Posted On Saturday, February 04, 2012 at 12:28:17 AM
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| Nikhil Ghorpade |
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| Meher Bharucha |
Fighting against all odds and emerging as a winner marks an act of heroism! And highlights how the human spirit can emerge victorious.
Sharing one such story is 64-year-old Meher Bharucha, a retired teacher from St Mary’s, who defeated breast cancer.
It was in May 2005 on a trip to Mumbai when she discovered something was wrong. “It was a chance discovery. I was sleeping on my stomach when I felt some hardness in my breasts. I thought it might be bones or something. But I had this feeling that something was not right.
So, after I returned to Pune, I went straight to Jehangir Hospital where I met Dr C Koppikar who took some tests. He was very understanding.”
On detection, Bharucha’s first reaction was but natural — shock. “I was in denial and at first, I felt that the reports were wrong. Then, I felt - why me? A lot of emotions passed through. But with the support of my friends and family, I went through that phase.” Surgery and six months of chemotherapy and its radiation was not the problem. What really troubled her was the after-radiation treatment. Five years of hormone therapy was a difficult phase.
Bharucha survived by taking each day as it came with strength and confidence. “During chemotherapy, I took care of myself by eating the right food. I was supported at school too, where everyone prayed for me regularly. It was surprising to see their encouragement and I believe their prayers also helped me get over it.”
There were times, when she suffered from bouts of depression. “I had my father and I had to be strong for him. He was in denial in the initial stages and would say things like ‘don’t tell me things like that’. He could not cope with it. But when he accepted it finally, he gave me his full support. Thinking about his welfare helped to think about myself.”
Bharucha resumed work after her chemotherapy sessions. Today, she is free from cancer and has even stopped the hormone therapy. “When the hormone therapy stopped, it was a big event, worth celebration. I was very happy. But I am still getting over the after-effects.”
In times like these, reflecting on your survival journey helps your inner self. “I have done a lot of reflection. There was an inner journey transition. I felt I could have done some things differently. I was or rather am a perfectionist. I dealt strongly with my friends and those around me. If I had to do things all over again, then probably I would be more tolerant about perfection or be more laidback towards people and other things.”
Bharucha is connected with the Prashanti Cancer Care Mission’s support group and joined them after about nine months of her surgery. “It is a wonderful support group and you come to know others who have gone through the same pain as me. You realise it is not just you and you can deal with things. The common thread of pain is present through all of us. The experience makes us stronger.”
She shares a bit of advice, “Try to be positive all the way. Try being with those who make you laugh and make you think about other things, not the disease.” She narrates that some would talk to her about those who suffered from cancer or died due to it. It was not a nice feeling for her.
“Some others would tell jokes or take me out and so on. All this helped me. Sometimes, in Prashanti, someone would be feeling low. I always tell them to talk to the other survivors. This talk acts as a catharsis.”
With her struggle, Meher Bharucha talks about beating just about any odds or difficulties that life throws at you!
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09:58:26 PM