GUEST COLUMN
Dr Pankaj Garg
It was a routine day in the oncology outpatient department, a familiar rhythm of consultations, follow-ups and the daily tasks that come with caring for cancer patients. I had seen several patients that morning—each with their unique stories, struggles and hopes. It was a steady flow of individuals facing the immense challenge of cancer, yet each one of them resilient in their own way, putting one foot in front of the other despite the harshness of their reality. However, that afternoon, a seemingly ordinary consultation would forever remain etched in my memory.
A couple walked into my consultation room. The woman, visibly anxious and clutching her medical records tightly, was accompanied by her husband, who too bore an expression of deep distress. The woman was in her late 40s, and there was something in the way she looked that spoke of both hope and fear in equal measure. She immediately began explaining her complaint—a lump in her breast that had been troubling her for some time. As I listened to her, I could sense the palpable apprehension in the air. I took a moment to try to ease her fears, “Not all breast lumps are cancerous. Many are benign. However, to be certain, we will need to run a few tests.” My words were intended to calm her, but deep down, I knew the reality was far more complex. Based on her clinical history and examination, I suspected that the lump might be malignant. I hoped I was wrong, but the dread that lingered in my mind was hard to ignore.
Days passed, and the test results came back, confirming what I had feared—the woman had breast cancer. Further evaluations revealed that it was stage III, a serious diagnosis but one that was still treatable with modern medical advancements. As I sat down with the couple to explain the findings, the weight of the situation seemed to fill the room. I carefully outlined the treatment options, prognosis, and the challenges that lay ahead. Despite my best efforts to explain it with optimism, the room felt heavy with sorrow. The husband, who had been trying so hard to remain composed, suddenly broke down. Tears streamed down his face as he looked at me with despair and said, “I don’t know how I will live without her.” His words were simple, yet they captured the profound depth of his love and his fear of losing the woman he had spent his life with. What struck me most was the woman’s reaction. Despite receiving the devastating news, she remained calm and composed. Her strength was remarkable. She reached out to her husband, gently reassuring him, “Don’t worry. I will fight this. We will get through this together.”
In that moment, I was struck by the contrast between the couple. The husband, overcome with grief and fear, was looking at the future with a sense of helplessness, while his wife, despite facing the unimaginable, stood as a pillar of strength and resolve. It was a reflection of the unpredictability of life—the person who was physically affected by the disease was the one showing calm and courage, while the seemingly healthy partner was crumbling under the weight of emotional turmoil.
I turned to the husband and gently said, “Please don’t lose hope. Stage III breast cancer, with today’s advanced treatments, is potentially curable. Many patients with similar diagnoses have recovered and gone on to live healthy lives.” I could see a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes as he listened, and they both agreed to move forward with the treatment plan.
What followed was a journey that tested the woman’s physical and emotional endurance. The treatment process was grueling—chemotherapy sessions, followed by surgery to remove the tumor, and then radiotherapy to ensure that any remaining cancer cells were eradicated. Throughout this process, the woman displayed unwavering determination. She embraced each phase of her treatment with optimism, focusing on the goal of regaining her health.
Throughout this journey, I often saw the couple together. The woman, though visibly weakened by the chemotherapy, never lost her composure. Her husband, on the other hand, continued to voice his worries. He shared with me his fears about the future, and I could sense his anxiety—fear of losing her, fear of the unknown. But in every moment, his love for her shone through. He remained by her side, offering unwavering support as she fought through the hardships. Exactly one year after her treatment began, the woman came in for a follow-up visit. It was a moment of great anticipation. The surveillance imaging showed no signs of disease—she was cancer-free. As I shared the news with her, I couldn’t help but smile. It was a victory for her, for her family, and for me as her oncologist. She had faced a daunting challenge and emerged victorious. However, as we spoke, I noticed something strange—her husband was not with her. Curious, I asked, “Where is your husband? He must be so happy to hear that you are healthy and cancer-free.” At that moment, the woman’s expression changed. Her face clouded, and tears welled up in her eyes. After a long pause, she whispered, “He passed away two weeks ago due to a sudden cardiac arrest.” Her words left me speechless. I sat there, numb, as her news sank in. The irony of the situation was staggering. Her husband, who had been so worried about losing her, had tragically passed away in the prime of life, while she, who had been battling a life-threatening illness, had made it through. It was a profound reminder of life’s fragility, and the unpredictable nature of fate. While she had triumphed over cancer, the person she loved most—who appeared perfectly healthy—was taken by a sudden, unforeseeable event.
This story serves as a poignant reminder that cancer is not always a death sentence. With the advancements in medical science, even stage III cancer can be cured. But it also underscores the unpredictable nature of life. It is a reminder that we are not in control of what happens next. We often take our loved ones, our health, and our time for granted, never truly knowing when it might all change.
Life is fragile, and we must cherish every moment we have. The woman’s courage in the face of her illness and the husband’s love for her are testaments to the resilience of the human spirit. But perhaps the greatest lesson here is the importance of living in the present, appreciating the time we have, and not taking anything for granted. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, and it’s only when we face life’s fragility head-on that we realize the true value of each moment.
As an oncologist, I witness both the strength and the vulnerability of life every day. It is my job to offer hope, to guide patients through their darkest days, and to celebrate their victories. But this experience reminded me that, no matter how much we try to control our lives, the unpredictability of life’s journey is what makes it so precious. This story is not just about cancer; it’s about love, loss, resilience and the fragility of life. It’s a reminder to live fully, to fight when faced with adversity, and to cherish the people who matter most. It’s a call to all of us to hold on to hope, no matter the circumstances, and to make the most of every precious moment.
(The author is the head of the department of cancer surgery at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital in Dehradun; views expressed are personal)
