“I believe that healing is more than curing the body. It’s about restoring the spirit and removing the ignorance. That’s why I decided to share these moments — so that someone, somewhere, might find truth and gets saved. Might find the Truth that sets them free.”
“Welcome to my Doctor’s Diary.”
Every now and then, a case touches the core of your soul—not because of the disease, but because of the story behind it. As a doctor, I’ve witnessed a thousand emotions unfold before me—fear, hope, pain, relief—but some linger longer than others. This one did.
It was a usual busy day at the hospital when a 25-year-old young man walked into my chamber, accompanied by his mother. I could immediately sense something unspoken in his eyes—a blend of concern and helplessness. She was a quiet woman, humble in demeanor, but visibly tired, not from travel or lack of sleep—but from illness that had been gnawing at her silently for months.
After conducting all the necessary tests and reviewing her scans, my heart sank. It was kidney cancer—already in an advanced stage, having spread to the lungs. I took a deep breath before walking out to face the young man. As soon as our eyes met, he broke down.
Tears streamed down his face, not just because of the diagnosis, but because of guilt. “Doctor,” he said, choking on his words, “I started working just six months ago in the US. It was my first job. Before leaving, I had a complete medical checkup done for myself… but I didn’t do anything for my mother.”
There was silence. A heavy, unspeakable silence.
He continued, “She raised me alone. She worked day and night, cooked, cleaned, and made sure I had the best education. She never showed she was tired, never asked for anything. I promised her that I would take her abroad once I got settled. I thought I had time. But I never thought of getting her checked. If only I had done a scan for her during my checkup, maybe… maybe the cancer would’ve been caught early.”
His words pierced through me. Here was a son, successful, responsible, loving—but overwhelmed by the realization that sometimes, love also means foresight. It means taking proactive steps, even when everything seems fine.
That day, I didn’t just see a cancer patient and her son. I saw a powerful message that needed to be told.
Dear youngsters, here is what I want you to understand:
In our busy lives—studying, working, chasing dreams—we often forget those who made these dreams possible. Your parents may not ask for much. They may say they’re fine. But age and time don’t always show mercy. Diseases like cancer are silent visitors; they do not knock before entering. But early detection gives us a fighting chance.
Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t wait for the “right time.” The best gift you can give your parents isn’t gold or gadgets—it is health. It is a thorough medical checkup. A scan. A screening. An early detection that can make the difference between life and death.
That young man had tears in his eyes, but also a message in his heart. And I am writing it here, so every young person reading this can remember: Success means nothing if the hands that raised you aren’t there to hold your achievements.
Let your love be practical. Let it be timely. Let it be preventive.
This is not just medicine. This is life.
And this is Doctor’s Diary.
— Dr. G. Govindaraj Vardhanan
Surgical Oncologist.