Anatomy of a tumour: a patient's intimate dialogue with the scourge Mohanty, Sudhansu

The patient is Sudhansu Mohanty, an Indian civil servant in his early fifties; his scourge is the carcinoid tumour which, unknown to him, he has been carrying around for some time
Mohanty’s introduction to this ‘scourge’ was gradual - starting with an almost-continuous fatigue, followed by intermittent diarrhoea, a loss of appetite, enhanced perspiring, especially while eating, and a wasting away of muscles. He ignored them all, he lived in denial. Before he knew it, he was overtaken by nemesis in the form of a sharp drop in his haemoglobin.

The cause is carcinoid - a rare form of cancer, rare in terms of appearance, hard to detect in its nascent stages, and, therefore, all the more deadly. In Mohanty’s case, it was suspected early, post-colonoscopy, thanks to the perspicacity of his gastroenterologist who - most unusual for a physician - pronounced: ‘I consider this malignant. I want to go in and see.’

The author takes the reader on his four-year-long odyssey with carcinoid, the rogue cancer. He touches lightly on his back-to-back surgeries and experiences in the hospital. He describes alternative remedies for cancer - eating asparagus, broccoli, lime, lemon grass - suggestions forwarded to him by well-wishers. He uses the Internet and finds the stories of fellow-sufferers. He narrates his ‘battles’ to ‘live’ life full tilt: holding down a demanding day job while he undergoes a third surgery; and, as though nothing has interrupted his life, even contemplates a sabbatical in a US university.

Anatomy of a Tumour is a tale of courage and hope in the face of adversity. Mohanty’s writing is imbued with both humour and courage, and clearly reflects his determination to face all odds with the same ‘gung-ho’ spirit that has informed his life. (http://www.hayhouse.co.in/BookDetails.aspx?Id=MD6pvl6EESs=)