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.

Ça a commencé avec une bosse

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.

Ma première réaction

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.

 Donc, après avoir été diagnostiquée, la toute première chose qui m'est venue à l'esprit était que je devais survivre. Je devais vivre pour ma famille et mes enfants. Je dois faire tous les efforts possibles pour guérir.

Traitement

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.

Une nouvelle vie

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.

J'ai étudié à nouveau. J'ai fait mon MS en counseling. J'ai fait beaucoup de choses après le cancer que je n'aurais pas faites autrement. J'allais avec le courant. Le cancer a été le catalyseur qui a fait ressortir mon potentiel intérieur. C'était une vie douée pour moi. Ma vie est bien meilleure qu'avant. 

Les enfants étaient la plus grande source d'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.

J'étais un étudiant méritant mais j'ai dû abandonner mes études pour me marier. J'ai toujours pensé que j'avais le potentiel pour aider les autres. Le cancer m'a donné la raison de réaliser tout ce que j'ai toujours voulu faire.

Message

Ne pensez jamais trop souvent au cancer. Ne vous concentrez pas sur le cancer. Pensez-y, ni négatif ni positif. Parce que de toute façon, cela vous amène cette pensée à l’esprit. Concentrez-vous plutôt sur quelque chose que vous voulez aujourd’hui. Proposez de nouvelles idées. Profite de ta vie. C’est bien que vous en soyez conscient, mais cela ne devrait pas être votre priorité. Ne vous considérez pas comme un survivant. Considérez-le comme une partie de la vie. 

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.