Audacity of Hope: Breast Cancer Thriver With An Iron Will (2 of 2)

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Despite all your preparation, what if your treatments don’t turn out as expected? Rupa discovered that her lymph nodes were infected even after the best possible treatment. Read on to learn how she kept the hope alive in this 2nd article of a 2-part series.

After the surgery, Rupa didn’t feel great pain. But the very next day, when the surgeon came to dress her 30 stitches, she cringed and cried with pain. She experienced a strange numbness on the right side of her chest and then she realized that what she had expected before the surgery had become a reality.

Another Bump in the Road

It teaches you the meaning of life

After her successful surgery, Rupa was delighted to be on her way to regaining a happy and a normal life. But after only a week or so, when the whole family was thinking of a grand celebration, the unthinkable happened.

Her histology reports showed only a partial response to the chemotherapy and some of her lymph nodes turned out to have been affected, in spite of the fact that she had received the latest and most effective drugs. However, the biology of her cancer cells was such that her doctors gave her a 50-50% chance of recurrence. She was advised further chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Instead of relying on sheer luck, Rupa made up her mind to see through her treatments bravely.

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

While on one hand there was a 50% chance of cancer recurrence, on the other, Rupa tested positive for hormone therapy. This would be given for up to 5 years and would give her a better than even chance of staying cancer free.

Every cloud has a silver lining

What also worked in her favour was her tremendous self-belief that the the treatments would be totally effective and that she would rid herself of the cancer completely.

The journey won’t be easy but Rupa is confident in herself, the love she draws from her family and the strength she gains from her spiritual connectedness.

I Am The Winner

As Rupa herself says “I know, that I have to be more careful, watchful and even more positive. As every journey has its end, I too am moving towards the end of my treatment and back to my home in Australia very soon. I’ll be the same disciplined mom, caring wife, responsible working woman and superwoman amongst my friends. I know the battle is still not finished but I feel that I AM THE WINNER. I know that I’ve confidence and I can fight and I’ll win always. TOGETHER WE CAN FIGHT CANCER, is what I say. God bless all my family members, friends, relatives and well wishers, a special thanks to my husband and kids”.

Reflection

  • How do you deal with the inevitable ups and downs of the cancer journey?
  • What will help you bounce back, even after a major setback?
  • How resilient are you now, compared to the time before cancer?
  • What has changed for you after the cancer experience?
  • How do you plan to integrate your new-found perspective in your life?

Author

Saurabh Dubey a student of Advertising at EMDI in Mumbai. It’s a bit strange to describe myself, as I’m a man of few words! I’m a blessed person who has incredibly loving and caring parents, siblings and friends. I love simplicity, sincerity and also to explore my surroundings. I’m also a yet-to-be-discovered poet!

More from this series

Title About the article
Part 1 This article chronicles the life changing experiences of my dear aunt, who lives by the rule, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’.
Part 2 After the surgery, Rupa didn’t feel great pain. But the very next day, when the surgeon came to dress her 30 stitches, she cringed and cried with pain. She experienced a strange numbness on the right side of her chest and then she realized that what she had expected before the surgery had become a reality.

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