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

Acute shortage of Bone Marrow Donors in India

Ghaziabad: At least 1.25 lakh patients require bone marrow transplants every year but only 500 are fortunate to go through the process as there is a dearth of donors in the country, Research dean of AIIMS Narendra Mehra said here today and appealed the youth to come forward for the noble cause.

Bone marrow is required to help patients with blood cancer and other disorders.

"There is a dearth of bone marrow in India as it needs 1.25 lakh bone marrow transplants every years due to acute shortage of donors," Mehra said.

With great difficulty, only 500 bone marrows are transplant every year, he said, adding that there are only 3,000 people who have volunteered themselves as donors.

"A pool of bone marrow donor has been created. Awareness drives are required to inculcate knowledge in youths about donating bone marrow," he said.

Dr Mehra was addressing a programme organised in an institute here.

Article from : http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/acute-shortage-of-bone-marrow-donors-says-aiims-research-dean_1507292.html

Common Cancer - Treatment Terms

Adjuvant therapy: Treatment given after the main treatment to reduce the chance of cancer coming back by killing any remaining cancer cells. It usually refers to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and/or immunotherapy given after surgery.

Alternative medicine: Therapies and products used to treat cancer without conventional (standard) treatments. Learn more about complementary and alternative medicine.

Bone marrow transplant: A medical procedure in which diseased bone marrow is replaced by healthy bone marrow from a volunteer donor. Learn more about bone marrow transplantation.

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Learn more about chemotherapy.

Clinical trial: A research study that tests new treatments and/or prevention methods to find out whether they are safe, effective, and possibly better than the current standard of care (the best known treatment). Learn more about clinical trials.

Complementary medicine: A diverse group of treatments, techniques, and products that are used in addition to conventional treatments (also called integrative medicine). Learn more about complementary and alternative medicine.

Hormone therapy: Treatment that removes, blocks, or adds hormones to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells (also called hormonal therapy or endocrine therapy)

Immunotherapy: Treatment that is designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer (also called biologic therapy). It uses materials either made by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function. Learn more aboutimmunotherapy.

Neoadjuvant therapy: Treatment given before the main treatment. It may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy given before surgery to shrink a tumor so that it is easier to remove.

Palliative care: Palliative care is any form of treatment that concentrates on reducing a patient’s symptoms or treatment side effects, improving quality of life, and supporting patients and their families (also called supportive care). Learn more about palliative care.

Protocol: A formal, written action plan for how a clinical trial will be carried out. It states the goals and timeline of the study, who is eligible to participate, what treatments and tests will be given and how often, and what information will be gathered.

Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells (also called radiotherapy). The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. When radiation treatment is given using implants near the cancer cells, it is called internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Learn more about radiation therapy.

Regimen: A treatment plan that includes which treatments and procedures will be done, medications and their doses, the schedule of treatments, and how long the treatment will last

Standard of care: Care that experts agree or guidelines show is the most appropriate and/or effective for a specific disease

Surgery: The removal of cancerous tissue from the body through an operation. Learn more about cancer surgery.

Targeted treatment: Treatment that targets specific genes, proteins, or other molecules that contribute to cancer growth and survival. Learn more about targeted treatments.

UNESCO Berlin Entrepreneurship Summit 2014

Teach For India - Kids day out

The Teach For India kids having a great time celebrating Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi Founders Day..

We celebrated HRCs founders days at all their outlets in NCR with partners Teach for India. 

These were all 4th and 5th class girls from MCD govt schools in Saket. Most of them living in a not so good locality of Khirki Village, which overlooks the lavish and grand Select CityWalk mall with just this road in between, dividing the classes. 
Infact most of them had not been to any mall before this, let alone enjoying the hospitality and gastronomical delights of a great place of like HRC.


The only difference between me (when I was at their age) and the them is that thanks to being a Army brat, I was got my education at one of the best schools in Delhi and my parents paid for tuitions/ IIT coaching if and when required. 
Infact I think that’s good mistake of mine of not making it to any great engineering college. No offence to a billion engineering friends. I haven’t heard of a person doing any wonders in their field of engineering in India. The ones who are super successful are either doing it (wonders in engineering) for a 1st world country or are into Finance or Marketing. 

I was attending boring yet the most intellectual discussion among the officers all the time. From discussing global economy to national politics, yes Army officers love to do that post couple of drinks. 
And yes I was getting this exposure at the age of 15 (a moment when your are not so young to go watch TV in the ‘Mess TV room’ with the kids but not old enough to start drinking and enjoying these heavy duty discussions). 


And still I never bothered to really study too hard but thanks to a good upbringing and exposure I now proudly call myself a Business Analyst - Investment Banking with the Information Technology Industry. Now wonder how many of them these girls will achieve something like that. Or would you or I would have achieved if we were born in a poor family. 
All this disparity because they were born on the other side of the road.
You can have look at the pictures and would surprised to know that all these girls are well spoken in English, very disciplined, smart and get great grade in their class. Only difference between their class section and the other section is that they are getting a great quality education thanks to Teach for India, its fellows and the Team. 

This only goes to prove that in spite of the same school and same economic background but a better quality of education, there is a sea of difference in the level of confidence, grades and understanding of the topics with its real life implicational and uses. Its not just mugging up fact and factory producing 99%er. No offence Sarthak Agarwal. 
Its just that we were born in an country where one has to get 90+ or you are a looser. And unfortunately what can we do since we are just too many and also running only in a few known directions. Parents still hesitate to send their kids to non engineering/medical/financial domain. 


And before you write if of as an article to promote some one. Let me be very clear Yes I am trying to promote one thing - the fact that you could help make somebody’s a little life better. So just do it, in whatever ways its is comfortable to you. And please don’t give self-assuring reasons to I dont have the time, thats just some bullock's excreta. 
There’s always time to do the good thing. Infact I feel sorry that I dint think and act on these lines before but I guess its never too late to be able to help someone. 

Life is unpredictable and it would throw some curved balls once in a while but the fun thing in to keep on going and doing great stuff that brings you real happyness (apologies for the spelling mistake here). Its not the air-miles but the smiles that matter.
One of the girls towards the end of the day told me that I will have my birthday party here one day (remember we were celebrating HRC birthday). This brought a mile long smile on my face after a very long time. See atleast this girl got that exposure and may be some day soon she would invite me for her birthday party there. (Anything for free food) This is the joy am talking about.


Please contact me for any CSR tie ups and specially Hospitality-Partnerships etc.
Also I would like to mention the great work all the TFI folks are doing specially Annie James to take me in the team and guiding and supporting me all the time.

Please vote - bit.ly/1xavxil

Rahul Yadav
Volunteer - Hospitality: Development 
Teach for India