102-year-old beats colon cancer, survives triple surgery, goes to vote and inspires doctors

Nanjudaswamy on voting day

ANXIETIES ABOUT A TRIPLE SURGERY

Says surgical oncologist Dr Mohammad Bashiruddin Inamdar, who worked with Dr Shabber Zaveri, Chairman, HOD, Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital, “The sigmoidoscopy results came in as squamous cell carcinoma and tumour in the colon. Sigmoid colon is the S-shaped part of the large intestine leading into the colon. Then there was one growth in the perianal region or the anus. And during surgery itself we noticed an abnormal mass in his urinary bladder. We did a frozen biopsy, which confirmed our suspicion in minutes and, therefore, decided on doing three procedures at one go given the patient’s age.”

But before the surgery, both Dr Zaveri and Dr Inamdar had enough concerns about whether a geriatric surgery would work in the first place. “Luckily these were early-stage growths, there was no spread and we realised post-surgery, he would not need adjuvant therapy like chemotherapy, radiation or targetted therapies. So it was a one-stroke elimination. Still, we were sceptical but our patient was super motivated, had extreme willpower and said we should go ahead and get rid of the cancer as he was sure of making a full comeback. He was truly inspirational,” says Dr Inamdar.

Says Aruna, “It was a total shock for me as my father has been an extremely healthy person. His life was too precious for me but the doctors were confident that he could withstand the complex procedures.” Nanjundaswamy was cited eligible for the surgery by the hospital’s geriatricians and anaesthesiologists and it was conducted on March 17, 2023. The surgeons tried to keep it as tight as possible. So, they chose to take out the three tumours through a minimally invasive Radical Sigmoid Colectomy, a local excision of perianal carcinoma and Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate gland (TURP).

LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY

The surgeons removed a portion of the colon and even made a channel around the urinary bladder. “Initially, he recovered well, in 10 days to be precise, but then his oxygen levels fell and investigations revealed that he had developed what is called hospital-acquired infection. There was fluid accumulation in his lungs, which had to be taken out. He had aspiration pneumonia, which happens when food or liquid is breathed into the airways or lungs, instead of being swallowed. Doctors did a tracheostomy and inserted a tube into the windpipe (trachea) to help him breathe. They even put a tube in the stomach for food. He was intubated and lay in bed for 45 days but it is through his sheer willpower that saw him through. Now he doesn’t take any medication, is alert as ever, lucid and probably has the sharpest memory,” says Aruna.

‘My father is lucid and has a sharp memory;’ With daughter Aruna 

A FULL DISCIPLINED LIFE SAW HIM THROUGH

While many would think that Nanjundaswamy could survive cancer at 102 because of some miracle, the truth is, as doctors say, his disciplined life, diet, exercise, something we struggle with, that stood him in good stead. And he began a healthy lifestyle early in life. Says Aruna, “You can set your watch with my father’s daily activities. He has never missed walking. He has been fiercely independent, deciding to take charge of all tasks related to his life. Even till 99, he would walk to the bank, take out his money, shop for his vegetables and cook his own meal. He has been vegetarian all his life. After he retired in 74, he actually signed up with the Scouts and Guides for about four years. And when my mother passed away in 2011, he just took charge of the house, chopping vegetables and cooking meals before the cook could show up. He loved hosting lunches and dinners.”

Along with being a disciplinarian, doctors say that Nanjundaswamy’s steady mental profile was the key in the success of his surgery. And that is because he pursued his hobbies and passions. In his earlier years, he was an excellent photographer, storyteller, book reader, painter, bridge player, footballer, and swimmer. “He loved science and maths, teaching many children. He had his own dark room where he developed and printed photos. He loves listening to classical music, both vocal and instrumental, both Carnatic and Hindustani and Western Classical music of Beethoven and Mozart,” adds Aruna. Who would know that brimming over with life and happiness was enough to beat cancer with?