A moving session on the final day of the Times LitFest in the Capital had Manisha Koirala, a cancer survivor, share her tale of courage and loss
Chandna Arora (BOMBAY TIMES; December 4, 2015)
Actress Manisha Koirala was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, and in 2015, was declared cancer-free for about two years. Here's her account of survivor ship...
NEED TO INCULCATE PRACTICE OF REGULAR CHECK-UPS
Manisha started the session by speaking about the importance of regular check-ups, and the fact that consulting a doctor is only considered when people are already ill. “For me also, the diagnosis was accidental, because I don't think we're trained to do regular checkups. Normally, we consult a doctor or go to hospitals only when we're falling sick or something's wrong. We don't have it in our daily routine to go for regular checkups. That's a big point that we need to inculcate in us now.“
NEVER HAD THE 'WHY ME?' REACTION
There was never a point when Manisha thought 'Why me?'“I did have a long period of introspection, because somewhere, I thought this was the end. I thought, so is this all my life is? If I get a second chance, what would I do differently? I decided to look within, follow my heart, and do what gives me peace, joy, well-being,“ she said.
CANCER AFFECTS THE ENTIRE FAMILY
“I felt very guilty for putting my family in this situation, I did feel, oh my god, because of me they are suffering. But my parents, family, friends they mattered a lot. They continuously gave me positive talk, encouragement, the right information. I realised that my cancer made my family much closer. Now when we are going through a difficult time, we think, if we could get through that, we can get through anything.Cancer happens to one person, but it affects the entire family. You grow as a person and learn to really honour your body and your life,“ she said.
WEST IS FAR AHEAD IN TREATING THE NEEDS OF CANCER PATIENTS
“I was diagnosed in Nepal, then taken to Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. When they realised it was going to be a complicated surgery we went to Sloan-Kettering in the US.They (in the west) have a whole system to look after the patient in every aspect. I had people coming to ask me if I wanted to commit suicide! They've gone far ahead in anticipating the concerns and needs of cancer patients,“ she added.
NEED TO INCULCATE PRACTICE OF REGULAR CHECK-UPS
Manisha started the session by speaking about the importance of regular check-ups, and the fact that consulting a doctor is only considered when people are already ill. “For me also, the diagnosis was accidental, because I don't think we're trained to do regular checkups. Normally, we consult a doctor or go to hospitals only when we're falling sick or something's wrong. We don't have it in our daily routine to go for regular checkups. That's a big point that we need to inculcate in us now.“
NEVER HAD THE 'WHY ME?' REACTION
There was never a point when Manisha thought 'Why me?'“I did have a long period of introspection, because somewhere, I thought this was the end. I thought, so is this all my life is? If I get a second chance, what would I do differently? I decided to look within, follow my heart, and do what gives me peace, joy, well-being,“ she said.
CANCER AFFECTS THE ENTIRE FAMILY
“I felt very guilty for putting my family in this situation, I did feel, oh my god, because of me they are suffering. But my parents, family, friends they mattered a lot. They continuously gave me positive talk, encouragement, the right information. I realised that my cancer made my family much closer. Now when we are going through a difficult time, we think, if we could get through that, we can get through anything.Cancer happens to one person, but it affects the entire family. You grow as a person and learn to really honour your body and your life,“ she said.
WEST IS FAR AHEAD IN TREATING THE NEEDS OF CANCER PATIENTS
“I was diagnosed in Nepal, then taken to Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. When they realised it was going to be a complicated surgery we went to Sloan-Kettering in the US.They (in the west) have a whole system to look after the patient in every aspect. I had people coming to ask me if I wanted to commit suicide! They've gone far ahead in anticipating the concerns and needs of cancer patients,“ she added.