“They say the poor always perish and suffer. Paras not only gave me a new lease of life, but also restored my faith in humanity,” shares Bachi Khatoon, 35 yr old cancer patient, being treated at Paras Cancer Centre currently , under compassionate grounds.
The 35 yrs old, resident of a small town in Araria District in Bihar comes from a poor family. The family of three are dependent on a small cosmetic shop that Bachi’s husband, Jamiel Haque, runs. The household runs on a shoestring budget, enough to accommodate food, rent and an occasional movie. However the life of the family suddenly underwent a radical change. Bachi started to notice blood in her stool; she even started to suffer from persistent pain. “There were days when I couldn’t get out of bed or even walk. The pain was crippling. Local doctors told us that it’s general gastroenteritis. Their drugs and medication did not do well to my condition,” shares Bachi.
Concerned about the well being of his wife, Jamiel tool her to cancer hospital in Patna that is governed by a trust. Referred by a physician in Purnea , the family landed in the hospital hopeful of receiving positive guidance and cure. However the low cost hospital had a poor environment, uncompassionate doctors and unruly staff. “I kept on blaming myself for putting my family in such distress. Because of our financial condition we couldn’t consult the best doctors or opt for better treatment. I kept on telling my husband to return home. If I was destined to suffer, then be it,” shares Bachi , getting emotional.
But God has different plans set in motion for Bachi when on her brother’s insistence they consulted Dr Shekhar Keshri, Senior Consultant in Radiation Oncology at Paras Cancer Centre, Patna.
According to Dr Keshri, “ Bachi had been ailing for more than 3 months and had been admitted in the trust hospital for more than 15 days. However the troubling aspect was that till now no one had diagnosed the real cause. She came to Paras with severe abdominal pain and also highlighted the inability to pass stool. She was weak and had abnormally low pressure. A team of experienced oncologists at Paras decided to investigate her case.”
“Investigations and results highlighted that Bachi had a big cancerous mass on her anarectal region. Due to late treatment and diagnosis the same had spread to the inguinal region causing blood in her stool. This was also affecting her excretory system making her unable to pass stool. We advised the family immediate colostomy – a surgical procedure in which an opening (stoma) is formed by drawing the healthy end of the large intestine or colon through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing it into place. This opening, in conjunction with the attached stoma appliance, provides an alternative channel for feces to leave the body. This would relieve the persistent abdominal pain.” adds Dr Keshri.
Bachi was also recommended definitive radiotherapy along with concurrent oral chemotherapy. The entire team of Paras Cancer Centre – Surgical Oncologist, Medical Oncologist and Radiation Onco-Specialists came together to ensure that the best care be delivered.
According to Dr Jawed, Unit Head, Paras Cancer Centre, “On analysis of the financial condition of the family, the doctors insisted on treating Bachi on compassionate grounds. Paras Cancer Centre is a specialized hospital that is integrated with the community and has a strong social conscious. We supported the decision of the medical experts and accommodated Bachi’s treatment expenses.”
It has been more than 3 weeks post surgery and she can’t thank the doctors enough. She shares, “When we had lost all hope, angles in white coats ensured I get a new lease of life. Their contribution made a difference to my family. The perception that a big hospital has no social conscious is absolutely untrue. Just like me Paras has numerous examples of self less care and free treatment.”
