Breast Cancer - it took some but gave me much more!

So many times I mentioned jokingly to my husband that I would like to die of some “high profile” disease and to my utter surprise, the wish was partially granted recently! I say partially because in these days with so much of advancement in medical science, hardly any one dies out of a high profile disease like “breast cancer”!!

Having said that, since there is still not enough proof that medical science has been able to invent a cure for the disease “cancer” of any form; phone calls, smses,  bbm messages etc. started pouring in from all places. The most difficult part was to disclose the news to parents and Ma-in-law (Do parents really follow logic, statistics or rationale when their child falls sick?)

……and a period of trial and tribulation started.

I agree that it would not be counted as a blessing to have been diagnosed with breast cancer but it was certainly an occasion to revalidate the strength of so many relationships that I share with so many people around me .....

Even though there was no doubt that the small world of my husband and my children revolve around me, it is quite evident from their acts and gestures, that their world has been hit by massive turbulence, whether they show it on their faces or not.

The two angels and the “big man” have suddenly grown up to give me constant reassurance and feeling of relief that they will be able to take care of themselves when I will not be “too well to take care of them”.

The parents and Ma-in-law are probably bleeding from inside but they are trying real hard to put up a brave front so I do not fall short of courage and strength.

My girls’ gang from (my very own) Greater Noida is extremely worried and concerned for the well- being of their group’s most humorous member! They have always stood by me whenever I needed any support from any one of them - when I used to struggle with two small kids, a job and an always-on-tour husband. This time around, they are doing their best in terms of sending their best wishes and prayers and are continuously in touch with me as if to compensate for the fact that they could not be here to be with me during this slightly difficult time!

During these three years of stay in Dubai, we have been fortunate enough to know few wonderful souls, our guardian angels– my Fatafati friends. Each one of them extended their support in whatever way we required and notwithstanding their daily routine of “wear and tear”, they have almost built a safety ring around me and all are on a “phone call away” for anything at any time!

Even though at the start slightly unwillingly and by default, one fine evening I happened to meet few “malt men and their lovely wives” and after three get-togethers, I completely fell in love with each one of them. My bunch of adorable malt men and the lovely ladies are praying for me with their fingers crossed and as expected, are on “high alert “ , just in case we need them …….

My JBR bestie is reliving the agonizing days when she had to lose her dad to cancer few years ago, ever since I mentioned this to her and she will be agonizingly waiting for me to come home strong and healthy from the hospital.

A nephew in faraway America sends his best wishes and asserts that everything will be fine and friends from Sydney, Kolkata and Mumbai have already done their bit of research just to convince me that it is not life-threatening!

So what if we have met only few times, but Benu did not forget to call and wish me luck and speedy recovery before proceeding to Kolkata for a few days!

Although I was a brand new employee of an organization here, Tracy (HR Head) and Salman (Finance Director) found time from their “busy as crazy” schedule to check with me every alternate day as to how I have been coping with this “menace” and extended support which I did not expect and hope for.

Could there be anything as assuring and overwhelming when the two of them unanimously declared that the door of that office would always remain open for me!!

Prayers have the strength to move mountains and when so many of these wonderful souls have been praying for me , I am more than convinced that I am well protected by these God’s angels . I only do not understand how and when I acquired so many precious gems in my life’s journey.

If I survive (I know for sure, I will), it will be my second-life as had it been detected at a later stage, I would have been counting my days, by now and I owe my second life to each one of you !

Not for once, did I complain and ask my favorite goddess, “why me?”. Do I have enough ground to complain when I am actually blessed to have these people around me? Aren’t these the real wealth, we hope to accumulate in our respective lives?

I consider myself truly blessed and fortunate and will bear this little pain as a side effect of being so wealthy.

As if, all these were not enough, God has been kind enough to identify a handsome surgeon too!! After a trip to the parlor this afternoon, I am ready for the D-day with shining skin, a pedicure and manicure! Seldom do we get a second chance to impress, right?

Hence, I promise to all my FFS friends that I will be back soon and will continue to remain the Finance Controller for many more Durga pujas, Lakshmi pujas, Diwali and Saraswati pujas ….

I promise, on behalf of FFS, to Benu that he will be the permanent “purohit” for all FFS pujas and we will celebrate to formalize the agreement once he comes back from Kolkata…..

I promise to Ma-baba and the other Ma, that no matter how far we are from each other, I will be by your side when you need me…. 

I promise to my gang of girls in Greater Noida that I will come to see you all in July/August and will re-live the laughter filled days…..

I promise to Bumba, Indrani and Surabhi that I will be alright soon and will plan to meet when destiny permits….

I promise to Sanjukta that we will again meet for our coffee mornings and will pour our heart out to each other…..

I promise to my malt men and the ladies that I will be back for the next get-together, all decked- up and Tabarak must make pegs of Margarita for me (I am addicted to that, I must confess) and I intend to be the bargirl for the next Malt sessions.

I promise to Dubari that I must come to her city for few days and will go back to our working-women hostel day…..

I promise to Tracy and Salman that once I am back on my feet, I will join in any project that you wish me to contribute, notwithstanding my qualification and experience. ……and Sahrish, I will be back soon to share those loud laughs and plenty of gossip in that special cabin of AR…..

…..and I finally promise to my husband and children that I will control your lives till my last breath, whether you like it or not (escape from that seems difficult!)

Amidst all chaos around our lives now, I became aunt of a gorgeous boy called Krishnaditya Bose-Nandy and I am little sad that I have to wait for some days before I could hold him and kiss him!

Thank you each one of you for making me battle-ready and I already see a winner in me. Probirda, the Iron-lady is ready!!!