Swagatika Acharya

“ I never knew that Cancer, a word that creates terror in our minds, will be one of the special parts of my life. When I was only 19, I was diagnosed with Nasopharynx Carcinoma, a type of Cancer. Seeing my reports, everyone broke down. However, I never thought Cancer to be that big, I always thought that it’s just like a normal disease. I went to Tata Memorial, Mumbai for my treatment. It took us 10 long days to get my protocol from them and then we came back to Bhubaneswar and got my treatment started. But during those days in Mumbai, I saw Papa lying like a kid while confessing whether I will be back to normal or not and on that particular day I promised myself to win over cancer and not only that, I promised myself to be an example to those who say Cancer is not curable.

On  my birthday, my first chemo started. Due to the side effect of chemo, when the hair fall started, I decided to go bald. After that, people questioned my beauty and suggested that I should wear a wig. I loved my hair, but I took this step because I believe that beauty is always within us, inside our heart. I chose to be beautiful from my heart. I used to click bald pictures of mine and upload them to reflect that nothing can ever break you.

The radiation phase made me learn about the realities of life. I lost my voice for 4 months and got mouth ulcers for which I was not able to consume any solid food. My food pipe got squeezed and I was only able to take 4 glasses of liquid a day. It took me over an hour to consume one glass of liquid.  Everyone around me was getting demotivated and sad, but my father used to say, "Beta, duniya mein jitna dukh nai, hamara dukh usse bohut kam hai”. I then realized there are a lot of other people who are fighting to survive and if they can, why can’t I. I always feel nothing is impossible for us when we have the determination. Without nasal feeding, I successfully completed my radiation. After my radiation, when I went for check-ups, by God’s grace and everyone’s love, I was declared free from cancer. Doctors said that my positivity and confidence made me win over cancer!

Cancer wasn’t a curse for me. God always sends the strongest soldiers to fight the toughest battles. After being diagnosed with cancer, I was blessed with a new birth. I went bald just like a new born goes; I was being pampered and loved and cared by everyone. After 4 months of not being able to speak, I gradually learnt to talk. I experienced life more closely at my age, I came out stronger and more confident than ever. I got to spend time with my parents, which most people miss growing up.

Life is a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs which makes life more fun to live. Sad times come to make you realise about your happy times. We are so much greater than our problems. People question me how I managed to win such a tough battle. The truth is that I believed that I am strong enough to face it. I fought with utmost courage & positivity. Everyone should work towards being bigger than the problems. “

-Swagatika Acharya.