The Week India – July 21, 2019

24 THE WEEK • JULY 21, 2019

PLUS

The Lifeline.

“My whole family rallied around me...my

husband, my mother, my sister, my in-laws,

they all supported me through my journey. I

had friends who went all the way to Ajmer

Sharif Dargah to pray for me.”

“My mom took care of all my dietary

requirements and put up with all my

tantrums. My sister too was very cheerful

and positive and was always laughing.”

But Anni gives the most credit to her

husband. “He has been my biggest

support, and the main reason I felt I should

fight this. He was with me during my

surgery and throughout my chemotherapy.”

She recalls a particularly meaningful

incident. “That year, karva chaut fell on

October 22, exactly one day before my

cancer treatment began. Although, it’s a

day when married women fast for their

husbands’ good health, that year he fasted

for me. I know I would never have been

able to do this without him. He is my

biggest support.”

From a Pessimist to an

Eternal Optimist.

Anni says overcoming cancer has taught

her a lot. “I used to be a very pessimistic

person. If anything bad happens to you, it

can do three things to you. It can define

you, destroy you, or strengthen you. I

chose strength and I have become a

stronger person.”

“My perspective towards things has

changed. I value my life and am more

grateful for the things in it. In the past, I was

chasing a future that I did not know existed

and was part of the rat race. Now I am

content.”

“Cancer is curable. So just keep going...it’s

a phase and once you get through the other

side, everything becomes okay.”