‘Where there is great love there are always miracles,’ mentions the board put outside the Oncology OPD in Ruby Hall Cancer Centre, Pune. “This quote on the board inspired us not to give up on my father’s treatment,” said Amar Puramwar, son of 63-year-old cancer survivor.

When there are handful of cases of survival with this condition going beyond five years, the doctors say that this is a miraculous recovery. When factors like genetic tumour markers influence patient’s response to the treatment, doctors suggest that it is perseverance by the family and patient’s attitude which are also equally important in bringing out miraculous recoveries.

“I still remember the day, when we read the report which showed that my father suffering from cancer in which people survive only for a year. We took him to many neurologists, oncologists in different cities and states in the country. Some doctors treated him some did not give us any hope. But, our family was determined to fight the cancer,” said Amar.

He added, “We followed whatever doctors told us. We took all the care that we could of my father. Cancer is a disease which cannot be fought just by the sufferer; it is the fight of the family. Today, I feel happy, that my father whose health had deteriorated and some doctors also had given up hopes. He is now free of cancer and leading a healthy life.”

Umesh Megeri’s mother had been working as maid at the house of Maria Augusta since the last 23 years. When Megeri spoke to them about his disease and the cost of the treatment, which he was not able to afford; the Augusta family decided to help him, without a second thought

A family from Goa showed rare generosity by offering all the help and support required to treat their maid’s son who was suffering from cancer, which was at an advanced stage. He was undergoing treatment in Pune.
Due to the benevolence shown by the Augusta family, Umesh Megeri, a 22-year-old boy is back to his daily routine now. After being treated for two years straight and after his follow-up last month, doctors at Ruby Hall Clinic have declared him cancer free. He is finally cured from this dreadful disease.
Megeri was suffering from a type of head and neck cancer called carcinoma-nasopharynx when he was admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic in 2015.
Doctors at Goa Medical College had asked the patients relatives to take him to another hospital considering the advanced stage of his cancer.
Megeri’s mother has been working as maid at the house of Maria Augusta since the last 23 years. When Megeri spoke to them about his disease and the cost of the treatment, which he was not able to afford; the Augusta family decided to help him.

Maria Augusta, who is resident of Goa and works as government employee, said, “He informed my son first about his condition. We took him to Government Medical College in Goa. But they asked us to go to another hospital as his cancer was at advanced stage. We then took him to Pune for treatment.”

The treatment cost around 5 lakh rupees. The Augusta’s not only paid for the operation but they also accompanied to Pune along with him for his treatment.
Megeri had an intensely enhancing mass in his nasal cavity and it had even gone into his eye because of which one of his eyeballs had almost come out. He was given treatment of radiation and chemotherapy for almost six months.

“Our family’s association with Megeri is more than two decades old now. Our entire family was disturbed when we came to know that he is suffering from cancer. We just wanted him to become cancer free and we helped him do that,” added Augusta.

Just one year after marriage, we were shocked with the disease detected for my wife “Brain Tumor”. We looked at the future, where it is difficult to find our own shadow with us, then we looked at each other. We held our hands together & promised, instead of waiting to die, we will live “Journey of Life”. During our journey, we were greatly supported by Dr. Ashok Bhanage & team, staff from Ruby Hall Clinic. We are thankful to them for making this journey comfortable, joyful even in the pain & at the end very humanitarian. You must be thinking that despite of my wife suffering from brain cancer stage-IV, why am I still calling this as “Journey of Life”? Yes, because we believed in that. We lived every moment of life since detected 6 years back in 2011. We visited Dr. Bhanage’s clinic which has very nice interiors & a lot of things close to nature where along with Dr. Bhanage sir’s nice sense of

humor you can forget all your pain of life. After seeing reports immediately, he referred us to Ruby Hall for further treatment. From there our association with Ruby Hall started & continued until the end. In July 2011, biopsy done by Dr. Bhanage revealed that my wife had cancer grade-II stage. Further line of treatment was done at Ruby hall. Like there is always light at the end of every tunnel, after this episode, she recovered well & we started living “happy married life”. She started her job again. In August 2014, she gave life to my lovely little champ “Prathmesh”. In Oct 2015, follow up MRI confirmed ‘recurrence of tumor’. Emergency surgery was immediately scheduled. Subsequent tests, however, showed that the cancer was “Stage 4”. We had full faith in doctors who were giving treatment hence created special bonding to believe that “yes” everything will be all right. Especially Dr. Bhanage as usual while keeping one eye on her disease, he was mentoring us to live with strength, positivity & extending all kind of physical & mental support like we are his family members only. He always talks about things other than her disease & keeping her busy in laughing by kidding with us. We had no worries left.
We loved each other very much, and we lived together for six years. She was smart, funny and courageous. She was loving and loyal to her family and friends. She is still helping others after dying as she donated her life (organs) to needy people.

HOW DID YOU COME TO US?

Some friends recommended Ruby Hall cause according to them it’s one of the most well equipped hospitals using the latest technology and our Family doctor- Dr. Uday Andar from Mumbai reffered Dr.Bhanage to us.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?

It was horrendous when we came to know that my mother had this serious ailment. And the thought that it’ll be a long tough journey with doctors and hospital got me jittery. But with the way the whole situation was handled by Dr.Bhanage and team (Dr.Rahul Sharma, Dr.Pragati, Dr.Shoaib) was incredible. The process right from the line of treatment (solving every query of ours at all times), hospitalization (No waiting in lobbies for a room coz it was already allotted), specific strict instructions to nurses (how and where to put the IV was taken care of with complete care…).
The entire doctor team that handled my Mom so well, makes me speechless- the warmth, the care that was given to her made her feel so special and above all, inspite of having such a serious ailment, they made her feel like it’s just another illness and have always left her with a smile on her face. And even now when we visit the hospital for her Radiation even the smallest of a problem is addressed with utmost priority.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE OR SUGGESTION?

Our experience, with both the Hospital and doctors, was good. The moment we entered the gates to the time we left was extremely professional and systematic. The way we were treated by all staff at the SR building and the Oncology department- the ward boys, Sub-staff, security, Nurses was incomparable. Always wishing, smiling, and checking constantly on the patient…
Not to miss a very High level of hygiene was maintained at all times in most areas.