This week, my hospital organized a cancer survivors’ event, showcasing people from different walks of life who have overcome their illness. The event titled “The Power To Heal” honored our cancer survivors, many of whom shared their inspiring stories, in a bid to motivate others in their situation. It was well received by the public as well as the media.
On my personal invitation, a former patient of mine, 76 yr old Mr Nandakishore (name changed), also participated in the event. He described his story of how he overcame gastric cancer, undergoing a robotic surgical resection of his stomach, along with chemotherapy sessions. A year since his treatment now, he shared how he, at 76 years of age, is able to follow his passion of cycling in his hometown, how he continues going to work as a consultant, and how he himself drove to this event from his home which is 350 kilometers from Bangalore.
The event concluded with lunch. At lunch, I went up to him and thanked him for participating in the event and inspiring many others who were present. He had just finished his meal, and he asked me to walk with him till the dessert counter. I am a poor eater, and took a small portion of gajar halwa. He smiled at me, helped himself to a kala jamun, a large scoop of ice-cream and some halwa, and said – “Doc, I have always enjoyed sweets. Look at me now – who can tell I don’t have a stomach!” That was the best moment of my day.
Gurunatha Rao says:
Very good article.
If I had known about this or invited, I wouldn’t have missed it. It is not enough to be happy about being a cancer survivor, but it is also important to make other cancer patients confident and positive in their thinking . It needs courage, support, and proper guidance from all, esp the treating doctor.
Rosemary Isaac says:
Very heartening.