In October 2015, my mother Mrs Stella Noronha, aged 66 was diagnosed with liver cancer (stage 4) with a metastasis growth in the form of a tumour around her right hip region spread across the right pelvis. The oncologists had stated that she would not live for more than 6 to 9 months.
The pain at this stage of cancer is enormous and we could sense that when she used to continuously cry out of pain in her right hip resulting in many a sleepless nights. There is nothing we could do to save her and therefore out entire focus turned to palliative care and pain management and we were looking out of options that could give her relief from pain and improve her quality of life as long as she lived.
The oncologists did suggest Pain patches however the extent of pain was much greater than what these patches could control. While searching for other options on the internet, I read about Dr. Kailash Kothari and his clinic, Pain Clinic of India. The website had detailed information about management of cancer related pain which based on my experience I can say that the oncologists may not necessarily be aware of.
I visited Dr. Kailash Kothari and after looking at all the reports he suggested that we do a nerve block wherein after the procedure the pain causing nerves would no longer be able to relay pain and the effect could last for three to four months. The nerve block procedure was conducted on 12th October 2015 and today, i.e. after a little over two weeks, I see that the results are fantastic.
Immediately after the process my mother was on a low dosage of strong pain killer however that was required as the nerve block process to take full effect I was informed by Dr. Kothari that it may take about two weeks. She does not take any kind of pain killers and still sleeps well without complaining of pain. She does complain of little pain when moved but not when she is stable.
We did experience the side effects of pain patches and oral medicines i.e. itchy feeling, rashes on the body, constantly being in semi-conscious state affecting appetite and acute constipation. However without these and with the nerve block process which now appears to have taken full effect, she is very comfortable as she sleeps well, is alert when awake, appetite is good, no other side effects such as rashes etc and motions are regular.
It is sad that my mother will not live for long, however to see her comfortable as long as she does is a huge consolation. I feel extremely grateful to have met Dr. Kailash Kothari and wish to thank him for having recommended and conducted the procedure on my mother which has resulted in her having a much better quality of life.
