Inspirational Life Lessons Learned Through a Cancer Journey

Satish Venkata’s journey with follicular lymphoma.

Outwit. Outplay. Outlast!

“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”

Has there ever been a time when you felt like an outsider in your own body? When you couldn’t tell if it was the truth or a lie? When you couldn’t decide whether to share something or retreat into yourself and not say a word? Has there ever been a time when you wished for your earlier stresses to come back—like a nagging boss or burnt toast or being late for a performance appraisal meeting?

It happened to me.

Life often bustles with relentless pace, and amid the chaos, our bodies can silently conspire against us. Persistent pain, discomfort, and unexplained weight loss—I could not explain anything and ignored these subtle signs from nature. Not to mention that my concerns were dismissed as “constipation.”

After continuous visits and supplements, my family doctor referred me to a specialist. The underlying implication of going to the specialist wasn’t lost on me; however, a few tests and subsequent CT scans led my wife and me to the department of oncology.

When the doctors remained unsure of the root cause, a biopsy revealed stage 3 follicular lymphoma. I had an advanced blood cancer. The lymph nodes near my left abdomen had coalesced, resembling rogue penguins in a frigid landscape.

Remember what I asked in the beginning? This is it. I’d rather be late for my performance appraisal and risk a not-so-satisfactory rating than receive and accept this report. I couldn’t accept it. My wife couldn’t accept it. For the first time in my life, I realized the gravity of the question we ask so flippantly in life: Why me?

Acceptance came late and with great difficulty. My family was still in shock.

It was then that my aunt, who had successfully battled breast cancer under the care of a doctor she regarded as a demigod, shared my reports with him. He invited us to meet. I did not know at that time, but this was going to be the turning point for me. Looking back, I can confidently and emotionally say that if it weren’t for my aunt, I’d still be lost and hopeless, making rounds at the hospital—jilted, yet there for the sake of my family.

When we first met the doctor, my anxious family and I presented our myriad of questions. His compassion and expertise exceeded all expectations, providing us for the first time with much-needed direction and hope. After spending hours together, he calmly asked if there was anything I wanted to keep private from my family. My only query was about how much time I had. “Unless you meet with an accident, he is sure of 20 years,” were the words that hit me like a freight train. I had lost all hope. And it was at this point where I truly, gratefully, and humbly broke down.

I started my chemotherapy treatment with hope in my heart. The initial sessions were manageable; however, as I progressed to the fourth cycle, the effects began to weigh heavily on me: hair loss, changes in appetite, and drastic weight loss. In these challenging moments, I turned to spirituality, finding solace in listening to Hanuman Chalisa and Ram Stuti.

My wife—my soulmate and best friend—stood beside me like a solid pillar of rock along with my septuagenarian parents and aunt. Despite the darkness that surrounded these days filled with uncertainty and emotional turmoil, I found strength in their support.

My sister and brother-in-law reside in the United States, yet their worry and constant calls made me feel like they were just next door.

Family and friends quickly rallied around us during this difficult journey—some reaching out by phone and others coming to visit. It is both shocking and comforting how much love has surrounded us. And yes, it does take a village to nurture someone.

As the treatment progressed, my body grew weaker, but my spirit became increasingly resilient. Despite the dark days, we never relinquished hope.

This journey, though arduous, transformed me profoundly. I emerged with a deeper appreciation for life, a stronger faith, and an unbreakable will. Everything had a new, much deeper meaning, even the word hope. I never knew what hope truly meant until I fell into this pit of despair. I never knew the importance of hope, resilience, and faith in overcoming challenges.

I am recovering now. Final tests are yet to be conducted. But I have grown physically and mentally stronger.

Today, I stand humbly, in great appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit, compassion, and love of family. This experience has changed my perspective and redefined me in ways I never imagined. But life will never be the same because I know now what it means to be alive and healthy. Because now, I won’t let any minute go by where I am not able to fill my home with harmony and infuse my family with joy and love. Every day, I’ll stand in gratitude to the Almighty for showing us the path and putting people on that path that helped me.

And while I’ve emerged a new person after all this, I’d still take a burnt toast on a busy morning or running late for a meeting every single day over this.

So, I hope you can be grateful for all the burnt toast you’ve had in your life. And I hope you embrace love, faith, and gratitude. Because that’s all there is to life.

And not to forget, “Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”

Whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver, or loved one touched by cancer, your story can have an enormous impact. You can provide hope and inspiration to someone recently diagnosed with cancer or a patient undergoing therapy.

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