Patient Experience
Coming for my annual checkup after breast cancer remission, I expected the usual quick visit. Instead, Dr. Tiwari spent 45 minutes reviewing new research on recurrence prevention specific to my genetic profile. She noticed subtle changes in my blood work that others might miss and adjusted my monitoring schedule accordingly. She doesn't just treat disease - she treats the entire journey.
My pancreatic cancer surgery was incredibly complex, but Dr. Tiwari's team performed what others called impossible. What stood out was her post-operative care - she visited my ICU bed every two hours for the first 24 hours, once at 3 AM just to adjust my pain medication personally. The nurses told me she does this for all her major surgery patients.
As a truck driver with limited insurance, I feared I couldn't afford quality cancer care. Dr. Tiwari worked with hospital administration to create a payment plan, connected me with support organizations, and even modified treatment schedules around my driving routes. She treated my financial concerns with the same respect as my medical ones.
Watching Dr. Tiwari break difficult news to my father about his prostate cancer progression was heartbreaking yet beautiful. She didn't use medical jargon but drew simple diagrams, allowed long silences for processing, and when he cried, she handed him tissues and waited patiently. Her empathy felt like a medical treatment in itself.
After failed treatments elsewhere, I came to Dr. Tiwari as a last resort for my rare sarcoma. She spent her weekend researching international case studies and contacted specialists in Germany and Japan. Her 'outside the box' approach combining targeted therapy with localized radiation has given me my first hopeful results in years.
My follow-up visit during COVID was conducted via video call, but Dr. Tiwari made it incredibly personal. She noticed the background of my home and asked about family photos visible behind me. When discussing scan results, she used screen sharing to mark up the images herself. The virtual care felt more thorough than some in-person visits I've had.
As a young adult with thyroid cancer, I felt isolated from both pediatric and senior patients. Dr. Tiwari created a special support group for 20-35 year olds and personally facilitates sessions about fertility preservation, career concerns, and dating with cancer. She understands that cancer affects every aspect of life.
During my husband's final days with glioblastoma, Dr. Tiwari visited our home unannounced just to check his comfort levels. She adjusted medications on the spot and sat with our family sharing stories about his life rather than his illness. Her palliative care philosophy focuses on dignity until the very end.
What impressed me most was Dr. Tiwari's collaborative approach - when my mother's ovarian cancer required input from multiple specialists, she didn't just refer us out but assembled the entire team in one room (including nutritionists and physical therapists) to create a unified plan. She's the conductor of an orchestra of care.
After my bone marrow transplant, Dr. Tiwari noticed I was struggling with the isolation. She arranged for art therapy sessions in my room and convinced hospital administration to allow my dog to visit. These 'non-medical' interventions made the difference between enduring treatment and healing completely.
As a medical student observing various oncologists, I specifically requested to shadow Dr. Tiwari. She doesn't just prescribe treatments - she explains the scientific rationale to patients, involves them in decision-making, and acknowledges when uncertainties exist. She's training the next generation to practice medicine with both knowledge and heart.
A 72-year-old retired fisherman from Kerala presented with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, having concealed his symptoms for months due to fear of treatment costs. Dr. Vijayakumaran coordinated with hospital administration to secure partial funding while implementing tailored immunotherapy that resulted in 80% tumor reduction within six months, allowing him to return to light coastal activities with his grandchildren.
28-year-old software engineer and new mother diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer during maternity leave. Dr. Vijayakumaran designed an aggressive neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen timed around breastfeeding schedules, involving the patient's husband as primary caregiver. Complete pathological response achieved after five months, with patient returning to work while maintaining cancer-free status at two-year follow-up.
45-year-old Tibetan refugee running a small street food stall presented with metastatic gastric cancer. With no family support and limited Hindi/English proficiency, Dr. Vijayakumaran used visual aids and a volunteer translator to explain palliative radiotherapy. She arranged community housing near the hospital and achieved significant pain reduction, enabling the patient to continue working part-time for eighteen months until peaceful hospice transition.
19-year-old college athlete from wealthy industrialist family diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his dominant arm. Initially resistant to amputation recommendation, Dr. Vijayakumaran facilitated meetings with prosthetic specialists and adaptive sports athletes. After limb-sparing surgery and customized chemotherapy, he returned to competitive swimming using modified techniques and now coaches disabled youth athletes.
58-year-old illiterate farm laborer from rural Haryana presented with advanced cervical cancer, having never undergone prior gynecological screening. Dr. Vijayakumaran conducted educational sessions with village women's groups while providing brachytherapy. The patient became a community health advocate, and despite eventual cancer recurrence after three years, her outreach led to increased early detection rates in her region.
34-year-old single mother working three cleaning jobs developed rare adrenal cortical carcinoma. Dr. Vijayakumaran adjusted treatment schedules around her work shifts, enlisted social workers for childcare support during hospitalizations, and used targeted therapy that achieved stable disease for four years—enough time to see her daughter start school.
67-year-old retired school principal with BRCA2 mutation developed pancreatic cancer shortly after losing her husband. Dr. Vijayakumaran incorporated grief counseling into treatment, used precision medicine based on genetic profiling, and facilitated a support group where the patient now mentors others. She maintains good quality of life on maintenance therapy after two years.
41-year-old transgender activist undergoing hormone therapy presented with breast cancer. Dr. Vijayakumaran collaborated with endocrinology to balance cancer treatment with gender-affirming care, preserving mental health while achieving remission. The patient now consults with Dr. Vijayakumaran on developing inclusive cancer care guidelines for LGBTQ+ communities.
Had a complex fibroid situation that needed surgery. Dr. Veena Bhat at Artemis was direct, explained my options clearly, and scheduled everything efficiently around my work travel. The procedure went smoothly, recovery was quick, and I was back at my desk in no time. Exactly what I needed.