Battling Cancer is one of the toughest struggles that one can ever think of.
While many choose to struggle in silence, there are few who gather the courage to speak about their fears and pain to inspire others.
One such perfect example of such a brave soul is Manisha Koirala, who wears the tag of being a cancer survivor with extreme pride and courage. In 2012, when Manisha Koirala was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she embarked on a difficult and lonely journey. And, from time to time, she has come forward to speak about her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Recently, in interaction with author-journalist, Sathya Saran, Manisha revealed how she had to make peace with the fear and uncertainty of death that cancer brings along.
“There was a time I would ask the doctors to give me a guarantee of how much time I have, but gradually, I made peace with fear and death. That’s what taught me to make the most of all I have, and it has now become an extension of my personality.”
Manisha was already struggling with life when the sad diagnosis of Cancer hit her.
In the midst of having no films to work on and pain of broken marriage, Manisha was hit with the biggest shock of life as she was at the last stage of her Ovarian cancer,
She further added,
“I thought I had not lived my life fully; everything was baaki.”
The actress also talked about the time when she was declared cancer-free and said,
“Later, I discovered that not everyone is cruel or mean. People accepted and appreciated my journey and that gave me strength.”
Though she fought like a true warrior against cancer, her journey was neither easy nor simple.
In an interview with India Today, Manisha also opened up on how she reacted when people disappointed her at that lowest phase of her life:
“Yes, I was upset with certain people who I was expecting to be by my side. But it also made me ask- “Have I been as good or have disappointed someone like this?” It made me change the way I deal with people. I now rather be there for friends in the toughest time.
The superficiality is gone. Sometimes you don’t even have to yap, you can just be there and make your presence felt. All you need to say, “I am there if you need me for anything even if it is as at 12am.”
You don’t need 20,000 people just two to three people whom you can fall back on in crisis hour. The six-month ordeal has made me value relationships and people a lot more. You realize what is essential and what’s not in your life.
If it is flight cancellation or being stuck in traffic, I don’t get bogged down or upset. I don’t see things from a worm’s perspective but a bird’s perspective. I smile at problems.”
Also Read: Cancer Survivor Sonali Bendre’s Emotional Post On Wedding Anniversary Shows What True Marriage Is
In an interview with the PTI, Manisha shared how cancer became the best teacher and taught her the real value of life:
“I took my life for granted. I neglected my health, that is why cancer came to me as a teacher, it came to me as a lesson. And, I value my life more now, love my family, value my health because I realised if one is not healthy, one cannot enjoy any aspect of living.”
Manisha also shared in the same interview that there were not many cancer survivors’ positive stories from India:
“When I was sick, I was searching for positive stories. I could not get many stories, except the success story of (actor) Lisa Ray and (cricketer) Yuvraj Singh, who came out fighting successfully with cancer.
So I decided that when I recover, I will share my stories with people. I also believe that sharing helps lower the burden from your head and heart. Hence, I wrote the book.”
And, now not only through various events but also through her book: Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life, she is inspiring many to fight against cancer like a true warrior.
Also Read: Cancer Made Me Fearless: Sonali Bendre’s Inspiring Cancer Struggle
Cancer & Women In India
Do you know one woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India? Do you know for every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one woman dies of it?
These shocking numbers reflect a very ugly picture of women’s health in our country. These numbers are the reason why we need cancer survivor stories much more than ever!
While we pray no one has to encounter this disease, we do hope more and more cancer victims and survivors will come forward to build awareness.
We need women to strongly prepare themselves and their families to fight this ugly disease!