The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh
Michelle Dias interviewed by Charmaine Wells (Content Manager)
Michelle was diagnosed at the beginning of 2012 with breast cancer. She did feel emotional at the time but being a positive person, she said to her family “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.” She had faith the Lord would take away my illness.
Michelle first went to see an oncologist at a renowned hospital in Mumbai. Surgery was inevitable so she underwent the surgery where the doctor removed the cysts. She went home after three days but her stitches opened because of retention of fluids. The doctor was unable to re-stitch because of the accumulation of fluids. Instead, he just put a plaster there. After nearly two weeks, she underwent a hysterectomy where her surgeon redid the stitches on her breast.
She was not happy with her oncologist and then a friend recommended a Senior Oncologist at another well known hospital in Mumbai. This doctor was shocked at the line of treatment followed by her previous oncologist (in fact he wrote a letter to him regarding Michelle’s case). This doctor was ready to take over her case, but in the meantime, her sister asked her to come over to her in Ahmedabad to consult with a prominent oncologist. Michelle went there and he too was ready to take over her case. This time, Michelle was quite happy and satisfied with her first consultation with the doctor. He discovered many more cysts and suggested another surgery. He also suggested the removal of one breast and asked if she was okay with it. She told him to go ahead. If this was the only way, it was fine by her as long as it took care of the problem. The surgery was a success.
The doctor felt that she should also undergo chemotherapy to remove any residuals left. She then began her chemo session in April 2012 and finished in September 2012. There were six sessions in total. To the pleasant surprise of those around her, Michelle did not have any side effects – no hair loss, no nausea, no sickness, no loss of appetite; none of the side effects felt by other chemo patients. In fact, on the contrary, she developed quite an appetite! She would ask her sister to make two breakfasts for her! She gained a lot of weight. In Michelle’s words, “I believe the reason I did not suffer any side effects is very simple. I had a very positive attitude and more importantly I did not see myself as a cancer patient.”
At one point during her chemo session, her sister referred to her as “the patient”. Michelle almost yelled at her saying, “What patient? Who is a patient? I’m just here to take my chemo. I’m not a patient!!!” She lead a very normal life, she ate everything and anything she so desired at the time. Michelle was 46 kgs before her chemo started and towards the end she had gained about 10 kgs. Her haemoglobin was 13 throughout her chemotherapy. In fact, her doctor would tease her and ask what she was eating. He was extremely happy with her haemoglobin level and quite satisfied that it stayed that way.
Michelle says, “I feel blessed! I feel blessed to have a family who supported me throughout my chemo sessions. My brother would travel a long distance to be by my side during my chemo session because I have a phobia of injections and only he is able to calm me down. He would hold my hands when they injected the medication. I remember, one time he was unable to make it for one of the sessions, but then my older sister flew down from Bombay to be with me. What more could I ask for? I had everything I needed to get back my good health.”
Michelle tried plastic surgery for her breast but it was not a success in her case, as her skin tissue is very delicate. Now she uses silicon pads. Yes, initially, at times it was a cumbersome task especially when she had to go out. She had to make sure the outfit she chose was compatible. Now, over the years, she has become comfortable using it.
The doctor felt that she should also undergo chemotherapy to remove any residuals left. She then began her chemo session in April 2012 and finished in September 2012. There were six sessions in total. To the pleasant surprise of those around her, Michelle did not have any side effects – no hair loss, no nausea, no sickness, no loss of appetite; none of the side effects felt by other chemo patients. In fact, on the contrary, she developed quite an appetite! She would ask her sister to make two breakfasts for her! She gained a lot of weight. In Michelle’s words, “I believe the reason I did not suffer any side effects is very simple. I had a very positive attitude and more importantly I did not see myself as a cancer patient.”
