No one says it better than John Lennon:

“Life is what happens to you

While you're busy making other plans.”

A 50-year-old professor desiring to complete his Ph.D, a parent hoping to get her daughter married, or the successful contractor looking to complete a project — all plans that people make. Only, these plans may be in danger of being cut short by cancer.

But as oncologist Dr P.P. Bapsy says in her book, The Dream for Life , “Cancer is not always a death sentence,” especially given the strides made in modern medicine.

In Dr Bapsy's book, the stories are of real people who cope with difficult times, and achieve beyond their own and medical expectations.

Heart-warming at times, and sad in other places, the book captures the emotions — denial, sacrifice and even the odd instances of apathy — that were an integral aspect of Bapsy's career spanning 30-plus years.

Currently a Senior Consultant and Medical Oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore, she previously headed the Oncology Department at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, besides holding additional charge as Director of the Institute.

Recovery and hope

Some of the stories are particularly moving — like the young couple that decides to marry after the 25-year-old man finds out he has chronic myeloid leukaemia (a type of blood cancer); a father and his bureaucrat son who both protectively try to hide the enormity of the father's prostrate cancer from each other; and yet another story of love, between two young people with cancer — they meet because of their illness, support each other through the treatment and, as they pull out of the illness, get back to live life together.

There are stories of young children with cancer who recover well and continue with their lives; of women who have gone on to have children — including some who have adopted.

Alongside stories with a happy ending, there are others that bring out the helplessness a family faces when a loved one suffers enormous pain from the illness.

Using simple, conversational language, Dr Bapsy strings together narratives of faith, love, hope and courage — simultaneously keeping it a short and fast-paced read.

Clinical trials

There is a reference to clinical trials and the fear in India that people are used as “guinea pigs” to test new drugs.

Dr Bapsy recounts the case of a professor who wanted to participate in a clinical trial when cancer showed up for the second time in her life. When told she had to give her consent in writing to participate in a trial, the professor not only agreed but roped in two of her friends too.

“The incident took place seven years ago. The drug worked very well on all the three patients! And, the drug has hit the market for consumption by other patients too!” the cancer specialist says.

Although clinical trials are done extensively in developed countries, in India there is still a fear that patients who participate are guinea pigs, she says, adding that only if this misconception is cleared can clinical trials gather momentum.

“It should be properly understood that clinical trials are the major source for introducing newer life-saving drugs, which will in the long run save a million lives!”

Net-edition

Explaining why she wrote the book, Dr Bapsy says: “I have seen many patients who have struggled with the disease. Some have emerged victorious and continue to lead a normal life.

“It is my endeavour to share a few true incidents, which I presume will help boost the morale of patients diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers. I have made a sincere attempt to allay their fears.”

The book, published by Roche Products India, is not for sale and will be available at cancer institutions in order to reach patients and caregivers, she says. She also hopes to make the book available online within a month.

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