After breast cancer, wrote books, did PhD, encouraged women, I did not give up, I defeated the disease.

Cancer and son’s exams came together

I have always been very active and fit. Despite this I got breast cancer. I suddenly started feeling pain in my breast. When I went for mammography, the report asked me to get tested for cancer. The report was positive. My entire family was surprised to hear this. I came to know about breast cancer in February and my son’s 10th board exams were going to be held in March. The husband became disheartened after hearing this news. But I kept encouraging him/her.

I did not want to take any risk regarding my son’s education, so I clearly told the doctor that I will get the surgery done only after my son’s exams are over. The doctor explained a lot, but I remained adamant on my insistence. I immediately got the surgery done after my son’s exam. Meanwhile, the doctor took constant care of me. About two months after breast cancer surgery, both my ovaries and uterus also had to be removed.

Used to look at Wankhede Stadium from the hospital

My breast cancer surgery was done in Bombay Hospital. Wankhede Stadium was visible from there. At that time the Wankhede Stadium was being renovated. I would look at the stadium and think, both of us are being repaired. Soon both of us will be like new. I wrote many poems in the hospital, looking at the Wankhede Stadium.

Cancer patients need a lot of family support. The first question that comes to the mind of a cancer patient is why did this happen to me? In such a mental condition, the love and care of the family boosts the patient’s courage. My family took care of me like a child. Encouraged me all the time. This helped me recover quickly.

Frozen shoulder pain after breast cancer

If proper exercise is not done after breast cancer surgery, the chances of suffering from frozen shoulder increases. My cousin Mamta Agarwal, who herself suffered from frozen shoulder, now tells many women ways to avoid it. Mamta Aggarwal gifts exercise materials like coconut oil, smiley balls, scarves to breast cancer patients.
I never let cancer come in my way. I now counsel many women. Inspire them to fight cancer. There is great joy and solace in encouraging other women.

got a hole in the eye

I am always on adventures. A few years ago I went to my maternal home. There she was jumping in the swimming pool. While going under the tube, my eye got injured and the retina of one eye got detached. Due to this I lost the vision in one eye. My eye treatment is still going on.

Wrote books after cancer

I am from Katni city of Madhya Pradesh. Was good in studies since childhood. I did B.Sc. Did MA in both Hindi and English. I have been a university topper. I started writing stories and poems from a young age. I used to dance very well. I received Katni’s ‘Best Child Artist’ award for dance. After me, many Marwari families taught dance to their daughters.

When I came to Mumbai after marriage, I had to give up many opportunities for my family for some time, but writing always continued. My husband always supported me, that is why I was able to do so much social work. I am the director of Parsai Manch, founder of Vama Club related to women, and have been writing columns in many newspapers and magazines. he/she also did a lot of writing work for film, television and radio. But the real change in my life came after breast cancer.

I have been writing stories and poems since a young age. But I never thought of collecting them and giving them the form of a book. When I got free time during cancer treatment, I put my stories together. In this way my first story collection ‘Murde Itihas Nahi Likte’ was published. After this, the satire collection ‘Teri-Meri-Sabki’, novel ‘Adrishya’, short novel ‘Hashtag Meera’, short story collection ‘Fans Ke Idhar Udhar’, poetry collection ‘Bikharte Harsingaar’ were published. This gave me creative satisfaction. After cancer, I did my PhD.

it is important to be strong

I am mentally strong so I never give up. I have always been active. Even now yoga, pranayam, dance are an essential part of my life and are included in my daily routine. I want to tell all women to get mammography done after the age of 30. With this you can protect yourself from breast cancer.