The Week India – July 21, 2019

THE WEEK • JULY 21, 2019 39

PLUS

Help from Unexpected

Quarters.

Though back at work soon after surgery,
Ruchi needed certain adjustments once the
chemotherapy started. The bank allowed
her to work out of its Yelahanka branch,
which was close to her home, rather than
her usual space at the call centre, where her
low immunity levels would have made her
susceptible to infection, owing to the large
number of employees who worked there
through the day.

Her employer also helped cover her
medical expenses even though she had
been working with them for just a few
months. “I was eligible for an annual health
insurance coverage of 4 lakh from my company. Despite having worked there for only a short time, I was given my full entitlement, and I only had to pay the remaining 2 lakh for the treatment, which
cost ` 6 lakh.”

Climbing the Corporate

Ladder.

After her treatment completed, Ruchi
continued to go for blood tests and
follow-ups every month. “My energy levels
slowly picked up and I was fully involved
with my work again.” She bounced back so
well that last year, she got a promotion. She
is now in charge of pan-India operations
and travels across the country frequently.

In April 2015, however, she had a relapse.

“This time, it was in my ovaries. I went back

again for surgery, and they did a complete

hysterectomy. Thankfully, tests showed that

I did not have to go for chemotherapy or

radiation. Ten days after my surgery, I was

back at work.”

While saying that it was work that kept her

mind off her treatment, she jokes that the

one thing that keeps her occupied now on

weekends is laundry. She also practises

yoga and goes for Zumba classes every

evening because she loves dancing.

This adventure sport enthusiast loves to

travel and has recently returned from an

all-girls holiday with her friends in Goa,

where she went parasailing.

The Power of Staying

Positive.

“I am part of the Pink Hope Cancer

Support Group. I have participated in

Pinkathon and gone on treks with the

group. My recovery changed my

perception that cancer was the end. I have

forced all women in my family, even my

extended family, to get regular check-ups

done.”

Ruchi says that her battle with cancer has

taught her one thing: “If you want to be

happy, you can be happy, and no one can

stop you. Brooding is not going to help

at all.”