We were sitting at the Shaukat Khanum Hospital’s consulting clinic in Karachi. My sister who was diagnosed with malignant tumor wanted a second opinion and treatment. It was impressive not the waiting area but the banners and pana-flexes around displaying the success stories of Shaukat Khanum hospital. Pictures of patients who were cured by the experts and details of facilities available at one and only cancer hospital of Pakistan.

After sudden diagnoses of cancer to my younger sister, needless to mention that we spoke with, discussed and contacted every doctor we knew or we didn’t know. Talked to family, friends or neighbors studying medicine at Ziauddin to Agha Khan and now at Shaukat Khanum. In search of a miracle though right from the physical examination to the biopsy report of the breast lump, was declared as the malignant one. This was indeed a nightmare for the family and a huge shock for the 28 yrs old newly married girl.

After 45 minutes of waiting we were finally called by the doctor. Nice and humble gentlemen offered tea, reviewed the reports, asked few questions and started explaining… ahaaa he was not explaining the seriousness of disease but the system and procedures the SOP’s of Shaukat Khanum hospital (sorry to disappoint my readers and yes this naturally we were least interested in as well). He explained that without following those procedures, the “online” correspondence with expert team sitting at Shaukat Khanum Lahore is not possible.. It took us far less money but far more anxiety of 5 sleepless nights and 5 restless days to find out about the Time Bomb (as one of the doc said) my sister was carrying with her.

On day 5 meeting, doctor gave us the bad news that one of the report predicting more serious problem and to confirm that my sister needs to go through few more tests he also advised us to get them done  asap. We rushed back to him again the very next day with the required reports and guess what? Yes 3 more days of wait, as doctor informed us for “Online correspondence”.

We did not mind that as we understood that for the smooth flow how important is to follow rules & regulation…. but hey the tumor inside her body was likely not to understand that

Almost after 8 days and two meetings, we finally were in front of the doctor who had another bad news as well as the good news for use bad news was “the experts by consulting reports etc predicted that my sister is has a condition of 3^rd grade malignancy which is a serious thing…. But the good news was “that it’s treatable”. My sister, who is a real fighter before I could say anything said to doctor…. “Lets start the treatment”. For the first time I felt so helpless as for the first time I saw the fear on my little sister’s face  when the doctor informed us that they don’t treat “aggressive”  cancer means ‘advance stage’, at Shaukat Khanum… Unbelievable…. True… so believe it. Yes strange rather funny logic, that we learned as well that “The Biggest Cancer hospital of Pakistan”, Shaukat Khanum only treat patient with less complications and more chances of survival”. For patients like my sister they have a road map of other hospitals.

Despite of all the disappointments, we were hiding with each other, on her innocent query when she asked “hey is he meant to say that I should die now ?” we exchanged smile and on way back enjoyed  full plates of chaat at Bahadurabad.

It took almost year and a half, two major surgeries and many counseling sessions at Agha Khan Hospital. She has done with all her treatments, gone through all the difficult times, lost her beautiful long hairs along with also some bad changes for good health, but never lost hope.

This experience taught us a lot. For those who are suffering I must say that it’s the will power which keeps one going. It’s the positive approach which can defeat even the silent killer like cancer. Those who are taking care of cancer patients please do not forget that your loved ones’ quick recovery depends not only on the treatments given by the experts but the way you “deal” with them.

My sister who as I said is a real fighter (and one should be after all you are given one life only) also believed in this. A quotation I hanged in her room while she was bedridden …and I think did contributed a little toward her positive attitude…

“‘I HAVE CANCER BUT CANCER DOESN’T HAVE ME”

As I reflected on life after my sister’s recovery… within few weeks I needed to hang it again, this time for my ammi who is diagnosed with the killer disease recently , instead of complaining (the easiest thing for me to do ) I am again on my feet and again ready to face and give support. I need more strength this time as I may be unable to pull this one through for fear of losing my “centre of existence” my ammi. Strength I must drive… from the thoughts and aspirations…. my dear friend “GURU” translated in one of his emails in response to my little complains about life…..  He wrote

“ I may sound like the ‘naaseh’ when I say… chosen are the ones that are tested the most… I smile when you say ‘u have changed a lot’…… we don’t change…. as I said.. we are the people we are forever… khoobsoorat… khoobseerat or just naive….I think we just end up deciding a different mission for ourselves in life…. given sometimes the mission decides us….”

Dear readers do pray for my mother and believe it that “No mission is Impossible if one is energized with the strength of Love” … Mom I Love you!