Lung Treatment in India

Arjun Joshi, a 58-year-old former textile...

Arjun Joshi, a 58-year-old former textile factory supervisor from Mumbai, had been a lifelong non-smoker but worked for decades in a poorly ventilated environment. For over a year, he endured a persistent, worsening cough, shortness of breath while climbing stairs, and unexplained weight loss. A chest X-ray revealed a suspicious mass in his right lung. His pulmonologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended a bronchoscopy with biopsy to obtain a tissue sample for diagnosis, explaining it was the most direct way to determine if the mass was cancerous, inflammatory, or something else. During the procedure, performed under moderate sedation, a thin, flexible tube was passed through his mouth into his airways. Arjun felt pressure but no pain. The recovery was straightforward, with a sore throat and mild coughing for a day. The biopsy results came back showing a rare, non-cancerous inflammatory condition called sarcoidosis. While requiring ongoing management with medication, the relief from the fear of cancer was immense. Arjun's emotional journey shifted from profound dread and guilt over potentially leaving his family to cautious optimism and a renewed commitment to managing his health, feeling a heavy weight lifted with the non-cancerous diagnosis.