After deciding on radiation therapy, my sons took turns traveling to India to support me. Initially, I was supposed to undergo 21 sessions, but I worried about how I would manage the commute to the hospital, which was nearly 20 kilometers away. A round trip could easily take over two hours, especially during peak traffic.

Fortunately, a senior doctor—whose brother happened to be a college mate of my elder son—was present during our consultation. After some discussion, we decided to go with hypo fractionated proton therapy. Although this treatment is more intensive, it required only five sessions, significantly reducing the strain. Proton therapy is also known for having fewer side effects, although it is more expensive.

Despite the reduced sessions, the therapy took a toll on me. I felt inexplicably weak after the very first session. Before every subsequent session, I grew nervous and tense, knowing that I would be exhausted afterward. One evening, midway through the treatment, I genuinely believed I wouldn’t survive the night. I looked at photographs of my loved ones, prayed for a peaceful end, and went to bed. But to my surprise, I woke up the next morning, alive—though not exactly brimming with energy.

The treatment eventually ended, and I began to recover. I must express my gratitude to the radiation oncologist and the entire medical team. Their kindness, empathy, and care were beyond what I could have imagined. I am deeply thankful to them all—may they be blessed abundantly.

However, my journey wasn’t over. The doctors explained that tiny cancer cells might still be circulating in my blood, undetectable but potentially dangerous. To prevent them from becoming active, I had to start hormone-suppressing injections, which reduce testosterone levels.

These injections come with side effects—they affect cholesterol levels, heart health, muscles, bones, and even sleep. Fatigue and tiredness overwhelm me for days after each injection. To maintain muscle mass, I take protein supplements, but they cause constipation, so I need fiber supplements too. I’ve also gained weight, another side effect of the injections.

So far, I am managing. I pray these injections don’t bring more complications and that the side effects remain bearable.

Contd. 318. Temporary Leave - Part 1