‘Cancer changed me for good as a surgeon, human’

Dr Ramakant Tayade is a practising cancer surgeon at Nagpur’s American Oncology Institute and has been conducting cancer surgeries for the last 17 years. He deals with almost all types of cancers as part of his routine work. But when he himself was diagnosed with oral cancer, it was equally tough for him to accept it and then fight back. Dr Tayade prepared himself for the treatment, underwent a surgery, recovered and resumed work within a year. However, this journey was full of mental, emotional, and psychological ups and downs. On Cancer Survivors Day (June 5), TOI spoke to Dr Tayade about this period and how it changed his view toward cancer patients.
Q. How and when did you realize that you have oral cancer?
A. It all started at the end of January 2019 when I noticed a small ulcer on my right cheek. I once had an accidental trauma at the same spot which had healed. I again had trauma at the same spot while chewing and it was not healing even after conservative initial treatment. At that point, I suspected it could be cancer.
Q. What was your first reaction?
A. Like anybody else, I was devastated. I started thinking of my two children, my wife and the wonderful life we have together, my profession, and my family’s future. I felt like the world has turned upside down. At this point, I realized what my patients must be going through.
Q. What did your family react when you first told them about it?
A. My wife Ashwini is a very hard-working and busy doctor. Maybe she too was devastated, but not for a second I could feel it. That was my first step toward the journey of becoming a cancer survivor. Believe me, if you can take the first step, you can do it. We decided to go for a biopsy the same day.
Q. Had you expected the result of biopsy?
A. Having seen so many cases of oral cancer, I was expecting a positive result in a biopsy, which eventually happened. It was my younger daughter’s graduation day from nursery, and coincidentally our marriage anniversary too, when I came to know that I had ‘squamous cell carcinoma’. For a moment, I was motionless. Thousands of thoughts crossed my mind. I knew what oral cancer patients go through. My wife said, “No problem. You know it’s an early disease. We will fight it together.” I started thinking positively.
Q. Do you think family is the biggest pillar of strength in such a situation?
A. Of course. Also, I have a few but very good friends. When I broke the news to them, they were all around me all the time planning how to go about it. I knew right from the beginning that surgery was the only option. But, by this time, I was converted into a patient from a doctor. I wasn’t using my brain. Everything was planned by my friends and wife Ashwini. One of my good friends performed the surgery.
Q. Was it difficult for a doctor to operate on a doctor and a friend?
A. I could imagine the stress he had while operating on a friend who is also a cancer surgeon. I was operated on February 16, 2019. When I opened my eyes at night while I was on a ventilator, I could only feel pain and helplessness, and couldn’t speak a word. The whole night, I was on awake intubation, and nurses were doing their routine work as I too was a regular patient. I never felt that helpless in life before.
Q. How challenging was the recovery phase?
A. After seven days in the hospital, I came to know from the histopath report that it was an early disease not needing any adjuvant treatment. I was so relieved. I can’t remember when I cried like that before. During recovery, sitting home without work is very difficult for any surgeon. Three weeks post-surgery, I joined back at the hospital. Initially, because of swelling and scar, I used to hide my face. But slowly I realized that I should face it. Gradually, I became more comfortable interacting with my patients.
Q. Do you think cancer changed your life?
A. Maybe God has his own ways of doing things. After I got this disease, life has changed completely, professionally and personally. Now I know the journey of cancer from diagnosis to treatment. I know how it feels living with the uncertainty of life post-treatment. I know the challenges of finances associated with it. I know how it feels to be on awake intubation, I know the pain. And I can see the faces of family members when the patient is on intubation. This has changed me for good as a surgeon and a human. Now, I feel more connected to my patients, and I know I am a better version of myself as a cancer surgeon now. I do more oral cancer surgeries than other surgeries because that responsibility pushes me to do better for any cancer patient.
Q. Is it possible that cancer will revert?
A. So far, I can call myself a cancer survivor. God knows the future. But I urge everyone to take that first step when you notice early signs of cancer. See a qualified doctor at the earliest. If detected early, cancer can be conquered.
Q. Why do you want to share your story now, almost after two years of being a cancer survivor?
A. Nagpur has the unfortunate reputation of being the tobacco capital of India and the oral cancer capital too. I deal with so many oral cancer patients at from stage 1 to stage 4. I always wanted to tell others the story of my cancer journey. I must tell them about the pain of going through cancer. I wish healthy people stay healthy and patients get encouraged to come forward early and get treated after knowing about me.
Q. What’s your message to all?
A. Please stay healthy, look after yourself, and follow healthy habits. Life is really unpredictable, so live every moment to the fullest. Be more compassionate and caring. Everyone is fighting his own fight, so try not to judge people. And most importantly, always be surrounded by some really good close friends.