Immunotherapy might not be a magic wand, but it does offer hope to patients and an opportunity for oncologists
The first time, it didn't seem so bad. Joaquin Fernandes's right leg had had a small blister, and like anyone else, he dismissed it as a corn, something that would disappear on its own. In the next few days, though, Fernandes noticed that the blister had begun to turn blackish and decided to see a doctor.
Doctors in his city—the Goa-born civil engineer has been working with a construction company in Dubai for three decades now— advised biopsy. “The results showed traces of cancer. Doctors told me to go to India to get treatment,” he recalls.
That was 2015, and predictably, the news of melanoma came as a big shock. “When it comes to cancer, we just don't know anything. What to do, where to go... what will happen now,” Fernandes tells me over the phone from Dubai.
But he figured he had no time to waste, and headed straight to Mumbai, a city where he has family, and a home, too. At first, Fernandes, 60, consulted a doctor at a Mumbai hospital, and was told that the cancerous cells would be removed via a surgical procedure. This would prevent the cancer from spreading.
After the procedure, Fernandes felt better and flew back to Dubai. But, true to its confounding ways, the cancer struck back.
A few months later, Fernandes had pain in his groin. He came back to Mumbai, and this time, the news hit him harder. “The scans revealed that the cancer had spread to the rest of the body,” he says. And the doctor at the Mumbai hospital had an even more shocking prescription for him. “He told me they were going to cut up my entire body and remove the cancer cells manually. I was shocked to imagine myself in that state, to allow myself to be in a slaughterhouse.”
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin July 29, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin July 29, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
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COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict