Metastatic Blood Cancer Treatment in India

Sneha Shah, a 42-year-old software engineer...

Sneha Shah, a 42-year-old software engineer and mother of two young children, had always been the pillar of her family. Her journey began with persistent, unexplained fatigue she initially attributed to her demanding job. Over three months, she developed frequent night sweats, unexplained bruises, and a stubborn low-grade fever. A routine blood test revealed alarming abnormalities, leading to a bone marrow biopsy that confirmed a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with evidence of metastasis to her central nervous system. Her oncologist, Dr. Mehta, recommended an intensive treatment protocol: induction chemotherapy to achieve remission, followed by intrathecal chemotherapy (chemotherapy injected into the spinal fluid) to target the cancer in her CNS, and a potential allogeneic stem cell transplant. The treatment was grueling; Sneha spent weeks in isolation, battling severe nausea, mouth sores, and profound weakness, separated from her children. The emotional toll was immense, she grappled with fear for her future and guilt over not being present for her family. After a difficult six-month period, including the stem cell transplant from her brother, Sneha achieved complete remission. Her recovery is slow but steady, marked by gradual returns of energy and cautious optimism. The experience has left her with a profound sense of vulnerability but also a fierce gratitude for each day. She now advocates for early cancer detection and finds deep meaning in the quiet moments with her family, viewing life through a newly precious lens.