കോളേജിൽ പഠിക്കുന്ന കാലം മുതൽ കൂട്ടുകാർക്കൊപ്പം പുകവലിക്കുകയും മദ്യപിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യാറുണ്ടായിരുന്നു, പക്ഷേ തൊണ്ടയിൽ കാൻസർ വരുമെന്ന് ഞാൻ ഒരിക്കലും കരുതിയിരുന്നില്ല. എന്നെക്കാൾ കൂടുതൽ പുകവലിക്കുകയും മദ്യപിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്ന സുഹൃത്തുക്കൾ എനിക്കുണ്ടായിരുന്നു, അവരിൽ ആർക്കെങ്കിലും ക്യാൻസർ വന്നാൽ പുകവലിയും മദ്യപാനവും ഉപേക്ഷിക്കുമെന്ന് ഞാൻ കരുതി.

കണ്ടെത്തൽ/രോഗനിർണയം:

In 2014, I started losing weight, my voice became hoarse, and I had pain while swallowing and breathing. At the bottom of my heart, I felt that there was something miserably wrong. I did not even want to think that it would be cancer. I still kept smoking. I was so addicted to it. I went to a local doctor who kept changing antibiotics and saying that I would be fine.

ഒരു ദിവസം, ഭയവും ദയനീയവും, ഞാൻ എൻ്റെ അമ്മയുടെ അടുത്തേക്ക് പോയി, എനിക്ക് ഉറങ്ങാൻ കഴിയുന്നില്ലെന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.

When my mother heard me breathing that night, she took me to the hospital. I had my last cigarette while parking my car at the hospital. I was a slave to my addiction. The doctors performed an എൻഡോസ്കോപ്പി and found a big lump on my right larynx (Vocal cord). They immediately got me admitted, performed a biopsy, and confirmed it to be സ്റ്റേജ് IV തൊണ്ടയിലെ കാൻസർ. എന്റെ ലോകം തകർന്നു. അനഘയും എന്റെ കുടുംബവും ചികിത്സാ മാർഗങ്ങൾ തേടാൻ തുടങ്ങി. ഒടുവിൽ അനഘയ്ക്ക് എന്നെ കൊളംബസിലെ (യുഎസ്) ജെയിംസ് കാൻസർ ഹോസ്പിറ്റലിൽ എത്തിക്കാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞു. ഇതിനിടയിൽ, കാൻസർ അതിന്റെ ജോലി ചെയ്തു, ക്യാൻസറിന് മാത്രമേ കഴിയൂ.

ചികിത്സ:

After reaching the James Cancer Hospital, I was scanned again. The doctors there told me that it was ഒരു മാസത്തിലധികം എനിക്ക് അതിജീവിക്കാൻ പ്രയാസമാണ് as the throat cancer, which was already diagnosed in its last stage, had now spread over to my spine and there was nothing much that they could do. How much I wished that if life could have the reverse gear, I would go back in time and correct my mistakes. Why should my family suffer from my mistakes? The doctors planned to try aggressive കീമോതെറാപ്പി. I had a tracheostomy tube in my throat to breathe, a peg/feeding tube in my nose and stomach, and IVs in my arm. I was all prepared for the big battle.

Fortunately, my body started responding to the chemo. A month turned to two, and then four, and I was alive fighting the demon. Meanwhile, I kept reading a lot of books and kept researching my enemy, my cancer, so that I could get smarter. I was doing much better.

I was scanned again, and they still found some traces of cancer. I was given a choice to either remove my vocal cord (which they preferred, but I would never be able to talk again) or continue with chemo and radiation together. I chose the latter as I was confident by now that I would beat my cancer for sure. I wanted to talk again. That worked for me. Cancer started the fight, and I finished it!

ക്യാൻസർ എന്നെ പഠിപ്പിച്ചത്:

Cancer changed me forever. Even though I may be considered technically cancer-free after five years of treatment, I have lost a lot. I lost all my teeth due to radiation. I have 12 implants in my mouth. I have permanent രക്താതിമർദ്ദം, and tinnitus (the ringing in the ears) that has no cure yet. My thyroids are damaged, and I am on lifelong medication for them. My brain does not communicate properly with my legs, so I am unable to run, as I have a constant fear of falling. These are some losses, to name a few.

What did I win? 

ഞാൻ എന്റെ ജീവിതം തിരിച്ചു നേടി!!

Cancer taught me always to be optimistic. It made me realize that there are so many small things in life that you never think of and miss enjoying. Like, eating ice cream or just taking a shower. You cannot do this when you have a tube in your throat. You learn to appreciate small things when you miss them. Cancer made me realize how important each day is and how to enjoy little things. Cancer taught me to live life today! My life after cancer is the best. I started working hard, and got good jobs. I bought a house, and car, learned to fly a plane, travel to different places, enjoy nature, and spend time with my family. I never knew before that, life could be so beautiful.

പുകവലി, ക്യാൻസർ എന്നിവയെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള ബോധവൽക്കരണം:

I go to schools, colleges and other institutions to share my story. I try to spread awareness about the ill effects of smoking and other bad habits. I tell people, especially youngsters, that I am lucky to have survived, but all do not. My Facebook group, 'Youngsters against Smoking,' has over 4000 members who raise awareness against smoking and counsel people who want to quit. I also administer a cancer support group and actively participate in spreading awareness of cancer and trying to help and motivate fellow fighters to get through.

വേർപിരിയൽ സന്ദേശം:

സ്വയം വിശ്വസിക്കുക, ദൈവത്തിൽ വിശ്വസിക്കുക, അത്ഭുതങ്ങൾ സംഭവിക്കും. തൊണ്ടയിലെ ക്യാൻസറിന് ശേഷം ആളുകൾ എന്നെ അത്ഭുത മനുഷ്യൻ എന്ന് വിളിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങി because no one knew how I was able to survive. Focus on one day at a time. People need to get educated about cancer, it doesn't spread by touching, and it's not contagious. It is still considered taboo so help spread awareness about it. Ask your questions to your doctor and be aware of your treatment.

Enjoy today to the fullest. Don't wait for an occasion; create an occasion. Make a list and start doing the things you love because you should not have regrets about anything when it's too late. Always believe in giving.