Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Cancer is a word that evokes fear of death and unbearable pain. However, there are a few who overcame the fear, fought against the dreaded disease and won. Of course, treatment played its role but it was their strong willpower that helped them successfully defeat cancer.
On the eve of World Cancer Day, Free Press talked to a few cancer survivors from Madhya Pradesh to know how they battled the disease.
Excerpts :
Thought death would be better
59-year-old arts and crafts instructor at Jawahar Bal Bhawan, Bhopal, Sunita Sharma was diagnosed with lymph node cancer in 2005. She was operated upon at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and advised six each chemo and radiation sessions. She however discontinued after two chemos and went for naturopathy and yoga. “It was so painful that I thought death would be a better option.” Twenty years later, she is fine. “I get check-up done every year or two and except for weakness, I have no problem,” she said. “I could recover because of my will power. I hated cancer and had decided to defeat it come what may,” she says.
Don’t delay treatment
43-year-old homemaker Ujra discovered in 2023 that she was suffering from colon cancer. The doctors advised that treatment should begin immediately. Her in-laws and other family members , however, declared that what the doctors were saying was wrong and that her problems were due to wicked spirits. And so, witch doctors began treating her. After a while, her husband Sadat Bharti, a senior theater artist, put his foot down and against the wishes of his family, admitted her to a hospital. Two surgeries and 25 radiation therapies later, she is fine. She goes for a check-up every three months. “Don’t delay treatment once a cancer diagnosis is confirmed,” she says.
Preparing for civil services
25-year-old Sachin Sahu who hails from Guna was diagnosed with blood cancer when he was 14. His local doctor referred him to Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital where his treatment started within three-day. Sachin got 8-9 chemotherapy and radiation therapy in three sessions in a gap of 15-20 days. After that he took maintenance therapy in which he had to take tablets for two years continuously. After three years of treatment, he is now healthy and preparing for civil services exams. “I was able to survive just because of the immense support of the doctor, family and God. I followed all the precautions, mainly maintaining hygiene and food and treatment process.”
BP shot up
67-year-old homemaker Meena Thakur from Burhanpur was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 . It was in the first stage. She started taking treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital, Bhopal within a month after the diagnosis. She went through 12 chemotherapy sessions. After the therapy, she became very weak and some digestion problems started. But later it was okay. “My blood pressure shot up when I heard that I had cancer. Then the doctors relaxed me saying that I will be okay after proper treatment. Now I am quite healthy and have no issues. In fact, my hair did not fall after chemo,” she said.
