Its been a while since I have thought of sharing this story. The
story of my Mom. This story needs to be told coz this is pure inspiration. The story
of a battle between this amazingly strong woman and cancer. I will be uploading
the stories in parts so bear with me.
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There are few people in my life who have inspired me to get
going against all odds and it is indeed a blessing to realise that one of such
person is my mother – a woman who is beautiful inside out. Her indomitable
spirit, her gracefulness and her unconditional love….everything about her
mesmerizes me. I have always admired her but never have I realized her strength
until recently...ironically on my first wedding anniversary, the day my world
came crashing down.
Mom and Dad had come to visit my husband and me at Bangalore and
just 3 days before they were to leave for home we scheduled a master health check up for
both of them at Apollo hospitals. Dad is 60 years old and diabetic, Mom is
hypertensive and has osteoporosis. My husband accompanied my Dad door to door
and I was with my Mom doing all the tests mentioned in the checklist. For Dad,
all reports came normal. My Mom’s report is an altogether different story.
In
the ultrasound of her left breast, the doctor identified a lump so we were
redirected to an oncologist on call. She examined her breast and asked the
nurses to get some needles. I was searching her face for a hint of clue as to
what was happening. She mentioned about carcinoma and malignancy and other such
words…words which sent chills down my spine. My mother on the other hand was
really cool and was very sure and kept telling me that the doctor was wasting
her time. Later, I was told to stay outside as they have to collect some sample
from the lump. I waited there with my husband and Dad, little knowing what was
going on, just hoping that everything will be all right. Finally when the nurse
called me I went inside and the doctor explained to me about a certain FNAC
test – supposedly a needle test in which they take out tissue from the lump and
examine it pathologically for signs of malignancy. As she was explaining me, my mind wanders away and I kept telling myself that I have to focus and
not lose my ground. The doctor took her medical history…mom was smiling and
telling about my brothers and sisters and how she could not breastfeed us
properly coz she had to go to work. She is sure that the lump is because of
breast milk that became a mass.
The doctor told me to come again the next day
so that she can explain the treatment and magement if the results of the FNAC test turns to
be malignant. She told not to bring my mother. She also told to cancel their
return ticket and told that if it is malignant it has to be surgically removed
immediately. It took me a while to understand the reality of the situation. Somehow
I kept hoping that the result of the FNAC test will be normal. I just hoped but
deep down I knew from the severity of the way the doctor conveyed…that
something was wrong.
(To be continued)
