đïž June 5, 2022 â a date etched into my memory forever. It began with a lump and unfolded into a 12-months battle. Until that day, âcancerâ was just a distant concept â something that happened to others. But suddenly, it was my reality and that would test every fiber of my being.
I remember sitting in the doctorâs office, my husband beside me, as the words âhigh-grade malignancyâ were spoken. I didnât cry. I didnât scream. I just sat there, numb, trying to process how life had changed in a single sentence.
Blood tests, scans, and consultations followed, and soon, my world turned upside down. My husband and I were thrown into a whirlwind of decisions, emotions, and fears. The losses were multi-dimensional physical, mental, emotional financial pheww….
Felt helpless thinking
đŹ How do I tell my son? – That was my first thought. My little boy was five â full of questions, full of life. How do you explain to a child that ma might not be able to play, cook, or even smile some days?
đŒ What about work? – My work is not just a job â itâs a part of my identity. I had just started taking on new responsibilities when the diagnosis hit. I feared losing momentum, relevance, and the sense of purpose my work gave me. Bald and exhausted look was something I didnât want to face. LOST Faith – Hope – Opportunities…s
đ The treatment tunnel – Chemotherapy was a beast. I lost my hair, my appetite and at times my will. Loosies and constipation both use to frustrate me. I couldnât taste food or water. I couldnât walk without help. Numb was my new avatar.
đ The surgery – 10 hours under the knife followed by ICU days. I donât remember much, but I do remember waking up in pain and crying.
Hair loss is more than physical, it affects identity, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Everything suddenly âPausedâ life in general both personal and professional. Counting restless days, sleepless nights. I have stayed up all night seeing cycles of moon coming and going.
My cope mechanism: What helped me!
Let yourself feel everything – Donât bottle it up. Cry, scream, laugh â whatever you need. Emotions are part of healing.
Ask for Help â and Accept It – You donât have to be strong all the time. Let people show up for you.
Document the journey – Journaling helped me process the chaos. Even the darkest days deserve to be remembered â they show how far youâve come. This article is reflection of those bundle of feelings.
Celebrate the small wins – A good blood report. A walk without support. A day without nausea, constipation or vomiting. These are victories, small wins.
Stay connected to life – Whether itâs work, a hobby, or a cause â stay engaged. It reminds you that youâre more than your illness.
Find your tribe – Support groups, online communities, or just a friend who listens â connection is healing.
Believe in tomorrow and keep hope alive – Some days, hope is all you have. Hold on to it. Itâs stronger than you think.
Four books helped me through this journey – The Secret. Bhagwat Gita. Ikigai. Atomic Habit
Reminder! Be that kind person to make someoneâs day better, make that effort, go that extra mile to bring that SMILE đ you never know what other person is going through…
This chapter wasnât planned. It wasnât welcome. Iâm still on the path to recovery and the dream of complete normalcy remains just out of reach. But this episode taught me more about courage, empathy, hope, faith and resilience, It also taught me how I forgot to spend with myself, it was more of an inward journey, I learnt to prioritize my health and my wellbeing.
This article is dedicated to all the people going through the dark tunnel, Remember! There is a ray of hope waiting on the other side, So Keep Moving - Have Faith - Trust the Process and Surrender.#cancersurvivor #keepmoving #lightontheotherside #hope #bringsmile #BeautifulBeyond #Thrivein2025 #StorytellingHeals #HealingOutLoud #cancer
