Personal Voices

Cancer
Cancer Is A Blessing In Disguise
Shrenik Shah, 67 from Ahmedabad, India was diagnosed with Larynx (Vocal Folds) cancer, stage IV A 22 years ago. He now speaks with an Electrolarynx to motivate and inspire others. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? I…
Rita Banik on the left in a red dress and beige jacket with her husband on the right with a blue shirt and black jacket standing by the gate of a building and a garden in the background
I Have Actually Forgotten My Pre-cancer Life
Rita Banik, founder of RACE to Rein in Cancer has been living with cancer for more than 12 years. She reflects on her journey, the ups and downs and what keeps her going as the fear of relapse stays in the mind forever. The milestones and key…
Image Description: Head shot of a 77 year old survivor of cancer of the vocal chord
I Now Realise The Value Of Life
Dilip Kumar Kanjilal, 77 from Kolkata has fought cancer of the Vocal Chords and emerged a winner. He looks back to recall his struggle which has also reiterated his faith in life. Professionally, I used to be a driver of the long-distance state bus…
I Value Every Moment of My Life Now
Parimal Ghosh, an 80 year old war veteran and now a cancer survivor, relives his experience of battling the condition for 22 years, his emotions and shares what he has learnt from the whole episode. He is now also an active crusader of the Cancer…
An elderly and spectacled couple Mr Pranab Basu in a blue striped shirt with his wife in an orange blouse and a cream sari
Palliative Treatment Ensures Good Quality of Life
Mr Pranab Kumar Basu shares his experience of being the sole caregiver of his wife, who had metastastic colon cancer, and how he succeeded in keeping her mentally strong and cheerful till the end. I have been the sole caregiver for my wife who was…
Sandeep is an Ewing Sarcoma survivor and is currently a Patient Navigator. Here he is sitting in a colourful play room for children with cancer
Diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma At The Age of 12
Sandeep, 25 was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma at 12 years of age.  He saw his father cry quietly in the bathroom. Nobody told him what to expect.  His experience motivated him to work with cancer patients as a Patient Navigator at Cankids.…
Smriti wearing a black dress relaxing on a chair and looking at the camera as she talks about her abdominal cancer
I Had No Fear And Was Ready To Face What Came
Smriti, 50 from Mumbai was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. The hospital nurse referred to her as the most cheerful patient in the ward. PatientsEngage spoke to her to find out her mantra for a positive attitude. Please tell us a bit about…
A couple, a woman on a wheel chair with a man standing attentively next to her, both looking into the woods with the sun streaming through
We Lost the Soul of Our Family to Cancer
It has been almost three years since his wife passed away, but the void is hard to reconcile. In an emotional piece, Mario recounts the day when his wife Cheryl was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, and how family and friends rallied…
Image of Pavithra, a brain tumor survivor in a green dress with her husband in black and son
A Brain Tumor Need Not be Life-Threatening
Pavithra Sakthivel, who had severe headaches and a seizure, was diagnosed with Grade 3 malignant brain tumor. But she recovered quickly in six months. Find out about the treatment and surgical options that worked for her.    I am a 36 year…