My cancer was diagnosed in 1996. It was 3rd stage breast cancer. And contrary to popular belief that if we breastfeed our baby, we cannot have cancer, I was breastfeeding my 11-month-old baby when it got detected.

Es begann mit einem Knoten

First of all, I noticed a lump in my breast, but I ignored it. Later, it took the shape of a hard, bony structure. Different tests confirmed that it was 3rd stage breast cancer. Although I have a family history of cancer—my father and sister had cancer—I was not ready to accept it.

Meine erste Reaktion

When I came to know about the disease, the first thing that came to my mind was that I had to get rid of it. I had a 4-year-old and an 11-month-old baby. I was feeling very bad for them. I used to think about who would care for them if I was not there. My family was going through a very bad time. My father and sister both had cancer. My family had experienced the worst part of this disease. My father had horrible side effects during treatment, and my sister got scared of it; she did not agree to treatment. Without treatment, her situation became worse.

 Nach der Diagnose kam mir als Erstes in den Sinn, dass ich überleben muss. Ich musste für meine Familie und meine Kinder leben. Ich muss alle möglichen Anstrengungen unternehmen, um geheilt zu werden.

Behandlung

I was diagnosed with cancer on 8th April 1996, and my operation was done on 28th April. It was followed by chemotherapy. I believe that timely diagnosis and proper treatment can save a cancer patient. Initially, when I was diagnosed, I had only one thing in my mind: I have to live for my children, maybe 5 years, 10 years, or 15 years, but I am happy that now it is going to be 25 years. My daughter is a special child, so I was not in a position to take proper treatment in a specialized cancer hospital. I stayed with my daughter at Bangalore Children Hospital, and my doctor used to come there to treat me. He also decided that was the best option considering the age of my children. I trusted my doctor. I have faith in traditional treatment. It all worked in my recovery.

Ein neues Leben

The best part of my life has come after cancer. I never took my life seriously before. I just went with the flow, for my husband and kids were my priority. When I had cancer and was on the verge of losing my life, I wondered why I came into this world? If I lose my life today, what is my contribution to society? What have I done for myself, other than living for others? It gave me an insight. I decided to take care of myself and give priority to myself. I decided that I was not going to waste my life.

Ich habe wieder studiert. Ich habe meinen Master in Beratung gemacht. Ich habe nach der Krebserkrankung viele Dinge getan, die ich sonst nicht getan hätte. Ich ließ mich treiben. Krebs war der Katalysator, der mein inneres Potenzial zum Vorschein brachte. Es war ein begabtes Leben für mich. Mein Leben ist viel besser als zuvor. 

Kinder waren die größte Inspiration

My children were young when I had cancer. They were my biggest inspiration to live. My daughter is a special child, and she always needed me. She was the biggest motivation. I lost my sister after my diagnosis, and I saw it had a very bad impact on my other sibling and parent. I did not want them to experience that pain once again. So those things motivated me.

Ich war eine erfolgreiche Studentin, musste aber mein Studium abbrechen, um zu heiraten. Ich dachte immer, dass ich das Potenzial hätte, anderen zu helfen. Der Krebs gab mir den Grund, alles zu erfüllen, was ich schon immer tun wollte.

Nachricht

Denken Sie nie zu oft an Krebs. Konzentrieren Sie sich nicht auf Krebs. Denken Sie darüber nach, weder negativ noch positiv. Weil es Ihnen auf jeden Fall diesen Gedanken in den Sinn bringt. Konzentrieren Sie sich stattdessen auf etwas, das Sie heute wollen. Lassen Sie sich neue Ideen einfallen. Geniesse dein Leben. Es ist gut, dass Sie sich dessen bewusst sind, aber es sollte nicht im Mittelpunkt stehen. Betrachten Sie sich nicht als Überlebenden. Nimm es als Teil des Lebens. 

It becomes difficult for caretakers to see their loved ones in pain. On the other hand, patients may think, "We are going through so much; why are they worried?" A lot of confusion can arise between them. Good understanding between the caretaker and survivor is necessary. Belief in luck is fine, but do not depend on it. I have cancer, but I never allowed cancer to have me.