Life would have been monotonous if not for multiple myeloma. It has been a life changing experience that has changed me for the better.
It’s been a fantastic journey during the last 11 years. After my treatment at a corporate hospital , my life was filled with lots of events , experimenting with different Complementary and alternative remedies, meeting angels in human form, my spiritual quests, life lessons i learned , getting to understand the laws of nature , and pursuing my passions.
It is all about the power of hope , faith, and willpower.
I had this strong wish to share all that I learned during the last 11 years while managing Multiple Myeloma. My wish manifested, and I hope the contents of the book will help others to lead a better life.
This book is to inspire patients and their caregivers to help each other during the healing process.
I was anemic since my teens. I always felt weak, and whenever I met a physician , I was advised to take a course of iron supplements as my Hb levels were always below normal.
My immunity was always very low, and I frequently caught a sore throat infection. Every few months, there was an episode. I was prescribed antibiotics every time.
Over the years ,I started having severe asthma attacks every time I had a sore throat infection. I had to depend on a nebulizer to clear my lungs.
During my early 40s , I began having severe pain in my feet as soon as I woke up. It was getting difficult to walk for a while before I felt comfortable to start preparing for the day.
I was 43 when I slipped down the stairs and suffered L5 compression fracture.
Very soon, I started having chills, and I got admitted to a corporate hospital. I was then diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
I have written a memoir about my diagnosis 11 years ago and how I overcame it and now leading a normal life.
If you are interested in knowing more , get your copy here:
During my journey ,I received help and guidance from several people who are god send. My wish to share my experience with others who might benefit is now fulfilled.
My long cherished desire to publish a Memoir is now fulfilled.
I have been sharing my journey with Multiple Myeloma , although irregularly via this blog.
However, my wish of keeping it all together in one place in the form of a book.
My Memoir is a chronological sequence of events on being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and what I have been through during and after the treatment.
It’s been 11 years since I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which is a form of Blood Cancer.
Several self help methods are helping me stay healthy and manage the condition successfully.
Herbal supplements like Curcumin, Ashwagandha etc from an Ayurveda Doctor are the main line of medication and I have not taken any Allopathy medication for the last 7 years.
I am sharing all in detail and here is the link to my book on Amazon.
My last post was in December 2021 and there hasn’t been a single post here since then. I had been posting on random events from my life during my journey with Multiple Myeloma. For some reason I began to feel that my journey till now should be available in one place and not spread out in multiple posts in this blog. That I should writing a book.
It has been 11 years since i was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.I had this strong wish that I should share my experiences and learnings with others in the form of a book.
Since my childhood , I would admire authors and was always fascinated about writing a book.
However, I had no clue as to how I should go ahead. I did read up on Publishing houses and the lengthy process involved in getting a book published.
This wish was stuck in my head for a few years and then one fine day I bumped into ‘Beeja Publishing House’
Thanks to Beeja and their Team, I have successfully completed writing my book and it is ready to be published.
Finally , recovered from another bout of sore throat and Bronchitis. It’s been a few years since I suffered from Sore Throat and Bronchitis of this severity wherein I required Nebulisation.
During this Pandemic , every sneeze or cough is looked upon with suspicion and the individual is treated as a potential COVID patient untill the symptoms subside or proved COVID negative after a test.
Thankfully, my symptoms have subsided after 3 days with medication using Allopathy as well as Alternative treatments.
If interested , you may check out my blog posts from the last three days on the details.
A herbal cough syrup , a herbal powder and nebulisation helped me recover in 3 days. I was able to avoid taking Antibiotics which is the default treatment for a sore throat.
I am now back to my normal diet since morning. However, due to all the coughing , the muscles around my waist are hurting whenever I cough a little.
I was getting a phone call everyday ,during the last 3 days, from Mom and Dad. I told them about my condition on day one casually and since then they have been monitoring me. They are glad that I recovered quickly
Decided to take more precautions whenever any part of the house needs to be cleaned .
Update on my garden :
This is the best season to sow vegetable seeds. So, I planted a few Okra seeds in one container today. Checked the condition of all other plants and found that all of them are affected by ‘Powdery Mildew’ and the leaves are turning yellow and falling off. This is caused due to humid weather from the recent rains. Will wait for a couple of days , so all the leaves drop off and will then spray an Organic pesticide.
Why I avoid buying Country Eggs :
One guy selling eggs, on his modified bicycle, rang the doorbell to check if I wanted some eggs. My neighbours are his regular customers and so I began buying . I had bought a couple of times earlier . I took some eggs from him today and complained about the Country eggs that he delivered on his previous visit. Some of them were rotten. I then decided never ever to buy Country Eggs from anyone . I usually avoid, but this time I was tempted to take. I stopped taking meat or eggs but buy for the guys at home. Country Eggs are tastier and healthier compared to the ones that we get from chicken farms. Though some farms are rearing free range hens ,their freshness is doubtful. Such farms are located far from the cities and the delays in transportation can affect the freshness. So , no more country eggs till I find a reliable source closer home.
Cap/Crown replacement for my tooth :
Looking forward to a message from my Dentist. I am due for the final step in my Root canal treatment. They said they would message me when the cap/crown was ready.
If interested , you may check my previous posts on the Root canal Treatment .
Delivery of vegetables from Farmizen :
Every Tuesday , I receive a bag full of fresh naturally grown vegetables from Farmizen. My son soaked the vegetables in salt water , drying them under the fan, packing for them and storing them away in the refrigerator. This is his duty every Tuesday.
Glad that my sister finally subscribed to Farmizen and she too received her first delivery today. She is happy with the quantity and I am looking forward to her feedback on the taste of the veggies vis a vis the store bought veggies.
I have been taking Ayurveda Medication for Multiple Myeloma from my Ayurveda Doctor every month. I have been prescribed several types of medicines with different dosages during the day .
This month too my medicines were delivered , but I opened the parcel only after a few days of receiving it. You know the virus thing and not to touch parcels for a few days and leave them outside the door thingy 🙂
When I opened the parcel I found that the required dosage of tablets/capsules was missing from a couple of medicines. I then messaged my Doctor informing the same. He said I should be reducing the dosage of medicines. I refused to accept what he said and said that I prefer to continue the same medication for ‘some more time’ .
He then said that I should reduce my dependence on Medicines and that I should be more confident and do meditation also.
I said OK and then …..
My Ayurveda Doctor : According to me, you are Cancer Free !!
I couldn’t believe those words. Those were some very precious words that any patient would love to hear from a Doctor. I was feeling overwhelmed and my eyes were welling up.
While it is true that my last test reports , few months ago , were all normal , I didn’t want to rush and reduce the dosage.
I do believe that my new ‘Natural Lifestyle’ along with Ayurveda is doing wonders for my body. I do feel good and able to manage most stuff on my own at home and at work too !! . I do get a lot of help from hubby and son 😛
Its been more than 5 years since I started taking Ayurveda Medication and No chemo since then.
And its been 5 months since I started following the Diet prescribed by ‘Natural Lifestyle’ . Surely the combination is working for me 🙂
Thanks to the Almighty for showing me the right path.
I hope and wish more and more people give up wrong eating habits and spend more time on improving their health by eating wholesome food that comes directly from Mother Nature, by exercising, Meditation and most important to have a free mind by letting go , being grateful, by forgiving self and others , giving up resentment and being compassionate to all .
A Bi-Annual checkup is a routine event for diseases like Diabetes , Cardio issues and Cancers. The last time I got my checkup was in June 2018 . A Bone Marrow Biopsy was done and the Results were great. My Oncologist had said that I need not do the Biopsy on my next visit. He recommended Serum Electrophoresis and Beta 2 Microglobulin tests, which are Blood tests, after 6 months.
This time I delayed the tests for various reasons and gave my blood samples for Serum Electreophoresis and Beta 2 Microglobulin in Jan 2019. As expected ‘, M-Band was not seen !! 🙂 Met my Oncologist with the Reports. He saw the results and said we can stop doing the blood tests too from now onwards :). I had a ? on my face and then he said I can meet him after a year 🙂 Yayyyy , isn’t this the bestest news anyone can ever hear. A Doctor is the only person in this world that we wouldn’t like to meet 🙂 . Everyone wants to stay away from Hospitals and Doctors isn’t it ?!!
I am now in the 8th year after my Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma. Not taking any Allopathic drugs since last 3 years. Taking curcumin and few other herbal supplements since last few years and doing great. Extremely grateful to the Almighty and my Ayurvedic Doctor who is always there for me. God bless him. So glad to have an Oncologist who has been supporting and encouraging me all the while.
I have an excellent Support System and I am highly grateful for all the support by the beautiful people I am surrounded with.
So happy and in love with LIFE !!
Happy Valentine’s Day !! 🙂
God Bless everyone with Good Health and lots of Love . Everything else is a Bonus :))
As I successfully complete 7yrs after my Stem Cell Transplant (In December 2011) for Multiple Myeloma , I feel blessed and would like to summarize my journey through 2018.
One of the best things to happen this year is that I just had one bout of severe cough and cold and that was the only time I took Antibiotics during the whole year. There were a few times when a cough had just begun and thanks to my Ayurvedic Doctor who gave me a powder which instantly controlled the cough. He advised me to never ever take Antibiotics for a cough. Hitherto I was meeting the ENT Specialist once every few months and I was popping Antibiotics each time. Am sure my ENT Doctor is missing me and wondering what happened to me :)). I have also begun using a mask when I venture out , especially Malls, Supermarkets etc . These masks are a boon. I have also written a post about my adventures with the Mask in this Blog :)
A few months ago I had severe pain and swelling in my right knee . I was advised to take pain killers and antibiotics by an orthopedic. When I discussed with my Ayurvedic Doctor , he gave me Wokvel and said this will prevent any further issue in my knees. My knees are doing great now. I do a few exercises and also give a little oil massage to my knees before sleeping. So far so good.
Visited my Grannys Village near Nellore twice this year. I always look forward to visiting this tiny village.
A wish to visit Pondicherry and Kanchipuram was fulfilled. Didn’t expect to visit Chidambaram and also go on a boat ride among the Mangroves in Pichavaram .
My Uric acid levels have been within the limits but are on the higher side. Currently drinking lots of water, eating cucumbers and gave up meat and eggs.
A Biannual visit to my Oncologist is pending . Did a few blood tests recently and my Globulin Serum levels are well within the normal range.
On the advise of some beautiful people I have incorporated a few activities in my daily routine. I now recite the ‘Vishnu Sahasranamam’ every morning . Takes 25 minutes each morning. The vibrations generated by chanting are supposed to help the body and mind.
I also started doing a ‘Colour Meditation’ advised by my Mentor in my MM journey . This 15 minute guided Meditation by Brahma Kumaris (Youtube) has become an important part of my daily routine in the Morning and Evening. Meditation helps in healing .
Pranayama twice a day is a must. Takes 20 minutes each time. I walk for 10 minutes a few times a week. Some popular Yoga Masters claim that a few hours of Bhastrika and Anulom Vilom Pranayama twice a day can stop Cancer as Cancer cells cannot survive in an Oxygen rich environment. I strongly advise all Survivors to do anything and everything to put a check on the cells.
Having a comfortable time at work which keeps me busy for 9 hours everyday. Thanks to my wonderful colleagues.
Met a lot of friends from school and college all through the year. Attended several events hosted by family and friends like Weddings, house warming , Baby Showers etc.
My spiritual journey continues and I am glad to have come across Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, thanks to our recent trip to Pondicherry. I had bought a few books from the library in Aurobindo Ashram on Healing. Started reading these books and found great insights into how the Mind/Thoughts can heal a person. Very minute details are discussed which are very practical and can be implemented easily so as to get healed. Through these books am able to appreciate the Spiritual teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. ‘Intergrated Healing’ is one book which I will review once I am done reading.
Nice to see that the hits on my Blog are increasing. I get visitors from small unknown countries too. This motivates me to post more and hopefully the posts motivate more people.
Wishing all the readers of my Blog a Healthy and Peaceful 2019 !!
Having been diagnosed with MM in Oct 2011 and come a long way , a thought often arises in my mind as to whether I should reveal/discuss my condition with whom I spend a considerable amount of time.
A lot of people around me , at work , friends and relatives already know to some extent. They may not know exactly what I have been through. However my observation is that no one ever asks me any direct questions. Many of them come to know through various channels but prefer not to talk about it.Â
Either they dread talking about this topic or they feel they shouldn’t cross a certain limit as health is supposed be a private matter or they don’t start the topic because I don’t encourage such a discussion or people are engrossed with their own stuff.
Whatever be the reason , I am quite comfortable with the way things are happening around me….ignorance is bliss 🙂
I myself have been through similar situations in the past , much before I was diagnosed, when I came across people who were diagnosed with Cancer and I would be terrified to even look at them. So , here I am , having survived Multiple Myeloma and writing from the other side :).
hmmm , what goes around comes around !! Â
When someone asks me how I am doing , I give a big smile and tell them ‘I am doing well, thank you’. There are a few confidantes at work, with whom I share information about my tests, my medications etc . I also update my Boss who has a lot of interest in matters related to health / Alternative treatments and gives me some advise too.
There are a few online friends from school and college with whom I feel happy to share the status of my health.
Apart from my parents, brother and sister I do not discuss with any others in the extended family. Of course , hubby is a constant support 🙂
There are times when I feel tempted to share the link to my Blog with everyone at work, extended family and with all my classmates from school and college. I guess I am not yet ready to openly declare…maybe some other time. I can already sense that a few are staying away from me and it is ok.Â
I shouldn’t be thinking too much about who knows and who doesn’t and concentrate more on enjoying the present moment.Â
The best part of this blog is I can let out all my feelings and share my MM journey and other random events in my life.
So glad I am finally stable.Â
A few readers (MM patients/caregivers) of my Blog get in touch with me and I am more than willing to listen and encourage them. Gives me immense happiness to know that I have made a difference to them. I hope to get more opportunities to do my bit to humanity.
The last six years have been the longest years in my life. Extremely grateful for being given a second chance to tread our lovely blue planet .
Been living each day with gratitude and lots of hope. Doing my best to share my experience with Alternative treatment via this blog. Have been able to manage my condition (Multiple Myeloma) successfully. It’s been 2 years since I stopped Chemo. So far so good. Was able to help and guide other patients with MM who came across my blog and got in touch with me . Gives me immense happiness.
Learnt a lot about the importance of diet , fasting etc for preventing and treating Cancer. Most importantly , I have experienced the Miraculous healing properties of Curcumin , for managing my condition. Curcumin has powerful healing properties which can treat several diseases.
Nothing else in this world is more important than being alive. Everything else is a bonus 🙂 . Yes, it does sound like I am selfish 🙂 . Take utmost care of your health and love yourself a lot. Be healthy so you don’t have to trouble your near and dear ones if you fall sick.
I am so thankful to my Doctors , family , friends , colleagues and other well wishers who have been supporting me throughout.
