Hi, my name is Gisele Laure Djouegono Epse Kamdem. In Cameroon, West Africa, I lived peacefully with my husband and three children. I am a homemaker and give my full attention to the family.

In 2021, I got a biopsy after spotting a lump during a breast self-exam. It was Cancer, which was the fearful outcome. Three lymph nodes had cancers that were bigger than the one in my breast after a sentinel node biopsy and a lumpectomy. After receiving a stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis, I was informed that surgery would be essential in addition to chemotherapy and radiation treatment to acquire a clean margin. 

I was petrified by fear over who would look after my family and children. I was discouraged because I believed that cancer will change my life forever. I felt my body had somehow betrayed me. Before my diagnosis, I exercised and ate well; I was healthy. It seemed so unfair. I felt it was beyond my ability to cope.

Gradually, though, my perspective began to change. I understood that, despite how unfair and strange it appeared, I actually had cancer and wanted to fight it. I was ready to fight the fear and the invasion of cancer cells in my body.

Becoming a Warrior

Determined to put up a strong fight, my husband (Jehu) and I went to local hospitals to get detailed knowledge of the consequences of cancer, and then I decided to wear camouflage gear—something I could wear to remind myself that this was a war and I had a job to do. I stopped thinking of chemotherapy and radiation as my enemy and began thinking of them as my weapons. I was seeking a facility where I could get thorough medical care from professionals. Around this time, a friend advised me to contact the Medsurge India Team, where they got the best medical assistance for her mother and had received the best medical treatment in India.

How Medsurge India Team helped us?

My husband started looking up Medsurge India online, where he engaged in a long conversation with one of his query managers. She requested copies of all of our biopsy results and gave us different recommendations for the finest healthcare facility and course of action.

They scheduled a quick video consultation with Dr. Niranjana Naik (Surgical Oncologist) from India’s Fortis Research Memorial Hospital Gurgaon. According to my medical oncologist, my breast cancer is in the early stages. Therefore, he advised considering breast-conserving surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. He was confident about this treatment plan. He said it was imperative that I should travel to India and begin treatment immediately. He pre-informed me that I would probably lose my hair and experience other side effects, but our medical care staff will assist me in managing them. I admired his direct approach to taking care of me. We finally had a strategy now. Consequently, following a video conversation with Dr. Nayak. The other night, after talking with our family at dinner, my husband and I decided to fly to India to confront this internal enemy.

With the Medsurge India team, we reviewed our upcoming potential arrival dates in India. They quickly arranged the visa invitation letter (VIL). We met at the airport with one of his team members. I visited with a number of medical professionals during that first visit, as well as clinicians, a surgeon, a dietitian, a mind-body specialist, and a pastor. When I was presented with a treatment plan, I felt that India was the place where I would be the best equipped and most supported. I was confident that I would be surrounded by other fighters who were eager to develop a friendship with me. Their positivity and support made me more optimistic. So I made the decision to continue my treatment at Fortis in Gurgaon.

How did the Surgery happen?

I had a long, warming video call with my kids and family the night before my surgery. They encouraged and reminded me that I was strong and I could go the distance, that I could do this, and that many people cared and were cheering me on.  I was not fighting by myself. I have the confidence and strength to carry on thanks to their encouragement. I accomplished my surgical procedure and then went on one chemotherapy session. My medical care professionals and the Medsurge India team helped me manage the side effects. I felt quite sluggish after my first chemotherapy treatment, but with the proper medical attention and support, I was able to resume doing my regular, everyday job.

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Surrounded by Care

Being surrounded by so many kind individuals while undergoing cancer treatment has meant so much to me. I always felt like the MedsurgeIndia team just knew what I needed. They were aware of the things that would improve my well-being and inspire hope, assurance, and peace in me. Each day of my treatment, as I arrived in my camouflage attire, I felt the support and inspiration of the doctors, nurses, clinicians, therapists, pastors, and members of the MedsurgeIndia team: a long list of people who were willing to invest in me. In my struggle, they played a significant role. I would like to thank all of them with my deepest gratitude.

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