It was a usual Sunday, in the last week of March 2015; I was getting dressed to go to my regular session of ‘Sudarshan Kriya’ from Art of Living, I felt a lump on my left breast. It was alarming but I never thought it would be serious as I am a regular morning walker, yoga person, and also practice meditation since 1990.

I felt a lump on my left breast. … but I never thought it would be serious as I am a regular morning walker, yoga person, and also practice meditation…

Thinking nothing serious can happen to me, we went on a family trip to Chandigarh and after we came back, I went to my gynecologist who is also my friend. I told her about this lump and she suggested that I should get all my tests done. I took her advice and by evening of that fretful day, I was diagnosed with cancerous tumor on my left breast. I was very shocked along with the rest of the family.

I started to read a lot on breast cancer while also searching for a good breast surgeon. I was guided by one of my students whose husband was a doctor in Apollo Hospital, Dr. Ramesh Sarin. Thus, I started my journey of cancer treatment. Dr. Sarin got all my tests done like PET/MRI, radiology tests etc. and my report said that I was in the 2nd stage with ER, PR positive which requires a treatment which is very expensive. I asked the doctor whether a 65 year lady should spend so much money on her breast cancer treatment. He patiently advised me that it is worth spending on the breast cancer treatment and he assured me that with positive thinking and proper medical procedures, I might be able to defeat breast cancer.

Within a week my one and only surgery was carried out. Throughout the procedure and tests, I was continuously chanting ‘Om Namah Shivay’. Somehow, I did not feel any pain during and even after the surgery.

I continued my ‘Sudarshan Kriya’ from the same day of my surgery and I did not see even a single drop of blood. I was at home after 3-4 days and started going back to school where I was teaching. After a few days, I started with the chemotherapy sessions and they were scary. The after effects of each chemotherapy session was very challenging. I faced difficulty in eating, had a loss of hair, and sometimes I was badly fatigued. My chemotherapy sessions used to be on Saturdays and though I was drained out at times still I never missed my sessions of ‘Sudarshan Kriya’ on Sunday mornings that lasted for two hours. On Mondays, I used to join the school back.

I believe that all my strength, stamina was from my regular yoga, meditation and walk, though now I walk comparatively slow. Also, strong emotional support from my family, especially from my son, helped me cope-up with the side effects and face the trauma bravely. My son really looked after my diet too during this period.

I continued with my tuition batches as well since I could not leave my class 12 students halfway through their academic session. This is what kept me going strong and forgetting about me for a while. 

I also attended a few sessions of Sister Shivani that were organized by Apollo Hospital that further boosted my morale and helped me in gaining self-confidence and positive attitude.

My treatment continued for one year and after that I had follow-ups every three months and now every six months. I still take one medicine daily that I need to continue for another two years along with MRI, X-Ray scans and other tests that need to be done as and when my doctor advises. I am leading my life normally like anyone else. 

Basically, what is required to fight this deadly disease is a proper diet, regular yoga, morning walk, meditation which gives you strong will power. All these cannot be achieved without the support of family. 

Nothing is impossible, once you decide and are firm with positive thoughts.