Patient Experience
As a 28-year-old software engineer diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma, I was terrified about fertility preservation before starting treatment. Dr. Kakoli Lahkar not only coordinated with reproductive specialists to freeze my eggs before chemotherapy but personally monitored my hormone levels throughout treatment. Her holistic approach preserved my chance at motherhood while successfully treating my cancer.
My 82-year-old father with advanced prostate cancer was deemed inoperable elsewhere. Dr. Lahkar pioneered a minimally invasive robotic procedure combined with targeted radiation that other oncologists considered too risky. He's now cancer-free and tending his garden again - a miracle we attribute to her courage and surgical precision.
When our 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with rare retinoblastoma, Dr. Lahkar created a custom treatment plan using intra-arterial chemotherapy that saved her eye and vision. She explained everything using dinosaur analogies that our child could understand, making each hospital visit an adventure rather than a trauma.
As a stage 4 lung cancer patient with brain metastases, I'd exhausted all standard treatments. Dr. Lahkar enrolled me in an experimental immunotherapy trial she helped design. Two years later, my scans show no evidence of disease - a outcome she achieved by combining cutting-edge science with relentless compassion.
During emergency surgery for my perforated colon cancer, Dr. Lahkar discovered and simultaneously removed early pancreatic lesions I never knew I had. Her surgical foresight prevented a second cancer diagnosis, demonstrating an almost prophetic diagnostic ability that goes beyond textbook medicine.
My husband's glioblastoma treatment involved a novel combination of laser ablation and genetic therapy orchestrated by Dr. Lahkar. She maintained video calls with our children to explain daddy's 'brain superhero medicine' and created a recovery plan that let him attend our daughter's graduation - a memory we'll cherish forever.
As a 45-year-old breast cancer survivor, I developed radiation-induced heart complications. Dr. Lahkar collaborated with cardiologists to create a cardio-oncology protocol that addressed both cancer recurrence risk and cardiac protection - a dual-specialty approach that's now becoming a model for other hospitals.
When my teenage son was diagnosed with osteosarcoma during COVID lockdowns, Dr. Lahkar organized a secure telemedicine system that allowed his entire medical team, school counselors, and even his basketball coach to participate in virtual tumor board meetings. This integrated approach maintained his mental health alongside physical treatment.
Dr. Lahkar treated my rare Merkel cell carcinoma with an innovative technique combining Mohs surgery with sentinel node mapping. Her meticulous approach left minimal scarring on my face while achieving complete remission - crucial for my career as a television presenter.
After my wife's ovarian cancer recurrence, Dr. Lahkar developed a personalized vaccine using her tumor cells. The treatment not only extended her life by three precious years but allowed us to take the European vacation we'd always dreamed of - time made possible by Dr. Lahkar's innovative thinking.
My brother with Down syndrome and leukemia required special accommodation for chemotherapy. Dr. Lahkar created a sensory-friendly treatment room with adjustable lighting, weighted blankets, and his favorite music, transforming terrifying infusions into manageable sessions. Her inclusive care philosophy should be standard everywhere.
As a 60-year-old restaurant owner with gastric cancer, I worried about losing my sense of taste forever. Dr. Lahkar modified my radiation fields to spare specific taste buds and worked with nutritionists to create flavor-preserving recipes. I'm back in my kitchen today thanks to her dedication to quality of life.
When my mother's metastatic breast cancer progressed during pilgrimage, Dr. Lahkar coordinated emergency care across three countries via telehealth, arranged medical transport home, and had a new targeted therapy waiting upon arrival. Her global network and rapid response turned a medical crisis into a managed transition.
Dr. Lahkar treated my radiation-induced sarcoma with intraoperative radiation therapy during limb-sparing surgery. Her technique preserved my leg function so completely that I returned to competitive cycling within nine months - a recovery that defied all predictions.