Wellness Blossoms

There has always been a strong case for the mind-body connection. Read on to delve from a doctor's perspective…

- Dr. Sachin Subhash Marda

One of my patients, who is currently 88 years, is happy and joyful, living a perfect life like Amitabh Bachchan's Dattu character in the recently released film '102 Not Out'. He has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and underwent a long course of multiple therapies. His 'opportunistic thinking' with a positive outlook towards his life and the world gives him immense inner strength to live life with life. He sent me a gratitude letter with this wonderful poem by John Paul: “Drinking from the saucer, my cup has over flown.”

“Doctor Saab, I want to see my grandson married and then only I will take my last breath. I will not die before that whatever be the circumstances. I know, my Laddu Gopal (Lord Krishna) will make it possible for me,” said a 78-year-old grandmother in a courageous voice in another incident. I was stunned to hear about her steadfast faith in Lord Krishna and her staunch self belief. She was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in almost the last stage. Considering her old age and frail body, we denied treating her with the heavy medicines of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. We thought she will not tolerate any aggressive therapy. I counselled the family about the advanced nature of the disease and the dismal prognosis with a survival of a few months. To my pleasant surprise, she lived happily for more than her expected life expectancy. We call it as 'overall cancer survival' in medical language. She proved us wrong for a right reason. She not only witnessed her grandson's marriage but also welcomed her great granddaughter. I realized - though her body was weak and frail her mind was very strong, which pushed her beyond the imaginary finishing line.