When a 6-year-old asked a Hyderabad doctor to shield his cancer diagnosis from his parents

They further requested the doctor see him and advise treatment, but “don’t share the diagnosis with him”, he recalled.

“I nodded my head, accepting their request,” the doctor shared on Twitter.

Manu was brought into the chamber in a wheelchair. He had been referred by his oncologist for the management of seizures.

“He had a smile, and appeared confident and smart,” recalled the doctor.

On reviewing the history and medical records, the doctor learnt that Manu had been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 on the left side of the brain, due to which he had paralysis of his right hand and leg.

He had been operated on, and was on chemotherapy. The seizures were due to brain cancer.

Also read: Watch out for these 3 warning signs of prostate cancer while you pee

Heart-touching request

“I discussed the medical treatment with the parents and answered a few queries,” said the doctor.

They were about to leave when Manu requested his parents to allow him to talk to the doctor privately. They accepted his request.

After the parents left the room, Manu said, “Doctor, I have read all about the disease on iPad and I am aware that I will live only for six more months, but I haven’t shared this with my parents, as they would get upset. They love me a lot. Please don’t share with them.”

The doctor was shocked and couldn’t speak for a few moments. “I gathered myself,” he recalled, before he could communicate again. “Sure, I will take care of what you said.” said the doctor.

The doctor called his parents and requested them to speak to him as Manu waited outside. “I shared the entire conversation that transpired between Manu and me,” said the doctor.

The doctor said that he couldn’t keep the promise to Manu, as it was important to bring the family onto the same page on this sensitive issue.

“It was vital that the family enjoyed together whatever time was left. More so, as Manu knew about his illness. Whether he understood the gravity, I am still determining,” said the doctor on Twitter.

Explaining the move further, he told South First: “When a patient is an adult, we keep the promise. Sometimes, when the disease is riskier such as AIDS, we have to break the promise because it can impact the spouse. But, in the case of kids, whether it’s a small disease or terminal, we have to inform the parents.”

Getting closure

The parents were in tears, but they were still thankful and left the OPD with a heavy heart.

“I had almost forgotten this incident when about 9 months later, the couple returned to see me. I recognised them at once and enquired about Manu’s health,” said the doctors.

The parents said that they had a great time with Manu after the meeting. “He wanted to visit Disneyland and we went with him. We took a temporary leave from our job and spent quality time with Manu,” said the parents.

“We lost him a month back. Today’s visit is to just thank you for giving us those best eight months,” they told the doctor.

“Here, the parents and kid had come to the realisation of what was about to happen, and accepted the fact. When you keep the truth away from each other while living together, coexistence becomes hard to sustain. So, better tell the truth and live with each other peacefully for whatever time you have. This was the case for this family,” he explained to South First.

Also read: Scientists uncover link between air pollution and lung cancer