Sanika Jain
Pimpri Chinchwad
When Saraswati felt severe pain in her breast, she went to the nearby hospital. At the age of 47, she was detected with breast cancer and she was aghast. All her life she had battled many odds and a series of tragedies and this was another one.
Born and brought up in Kolkata Saraswati completed her education till 9th standard and at the age of 25, she was married. Within two months of marriage, she separated from her husband after delivering a boy. Ask her about the reason for separation and she is unwilling to speak. As she narrates her story in a small congested room near an apartment in Pimpri Chinchwad, she hesitates and fumbles many times.
She started tailoring and handicraft as a hobby when she was young but later it turned into an occupation for her. But then came another shock “ At the age of 13 my kid developed a liver jaundice which deteriorated. We tried to do everything to save him, but couldn’t. He died” she says and goes silent unable to speak further.
“ Losing him has been the most painful experience imaginable. I was miserable for years after his death,” she says sobbing. “The death of my only son has left me with an open wound which will never heal,” she manages to add. The pain is visible on her face as she tried to control her tears.
With their son’s death, her husband was back in her life. A year later after losing their son, the couple moved from Kolkata to Pimpri-Chinchwad. She tries to earn a livelihood by doing tailoring, her husband hunts for the job now and then.
Challenging Cancer
As she was detected with breast cancer Saraswati was disheartened. Earlier her mother too was detected with breast cancer at the age of 55 and she lost her mother during treatment.
Saraswati’s breast cancer treatment was carried out at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune. As she was managing to cope with the mental and financial stress, there was another tragic mode in her life. Her husband met with a dangerous accident which resulted in paralysis of his partial body.
Saraswati says, “It was a strenuous phase for me as I had to look after my husband and at the same time I myself had to undergo an operation for breast cancer.” She was broken and felt defeated, but was not ready to give up. She continued her treatment and also looked after her husband.
The chemotherapy treatment did not suit her body. It had to be stopped immediately.
“No matter how much I fight and overcome problems, they never stop chasing me,” she says gasping.
“ I had to accept things and face the situation. Throughout the treatment, I faced everyday positivity and boldly” she says. She had to undergo a mastectomy.
According to the American Cancer Society, mastectomy is breast cancer surgery that removes the entire breast. A mastectomy might be done when a woman cannot be treated with breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or if a woman chooses mastectomy over breast-conserving surgery for personal reasons.
The surgery is also done for women at very high risk of getting second breast cancer who sometimes choose to have a double mastectomy (the removal of both breasts).
Saraswati is strong-willed and she went through the surgery bravely. All through the treatment process her husband, brother, friends, and relatives were with her, she says.
She holds the dream of starting her own business of handicraft items and dressmaking. Paul also wants to build an institute where she can teach handicraft and tailoring as well as offer jobs to needy women. She is moving towards accomplishing her dreams and pursuing her goals with determination and tenacity.
After mastectomy Saraswati is not very comfortable going out. She says that after her son’s death she doesn’t pay any attention to herself. But she knows that she has to get up and fight. She has to earn a livelihood and she has to fulfill her dream.
“ This is life, after all, we all have to face it” is what she has to say to conclude the conversation.
( Sanika Jain is an SYBAJMC student at Vishwakarma University.
Pic courtesy: Breast Cancer Survivors India FB page and National Health Portal)
“Never ever give up Be prepared for everything”.
A perfect story for the above quote.
Excellent work Sanu.
Proud!!!
Great job sanika ….. very heart touching story…. always be positive n keep moving ahead…. making others proud
Sumptuous story (article) flashing the reality of life. Life always has its twists and turns.Great Job Sis.
I would like to thank you for the efforts youve put in writing this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own website now 😉
Stories like these leave a great impact and motivates others to keep moving ahead no matter what life throws at you. Very well put forth sanika. Well done ! 👏🏻💯