Destiny’s Favorite Child

Vishal Shah
April 28, 2020

The Diagnosis

I believe I am one, despite being diagnosed with Advanced Stage and Rapidly growing Carcinoma of GE Junction at 35 years (circa June 2013). This is the Rarest of the Rare kind is what I was told.

I have been a health-conscious person once I reached my 30’s for the most part and a moderately active life-style. Preferred long walks to pumping iron anytime. Not too much of a drinker (Teetotaler at best), never Smoked in my Life, so understandably I was devastated when I was diagnosed with advanced stage Carcinoma on 1^st July 2013. I never imagined, I or anyone that I know would suffer from the dreadful disease and frankly I knew very little about it. Maybe people don’t talk about it enough. (I want to change that; I want to talk and help out anyone I can).

I had Lymph nodes which were spreading rapidly. My Doctor put me under a very aggressive Chemo (5 days per cycle) and I underwent 6 cycles with 3 weeks gap between each cycle.

A little bit about Chemo. For the most part it was bearable, and I was fine till about 5 Cycles. I did face some serious de-hydration, nausea and few other side effects that we normally associate. Honestly it was lot less bad then people think. Yes, there are lot of side effects but most of them are controlled due to preventive medication. The treatment does take a toll on your body, mind and in some case even your personality.

Looking back the hardest part was thinking what If could not see my family again, my son was 6 years old then and I could not think of an answer to his questions like why was I in hospital? and when am I coming back?

After 9 months, the Doctors decided it’s time to put me under the knife and while the chances of me leading a normal life were slim, the growth of lymph nodes and the spread had stopped. Now the thing about Esophagus is, there is no replacement, so while it was extremely risky, the Doctors felt that’s the only choice to stop the Disease from Relapsing and for me to lead a normal life.

Post-Surgery

The surgery followed 2 months of Rest, getting into the Habit of eating without an Esophagus, my body had difficulty adjusting to it, as it would be for anyone who loses a Vital organ. I also underwent Targeted Radiation for 3 weeks that was around June-July 2014. Exactly after a year of being diagnosed.

I was eager to go back to my normal life. I started going to office for few hours. Of course, it was extremely difficult, initially my body was not able to cope up beyond few hours, I used to get tired, feel fatigued in the evenings. Mornings were really tough, every day when I used to get up, I had some reaction. I never imagined or had any knowledge of how much your body undergoes post a surgery and treatment like the one I was going through.

I was still not out of treatment. I was undergoing maintenance Chemo for the next 36 months with regular PET/CT scans. I was taking Vitamin tablets to build some immunity.

Leading a Normal Life

There are some physical changes that I went through. I lost quite a lot of weight and muscle. I also lost a lot of stamina (I am building that up with a bit of exercise and Yoga). There are some other changes not sure whether it is psychological, but it did impact my personality, I have observed, there are times when my anxiety levels are up.

The entire treatment has had a huge impact on my Family. I can’t even imagine what my family went through. This disease does affect them as they were my primary care giver. For the best part of first 12 months my wife was my primary caregiver with very little time for my young son. Fortunately, I have a great support system in terms of my Immediate Family and Loved ones. Everyone took turns in taking over some responsibility. Looking back, I don’t think I would have come through if not for the Love, Support and Prayers of everyone.

With carefully monitored diet, medication and of course lot of effort and care by my family and loved ones I build enough strength to start working full time in about 4 months post-surgery. My Chemo continued every month and luckily most times it was one of the weekends or late evenings on a Friday. It also did not have too much of a side effect except it made me really drowsy.

I joined Cisco about 12 months post leading a Normal Life. I was still not completely cured. I mean there was no limitation, except the monthly chemo.

My role required me to travel extensively, eat out and stay away in Hotels, most days it was manageable except the day I was supposed to be in hospital for my monthly chemo. I still remember there were times when I uses to Land at Mumbai Airport and straight away head out to Hinduja Hospital. It happened 3-4 times.

Most mornings were good, but still there were days which were difficult. There were times when I had to reach for a customer engagement but not felt like getting out of Bed.

One thing I was clear about, I had a firm resolve that I will not let my treatment impact my work, I had not told lot of my colleagues including my manger and till the time I completed my treatment. I do not think it has impacted me or stopped me to giving my best at every opportunity.

Cisco is truly one of the best places to work and I have had some really good Managers who looked at my strengths and believed in me, mentored me and even after my health history, I was provided an opportunity to learn and grow. (Read Hariharan S and Sandeep Mehra).

Its been almost 7 years now to the day I was diagnosed and almost 6 years post my surgery. For someone who the Doctors gave 3 months at best, I am completely cured. I am leading a Normal Life, going out to Parties, Family Get Togethers, Holidays, Travelling for Work. I don’t have any limitation. I am a Positive Person by nature and I don’t talk much about my history, I have been asked to write something since a long time by lot of people, I believe I want to do more, I want to Inspire People specially the ones who are going through this dread full disease. I want to tell them my story and if it gives them Hope and Strength to fight back, it will give me lot of Happiness.

I am truly Destiny’s Favourite Child. Have been Blessed with a Loving Family and Friends. They have been my Pillar of Strength.

Stay Positive, Believe in a Higher Power and Surrender yourself to the Treatment!