MY tryst with Latent TB

July 2019

My pet scans and sonography of the neck continues and the reports were consistent showing the lump in my neck but no change in dimension
I retired from my job in December 2018.Now post retirement I have taken up to follow my long desired hobbies and passion like painting and other crafts. I am able to spend a lot of time with my old friends and catch up on some truly lovely memories.
I go for regular walks,more regular with my yoga and I must say that the pain in my joints ,my cramps are far better .But mouth and tongue problems such as sores and pain still continue.
Also at times I experience nerve and muscle problems such as numbness and tingling which may take some more time to go away
I also try and counsel cancer patients and try and help them in my own way.

So it truly keeps me away from any negative thoughts.

Cancer changes you in the sense that your priorities change.You learn what is important .You learn to do what makes you truly happy.Had cancer not happened probably I would have taken a 2 year extension in my work place.But with all this experience i truly needed a break at least for a year to do the things that i have always wanted to do.

Coming to my  scan done in June 2019,it  showed a slight change in the size of the lump.So was immediately asked to do a biopsy.
Again days of tension .worry and prayers.But luckily cancer was ruled out.How ever I was asked to see a pulmonary specialist.
I was put through a host of blood tests .Non of the blood tests showed anything alarming or any infection.So was asked to go through a skin test to detect TB bacteria.
This test showed that I could be suffering a latent TB infection.
People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms, and they cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if latent TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease. So For this reason, I was told that i have to be treated to prevent from developing  TB disease.
Thus began my tryst with Latent TB infection and the treatment.
I was immediately started on the tablets.RCIN 600,PYZINE 750,COMBUTOL 1000, AND BENADON 40

Though the doctor warmed me about few side effects I dint think it would be really bad..But after 5 days of taking the medicines I was having
Severe nausea and vomiting, stomach pain as well as never ending immense body and joint pain .The drugs really made me feel miserable and threatened to take my liver function and along with that my sanity
When the symptoms dint seem to go away and started getting worse  I had to be admitted to an hospital where it was diagnosed that I was suffering from drug induced Hepatitis.
It was a bad phase .It was then that I realised that Drug-induced liver injury is a common complication of tuberculosis treatment.Also it is quite common to have TB post lymphoma .
After a few days at the hospital I was discharged once my liver functions were almost back to normal.
I had developed a pervasive fear and a hatred for the TB drugs because of the severe side effects.
I was wanting to stop treatment but  that was not a choice that I had .
Subsequently I had a detailed talk with my doctor and  made certain changes to my TB drugs and their combination,dosage etc.He also introduced the drugs in a phased out manner so that he would know which one was causing me maximum side effects.

By then my drug resistant report was received and I was found to be resistant to one drug

so changes were made to my medication.I however developed unbearable leg pain .

So this again involved some changes .After many  changes ,though  the side effects are  manageable now but still it was not easy the last few months..Now after 6 month of taking these medicines ,my system has perhaps got used to the drugs and side effects have gone except that it has left me with a permanent knee pain and burning under my feet

I have to go for my sonography of the neck this month to see the progress
I am also not sure how many more days my drugs will continue .But I was told that it is usually 6 to 9 months.I have already completed 6 months of this treatment.
So hoping to hear a positive response from my doc soon.

An year post treatment

penned on November 2017

My pet scan report done in October 2017, after 1 year of completing Chemo is not cancer free all clear Scan. Some lumps are visible in my neck  area .But as per my doctor it is not a cause for concern. At the same time it cannot be ignored and has to be monitored every three months.So my scans and sonographies will continue 

As per my doc the lump may go by itself and as far as there is no change in the size of the lump there is nothing to worry.

If there is any change in dimension of the lump then perhaps it will be a different story. So I go through sonography of the neck and my pet scans as and when my doctor tells me to do which is almost once in 3 months. I have almost become a permanent visitor of Hinduja hospital. So I still have to listen to the clinking and clanking of CT machines a

At times i feel that   a Damocles sword is hanging over my neck but I can’t be always worrying and thinking as to when it will fall.

I know it's not the end of the road for this stupid cancer journey. I'm not ignoring the facts.

So I continue going about my routine and believe in living my life to the fullest

 which gave me no time to think about myself or my problems.

Cancer has a way of making you look at each day as “special.” There is no time to hold grudges, and you begin to look at the “Big Picture.” Things that used to bother you, no longer matter as much.

I continue with my regular tests and checkups as I go through life.
My advice to cancer survivors is that though you may be worried about your cancer coming back or possible late effects of treatment that can develop months or years later try not to get stressed thinking about this constantly.Take a deep breath and relax.
This is the first move you can make when panic hits you. There will be endless ideas, advice,some medical knowledge slung your way. Your deep breath will help you navigate the noise. Breathe and listen. Your breath has the enormous power to reduce stress.Learn yoga and do regular pranayam.
Try to take regular walks,get out of the house and commit to some form of exercise.It need not be with any fancy equipment.Your body needs to move and stay strong during and after treatment.Drink fresh vegetable juice.Juices are nutrient dense, hydrating and truly energizing
wrangle your stress.AS it is cancer treatment has taken a toll on the body 
So  manage the stress  so it doesn’t  disrupt your sleep and create more illness .Here again yoga is a great stress buster.Put your mind in creative hobbies.Last but not the least sleep well.

life post treatment

Penned on November 2016

My life post treatment

 Though my treatment ended in July 2016 I was asked to undergo regular tests and check up in periodic intervals.
My first petscan post treatment was in October 2016 .This report seems more or less ok and i feel blessed 

Cancer is often described as a journey that starts at diagnosis. So true this is.During treatment, you at times feel that your life is on hold. After the treatment ends, it is tough to resume normal activities immediately. You tend to feel a bit lost.

Sometimes survivors expect life to return to what it was before the cancer diagnosis or treatment. But for many , it isn’t that simple and easy. The reality is much more complicated  both emotionally and physically. For some it may take quite some time to be back to absolute normal and for some they have to accept the “new normal.

Cancer certainly changes you as a person in more ways than one. Even though we may start to look normal and feel normal physically, it certainly feels different at least at emotional level.

Each person who has fought and survived cancer feels differently once the treatment ends.

Most people tend to re-evaluate and change their values, goals, priorities and outlook on life.

·        Some survivors feel a sense of loss for “the person they once were… or the way life used to be for them and they miss certain things which they are not able to do post treatment.

·        Some people are absolutely happy that they have survived and count their blessings

·        Some continue to wallow in self-pity talking about the changes,the travails of treatment.

·         Some want to return to their previous routine  at the earliest.

How you feel and cope up with life after…will largely depend on the type of cancer treatment that you have had, your basic nature as a person and your mental strength.

Cancer treatment in most cases will certainly leave long term side effects like fatigue, continuous cramps, pain etc.

In my case fatigue continues and i have  severe pain in my legs. I still suffer from severe cramps at times. My eyesight has been affected .My tongue burns even at slightest of hot food. My teeth have become super sensitive.

But yes my meditation, yoga, regular exercise and certain change in my eating habits has helped me to a great extent in dealing with these problems and i  am sure that these post treatment side effects  too will completely  disappear with continuous yoga and exercise. Even if it doesn’t it’s no big deal.

The chemo after effect is truly enormous and not easy to deal with but it is certainly possible to have a new normal where you can be healthy and happy
I always feel that i am blessed I live in a place where medical facilities are available and I am able to afford them. Though I must say Cancer treatment drains you physically emotionally and financially.
Blessed to be surrounded by many many well wishers and fantastic friends.
Yes it does worry me at times when I have any pain,discomfort etc and for a short while my mind tends to be negative.But I try and shake off that negativity and get back to my routine.Its is good that i have a job which keeps me busy