My mother underwent a surgery on 20th June, post which we were doing the hospital rounds for around three to four months. Though she was recommended six Kemoterapi cycles, we went ahead with two. She went through countless emotions, changes in her body, and behaviour during the surgery's recovery month. It was after that she went for Chemotherapy but didn't feel any improvement. On the contrary, she was feeling uneasy and unmotivated. It was then, that I took the reigns in my hands and explained to my mother to switch to alternative methods of treatment. I recommended her to focus on lifestyle changes rather than sticking to the conventional chemical route.

Min mamma är en hemmafru. Vi är en vanlig indisk familj med frekventa indiska problem som att locka barnet att gifta sig, trycket från hushållssysslorna på damen och liknande. Men allt blev för mycket för min mamma, som blev stressad. Emotionell stress är utbredd i Indien, men vi misslyckas ofta med att diskutera det med våra nära och kära. Dessutom hade vi nyligen bytt hem, och det ökade också den mentala stressen. Ditt sinne och din kropps tillstånd spelar en avgörande roll i utvecklingen av cancerceller i kroppen.

Vi började fundera på andra alternativ för att hålla min mamma borta från kemoterapicykler. Jag sa åt min mamma att gå över till en naturlig livsstil och kost för att förbättra hennes hälsa. Att välja behandlingsväg är ett av de mest förvirrande och svåra val som jag var tvungen att göra. Jag rådfrågade några människor inom olika områden och kopplade till dem. Det bästa sättet att lära sig om alternativ behandling är genom att nå ut till personer som har genomgått samma situation och erfarenhet. Det var då jag var fast besluten om läkningsprogram.

People often ask me what made me change my mind because steering clear of Chemotherapy seems like a risky choice. The fact is that I am a very natural person who believes that nature is a fantastic healer. I read a lot about alternative healers and reached a firm conclusion. There was a point when I was the only one supporting alternative treatment because I could see my mother's condition deteriorating and I couldn't bear her suffering. My sister and I explored multiple options to find what's ideal. Though everyone around us kept urging us towards chemotherapy, we didn't let fear stop us.

Cancerbehandling är en mycket personlig angelägenhet. Alla har en unik kropp och olika typer av cancer. Så, när alla är olika, hur kan en behandling då passa alla? Varje cancerkämpe måste välja det som är bäst för dem. Om någon är bekväm med kemoterapi och de ser de positiva resultaten, måste de vifta med den gröna flaggan för det.

Presently, I'm 24 years old, and I have been a Vegan for around one year now. I understand the direct link between your lifestyle and your health. The food you consume is a propeller that decides the direction your body moves in. Convincing others was the biggest challenge because they had not undergone and experienced the body changes that I had. They were virtually unaware of the benefits of what I was suggesting at that point and time. Now, my mother's hair is coming back, and she is having a good time with her family and friends. Yoga har också hjälpt henne att behålla en lugn och vältränad kropp.

My most significant advantage was my access to people with a similar story. I was able to make them understand my beliefs and consequently got an insight into what they had to offer. Not many sufferers have the blessing of such a support system. I have been a person who is always faithful to myself. I follow what I believe in and do not get influenced by others. But, we are also lucky and thankful that our decision has worked out in our favour. With so many striking opinions from everyone around you, such as hospitals, and insurance companies, and likewise, you get to see the ground reality of business and living.

Every 90s kid remembers Captain Planet's words that the power is always inside you. My message to every fighter out there is to believe in yourself and not give up hope. You are only as strong as you consider yourself to be. On the other hand, caregivers must also keep aside a recharge time for themselves. I used to spend time in the hospital the whole week and then take a break on Sunday. Or, I would walk for 10 minutes in the nearby park each day to relax my mind and connect with nature and myself. It's been a rollercoaster ride, but now it is all peaceful.