My sister was diagnosed with Blood cancer in October 2019. The thing with Blood cancer is that it does not have stages like the other cancer types because no particular organ is affected the most. The human body is such that it needs consistent blood flow throughout the body. Thus, Blood cancer is not recognized in stages. My sister was at the high-risk stage when we learned about her suffering.

Present Situation:

Currently, she's in the hospital and has already undergone 3 Chemotherapy cycles. It is commendable, and her body is responding well to the healing process. Additionally, she has also undergone a bone marrow transplant to ensure a speedy recovery.

The cushion of a Close-knit family:

It is common for people to be dumbfounded after finding out that they are suffering from an illness like cancer. But my sister is a remarkably strong lady who took it in her stride and did not lose hope.

We are a close-knit family, so she probably understood that if she broke down, it would directly impact our parents and other relatives. Either way, she has always been someone to focus on the positive.

It is her optimism that has shown all of us the path that everything is possible with a little courage and positivity. She was fearless and asked as many questions as she wanted to the doctors. It is an excellent sign to be engaged in the treatment and understand it before experiencing it.

My sister's husband and children have always been by her side, and there was never a moment when we felt that her husband considered her a burden.

We have seen several cases where they abandoned the sufferer, but I am thankful to God for such amazing family members. Our uncles, aunts, and parents were always available. But if I need to name one exceptional person, it has to be none other than our mother.

Though everyone was always there to entertain my sister and boost her morale, my mother was rock-solid support. Seeing her child have cancer may not have been easy for her, but she did not let her face or eyes reflect that.

The Unwelcome Side-Effects:

One of the biggest challenges that we, as caregivers, face in the treatment is that she doesn't feel like eating at all. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of the heavy-dose therapy that she is receiving, so we coax her to eat, but to no avail.

She has already lost around 20 kgs since the time her treatment started, so that worries us a little. Hair fall, nausea, and body pain are other side effects that she presently experiences.

Middle-class families in India often face issues with organizing finances for Cancer Treatment because the ground reality remains that it is an expensive affair.

Crowd-Funding:

In such a situation, Milaap, a crowdfunding platform, was notably helpful. With the help of its services, we were able to manage the majority of the finances that we needed. I would certainly recommend it to others. Moreover, the treatment can also be a problem for those who come from not-so-privileged backgrounds.

Medical Support:

Our experience with the doctors has been excellent, and we haven't faced any issues on the medical front yet. The doctors serving us are very supportive and provide us with adequate information. Be it treatment details or anything else we need to know, the doctors have always maintained a transparent relationship with us and communicated effectively.

The Road to Recovery:

We are indeed blessed to be surrounded by the right kind of people because it can greatly influence your treatment and recovery. As of now, my sister does not have any dietary restrictions because, as I explained earlier, the cancer cells have not impacted any particular organ in her body. However, she needs to regain the lost weight, and that can be challenging. It is important to remember that she needs to be a healthy weight, so she will undoubtedly need to follow a balanced diet that is high in nutrition. As caregivers, we'll also ensure that we motivate her as much as possible.

Parting Message:

My message to all cancer fighters is that they must not lose hope. No matter which stage you are in, remain optimistic about your recovery. Medical technology has advanced significantly, so focus on the silver lining. Treatments are more advanced now than they were even just a year ago. Let go of inhibitions and explore all available options. If you face financial hurdles, don't hesitate to seek help from organizations and crowdfunding platforms. Sail your ship of hope, and you will reach the shores safely!