What you should know about someone fighting Cancer!!

Well if you know anyone fighting Cancer. Just keep these points in mind. 

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1. People detected with Cancer are not suddenly transformed into Super-Heros. 

We fight a disease that terrifies everyone but we dont turn into (and dont expect us to immediately) turn into Super Heros.

 2. We are strong because sometimes there is no other option.

At times our fight is simply a willingness to go through treatment because, frankly, there's no alternative. We endure pain and sickness for the chance to feel normal down the road.  

3. Just call sometimes, Don’t wait on me to call you if I need anything.  

Please call me every once in a while and do come over. I know you told me to call if I ever needed anything, but it’s weird asking others to spend time with me.

4. We can have real emotions too. 

We do experience real emotions too. Even though cancer and its treatments can sometimes influence my outlook, I still have normal moods and feelings in response to life events. If I’m angry or upset, accept that something made me mad and don’t write it off as the disease. 

5. Be Normal  - Not "How are you feeling now" 

Let’s talk about life and what’s been happening rather than just focusing on my illness.

6. Forgive me.  

There will be times when the illness and its treatment (Chemos, Drugs, Steroids)  make me “weird.” I may be forgetful, abrupt or hurtful. None of this is deliberate. Please don’t take it personally, and please forgive me.

7.Just listen.

I’m doing my very best to be brave and strong, but I have moments when I need to fall apart. Just listen and don’t offer solutions. A good cry releases a lot of stress and pressure for me. 

6. Ask if you want to take pictures of us. 

We all have our own ways of handling thing. Some dont want to remember this time and some dont mind. So better ask. 

7. We do need a little time alone sometimes. 

 A few points ago I was talking about how much I need to spend time with you, and now I’m telling you to go away. I love you, but sometimes I need a little solitude. It gives me the chance to take off the brave face I’ve been wearing too long, and the silence can be soothing. Sometimes I do cry in the bathroom.

8. Our family needs their friends too. 

The life starts revolving around the patients. Well try to make it a point to meet our families too. They also need normalcy for some time.

9. We love your advice but dont give Gyaan. (Dont Preach)

I know you care but still don't preach what you feel is the right way to fight Cancer. Give me the options. But dont push it beyond a point. Let me decide whats my way of fighting this battle.

10. Why did this happen? Ans. Well I dont know.

I saved the best one for the last. Frankly except a few Cancers, most do not have a particular reason. Its sheer genetic mutation, Just BAD LUCK !! 

Written By:

Rahul Yadav

A 29 year old battling Multiple Myeloma - Blood Cancer since Aug 2013, who wants to make fighting cancer Cool. 

Founder - Yoddhas- Indians Fighting Against Cancer. 

Note: 

I have picked all the images from the internet and do not own any of them. Also I have taken inspirations from Kim Helminski Keller's blog. Feel free to contact me for suggestions or feedback. Would love to hear from you. 

I survived!

Today I am going to tell you a story... A story about a young and cheerful girl.

A story about myself.

Life could not have been more beautiful. Well, it could have been but then who is not a little greedy.

I had returned from US after an onsite stint of one and a half years. I was absolutely elated to be with my family & friends and eating golgappas from my favorite roadside vendor made me taste heaven.

Just when you think life is going exactly as you had planned, God throws in a roadblock and smiles at you. I found myself standing outside an oncologist’s clinic.

YES! I had been diagnosed with cancer – Ewing’s Sarcoma to be specific. It is a type of childhood cancer but I was 25 when I was diagnosed. Being the big bollywood fan that I am, my mind transported to that scene from the movie “Anand”. Cancer equals Death! I thought what most of us would have thought in that situation.

But since I am also a software engineer, I did what all of us do when we face an issue – GOOGLE. I googled the name of my disease and within the first few clicks, learnt that it was curable. I went to the office next day and wrapped up my work.

I then went to Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. I was intrigued by the sight in the hospital – new born babies, children, young and old; all battling cancer. And it made me wonder. “Does cancer spare anyone?”

I realized that I would have to be really strong to stand in those serpentine queues to meet the doctors and run from one doctor to the other carrying my case file. There was no time to feel sorry about myself. THE WAR HAD BEGUN!

The doctors suggested an intensive one year chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. But the treatment turned out to be more terrible than the disease itself. I lost my beautiful hair and my physical stamina. The treatment even threatened to sap my soul.

My thoughts swung between two extremes. “God, Why me? Why did I get this? What did I do to get this? I have never harmed any one, never cheated any one, never stolen.” And then I thought “Can it get worse than this?”

“Oh yes!” I was thankful to God that my treatment was showing good results; I wasn’t under a risk of amputation of one of my limbs like many other unlucky souls around me; and YES, I wasn’t dying!!

But many a times, I found myself alone on the seesaw with no pal to push me up when I was feeling so down. Most of my friends were busy in their normal lives and no one could empathize with me. But then I discovered a new planet inhabited by people just like me – Planet Cancer.

An online social community for young adults touched by cancer where they could share insights, explore their fears, laugh and even poke fun at cancer. The Crazy Sexy Cancer Book by Kris Carr, an actress gave me lots of tips on how to kick cancer’s ass and that too in style: “Don’t capitalize cancer.  Giving it so much importance is a big no-no. Infact spell it wrong: c-a-n-s-e-r. It gives you power over that stupid little two-syllable word.” Haha!

I found a lot of inspiration from other patients around me, some of whom were battling cancer the second or even the third time. My strong willpower, positivity, hope and courage helped me in the fight. It made me believe in the words: “When Cancer was looking around for a body to hang out in, it made a big mistake when it chose mine. Big mistake!”

The legendary words of Jim Valvano made a big impact on me. "Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever.”

Having cancer does not mean you lose your sense of humor. Finding humor even in such a difficult situation helped me relax.

My parents, brother, cousins and my entire extended family became my support system during this journey. I became much closer to my parents after seeing their selfless love, care and support.

I came out victorious in the fight. But the journey had made a big impact on me. I also realized how we humans live in our own little bubble, fretting over small things oblivious to such realities until a tragedy hits us or someone close to us. I have started loving and respecting my life much more after coming close to losing it.

Each one of us, at some point face the “challenge of our life”. For me it was fighting cancer, for you it can be losing a job, being in a bad relationship or separating from a loved one. Let’s face it, life itself is a constant challenge. It’s full of unexpected detours that no one but you can navigate. It’s very easy to get bogged down by failures and challenges and give up. But what really matters is giving in whatever it takes to fight the challenge, coming out smiling and saying “I survived!”

By Gauri Singh

Gauri was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in October 2008. She graduated from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad in 2013. She is currently working for a pharmaceutical company in Hyderabad. She also actively volunteers for Yoddhas - The Warriors Indians Fighting Against Cancer, India's first online Cancer Support Community. 

She inspires patients with her story and helps them cope up with the mental trauma and social stigma associated with this disease. She also works to spread awareness about cancer in her social circle.

Basic Cancer Terms

1. Acute: Refers to symptoms that start and worsen quickly but do not last over a long period of time
2. Benign: Refers to a tumor that is not cancerous. The tumor does not usually invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
3. Biopsy: The removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but only a biopsy can make a definite diagnosis. 
4. Bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue found in the center of large bones where blood cells are formed
5. Cancer: A group of more than 100 different diseases that can begin almost anywhere in the body; characterized by abnormal cell growth and the ability to invade nearby tissues. 
6. Carcinoma: Cancer that starts in skin or tissues that line the inside or cover the outside of internal organs
7. Cells: The basic units that make up the human body
8. Chemoprevention: The use of natural, synthetic (made in a laboratory), or biologic (from a living source) substances to reverse, slow down, or prevent the development of cancer. .
9. Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells. 
10. Chronic: Refers to a disease or condition that persists, often slowly, over a long period of time.
11. Imaging test: A procedure that creates pictures of internal body parts, tissues, or organs to make a diagnosis, plan treatment, check whether treatment is working, or observe a disease over time
12. In situ: In place. Refers to cancer that has not spread to nearby tissue (also called non-invasive cancer).
13. Invasive cancer: Cancer that has spread outside the layer of tissue in which it started and has the potential to grow into other tissues or parts of the body (also called infiltrating cancer)
14. Laboratory test: A procedure that evaluates a sample of blood, urine, or other substance from the body to make a diagnosis, plan treatment, check whether treatment is working, or observe a disease over time
15. Leukemia: A cancer of the blood. Leukemia begins when normal white blood cells change and grow uncontrollably. 
16. Localized cancer: Cancer that is confined to the area where it started and has not spread to other parts of the body
17. Lymph nodes: Tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight infection, which is a part of the lymphatic system
18. Lymphatic system: A network of small vessels, ducts, and organs that carry fluid to and from the bloodstream and body tissues. Through the lymphatic system, cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
19. Lymphoma: A cancer of the lymphatic system. Lymphoma begins when cells in the lymph system change and grow uncontrollably and may form a tumor.
20. Malignant: Refers to a tumor that is cancerous. It may invade nearby healthy tissue or spread to other parts of the body.Mass: A lump in the body
21. Metastasis: The spread of cancer from the place where the cancer began to another part of the body; cancer cells can break away from the primary tumor and travel through the blood or the lymphatic system to the lymph nodes, brain, lungs, bones, liver, or other organs.
22. Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating people with cancer. The five main types of oncologists are medical, surgical, radiation, gynecologic, and pediatric oncologists. 
23. Oncology: The study of cancer
24. Pathologist: A doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease
25. Polyp: A growth of normal tissue that usually sticks out from the lining of an organ, such as the colon
26. Precancerous: Refers to cells that have the potential to become cancerous. Also called pre-malignant.
27. Predisposition: A tendency to develop a disease that can be triggered under certain conditions. For example, a genetic predisposition to cancer increases a person's risk of developing cancer, it is not certain that the person will develop it.
28. Primary cancer: Describes the original cancer 
29. Prognosis: Chance of recovery; a prediction of the outcome of a disease. 
30. Sarcoma: A cancer that develops in the tissues that support and connect the body, such as fat and muscle. 
31. Screening: The process of checking whether a person has a disease or has an increased chance of developing a disease when the person has no symptoms
32. Secondary cancer: Describes either a new primary cancer (a different type of cancer) that develops after treatment for the first type of cancer, or cancer that has spread to other parts of the body from the place where it started (see metastasis, above)Stage: A way of describing cancer, such as where it is located, whether or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body. 
33. Tumor: A mass formed when normal cells begin to change and grow uncontrollably. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body).

For further reference Visit - http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/basic-cancer-terms

and www.yoddhas.com 

Yoddhas Publications

In our quest to create a community for cancer fighters, we have received the support and attention of some news channels, organisations etc. Here are the links to some of the appearances made by Yoddhas in the media:

Yoddhas- Who we are and what we do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RdnlnGSEus
(There are a few more videos on the youtube channel)

Links to the write up on the inception of Yoddhas and it's journey thus far that featured in the 
Times of India: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Techies-cyber-battle-with-cancer-wins-UN-prize/articleshow/44936370.cms
http://www.indianfrontliners.com/article/16618-techies-cyber-battle-with-cancer-wins-un-prize/82-notice-board

AAJ TAK:
Did a feature on how Yoddhas has fostered a community for cancer fighters and survivors. Here is the link(in hindi):                                                                                           
http://bit.ly/RahulAajTak                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                   

Next100.org 
is a website that celebrates 100 extraordinary men and women across the globe. They published a story on the founder of Yoddhas, Rahul Yadav two months ago. Read the story by clicking on the link below:
http://bit.ly/rahul100


CNN IBN's Citizen Journalist Show: 
Gives the quintessential aam admis of our country the platform to put forth their stories. On the 22-23 of Novembe,2014, CNN IBN's citizen journalist was Rahul Yadav.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRMVikA6yEw
http://cj.ibnlive.in.com/yoddhas-battle/41019/

Causes.com 
is a website that helps citizens discover, support and organize campaigns, fundraisers, and petitions around the issues that impact them and their communities. Below is the link for the coverage on Yoddhas on this website:
https://www.causes.com/posts/931381

Indiegogo.com 
helps social entrepreneurs raise funds for their cause. You can start a campaign and activate your community through this website. To support yoddhas please visit this page.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fight-against-cancer-help-and-support-rahul-yadav

Here are some pictures taken at the 
Berlin Entrepreneurship Summit 2014 (Google Share drive):
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8r0aur626FHeEJJTW0zNDNCWjQ&usp=sharing


The Entrepreneurship Competition held by the UNESCO 
aims at encouraging ideas that make the world a better place. You can express your support for Yoddhas by voting for our initiative on the following web page:
http://bit.ly/yoddhas
https://www.youth-competition.org/groups/entrepreneurship-competition-2013/contests/1/449/


Feel connected to Rahul Yadav via his blog:
http://rahulyadavpark.wordpress.com/


Blogs from Symbiosis Institute of Management Pune.
http://thesimswayoflife.wordpress.com/author/simspune/

Additional links: http://www.pinterest.com/rahulyadavpark/motivations-yoddhas/
http://community.blrstartups.com/u/38572/
http://www.careerride.com/current-affairs-on-awards.aspx
https://showyou.com/v/y-YJ-MCNW3oeI/yoddhas-the-warriors-fight-cancer
http://www.yourepeat.com/watch/?v=kxJ-kISvVs8

Caregiver - The unsung Hero of every Cancer Batttle

Nobody should fight cancer alone. Everyone deserves a loving caregiver. In the midst of ones life’s biggest battle, one needs an advocate, a rock, and a safe harbor. 

Caregiver (Hindi - देख रेख करने वाला)

(definition on wiki) :- Is an unpaid or paid relative or friend of a disabled individual who helps that individual with his or her activities of daily living. Though in India it simply becomes the closest relative.  

People often talk about the fighter fighting the disease but the caregiver goes through much more as he / she needs to be the strongest at all times. He/she truely is the Unsung Hero of every Cancer battle.

Caregiving is not just hand-holding, it is hard work and it’s okay to cry, being sad is fine at times. But on the other hand let yourself be happy, look into a support group via the cancer center. Connect here on our site www.yoddhas.com and discuss with other caregivers what they are doing. 

Cancer and its treatments are havoc upon the human body. Your cancer warrior needs every bit of your attention as he or she would have mood swings, pains, restlessness, loneliness etc. You must focus on the task to complete the mission and get the fighter to fight and sail through.

You’ll be scared, a lot. You will be in doctors’ offices and clinics and hospitals. You’ll see too many very sick people. Do not let negative thought come in your mind. You need to remain calm  and firm. You need to learn to ask a lot of questions. If you don’t understand something, ask again and again if need be. You and your loved one need and deserve to know exactly what the team has in mind. 

Knowledge is the antidote to fear. You as the caregiver are the key link between what your loved one feels and thinks, but may not be able to say at the time to the doctor’s and the team. Also you would be expected to almost become half doctor. You would be expected to have an understating of the medicines etc.

You are surrounded by people who want to help, but have no idea, none, of what needs to be done, so ask for help when required. No one set of caregiver guidelines is correct. You know your own circumstances better than anyone. When in doubt, listen to yourself, give yourself permission to trust in your judgment. You are smart and capable and worthy of this great thing.

Most importantly, when you are with your loved one, listen with all your heart. Your cancer warrior needs you, needs you weak, strong, your wisdom and your touch. Regardless of how this cancer journey turns out, you exit at the other end a person of greater wisdom, compassion, and heart. 

Do not lose hope at any point of time and don’t let any negative thought weaken you and people around you. You must have faith at all times. Remember, there will be days that will bring bad news, you must be ready to handle it well for yourself and your warrior and keep the smiles on, always..

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www.yoddhas.com