Cancer Healing Journeys by ZenOnco.io & Love Heals Cancer

This story is about Dimple Raj, a Marathon Runner who fought and was cured of Ovarian Cancer. She is from a family of Doctors. A wife, a mother, an employee, and a social worker who urges cancer patients and survivors to be positive, healthy and to live in the present moment, as much as possible. She also urges women above 35 years of age to go for regular health check-ups, as Ovarian Cancer doesn’t have any symptoms at first. Cancer has not stopped her from dreaming about Skydiving, which she plans to do in 2022. Dimple had Cancer, but Cancer did not have her. She joined many associations to help cancer patients and survivors with her experience and advice. However, surrounding herself with positive people, diet, yoga, and music and having her husband and her son 24/7 helped her recover fast.

Prabir Roy was a caregiver for his wife, who suffered from Colorectal Cancer. She passed away in January, 2013. A lump was found in her neck and a surgery was also done to remove the lump. She was also advised to perform radiation and chemotherapy. However, the cancer had spread to advanced stages. The bleeding in the stools had stopped due to medication, but the tumour had aggravated. She had only a month to live. She was also advised to perform yoga, and consume vegetables, fresh fruits and dry fruits. Roy loved his wife and so did his wife!

Heena Saini was diagnosed 11 years ago on 1st July 2010. She found the lump in her left breast. She consulted the local doctor, who told her to consult the gynecologist. Then she got her mammography & FNAC done, which showed that she is close to cancer. Then she went to SCG Bangalore, where the doctor told her to go for six chemos, three surgeries & 30 radiations. There were some side effects of chemo & radiation on her. During the treatment, she even talked to other patients who have recovered. The anesthesia was not working on her body. This resulted in long surgeries. In mid-January, she got her last radiation. On the 25th of February 2011, she got leave. She was on a PET scan for three years & now it's been 5-6 years and she is all well.

I was a caregiver for my father when he was 79 years old. I am a dentist and neuroscientist by profession. In December 2019, my father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It is a type of bone marrow cancer. In September 2019, he seemed all fine but I did notice him losing his appetite and swelling in gums. I have been a primary caregiver of my father for almost nine months. I have learned various things in the journey. Every day you have to look forward despite the outcome. A caregiver must understand that this is not a battle; this is a journey. It is not a struggle; it is just life with some ups and downs. He passed away on 24th July 2020. My life as a caregiver was a pleasant journey with my dad. We had an understanding between us. As a primary caregiver, I was his everything, from being a daughter to a doctor or nurse.

Shruti's mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. She was taken to Kokilaben hospital for treatment. Doctors did her surgery, and the removal of the breast was not required the first time. She returned to her everyday life, doing some work at home and even went on some trips. But then, in 2017, she had a fever and was taken to the hospital. The lump size had grown, and the doctors even had to remove the right breast. She underwent surgery, chemo but not radiation because radiation had many side effects. She was taken home after the treatment and removal. Again, it appeared for the third time. This time they could see it on her breast and the lumps started to come outside of her body. This was when the family knew that she only had some time left with them. Her medicines were not working. They even consulted other doctors and they said the same. Then one day, she started having breathlessness and was lying on the floor. This lasted for some time and she left them.

She was a positive but carefree person before cancer. She was almost 54 when the cancer was diagnosed in 2015. The doctor conducted a biopsy and the reports came positive. She went for treatment where her breast was removed in surgery. Then she went for chemotherapy. It was painful but she somehow kept her will strong through it. Then she completed 6-cycles of chemo. Radiation was not required in her case. The doctor asked her to just do the follow-up. She then recovered. Later she followed her passion. She learned dancing & swimming. She won many awards for acting. She was Mrs India. She has won Nari Samman Award. Now she is living her life the way she wants. Cancer has made many changes like she knows how to deal with people now. Before cancer, she was not financially strong enough but after cancer, she is financially stable enough to help other people.

Gayatri Bhat is a Blood Cancer Survivor. She was suffering from cancer for 9 years. She had a relapse of the disease twice. She had the will to overcome the disease and survive. She urges the patients to be mentally strong. She wants the patients to live fully. She never gave up. She always had her family and children for her support. She wants the patients to do yoga and perform asanas regularly. She is really grateful, and always felt God on her side.

Madhu Chouhan is a housewife. At 26, she felt a lump on her right breast and contacted the native doctor, who recommended her to contact one of the senior doctors for treatment. Doctor did the surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She got cured. While she was living a normal life she again got cancer in her left breast. She again fought the cancer and recovered. She fought cancer two times. Her husband was very supportive throughout the process.

My father’s Cancer diagnosis completely changed my life. I have been his caregiver for 4½ months. Almost eight months back, my dad was unable to swallow the food properly. We then consulted the doctor. After the endoscopy, it was found out that my father has a tumor. The biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. He was not able to consume any solid food and was entirely on a liquid diet. We accepted the news and moved on to find what we can do from here onwards. We shared cancer surviving stories so that everyone knows that there is a possibility and cancer cannot be the end. My father took the news positively and decided to fight back. He always said he will be okay. The cancer journey is itself very exhausting, and it has an impact on both patient as well as the caregiver’s life. But, with positivity, support, the right advice, anyone can move forward and fight this battle.

Ruchi Sabharwal is a breast cancer survivor. She first got cancer in 2007. She went to Tata Memorial Hospital for her treatment. She recovered from it. After 13 years during the pandemic she lost her husband due to cardiac arrest in August 2020. She got a lump back in October 2020. She again went to the same hospital for treatment, got herself treated and underwent 12 chemos and radiations.Doctors told her that she will take 6 months or so to recover. She is still in the recovery process.Doctors told her to go for 6 more chemotherapy cycles. Homeotherapy treatment went along as well. She will recover soon. Her children are her motivation. They are the reason why she is motivated to live. They are her support system.