I got the best cancer possible!
~Manjula.K
"I am Manjula, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Jan 2023. Stage 2 cancer and not more than 2 years old. The last few months since my diagnosis have been a blur and an emotional roller coaster. I was in shock, and maybe I am still. Until a couple of weeks ago, I never spoken about my cancer to anyone apart from my immediate family and a few friends. While I am generally a private person, I also realized while going through all the tests and conversations trying to find the best doctor, that maybe I am not talking about it also because like mental illness, cancer is also a taboo in our country. "
Open-sourcing and sharing all the experiences,learnings and knowledge,the only way they say to make world a better place.So I thought maybe I should lose some of my inhibitions and share everything that I have learnt in the last 2 years, and in hindsight things I could have done better. With all the carcinogenic substances that we get exposed in todays day and age, the number of cancer cases is only going to go up in the future. Early detection is really our best option, and that I guess can happen only when everyone realizes that it can happen to anyone, even someone with no cancer history in the extended family, a very healthy diet, good fitness routine, good sleep, low stress, and no other health issues.
Flashback:
Before cancer entered my life, I was a proud mother to a 21-year-old son who had just received his visa to pursue a master’s degree in the US. He was only 19 when I was diagnosed. As a housewife, I dedicated my time to my family, but when my husband started his own business, I stepped in to manage the financial side of things. I handled where money should be spent, where to invest, and overall managed the economics of the business, while my husband focused on growth and quality. Over the past 10 years, our hard work paid off, and we reached a comfortable place both financially and mentally.
I’ve always enjoyed cooking, singing, and dancing, but what my husband and son often highlight about me is my strength. They say I’m the strongest woman they’ve ever known because of the challenges I’ve faced and overcome.
Life wasn’t always easy. A year or two before our business took off, we were in a tough financial situation. But as the business grew, so did our stability. Just when we thought we could finally relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor, cancer happened. It was a turning point that tested us in ways we never imagined.
How did I got to know about my cancer?
Well, it wasn’t from a random checkup or a sudden call. I had this worry in the back of my mind for years, but I never had the courage to go to the hospital and get checked. I kept putting it off, scared of what I might find.
Then came the day of my PET scan. I remember it so clearly—I was wearing a blue Punjabi dress, feeling super anxious and nervous. My heart was racing, and I kept praying, “Please, God, don’t let it be cancer.” But life had other plans. The scan showed two tumors between my right breast and underarm. It was a total shock. My brain went into overdrive, thinking, “What now? What’s next?”
The doctor gave me two options: Get surgery right away, followed by chemo and radiation—if I had health insurance or Wait for a month to arrange money and mentally prepare myself—if I didn’t have insurance.
Luckily, I had health insurance of 30 lacks (which turned out to be the best decision of my life—well, maybe second best, after marrying my husband, haha!). Because of that, I could move forward with treatment immediately.
The surgery : A Day of Chaos and Hope
The very next working day was my surgery(mastectomy). The house was filled with sadness and chaos as my family tried to process everything. I had already made peace with the fact that I needed to face this rough patch in my life, but my biggest worry was my son. He’s so young, and the thought that kept haunting me was: Will I live to see his wedding? Or will I leave this world too soon?
We’re a small, simple family—just the three of us. Something like this could tear us apart, leaving my husband and son feeling lonely and hopeless. All these dark thoughts were swirling in my mind, but deep down, in the corner of my heart, there was a tiny light of hope. A voice telling me, You can get through this. You’ll make it.
I held onto that hope, no matter how small it felt. I kept reminding myself of the quote "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger." And with that, I stepped forward, ready to face whatever came next. Let’s see how this story unfolds
Post-surgery: Recovery
I had pipes fixed near my armpits and breasts that were connected to a container to collect waste fluids for almost 3 weeks. I had constantly questioned myself on why someone should have cared for diet and fitness as much, if they could get cancer anyway!. I soon realized how important it is to stay healthy, apart from a thousand other reasons, you can also bounce back much faster if there were any unforeseen incidents, like the mastectomy in my case.
It may sound cliché, but when I first entered the hospital, I saw a board that said "Health is wealth." By the end of my mastectomy, I realized how true those words are. All the money in the world can’t buy perfect health, and it’s crazy how many of us take it for granted. Small changes to diet and physical activity can go a long way in improving our well-being.
The Chemo: When Your Body Feels Like a Battlefield!
After my surgery, the next phase of my treatment began: chemotherapy. Over six months, I underwent 15 chemo sessions—sometimes two in a month, and at times, even three. The first day of chemo was one of the most frightening moments of my life. My heart ached with fear and pain because everyone I had spoken to, who had gone through this before, told me how unbearable the process would be. The thought of enduring that level of pain was overwhelming
I still remember that day vividly. I was at my mom’s place, which is about an hour’s drive from my home. All my siblings were there, trying to console me, but I couldn’t hold back my tears. I cried from the depths of my heart, scared for my life and what lay ahead. At one point, I even thought about giving up on the medication and just living with whatever came my way. But my husband, son, siblings, and immediate family stood by me, offering their unwavering support. Their love gave me the strength to keep going.
On the day of my first chemo session, my husband accompanied me to the hospital. They allotted me a room and started an IV. I thought it was just a basic procedure before the actual chemo, and my husband, trying to lighten the mood, was joking around to make the environment feel less tense. To my surprise, the IV itself was the chemo! It was administered through my chemoport, a device implanted in my body (which is still there). The only moment of discomfort was when they injected the pipe, but after that, everything felt surprisingly manageable and far less painful than I had imagined.
By the end of that first session, I literally felt like I had been given a second chance at life. The fear and dread I had carried for so long began to fade, replaced by a glimmer of hope and relief. It wasn’t easy, but I realized I could face this challenge after all.
So the good bit of my Chemo is Docetaxel, one of the Chemo drugs that has high alcohol content and makes me feel intoxicated. It is almost like a welcome drink to hell that starts in two days. Yeah, surprisingly I experienced nothing for the first two days after Chemo and I thought ah this isn’t too tough, and then suddenly it hit me. It felt like being run over by a truck for the next 5 to 7 days.Weakness, joint pain, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, no sense of taste, and more. But thankfully it ended within 7 days. Since the chance of contracting an infection is the highest when in chemo, I am advised not to go to crowded places and to only eat fresh home-cooked food. While not being able to travel is an issue, I never liked outside food, so thankfully don’t really feel like I am missing anything.
Chemo drugs kill all growth cells within the body, which means that I am quickly losing muscle mass and feel tired much faster. I still try to get some form of exercise, not just for my body, but for my mind as well. Trying to do whatever to feel normal.
The effects of my second chemo session are almost as bad as my first session.But my body is used to the drugs and the 3rd and the 4th sessions are easier on my body.
The Radiation Phase: A Breeze After the Storm
After chemo came the next step: radiation. For 45 days straight, I traveled 100 kilometers every day, up and down, to get my treatment. But honestly, it felt like a walk in the park compared to everything I had already been through. The hardest parts were behind me, and radiation was just a quick, 5-minute process.
Each session involved lying inside a big, giant machine—it looked intimidating, but the process itself was simple and painless. The only side effect I experienced was some minor skin rashes, but even those healed quickly after the treatment ended.
All in all, radiation felt like the chill part of my journey. After the emotional and physical toll of surgery and chemo, it was almost refreshing to have a phase that was so straightforward. It was a reminder that even in the toughest battles, there are moments of calm.😊
Now addressing the Elephant in the room: Hair Loss
Chemo comes with its share of side effects, and one of the most challenging for women is hair loss. For many, losing hair can be a significant blow to confidence, and I was no exception. Luckily, I had shaved my head once before in my life, so I wasn’t entirely unprepared. But even with that experience, losing my hair—and eventually my eyebrows—left a deep impact on my self-esteem.
There were moments when it felt incredibly tough. I remember breaking down in tears while trying to apply kajal to my now-empty eyebrows. Going out in public, especially for work, was a struggle. But despite the emotional toll, I pushed myself to keep going. I showed up to business everyday, faced the world, and refused to let hair loss define me.
The science behind it is simple: the medication in chemo targets all fast-growing cells, including hair follicles. That’s why hair loss happens. But the good news is, once the treatment ended, my hair started growing back quickly. Within two weeks of finishing radiation, I noticed my hair growth had doubled, and slowly but surely, I got my hair back.
What kept me going through this phase was the unwavering support of my family. Not once did my husband or son make me feel ashamed of my appearance. They never made my hair loss an issue, and their love and encouragement gave me the strength to face the world with my head held high—literally and figuratively.
The Conclusion
Looking back at this journey—surgery, chemo, radiation, and all the challenges in between—I realize how much I’ve grown. It wasn’t easy. There were days filled with fear, pain, and tears, but there were also moments of hope, resilience, and unexpected strength.
This experience taught me that life’s toughest battles often reveal our deepest courage. The support of my family, especially my husband and son, was my anchor. Their love reminded me that I was never alone, even on the darkest days. And while hair loss and other side effects tested my confidence, they also showed me that true beauty and strength come from within.
Life after cancer isn’t just about moving on—it’s about moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation for every single day. Here’s to second chances, to love, and to the unshakable strength within us all. 💖
With Heartfelt Gratitude
I would like to extend my deepest thanks to the incredible doctors and nurses at Yashoda Medical Hospital, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad. A special mention to Dr. Naidu and Dr. Rajesh, whose expertise and compassion made this journey bearable. To all the medical staff—thank you for your unwavering care and support.
To my husband,my son, my siblings, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, friends, and family members—your love, encouragement, and presence were my pillars of strength. I could not have done this without you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing by me every step of the way.
Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and I am forever grateful for all of you.