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Victor Bhattacharya Victor is currently
a student at Holy Spirit High School and won second place in
the 3rd Annual "It's Always Something" Teen Writing Contest. Here is an exerpt from Victor's essay, The Rollercoaster of a Lifetime When
the phone call came from the oncologist that one gloomy June afternoon, he
simply said, “You have been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.”
At first, I was like “Eh, whatever” because I had no idea nor did I
care what was going on, but soon realized that this was anything but a
trivial matter. I would find out that leukemia was a type of cancer and the
chemotherapy treatments would last for three years. Furthermore, I learned
that I would be unable to attend the class trip to Wildwood and that I would
be unable to attend school or see my friends for a LONG time. I was
devastated. Numerous surgeries over a course of three years were operated on
me ranging from central line placement and port removal to kidney biopsies
and total hip replacement. I was hospitalized more times than you can count.
It was joyous because I met a lot of new patients and nurses who quickly
became friends. The nurses were like family to me because they always tried
to help out in any way they could and would share funny stories or tales
about their patients and jobs. Every time I visited the hospital for treatment,
everyone would say, “Oh look, it’s Victor!” or “Hey! You’re back, we all
missed you!” I was embarrassed when I quickly became one of the most popular
patients of the hospital. DuPont Children’s basically became a second home
for me, as I would frequent there during 2004 to 2007. Side
effects weren’t pleasant. When I was on Predisone, my face was swollen and
food became a nightmare. I would be hungry all the time with food piling up
next to my bedside or I would be making frequent trips downstairs to the
fridge. Because of my over-the-top hunger from the chemo, I gained ten pounds
in one week. My hair fell out and it took only three days for me to go
completely bald. I was upset by the fact of having no hair but knew that this
hair loss would be temporary, so I tried to not let this overcome me. My skin
became pale; I was lethargic and suffered from loss of appetite. I quickly
had gone from eating all the time to despising food. The muscles in my legs
became very weak and I had difficulty walking or going up the stairs. Despite
the details, these side effects were relatively minor. More major, serious
side effects such as joint damage and multi-organ failure were to happen
later on. It
was a cold, rainy October morning in 2004 when I became unusually lightheaded
and nauseous. I started to vomit uncontrollably every minute, until I could
feel the sensation of my stomach coming out. Blood shot out and I was placed
in intensive care right away. Tests confirmed that my kidneys were failing.
Fluid began to accumulate my lungs, my pancreas was failing and my spleen
began to enlarge. I was placed in a drug-induced coma for over a week. For
over two months, I had to endure painful treatments, rehab and IV nutrition
therapy. The experience was anything but pleasant, but I was kept content
with the company of my parents and friends and a had strong faith with God. As
I entered into the maintenance phase of treatment, I started developing pain
all over my knees and hips and assumed that it was the growing pains. The
pain grew worse over the weeks and I started to limp. The pain continued and
the limp grew worse. On February of 2006, X-rays and MRI’s were done to
check my knees and hips condition. The orthopedic surgeon diagnosed my
condition as avascular necrosis. This was a result from the loss of blood to
the bones making them brittle and thin. The pain was severe, but tolerable
until my left hip just decided to give up on me. I could not sit or walk
properly, kneel, or climb up the stairs without enduring the excruciating
pain. Then in 2007 I decided to call it quits and decided to go for surgery.
I had to undergo a hip replacement to treat the pain. Rehab afterwards was
painful as it felt like a thousand needles shooting into my body. I was
yelling at the top of my lungs that the pain was too much for me but somehow
was able to continue physical therapy. Two weeks after surgery, the hip
dislocated. GOOD GRIEF!! Now I have to go through this drama again?? I kept
yelling, “Why is this happening to me!” A month passed by until I was
discharged from that prison that I once called my home away from home. I
overcame many obstacles, but knew that this was simply just another day of my
life. I am grateful to this day to still be alive thanks to the treatments
available. Always be strong and never give up. Giving $10 has never
been easier! Just text message “Gilda” from your cellular phone
to the # 85944. You will then receive a message asking you to confirm
your donation. Reply to the message with the word “Yes” and your
donation is complete. That’s it! $10 will be charged to your
monthly phone bill. Standard text messaging rates apply. Your
donation goes directly to Gilda’s Club South Jersey to help ensure cancer
support for the whole family, the whole time. Thank You! |
New Member Meetings
Call (609) 926-2699 to register.
Noogieland
Super Saturdays - twice a month Sponsored by Atlantic Medical Imaging
“Camp Sparkle!” Monday, June 28 through
Thursday, July 1 Camp Sparkle
will be four action packed days! Snacks & refreshments too! Contact Lori Stranges, Noogieland Manager, (609) 926-2699 or lori@gildasclubsouthjersey.org to register or for more information. Program Highlights Registration required – Call (609) 926-2699 to register! Prostate Cancer Group Tuesday, June 8 Breast Cancer Event Wednesday, June 9 5-6 pm- Supper & Social with Inga Robbins, MD, Atlantic Cardiology Learn ways to avoid cardiac disease & information for
people with cancer working to lower their risk for reoccurrence. Gilda’s Gladiators - Back Bay Paddle Sunday, June 13 9 am - paddle Viking Rowing Club, Ventnor
“The Face of Care for the Caregiver” Monday, June 14 Sharon Roth-Lichtenfeld, Certified
Professional Life Coach, will lead this workshop for caregivers to explore
the emotional, physical & spiritual impact of caring for a loved one,
while also taking care of yourself. Widowed Persons Group Monday, June 14 Lung Cancer Group Wednesday, June 16 Parents Living with Loss Group Wednesday, June 16
Attention breast
cancer members & friends: |
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