOR ME<>EITHER ITS THIS DAY OR NEVER)
***Yes!!! It was decided by the surgeons the surgery takes place today @7-30 am precisely, all my family members informed that I will be out of the operation theatre by 4.00pm, so early morning I was wheeled to theoperation theatre Sandeep was withme I i did go with a lot of confidence, signed the papers that was required by the authourities and they dressed me into a fresh sterlised green cloak put a fresh identity band...... yeah then I was told there are another 3 major surgery in the adjoining wards also. Well this is what the final Clinical surgery index mentioned -----RIGIDSCOPY FOLLOWED BY LARYNGO PHARYNGO OESOPHAGECTOMY AND RIGHT MODIFIED RADICAL NECK DISSECTIONAND LEVEL II, III & IV--NECK DISSSECTION DONE.........is that not spine chilling to hear , God had been great to me gave me a 2nd Life----I was told later on by my family members that they saw me through the glass partition being shifted to the INTENSIVE CARE UNIT @ 4.30, and the surgeons showed the victory sign to them.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
MARCH 20 th 2006
**Doctors brief my family members bout the surgery to take place the next day, my brother Jude is also there and all necessary papers signed, arrangements made for Blood and all precautions taken for surgery like no intake of any types of food / liquid after 6.00pm,stomach wash done. THIS DAY NO PAIN> I GET A LOT OF COURAGE ........FEEL LIKE FLOATING SOMEWHERE.......IS IT THE MORPHINE................
**All these days my son Sandeep had been my attendant he would go straight home have bath and go to work , then come and spend all his time with me especially night time and the hospital insisted on an attendant since I could not speak after my 1st surgery... what I speak comes out as whispers since my voice box is not functioning
**Doctors brief my family members bout the surgery to take place the next day, my brother Jude is also there and all necessary papers signed, arrangements made for Blood and all precautions taken for surgery like no intake of any types of food / liquid after 6.00pm,stomach wash done. THIS DAY NO PAIN> I GET A LOT OF COURAGE ........FEEL LIKE FLOATING SOMEWHERE.......IS IT THE MORPHINE................
**All these days my son Sandeep had been my attendant he would go straight home have bath and go to work , then come and spend all his time with me especially night time and the hospital insisted on an attendant since I could not speak after my 1st surgery... what I speak comes out as whispers since my voice box is not functioning
MARCH 11th--------20th 2006
**Shifted out of I.C.U. under observation and convalescing in the hospital. Strong painkillers and other drugs every 4 hours; only liquid intake; loosing weight rapidly and variation pulse rates. Doctors give a very special drug , tablet (MORPHINE) to relive all the pain, this takes one on a great trip and makes the mind blank---------- wow a great feeling it was ;when ever I took this tablet
Doctors fix the date for the next surgery 21-March and brief me about the surgery to be done, all the while I was given the impression that it was going to be an ordinary surgery, but this day they tell me the surgery is going to be in stages to remove all the cancer cells from the neck area and also have to open my stomach to draw out a large intestine which will take my intake of food later. At this moment I was shaken up a bit , well to know the fact the CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS was CARCINOMA HYPO PHARYNX STAGE T3 .
**Shifted out of I.C.U. under observation and convalescing in the hospital. Strong painkillers and other drugs every 4 hours; only liquid intake; loosing weight rapidly and variation pulse rates. Doctors give a very special drug , tablet (MORPHINE) to relive all the pain, this takes one on a great trip and makes the mind blank---------- wow a great feeling it was ;when ever I took this tablet
Doctors fix the date for the next surgery 21-March and brief me about the surgery to be done, all the while I was given the impression that it was going to be an ordinary surgery, but this day they tell me the surgery is going to be in stages to remove all the cancer cells from the neck area and also have to open my stomach to draw out a large intestine which will take my intake of food later. At this moment I was shaken up a bit , well to know the fact the CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS was CARCINOMA HYPO PHARYNX STAGE T3 .
Monday, March 15, 2010
MARCH 1st 2006
** This day had to go empty stomach For an Endoscopy that was carried out at10.001m, after 1 hour a Biopsy was also done as an emergency since I had a lot of breathing problems.Doctors have put me on strong pain killers every every 4 hours.
MARCH 2ND 2006
**Spiral scan was completed today, so the surgeons can study further and get ready for the major surgery.
MARCH 3rd 2006
**Doctors meet me and do a counselling about the surgery to take place , they informed me that the surgery has to be done on 2 different days set apart. the first would be for me to breathe freely that is Tracheotomy.
MARCH 4Th 2006
** Electra cardiograph and Blood pressure test and had to meet the Anaesthesiologists .
MARCH 8Th 2006
**Admitted in The Cancer Institute, all medical checkups done for the surgery the next day
MARCH 9Th 2006
**No intake of food after Noon, had the emergency Tracheotomy done at 7.00 pm, the surgery took just 1 hour, during the entire process of this surgery even though my eyes were closed I could clearly hear the discussion the surgeons were having, they took out the extra growth of Thyroid and explaining to some Trainee surgeons who were there. Shifted to Intensive Care unit and was there for2 days.
** This day had to go empty stomach For an Endoscopy that was carried out at10.001m, after 1 hour a Biopsy was also done as an emergency since I had a lot of breathing problems.Doctors have put me on strong pain killers every every 4 hours.
MARCH 2ND 2006
**Spiral scan was completed today, so the surgeons can study further and get ready for the major surgery.
MARCH 3rd 2006
**Doctors meet me and do a counselling about the surgery to take place , they informed me that the surgery has to be done on 2 different days set apart. the first would be for me to breathe freely that is Tracheotomy.
MARCH 4Th 2006
** Electra cardiograph and Blood pressure test and had to meet the Anaesthesiologists .
MARCH 8Th 2006
**Admitted in The Cancer Institute, all medical checkups done for the surgery the next day
MARCH 9Th 2006
**No intake of food after Noon, had the emergency Tracheotomy done at 7.00 pm, the surgery took just 1 hour, during the entire process of this surgery even though my eyes were closed I could clearly hear the discussion the surgeons were having, they took out the extra growth of Thyroid and explaining to some Trainee surgeons who were there. Shifted to Intensive Care unit and was there for2 days.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
FEBRUARY 27th 2006 (MONDAY)
This day being a monday it was a good day to start all the investigations given by the chief Doctor at the ONCOLOGY Department. A whole series of tests and all at various deparments of the Institute, First day -- Blood test, urine etc for knowing the blood group and confirm I had no diabetes.
FEBRUARY 28th 2006 (TUESDAY)
Had to report on an empty stomach for Blood and urine tests again after breakfast one more sample for blood and urine. Chest X_ray also done, Results for all tets are sent to the Onclogy department by reports and also posted on their network....... this Institute is advanced and they have a very big volume of patients coming from the neighbouring States and far off cities also especially ladies for their Breast Cancer.
This day being a monday it was a good day to start all the investigations given by the chief Doctor at the ONCOLOGY Department. A whole series of tests and all at various deparments of the Institute, First day -- Blood test, urine etc for knowing the blood group and confirm I had no diabetes.
FEBRUARY 28th 2006 (TUESDAY)
Had to report on an empty stomach for Blood and urine tests again after breakfast one more sample for blood and urine. Chest X_ray also done, Results for all tets are sent to the Onclogy department by reports and also posted on their network....... this Institute is advanced and they have a very big volume of patients coming from the neighbouring States and far off cities also especially ladies for their Breast Cancer.
FEBRUARY 2006
By mid February I felt very little improvement as more problems cropped up like had difficulty in swallowing food, lack of sleep. I told my son it is very important to go and see a specialist an ENT doctor.
We got a good contact of a doctor through his friends and met him,after a thorough examination he referred me to go for a medical checkup to V H S Hospital that has the facility for treating all types of disease, the Doctor told me to wait outside and had a long discussion with my son at this point I smelt something but did not dream of Cancer having got into my system.
**FEBRUARY 22ND 2006.
Went to V H S Hospital at Adyar, after completing the formalities got to meet a specialist Doctor, After an examination of my throat he called my son and asked me to go over to the CANCER INSTITUTE, he had given a letter also for immediate attention, at this point of time every one in the family was shaken up and wondered what has happened.
**FEBRUARY 23RD 2006.
Went over to the Cancer Institute at Adyar, the formalities for registration etc. were very long after completing the details for registration we waited to meet the doctor who was to do the first inspection, After a good wait of 3 hours the doctor I met confirmed that I have been attacked by Cancer and it was a Thyroid Cancer and spread from the throat to the neck area, however he suggested surgery at the earliest and a hole has to be made in my throat for me to breathe; a detailed report for all investigations was made by he doctor who consulted a panel of doctors. So, by the end of the day it was confirmed that I was Hit by the deadly Cancer. Every one at home were upset
By mid February I felt very little improvement as more problems cropped up like had difficulty in swallowing food, lack of sleep. I told my son it is very important to go and see a specialist an ENT doctor.
We got a good contact of a doctor through his friends and met him,after a thorough examination he referred me to go for a medical checkup to V H S Hospital that has the facility for treating all types of disease, the Doctor told me to wait outside and had a long discussion with my son at this point I smelt something but did not dream of Cancer having got into my system.
**FEBRUARY 22ND 2006.
Went to V H S Hospital at Adyar, after completing the formalities got to meet a specialist Doctor, After an examination of my throat he called my son and asked me to go over to the CANCER INSTITUTE, he had given a letter also for immediate attention, at this point of time every one in the family was shaken up and wondered what has happened.
**FEBRUARY 23RD 2006.
Went over to the Cancer Institute at Adyar, the formalities for registration etc. were very long after completing the details for registration we waited to meet the doctor who was to do the first inspection, After a good wait of 3 hours the doctor I met confirmed that I have been attacked by Cancer and it was a Thyroid Cancer and spread from the throat to the neck area, however he suggested surgery at the earliest and a hole has to be made in my throat for me to breathe; a detailed report for all investigations was made by he doctor who consulted a panel of doctors. So, by the end of the day it was confirmed that I was Hit by the deadly Cancer. Every one at home were upset
THE YEAR THAT WAS---------JINXED
The year 2006 started with a tragedy in the family, traveling to Bangalore by bus on New Years Eve and sitting before his Body that was at my mothers place for the last rituals till 1.00 pm on 1st January 2005. (HE WAS BORN ON 31 DECEMBER1955 AND DIED ON 31 DECEMBER 2005), exactly on his birthday. Ho God what a calling for him..
JANUARY 2006
Back to Chennai after 2 days , and my throat continued to be bad, after 2 days my son took me to the local Doctor who has a Clinic in our residential area. I was given some antibiotics for bad throat, well it was slightly better for a few days then again I was having a sore throat and loosing appetite, continued the same dose of medicine with regular check ups.
Friday, March 12, 2010
OVERVIEW
After having browsed many Blogs on the SURVIVORS OF CANCER, I decided to start a Blog. The blogs listed by Asbestosnews.com gives a lot of inspiration and self confidence to survivors of Cancer.I remember it was at the end of the year 2005, my throat gave a lot of problem;getting cold ,sore throat, cough etc... but never thought of symptoms of Cancer even the local doctor I consulted treated me for virus and cold.
The recollections I jotted down in my Diary is BLOGGED now for my friends and those who would like to follow..... and here it goes from the start of the YEAR 2006
The recollections I jotted down in my Diary is BLOGGED now for my friends and those who would like to follow..... and here it goes from the start of the YEAR 2006
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