Bengaluru: Mumbai resident and NEET UG aspirant, ALLEN student Maulik Patel (18), embodies resilience and determination in the face of trauma and adversity. Hailing from a modest Maharashtrian family of Ghatkopar, Mumbai, Maulik's journey is a testament to unwavering dedication and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. In 2021, Maulik was excelling in his class 11 studies when the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to online coaching for NEET UG 2024 preparation. Recognizing his potential, Nikhil Mehta, the Mumbai Centre Head of Allen Career Institute, enrolled Maulik in the ALLEN Andheri Centre in Mumbai in November 2021 for dedicated NEET UG preparation.
Tumor Diagnosed
In June 2022, Maulik's life took an unexpected turn as he began experiencing troubling health symptoms, including pain during urination, constipation, and fever. Subsequent sonography revealed a sizable tumor near Maulik's urinary bladder, measuring 10 centimeters in each dimension. Further diagnostic procedures, including a CT scan and biopsy, confirmed the diagnosis of 'Sarcoma'. His cancer was in advance stage when the treatment began. Following consultation with medical experts, Maulik underwent surgery in June 2022 to address the tumor. Despite subsequent chemotherapy treatments, a follow-up CT scan in October 2022 revealed the persistence of residual tumor. To facilitate chemotherapy administration, a chemo port was inserted near Maulik's chest for ease of blood draw and drug delivery during chemotherapy. Several chemotherapy sessions were held after which recognizing the need for additional treatment modalities, Maulik's medical team recommended radiation therapy, consisting of 31 fractions.
Following the completion of his treatment regimen, a PET scan in November 2023 showed encouraging results, with the tumor reduced to 2 centimeters and devoid of cancerous cells. In April 2024, Maulik received the positive news that all test reports were normal, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards recovery. Maulik is currently cancer-free, having undergone a total of 23 chemotherapy sessions and 31 radiation fractions.
Throughout his treatment, Maulik demonstrated remarkable resilience and endurance, enduring lengthy chemotherapy sessions lasting up to 6-8 hours and daily radiation therapy appointments. Despite the challenges, Maulik's unwavering determination and support of his medical team and loved ones propelled him forward on his path to healing.
Continued studies during traumatic Cancer treatment
"After my initial surgery, I was unable to attend coaching classes due to my illness so I continued my studies from home," Maulik recalled. The relentless nature of his treatment and frequent hospitalizations disrupted his studies, leading him to defer his NEET UG examination and class 12 board examinations in 2023. Despite occasional bouts of demotivation during his treatment journey, Maulik's steadfast passion for education and his dream of becoming a doctor fueled his determination to persevere.
"I relied on recorded lectures from ALLEN after my second surgery, and when my health improved in September 2023, I diligently took all major tests at the ALLEN center," Maulik explained. He later joined the ALLEN crash course to resume his preparations in March 2024. Determined to overcome the challenges posed by his cancer treatment, Maulik's commitment to his studies never wavered. "Though the cancer treatment was traumatic, I never let it interfere with my studies as I do not consider studies as burden," he affirmed. Carrying his books to the hospital and even taking tests during chemotherapy admissions, Maulik persevered with the unwavering support of his parents, who remained his pillars of strength throughout.
Ultimately, Maulik emerged victorious, triumphing over cancer and resuming his academic pursuits. Despite the setbacks, he took the NEET UG 2024 examination and excelled, consistently ranking among the top performers at the Allen Career Institute. His remarkable performance extended to his class 12 board examinations, where he achieved an outstanding score of 94.67% in the Maharashtra State Board results. Maulik has scored 715 out of 720 marks in NEET UG 2024 results which is an impressive result. Reflecting on his journey, Maulik's experience battling cancer has solidified his resolve to pursue a career as an oncologist, reaffirming his lifelong dream of making a meaningful impact in the field of medicine.
Parents spent savings & sold jewelery for Maulik’s cancer treatment
Father Rakesh Patel revealed that he had nearly Rs 35 lakhs in savings which he spent for the best cancer care of Maulik. “Apart from exhausting our savings, we also sold our jewelery battling the deadly disease, cancer of our son”, he said. Maulik Patel's story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all, underscoring the power of perseverance, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit in overcoming trauma. As his NEET UG 2024 results await, Maulik stands as a testament to the triumph of the human will.