Bathinda, November 7
Cancer. A six-letter word that has the potential to make worlds and lives fall apart. But despair and pessimism are things of the past for these bravehearts, as they triumph over adversity with faith, positivity and their family’s love and support.

Deputy Krishan, 29, was diagnosed with esophageal (food pipe) cancer months after his marriage two years ago. Doctors said the cancer was in its last stage and immediately put him on palliative care. Today, the resident of Dhobiana Basti here lives a healthy life with his family and is on the road to recovery.

“The day I was diagnosed with cancer I made a decision. I simply had to live for my parents and my wife. I could not die and leave them behind crying,” says Krishan, who then set out in search of a cure. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre in New Delhi and his medication continues.

Cancer has perforated Krishan’s stomach but he is confident of conquering the disease with his willpower. “His positive attitude is infectious. Even doctors treating him in Delhi are pleasantly surprised,” says Krishan’s uncle Dhanna Singh, who accompanies him for every visit to the doctor.

Housewife Promila Katia was diagnosed with breast cancer some years ago. She underwent surgery followed by six rounds of chemotherapy at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre accompanied by constant medication.

Katia is still on medicines and undergoes mammography every three months. Her last mammogram was conducted in September and showed normal results. The worst is over for the 52-year-old.

“I found out that I had breast cancer some years ago. Apart from my illness, the thought of what would happen to my family after me was agonising. I was the only woman in the house. Both my sons were unmarried and I had to look after the family. That’s what gave me the strength to battle the disease.

I ate even when I didn’t felt hungry to keep my immunity strong. It’s only with my family’s love and support that I have recovered,” says Katia.

Sixtytwo-year-old science teacher Jagir Kaur derived strength in her fight against liver and breast cancer from her students. “As a teacher I always prodded my students to do well whatever the odds. When I found out I had cancer four years ago, I told myself that it was my turn to take up the challenge,” says the braveheart from Golewala village in Faridkot.

It was Jagir Kaur’s never-say-die attitude that made her the face of a cancer awareness walk held in Bathinda last year. “Cancer is not the end of the world. It’s a disease like any other,” she says, as she prepares to undergo another surgery on November 14 at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Similarly, Prem Nath Trehan from the Samrala bypass area of Ludhiana, has been living with cancer for 11 years. The dairy businessman was diagnosed of neck cancer and has been on medication ever since. But that hasn’t bogged him down.

“I am in the pink of health. Cancer has more to do with the state of mind. The body will respond positively to medicines only when the it is in tune with the mind,” says the 52-year-old.

Treham has now turned motivator for cancer patients and counsels patients in Bathinda’s Rampura Phul area. “I tell all patients to start treatment as soon as possible and not be afraid of the side-effects other patients suffered,” he says.

Jarnail Singh of Jajjal village of Talwandi Sabo area of Bathinda, notorious for its high cancer incidence since 2002, narrates how three persons from his village have recovered from cancer. “Mukhtiar Kaur, Nambardar Gamdur Singh and an elderly woman fought against cancer and won. They are our village heroes and offer courage, hope and motivation to many,” he adds.