“After battling cancer successfully for a long span of 24 years, I am leading a normal retired life today,” said 65-year-old Palanivelu from Tiruppattur in Sivaganga district on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre here, the hale and hearty-looking senior citizen narrated the treatment at different stages from day one, when he was diagnosed for carcinoma sigmoid colon in 1991.
Subsequently, in 1992, Mr. Palanivelu underwent another surgery for carcinoma rectum and end colostomy was done. It did not stop here. After a gap of eight years, again in 2000, he knocked at the doors of the MMHRC. After diagnosis, he was operated for carcinoma ascending colon. After two years, in 2002, he underwent surgery for carcinoma bladder transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) surgery.
Trouble did not seem to be over for him. Again, in 2014, he presented with generalised malaise, drooping of eyelids, pain in both shoulders and difficulty in lifting shoulders freely. MMHRC Medical Director Ramesh Ardhanari said a team of doctors conducted clinical diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis (muscular weakness) and Mr. Palanivelu was put on oral medication. Here, the symptoms improved. Gradually, the dose was increased. CT scan of the chest showed lesion in the chest suggestive of Thymoma (tumour originating from the epithelial cells of the thymus).
While on medication, he had respiratory distress and was treated in the ICU on mechanical ventilator support. For this Myasthenia crisis, he was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins for five cycles. From here, the patient showed significant signs of improvement and finally discharged on oral medication, Dr. Ardhanari summed up.
Mr. Palanivelu said with pride: “I was inspired by the team of doctors at Meenakshi Mission Hospital.’
Palanivelu is a survivor of carcinoma colon, rectum and transitional cell carcinoma bladder
