She was a working mother. She had a joint family to
manage all by herself.
One day while getting ready for the office, she felt a
tiny lump near her arms. She thought- I will check it later; let me run to
work. Days passed on, and she completely forgot about the lump.
Two months later, she visited her brother’s place. Seeing
her dull face, her sister in law (Bhabhi) asked her if she is unwell. She said
that she is just tired and needs some rest. After a few minutes, she asked her
Bhabhi to check the lump that has now increased in size.
Both the ladies quickly rushed to a doctor. The doctor
examined the lump and asked her to do many tests that included a biopsy too.
A week later, her reports came. She was diagnosed with
cancer: stage 3.
She just went numb by seeing the reports. How will she
manage the home now? At that time, her kids were just 8 and 10 years old. Her
in-laws were in the late 70s and needed constant help. On the other hand, her
husband’s office demanded 12 hours of work every day. She was in a complete
dilemma.
Immediately her chemotherapy sessions started. The
endless tiring tour to the hospital began. Day by day, she had become paler and
paler. She was not interested in anything. She started losing her hair due to
high radiation. She just kept herself secluded. She had lost confidence in
herself. Most of the time, she was lost in her world, mostly worried about her
family and kids.
Her Bhabhi could not see bear the sight of her going into
the vicious circle of depression. She got her enrolled in a cancer support
group and helped her to go for a few counseling sessions.
The counselor said to her:
My Dear... That's enough for now. Women spend their life
living for others. Before marriage, it was for parents and siblings. Post
marriage, it’s for your husband and his parents and then for kids.
Now, start living for yourself. Start loving yourself.
Make yourself a priority.
A woman is the pillar of the house. She is the support
beam that balances and manages the house. If the beam gets disturbed or weak by any
means, then everything will fall apart. When you are physically healthy and
emotionally strong, you can look after the whole family. Apart from family and office work, please take out some
time for yourself. Try to indulge in a hobby.
Eventually, the counseling sessions helped to lift her spirit. She started with daily positive affirmations and meditations. After 1. 5 years of roller coaster ride, she recovered. Now she proudly says – ‘Yes, I am a breast cancer fighter and a survivor.’
She quotes Christopher Reeve: ‘Once you choose hope, anything is possible’.
This breast cancer awareness month let us pledge to pass
the warning signs which can help us in early-stage detection.
- New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
- Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
- Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
- Pain in any area of the breast.
Please keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with
other conditions that are not cancer.
Let’s defeat it through love, courage and strength.
We must work towards a world by supporting the fighters,
admiring the survivors, and honoring the taken.
Breast Cancer Info Credits : https://www.cdc.gov/
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