#CelebrateingtheRainbow at the workplace – share your stories of Pride!
Life after cancer treatment is not always easy, but this breast cancer survivor has not stopped enjoying her life - one day at a time.
Life after cancer treatment is not always easy, but this breast cancer survivor has not stopped enjoying her life – one day at a time.
I am writing this today because I so want to connect with you all. I have been writing for some time now but am finally giving it a shape now. This is my first post so bear with me while I introduce myself.
I am a lecturer by profession (trust me, not a boring one..my kids love me!) and I quit my full time, well-paying job in 2012 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before questions start to run through your mind whether it’s me or my spirit writing this, let me tell you I am perfectly fit and healthy now as I was blessed to have been diagnosed at an early stage.
I am 34 years young and am married to the most loving husband and have been blessed with the most adorable 5 year old son. My treatment got over in December 2012 and I am on hormonal medication now. Though I can be moody and fight with my husband and blame it on the meds, I am a very good wife. If I fight, I take the responsibility of saying that it’s my husband’s fault and not that of the medicine!
I am happy that I am finally able to give shape to my writing. In my busy schedule as part of which I manage my son, run my NGO (Yes to Life), take visiting classes now and then, go so frequently on trips that my son complained saying, ‘Why are we again taking a trip?’, try to study as I am pursuing a Ph.D., there are days in between when I don’t have much to do. And post cancer, I don’t feel like letting go of even a single day. I would like all my days to be super exciting and busy and today my writing is occupying my day, which is also making me feel so blessed.
…post cancer, I don’t feel like letting go of even a single day. I would like all my days to be super exciting and busy…
I am thankful for every experience of my life and have no complaints whatsoever. Cancer has taught me so much and I have chosen to absorb all the positives. I love every moment in my life now, every second spent with my son, every drop of rain, the wind blowing through my hair. I try to live in the now and stay stress-free most of the time. It is not just me but my family too which is eating healthier; I do aerobics, gym, meditation, dance and whatever else my heart desires.
I can say that I have found myself back. I do what I like to do; I have stopped taking on the pressures of life. Simply put, I am high on life and say ‘Yes to Life’ as it comes.
It also means taking oneself lightly as I believe that there is no need to over analyze life. I had a mastectomy which means one of my breasts was removed after my diagnosis. So, I wear an artificial silicon breast which is called a prosthesis. Soon after my treatment got over, I joined yoga classes. During one of the asanas, when I bent forward my breast (prosthesis) fell out of my inner garments, changing the anatomy of my body as it was resting now on my neck, beneath my top. So, just a few minutes back I had only one breast and now I felt like I had three.
Obviously I rushed to adjust it and got my body shape back. It was really funny and I laughed my heart out. It feels so librated to enjoy even things like these which may depress somebody else. I feel no less without a breast and in fact have started to feel sexier because I now know how strong and positive I am.
I feel no less without a breast and in fact have started to feel sexier because I now know how strong and positive I am.
Everybody has problems in life; these could be relationship oriented, health related, financial, but what makes or mars you are the choices you make. I chose to seek learning from this experience which gave me one of my bigger purposes in life of working towards the cause of helping others through my NGO.
I always asked God to bless me with two things during my treatment, strength and devotion and I am so thankful that he endowed me with both. I am in love with my life to the extent that I sometimes feel selfish but I am happy that I have started to live for myself on my terms.
I have started to write poetry also and am sharing with you my first poem that I wrote while I was undergoing my treatment.
I looked outside the window I wondered how it happened to me I looked for strength outside My God said you have it within
I asked Him for devotion I felt His blessings as deep as the ocean I touched His lotus feet My God hugged me and made me complete
I thank God every second of my life For else I couldn’t have won this strife I am no more scared of the future As I have Him for my tutor.
Stay blessed!
Pic credit via Shutterstock
I am a management faculty by profession and left my full time job in June 2012 when I got diagnosed with breast cancer. I am perfectly healthy and fit now and run my own NGO ` read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
What lessons will we learn from the wrestlers' protest? Will the young girls have the courage to speak up against evil after they hear the deafening silence of support for the Betis?
On the 28th of May, Indian wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat, Bajrang Punia and others were forcibly evicted from their protest site at Jantar Mantar. They were arrested, and severe charges were slapped against them.
Newspapers, that a few years ago, had carried photographs of these wrestlers proudly holding their medals draped in the Indian flag, were now splashed with photographs of these wrestlers being forcibly dragged into police buses. The wrestlers were protesting against Brij Bhushan Singh, an MP and president of the Wrestling Foundation of India, accusing him of sexual misconduct.
A similar case of molestation rocked US gymnastics a few years ago, where Larry Nassar, the team doctor, was accused and finally convicted of sexual abuse. The victims included Olympic medallist Simone Biles. During the trial, several lapses by the USAG and MSU in investigating the accusations came in front.
My supervisor introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As a transwoman navigating the corporate world, I had encountered my fair share of discrimination and challenges. Transitioning without the support of my parents and having limited friendships in my personal life made the journey difficult and lonely. However, when I stepped into the office, something remarkable happened, I left behind the stress and negativity, embracing a space where I could truly be myself.
Joining the marketing team as a graphic designer, I was initially apprehensive about how my colleagues would react to my gender identity. But to my surprise, the atmosphere was welcoming and respectful from day one. My supervisor, Sarah, introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As I settled into my role, I discovered that my colleagues went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and included. They consistently used my correct name and pronouns, creating an environment where I could be authentically me. Being an introvert, making friends wasn’t always easy for me, but within this workplace, I found a supportive community that embraced me for who I truly am. The workplace became a haven where I could escape the stresses of my personal life and focus on my professional growth.
Please enter your email address