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Celebrating a new life
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The biggest casualty of cancer is willpower. M. ALLIRAJAN meets survivors who reminisce on the agony they went through and the flicker of hope which saw them through their worst times.
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AN ASSORTED bunch of people light small lamps in celebration of their new life and take time to recollect the nightmarish experiences they went through before defying the threat posed by cancer. A glimmer of hope kept them going despite the agony and pain that their ailment inflicted on them.
For all those who have beaten the dreaded disease, Rose Day — February 8 — provides a chance to meet others of their ilk.
A few who are in remission also participate in the proceedings. While the former category is all smiles, those on the fence are a worried lot. They don't know how long their battle will last.
The Vasantha Memorial Trust (VMT), which helps those suffering from blood cancer with funds, had organised a variety of programmes on the day to add cheer to the lives of cancer survivors. Sixty-one assembled to recount their epic struggle with the disease and the role that hope played in bringing them back from the brink of death.
Those afflicted with the disease don't grapple with just the pain and related psychological trauma — the shock factor is hard to digest, too.
One hears a person who was jolted out of blissful retirement by the discovery that he had cancer. For those with little or no money for the expensive treatment, contracting cancer means entering a debt trap.
Suresh of Udumalpet was diagnosed with blood cancer when he was studying in Class III in a government school. Luckily for him, his treatment was sponsored by the Trust. "I could not go to school for six months as I underwent intensive treatment," he says.
Despite the long leave of absence, he managed to clear the final exams, points his mother Sulochana. After three years of treatment, he is looking better, she states.
R. P. Narmadha, a lecturer and blood cancer survivor, told those still undergoing treatment that the first step was believing cancer is curable. "I got cancer at the age of 15 and went through a terrible phase of pain and agony. But my self-confidence helped me get cured and complete my course in computer engineering," she said to a thundering applause.
"Only we have a second birthday," she reminded the gathering.
And what can survivors do to help those on the road to cure? "Show that you are alive and share your experiences to give them the much-needed self-confidence," she said. Narmada also enacted a skit about cancer and its effects for the benefit of the crowd.
Erode-based teacher E. Kuppusamy was thunderstruck two years before retirement. After eight years of struggle, he has partially recovered. "I sold my property for treatment. My earnings melted away in a few years," he rues.
Early diagnosis can help the patients seek the best treatment available.
M. Periyasamy, who works in a hosiery unit in Tirupur, lost out on that chance. On the crest of happiness after his recent marriage, Periyasamy's world came crashing when doctors told him blood cancer had been wreaking havoc on his body since a year ago. "Doctors told me that I had blood cancer. But, my wife and other family members did not panic and gave me moral support during the treatment," he recalls. To foot the medical bills, he had to borrow. "My brother also helped by bearing a portion of the costs."
Viswanathan, a 13-year-old cancer patient came to Coimbatore all the way from his native Pudukkottai for treatment. He is on the road to cure.
Trust founder Dr. J. Ramanathan had something to say to those dreading the thought of blood cancer.
"Blood cancer is actually a good cancer. The patient either gets cured or killed. There is no fear of it recurring," he pointed out. The patient is put on intensive treatment for six months and followed up for four years.
"Generally, the incidence of lung and colorectal cancer is high among Indian men, while it is breast cancer for women. The treatment costs vary from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 20 lakh."
G. K. Ramamurthy of GKR Charities, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients, said he was happy on seeing the cancer survivors. "Many of you have got a second life," he remarked.
During the entertainment session, children romped all over the place and burst balloons. Comedian `Crazy' Mohan and his troupe performed some scenes from their famous play "Jurassic Baby", and brought smiles on everyone's face.
PAt the end of the day, the hearts of those in remission were a little lighter after hearing the tales of encouragement narrated by those who had trodden the path earlier.
Collage by S. Rajasekaran.
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