Neena, Maldives

When I found out I had a lump in my breast, I was asked to do an ultrasound scan and mammogram . This was followed by a biopsy and I was waiting for the results to be given by the same physician. This did not happen the way I expected or hoped for. I had a consultation with a Doctor on a completely unrelated medical issue. Shockingly he said to my face “you have cancer”. I froze. Within a few seconds the frost started melting like ice in the sun. When I felt a salty taste in my mouth,  I realized that unconsciously tears were flowing from my eyes, onto my cheeks and into my mouth. I was stunned for a few minutes. This is not how a patient should discover or come to know of a cancer diagnosis. This felt like a violation of my privacy and self.

Post surgery I was referred to an oncologist. In a monotonous voice he just read out the report to me as if he was reading from a boring book. I do understand that for a doctor I am just a patient but this again is not how an oncologist should give out a cancer treatment plan. I had lost all hope and there and then decided not to proceed with cancer treatment. As the patient I felt extremely traumatized.

Once completely healed from the surgery, I was referred to a different  oncologist. This is where everything regarding my diagnosis, treatment and recovery all changed for me. He held my hand  gently and raising my hopes high, he said, “Imagine you are in a dark room and that I am holding your hand, guiding you gently through the darkness and walking towards the light”. In my cancer journey, this Oncologist changed everything for me. Treatment and recovery went smoothly for me and I am a cancer survivor. I can with complete confidence and gratitude say that I have cancer but cancer does not have me. Alhamdulillah.

It is my wish and prayer that doctors too understand that a cancer diagnosis is a life changing sentence for the patient who needs kindness and gentleness. Aameen