Choosing the Right Hospital

When you know that you are diagnosed with Cancer you need to get the best possible medical treatment. Every patient has a dilemma in choosing a hospital and doctor. This is the most important decision that has to made. There are Hundreds of hospitals hospitals in India, but how to decide which one ?

Here are some suggestions given by the members of  Yoddhas patient support group-

About 80% of the patients agree that the primary aspect should be considered is the doctors of the Hospital.

But, How can one know the doctor is good enough of any specific hospital?

Stay away from doctors who hide facts and avoid questions. Best doctor is one & only preference who can take any bold decision if needed. The doctor should be easy to approach and must have full knowledge about your treatment every time you visit.

The success rate ,reputation and experience of the doctor should also be considered.

Choosing a Good Hospital

It is important that the hospital is equipped with modern and advance technology. The administration and the nursing staff is also a deciding factor.

It is always a good choice to select a hospital which that has experience in treating your type of Cancer. Most big and reputed hospitals have more experience with different kinds of cancer and offer more services to the patient.

The following hospitals are shortlisted based upon the positive reviews given by the patients –

Tata Memorial Hospital

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital

Medanta Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon

Prince Aly Khan Hospital

Omega Hospitals ,Hyderabad

Christian Medical College & Hospital ,Vellore

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital ,Pune

BLK Super Speciality Hospital

Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital

Apollo Hospital, Bangalore

Fortis S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai

Army Hospital Research & Referral

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi

 Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

 Omega Hospitals

Max Hospital, Saket

Manipal hospital, Bangalore

Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals,Kolkata

Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute

 Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, India

 Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,Newdelhi

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital , Mumbai

Action Cancer Hospital ,New Delhi

Yashoda hospital . Secunderabad

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital pune

Narayana Healthcity

Max Hospital Patparganj

Cmc Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Jehangir Hospital, Pune

Fortis Hospital, B.G Road, Bangalore

Hinduja Hospital ,Mumbai

Mahaveer cancer and research center,Jaipur

Saifi Hospital,Mumbai

Leelavati Hospital, Mumbai

Nanavati hospital

Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta

Kailash Cancer Hospital Muni Seva Ashram,Gujarat

Fortis Hospital,Gurgaon

Hinduja Hospital

INS Ashwani,Mumbai

Sahyadri Hospital,Pune

Inlaks & Budhrani Hospital

Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Regional Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur

Arthemis Hospital ,Gurgaon

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH)

Dharamshila Hospital and Research Centre

Yashoda Hospital, Ghaziabad

Appolo Hospital

Disclaimer:                                                                                        

The above information was extracted based upon the reviews given by the Patients of Yoddhas support community.Please take your choice wisely.

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
Feel free to contact the Yoddhas team at team@yoddhas.com 

Lastly,

Praise the Yoddhas; Support the Yoddhas ; Love the Yoddhas!

Cheers!

 Author- Akshith Vijay Kumar

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood stem cells. It is a rapid-growing cancer of the blood and the bone marrow. In AML, the white blood cells (WBCs) do not develop completely but multiply in large number. These immature WBCs crowd the bone marrow, preventing it from making normal red blood cells and platelets that body needs. This causes the body lose its immunity and making more it vulnerable to disease.

Causes and Risk factors:

It happens when the DNA of the developing cells in bone marrow is damaged but the cause for this damage is unknown.

There are some factors which may increase your chances in getting AML.
                                               

Please note that having one or more risk factors does not mean you will 100% get AML. People with no such factors have also developed AML. The following is only a guide to say what may cause and may lower the risk of developing.

• Smoking: The most common cause for any cancer is smoking. It increases the chances by double or triple but decreases if you stop it.

                                               

• Chemotherapy: Patients who have had the treatment for chemotherapy have slightly increased risk that may lead to AML many years later. The risk chance decreases as time passes since the treatment.

                      

• Electromagnetic Radiation: There are some studies which show that exposure to high levels of EMR may increase the risk. This is not conclusive as the cause might not be the exposure but some other factor because very few people are exposed to high level of radiation.

• Blood disorders: People with the blood disorder are most likely to develop AML than people without the disorder.

                                     

Treatment for AML:

The most typical treatment is chemotherapy. For some patients this treatment alone may bring long term remission where the patient is symptom free. But for others this may not suffice. These patients might need a bone marrow transplant in their early stage for a long-term remission or probably a cure.

Some of the patients of our support group have provided valuable information regarding the treatment for AML. It is as follows-

1. Positive feedback on BLK Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi.Name of the doctor-Dr Dharma director of Haemato Oncology.
2. One of our member’s parent has successfully undergone bone marrow transplant from Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre. The hospital also helps the patients in getting a match from the registries for stem cell transplant.
3. Tata Medical Center(TMC),Kolkatta  and Tata memorial Hospital(TMH), Mumbai are also a good option.

The above feedback is given by the members of our patients support community. Please take your choice wisely after reading 

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
Feel free to contact the Yoddhas team at team@yoddhas.com 

Lastly,

Praise the Yoddhas; Support the Yoddhas ; Love the Yoddhas!

Cheers!

Author- Akshith Vijaykumar

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.

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..

Please share this and like our Facebook Page

www.yoddhas.com

Cancer in India - Some Facts

Every year, 10 lakh Indians are diagnosed with cancer and another six to seven lakh die of it.

And it's feared that, by 2035, these numbers may almost double to 17 lakh new patients and 12 lakh deaths per year.

More cancer specialists, more hospitals and more money for research for India-specific affordable treatment are needed to change the cancer graph of India, said the paper, written mainly by researchers at King's College in London and Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel, Mumbai.

One of the authors, Dr C S Pramesh from Tata Memorial Hospital, said the worst aspect of India's cancer picture is poor life expectancy. Over 60% of cancer patients in the US enjoy an over five-year survival rate, but the corresponding figure for India is 30%. "It's worrying that between 60% and 70% of our patients die earlier mainly because they seek treatment only after their disease has reached an advanced stage,'' said Dr Pramesh. 

The latest Lancet Oncology issue, in fact, focuses on India, China and Russia, as they account for 46% of all new cancer cases worldwide and 52% of all cancer deaths globally. It found that over two-thirds (71%) of cancer deaths in India occur in patients aged 30 to 69, with a significant number of premature deaths of people in the prime of their lives.

We must, as Indians come together and spread the awareness and make our government have a more serious approach towards this.

Reference : Times of India (12 April 2014)

Data from : Research paper on Indian cancer published in Lancet Oncology journal.

Wheatgrass - The Cancer Healer

Wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice are excellent ways to get dark greens in the diet. Pound for pound, wheatgrass is more than twenty times denser in nutrients than other choice vegetables. Nutritionally, wheatgrass is a complete food that contains 98 of the 102 earth elements.

1) Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body.

2) Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

3) Restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice’s abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has been used successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinal tract.

4) Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants.

5) Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

6) Contains beneficial enzymes. Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds…enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. Don’t cook it. We can only get the benefits of the many enzymes found in grass by eating it uncooked. Cooking destroys 100 percent of the enzymes in food. It also is very high in vitamins A, B-Complex, C, E and K and a natural source of laetrile (B-17).

7) Has remarkable similarity to our own blood. The second important nutritional aspect of chlorophyll is its remarkable similarity to hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen in the blood. Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, president of the Hagiwara Institute of Health in Japan, is a leading advocate for the use of grass as food and medicine. He reasons that since chlorophyll is soluble in fat particles, and fat particles are absorbed directly into the blood via the lymphatic system, that chlorophyll can also be absorbed in this way. In other words, when the “blood” of plants is absorbed in humans it is transformed into human blood, which transports nutrients to every cell of the body.

8) When used as a rectal implant, reverses damage from inside the lower bowel. An implant is a small amount of juice held in the lower bowel for about 20 minutes. In the case of illness, wheatgrass implants stimulate a rapid cleansing of the lower bowel and draw out accumulations of debris.

9) Externally applied to the skin can help eliminate itching almost immediately.

10) Will soothe sunburned skin and act as a disinfectant. Rubbed into the scalp before a shampoo, it will help mend damaged hair and alleviate itchy, scaly, scalp conditions.