Cancer – a fight of a family, not the individual

Chapter 1 - The Lump

Dear Readers, I want to share our family's experience in our fight against cancer.

In October '22, during Cancer Awareness Month, the health ministry put significant effort into spreading awareness through various platforms such as TV, Radio, Social Media, and even personalized awareness messages as Play Ring Back Tones.

One morning, my wife Sarah, who had recently started a new job and was filled with excitement about the opportunities it brought, mentioned feeling a lump in her chest while getting ready for the office. Cancerous lumps are typically hard and painless to the touch and often appear spontaneously. She decided to get it checked that day. I tried to reassure her casually, telling her not to worry since she was healthy and didn't need a check-up. However, Sarah insisted on visiting "Pink Ribbon," a self-sustained organization in Pakistan focused on breast cancer awareness.

At Pink Ribbon, they conducted some tests and found abnormalities in the lump, advising Sarah to visit an advanced lab for a mammogram – an X-ray of the breast used to detect early signs of breast cancer. The mammogram results indicated a significant likelihood of breast cancer, prompting the need for a biopsy to confirm the findings. A biopsy involves removing a small tissue sample from the body for lab testing.

The biopsy results left us in shock, as it confirmed that it was indeed a cancerous lump. We were overwhelmed by this news and took some time to process it. It was a challenging and emotional time for both of us.

Chapter 2 - Preparing For The Fight

A few days later, we decided to visit the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (SKMCH & RC) in Lahore to consult with an oncologist. Our doctor friends had strongly recommended this hospital due to its decades-long expertise in cancer treatment. We arrived at the hospital around 8:00 am, waited in line, and entered the walk-in clinic at 8:45 am. After a thorough physical examination, the doctor advised us to repeat the biopsy and mammogram, but this time using SKMCH & RC's own labs. The hospital trusted only its internal laboratories, ensuring all results were centralized and accessible by any staff member, simplifying the management of patient records.

Following the repeat mammograms, biopsy, and additional ultrasounds and X-rays, Sarah met the criteria for acceptance as a cancer patient at SKMCH & RC. She received her patient card, which served as her identity within the hospital, along with a medical record number. It became evident that the hospital had certain criteria for patient acceptance, typically admitting those whose cancer was still in a curable stage.

Sharing this news with our parents and close ones was challenging, but their support throughout the journey was invaluable. Our workplaces also proved to be a significant source of support. Sarah's boss and mine were extremely understanding when they learned about our situation. They not only offered their support but also showed it by accommodating our needs, allowing us to adjust our work hours or take days off for hospital visits without questioning us.

Finances were another major challenge as cancer treatment can be expensive. Fortunately, we both had insurance coverage. My company provided me with medical insurance, and Sarah had her own coverage through her employer's "Group Health Insurance." Though our combined insurance limits might not have covered all the expenses, they still eased the financial burden significantly.

Overall, we were grateful for the support and blessings we received throughout this journey. It was a trying time, but with the right medical care and the love and understanding of our family, friends, and workplaces, we faced the challenge with strength and hope.

Chapter 3 - The Fight

Coming soon...