Symptoms & Diagnosis

My name is Mahesh Mohan. I am a Hodgkins Lymphoma Survivor. When I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma (Cancer), my life changed in an instant.

After the diagnosis, I knew something was really wrong. My instinct was telling me it was cancerous and that with cancer, there is no such thing as a simple surgery or a simple anything. The way I felt about things was pretty much the same as what I had been for the majority of my life. By nature, I am someone who doesnt like to cause any trouble, who wants people, and who wants things to be smooth sailing all the time.

There were many challenges I faced as a cancer survivor. But through it all, I took each day at a time and tried not to dwell on the challenges that lay ahead of me. The experience I went through is not unique. Millions of people around the world go through it each year. They suffer greatly, but manage to get through it with the help of their family and close friends. The fact is, cancer doesnt always destroy you; it often makes you stronger.

Side Effects & Challenges

Cancer is scary. The word alone makes our hearts go thump thump. But what also strikes fear into our heart is the reality of cancer treatments. Sitting in chemotherapy chairs or lying down in a radiology department, we wonder if we will really make it through the cancer treatment and recover. And, most of us pray that we will come through it all okay.

In the midst of these fears, how we manage our state of mind and emotions and how we cope determines how well we will get through the cancer treatment and recover. I am very privileged to have recovered from a rare form of cancer. This experience is my story of how I survived Hodgkins Lymphoma, and what I learnt along the way that you can use to improve your health and happiness, too. With advice on natural remedies and medication (all tried and tested on myself), yoga and meditation tips, food for thought about the big purpose behind, it all helped me a lot fighting this battle with a brave heart!

I am sharing this to let you know that you are never alone, even when you are alone in your cancer healing journey, and I want to help you create your own support system which can help you propel you on your cancer healing journey. So you too can walk proudly towards recovery.

Support System & Caregivers

Having family and friends nearby can make a big difference when you are fighting cancer. Family and friends can provide emotional support, as well as help around the house and with daily activities. Caregivers, who play an important role in helping you fight Hodgkins Lymphoma, can help you with all of this and more.

I was lucky as I have had the best support system and caregivers. Your caregivers are your lifeline. Many patients say that having support from family, friends, and others helped them cope with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Caregivers can help by spending time with the patient and staying in touch by phone. They can encourage patients to take part in activities, offer their support during treatment, and provide information about Hodgkins Lymphoma.

With the help of my family and friends, I learned to live in harmony with my cancer. My feelings were normal. Signs of caregiver stress include anger, frustration, sadness, or a feeling of being trapped with no way out. You may be feeling overwhelmed or depressed. You probably have a lot of questions about your illness and how to help your loved one cope with it. Reaching out for support is normal and healthy. Everyone needs caring relationships and human contact.

Post Cancer & Future Goals

I really love going for long walks with my family, and we like to do some swimming as well. I love to watch movies with my family on weekends and I also like to go shopping with my best friends. I can say that it is my lifeline and I love my family dearly.

We all have goals for the future, whether it is to be healthy, travel to new places and meet new people, or raise a family. You have had to adjust your life because you or your loved one has cancer. But you dont have to give up your joy for living. These are my thoughts for maintaining a sense of normalcy and resiliency even on bad days.

Some Lessons That I Learned

One of the empowering shifts in my life was recognizing that I had been in control all along, but hadnt realized it. I had free will and could have chosen to do whatever I wanted. This experience was born out of my intention to share with others what helped me during my journey through cancer. Before my Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosis, I was a happy, healthy person. My life seemed full of potential and potentiality. But once the cancer was in my body, I felt like a completely different person. This is the experience of how I was able to heal from Hodgkins Lymphoma.

After a battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma, I started sharing my journey and how I used mindfulness and gratitude to achieve healing. Through my journey, I share practical advice on applying mindfulness techniques to everyday life. This experience can be an invaluable sharing for survivors of cancer who are looking not only for practical tips, but also for a deeper meaning in their experiences so that they can live meaningful lives.

I try to keep this cancer healing journey experience as upbeat and positive as possible, but I dont believe in sugarcoating my story. I feel an obligation to be honest with the patients so they can benefit from my experience battling Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Parting Message

Cancer and cancer treatments can be overwhelming. My intensely personal and engrossing experiences can provide encouragement for patients who may be facing the same diagnosis or other health challenges. I share not only my own physical, emotional, and spiritual ups and downs, but also the many gifts our minds can bring us in the face of difficult circumstances.

The things I offer to help us flourish outside of illness as we heal inside is a message of hope to all who hear it! I am sharing this because I want people to understand the cancer experience. I want people to take control of their lives, not just when they are told they have cancer, but while they can Before they can be told. I want people to realize that it is not what has happened to them, it is how they respond - and then on top that, how they live everyday that makes the difference in their lives.

I wanted to share with others my experience and what happened as I fought my cancer, from the early days all the way until now. It has been a while since my last check-up and blood work so it is nice to say that I am a lymphoma survivor, but it was not easy. I want people to understand how the mind and body can change with this disease and how one can overcome it all. This is not only for those in the midst of their fight, but also for family and friends who need a way to help lift their loved ones spirit.