It was in April 2016 that I fell sick. It started as a cough and then I found myself coughing for three weeks, straight. Fever would shoot up and drop and I had lost up to 4 kilograms, already. During these three weeks, I visited the doctor twice. He suspected a viral infection and gave me some pills but they didn’t work.
I was eventually referred to a chest specialist. I was nervous and somewhat unsure. This specialist told me that it was most probably Tuberculosis (TB), but he required my sputum sample to confirm the diagnosis. However, since I was not able to produce sputum, I underwent a bronchoscopy for sputum collection.
As I went through these tests, I could not help but wonder- “TB? How can I have TB? I have never smoked a cigarette in my life.” Our understanding and perception of TB is so conventional- we always assume-TB can’t happen to me.
I shared my concerns with my doctor. He explained to me that TB can happen to anyone. It is an air borne disease which primarily attacks the lungs but also other body parts. I realised then if I didn’t cover my mouth for a temporary period of time, I could infect many others. It did leave me wondering though-why do we know so little about TB?
My test results came back ‘Positive’. My doctor sent the sample for drug sensitivity test (DST), immediately. He wanted to determine what medicines would work on me for a complete cure. This test, is crucial to conduct to avoid delays in seeking the right treatment for TB. Until then, I had no idea that there was drug resistance in TB.
My DST revealed that I was resistant to two drugs. I had multi-drug resistant TB (MDR TB) – a form of drug resistant TB which is harder and expensive to treat. This meant that I had to take medicines for two years, comprising 20-25 tablets every day and an injection for six months, daily. Suddenly TB didn’t seem that easy to defeat.
The doctor prepared me for the long haul. But what he didn’t prepare me was for the severe side-effects that took a deep toll on me. But I had to complete my treatment, else my TB could have worsened. I was left with no choice.
My battle with MDR TB was far from easy. To be honest, taking 25 pills and an injection everyday was painful and tough. Every day was a struggle. I couldn’t even sit properly as the part of my body that was injected always hurt. I encountered nerve problems including Dystonia (a movement disorder in which your muscles contract involuntarily, causing repetitive or twisting movements), vomiting, irritation, among other issues. I didn’t know what to do-nothing prepares TB patients for the side effects that come with treatment.
As if these physical battles weren’t enough, TB began taking a toll on my mental health as well. I became extremely negative and depressed. Thoughts about ending my life came to my mind. “What will happen if I start harming myself or others around me? What will my parents do if I commit suicide? How will they take care of themselves?” Such thoughts kept coming to me.
I am one of the lucky few who were surrounded by a loving and caring family and friends. Those who supported me entirely during my ordeal were people from my office and my folks at home.
I was advised to go to work by my doctor to help keep the negative thoughts at bay. This was difficult because I could not sit because of the injections. My concentration levels were affected too, and I couldn’t complete critical tasks. Luckily my employer and co-workers were extremely helpful and together we managed to keep the office afloat. They even went out of the way to make me feel at home.
Now that I have survived TB, I realise that it taught me a lot. I sought inspiration from people who have defeated even more severe forms of TB. When people who have gone through the same illness speak up, every word is like medicine. I learnt that nothing can stop you from achieving your goals. As long as you are alive you still have a chance to fulfil your dreams. I realized how important it is to do what you love because death is inevitable and it can come anytime without any prior notice- what we can do is focus on today and live our best, now at this very moment.
I can’t express the happiness I felt after completion of the treatment. It’s like I came back from the dead and god gave me a second chance to live my life again and fulfil my dreams. Today, I have started working on my career goals, again. I have a vision and want to create something meaningful with my life. I feel more focused and ambitious. And I am determined to help those who like me are affected by TB. We cannot let TB win- let’s end this age old scourge!