6 year old Akshat can’t even form his sentences completely and loves to play cricket. At such a young age when children have sweet memories, Akshat has gone through some of the most difficult medical procedures. Diagnosed a few months back with Medullo Blastoma – a relatively rare, fast growing high grade brain tumor, accounting for less than 2% of all primary brain tumors, Akshat literally had a time bomb ticking in his head. Meduallo Blastoma is exceptionally rare and potent and accounts for 18% of the pediatric primary tumors all over the world.
According to Akshat’s mother, “ He started to complain of severe headache. For a small child to convey that he is suffering from a splitting headache is difficult. Moreover initially we thought that it just might be weakness, but when he started to vomit and also have nausea, we realized that there is more to it. He also started to have vision issues and used to complain of double vision. His handwriting changed, it was as if my child was having behavioral issues. Within a few days we had decided that consulting doctor is important.”
On consultation with a doctor and further investigations, it revealed that Akshat had a fast progressing brain tumor in the posterior part of the brain. The reports highlighted that Akshat would have to go through a radical surgery followed by targeted radiotherapy.
“ For the surgery we went to South India, as at that time we were not aware if there are similar services available in Patna. But the doctors in Vellore made us understand that for radiation therapy we will have to look for an option near our house. The out of pocket expense and the weekly travel would not be possible. On consultation with other doctors, we were recommended Paras Cancer Centre,” shares Akshat’s father.
According to Dr Shekhar Kesari, Consultant Radiation Oncology, Paras Cancer Centre, “For Akshat we had to try something different. First, he is a child, so we had to ensure that the child feels welcome and not scared. If he cries or moved too much during the procedure, then if affects our results only. However, on discussion and interaction with Akshat, we made him so comfortable that we performed the procedure without any anesthesia. After each session our bond grew stronger. Today he looks forward to his sessions and considers the hospital visit to be an outing.”
He further adds, “ Akshat’s case was not only complicated but also unique. His radiation therapy had to be targeted and needed to ensure that the malignant cell growth is controlled and destroyed. For the same he was also given special doses to his spine and brain. The precision and the skill needed for the same was possible through the latest third generation LINAC installed in Paras Cancer Centre.”
Today Akshat is back to his usual self. He is active , alert and ready to play. When you ask his mother, how she feels now, she starts to cry and shares, “ At one point of time , I had accepted the fact that my child might not survive, but Paras has given me the strength that man can overcome anything – even cancer. Dr Keshri used to often tell me to have faith. He would say, ‘A mother’s love and blessings can circumvent all obstacles for her child’, these lines gave me strength yesterday and have made me stronger for tomorrow.”
