Cancer scares people, and they get uncomfortable. Cancer is a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But the truth is, cancer has been both my enemy and my friend. I lost my mother to cancer whereas I survived an advanced stage 3B (triple-negative) breast cancer at the age of 32....
My Fight Against Breast Cancer
Cancer scares people, and they get uncomfortable. Cancer is a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But the truth is, cancer has been both my enemy and my friend. I lost my mother to cancer whereas I survived an advanced stage 3B (triple-negative) breast cancer at the age of 32. This is my story.
I was no stranger to cancer, it had touched my family earlier when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. She was treated and getting on with her life when cancer reared its head again in January 2006, this time more aggressive, attacking her liver, lungs, and brain. I saw her in pain and suffering.
Being her only child, she could never share her pain or problems with me. She wouldn’t accept the recurrence of the disease and slowly gave up the will to fight any further. She battled cancer for 4 years but eventually, we lost her to the disease at 55 years of age in 2007.
Cancer Came Knocking At My Door It was April 2013 – I was just 32 then, I was accidentally hit on my left breast while walking on a busy Delhi street which I thought would heal on its own. However, the pain persisted even after a week and I realized it was time to consult a doctor.
I underwent a breast ultrasound, FNAC (a diagnostic procedure used to investigate lumps or masses under the skin) and biopsy, and the reports came positive for breast cancer at stage 3B (triple negative). Cancer was in an advanced stage and had occupied more than half of the left breast. Triple negative is a variant of breast cancer that has a tendency to spread faster to other organs. It also does not respond to hormonal tablets and was in most likelihood ‘inherited’.
My worst fear had now turned into a bitter reality. I thought my life was slipping out of my hands. “Why me?” this question kept bothering me for a long while. A strange anger was bubbling inside me. I was worried about my life but more so for my daughter. She was only twelve years old at that time.
I Took A Vow To Fight It Head On! It was difficult but I had to accept it. Only by accepting, I was able to move on from there, making myself physically and mentally strong to fight the disease and face the side-effects of the treatment.
When you lean into the opening that a cancer diagnosis creates, you may quickly realize that all you have is the present moment. Being strong was my only choice. I imbibed this never-give-up fighter’s spirit from my mother. Giving up was never an option for me. I was determined to fight the disease. The support and understanding of my family and friends motivated me to give cancer a tough fight.
The Treatment Phase… I underwent 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by 25 sessions of radiation. I also had to undergo mastectomy (surgical removal of a breast) of the affected breast. After my first chemotherapy, the pain was unbearable and it made me think of my mother and her suffering. I knew what I didn’t have to do. In a way, my mother’s situation taught me at least that.
I began to understand the changes my body was going through and prepared myself for each round of the treatment. Hair fall and mastectomy were really difficult to live with as it affected my self-confidence. I started welcoming advice and tips from friends and family and incorporated them the best I could. A positive attitude kept me going in those difficult days.
