Picture this: you’re staring down two options that could change the course of your life. Sounds like the beginning of a suspenseful movie, right? Spoiler alert: neither option comes with a side of sunshine and rainbows.
Today’s blog post is about a pivotal moment in my cancer journey when I stood at a crossroads, faced with two cancer treatment paths, each with its own challenges and uncertainties. So, buckle up (and grab some tissues, if you’re feeling sentimental), for I’m about to spill the beans on how I waded through the sea of medical jargon and made a decision that would set the stage for my battles ahead.
After going through “The Initial 5 Stages of Emotions When Diagnosed with Cancer,” it was time to meet the doctors and get a cancer treatment plan because time was ticking and didn’t know how much of it I had.
On my table sat two options, each with its own weighty implications.
Cancer Treatment Option 1: Surgery Followed by Chemotherapy
Option 1 loomed large—a daunting esophagectomy. An 8-hour surgery filled with risks and post-op complications. I was also told that the surgery would be performed by a general surgeon as we did not have any specialized specifically in esophagectomy. Needless to say, this didn’t exactly ease my mind.
Cancer Treatment Option 2: Chemotherapy and Radiation
Then there was chemotherapy and radiation. But even after going through this option, there was still a chance that I would need a surgery. A tough road with unexpected results, no doubt, but somehow it didn’t strike the same chord of fear as the first option did.
Taking the Decision
After consulting with several oncologists and weighing the pros and cons, we landed on Dr. Saeed Ahmed’s recommendation of option 2. Surgery, given my condition, posed too great a risk. Dr. Ahmed laid out a plan consisting of two phases:
Phase 1: Six rounds of chemotherapy
Phase 1 was six rounds of chemotherapy, spaced out over six weeks. Each chemo session would take about 4 to 5 hours and 2 hours commute. But for me, this cancer treatment did not seem an overdo as it would be just once a week. What happens the next 6 days of being induced with chemo, would come as a surprise.
Phase 2: Six more rounds of chemotherapy paired with 28 rounds of radiotherapy.
This involved six more rounds of chemotherapy, coupled with a whopping 28 sessions of radiotherapy, 5 days a week. The schedule was relentless. I would be commuting to the hospital 6 days a week—a weekly dose of chemo followed by five consecutive days of radiotherapy, with only a day off to catch my breath. It was a grueling regimen, testing my physical endurance and mental fortitude like never before.
The prospect of hospital visits and going through chemotherapy with radiotherapy didn’t exactly thrill me, but here’s the kicker about me—I’m relentlessly positive. That’s why I have this website in the first place. I firmly believe in the power of the mind and positive thinking, and now was the time to practice what I preach.
Yes, the daily hospital trek and the cancer treatment in general seemed dreary, but I resolved to make the best of it. I refused to label it as a dreaded hospital trip—it was just another outing, a grocery shopping trip, attending a party, or a long drive.
So, I decided to start with a simple act: dressing up.
Now I know what you are thinking. Heck, is she going to the hospital in stilettoes, a shimmering gown, a face full of bold makeup, and sparkly jewelry that could potentially blind the doctors?
Let me clarify—I aimed for normalcy.
I wanted to blend in, to appear just like anyone else running errands. No one needed to look at me and immediately see cancer. And you know what? This seemingly insignificant step actually made a world of difference.
But more on that later—it’s a story you won’t want to miss. Trust me, it’s comedy gold.
Disclaimer: Just a Regular Person’s Take on Cancer
I’m just your average working woman and a proud mama of two, here to share my journey with cancer through a blog series “Diary of a Cancer Fighter.” I know, one day I will replace this word with “survivor.” But let’s get one thing straight: I’m no doctor. I’m just a regular woman sharing my ups, downs, and everything in between. Especially the wonders of mind power and the power of thoughts that amaze me. So, take my musings with a grain of salt, a dash of humor, and a side of fries. Remember, mind power and the power of thoughts can work wonders, but for the serious stuff, please consult the pros. But if you need someone to talk to, reach out to me, and we can talk as much as we want 
