From chemo to treadmill

Being a sportsman I have always been prepared to face the toughest challenges of my life. My work as a personal fitness trainer at the JW Marriott, Mumbai ensured that I was always in good health.

I have always been an athlete and a competitive body builder and was also preparing for a marathon race, when, in September 2004 life, played a cruel trick on me. I started experiencing fatigue and lethargy, started getting cramps, and was plagued with cough, cold and fever, which was very unusual for someone as fit as I was.

I decided to do a CBC (Complete Blood Count) test. Reports showed that my haemoglobin level, WBC (white blood cells), and platelate count was low. I then visited a haematologist, who advised me to do a bone marrow biopsy. The results showed that I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). The doctor also told me that I had a 62% blast and the chances of survival were about 40% to 60%.

I didn't want to quit or think of failure. I was prepared mentally and physically because I knew that cancer is going to effect me pathologically, psychologically, physiologically, and economically. I started treatment. It would last for about six to eight months and included chemotherapy, radiation therapy, lumber-puncture, etc.

I had to take many drugs like Prednisolone, Dexamethasone and Cytarabine, etc. These drugs have side effects like vomiting, hair loss, acidity, constipation, loss of taste, pancytopenia, leucopenia, anemia, and worst of all is depression. The medicines, along with a feeling of helplessness, play havoc in your mind. The best way to fight depression is to stay positive and strong and keep yourself occupied.

I enrolled for a correspondence course, learned computers, surfed the net, and kept busy with exercises like walking, yoga, meditation. This phase of my life got me closer to god. I started praying, reading, and understanding the Quran, and that's where I derived the strength to fight this disease.

I did have my share of frustrations. I ranted "Why me?', but dealt with it. The only thing that is more fatal than a cancer is bad attitude. I am not scared of the word 'can-cer' cause being an instructor I use the words 'Can Sir' almost everyday while training a client in the gym and saying "Yes, you can sir" to motivate them. So the word "CANSIR" to me says, "Yes, you can, can be cured."

Today, I lead a normal life, am back at my job and dream of a bright future. My cancer remains an episode of the past and I have since moved on.