Latika Batra wrote a book on defeating cancer. Latika Batra wrote a book on defeating cancer.

Latika Batra is not only a writer but also a motivator in real life. Even while battling cancer, she did not lose courage and recorded these experiences in the form of a book. When she was afflicted with a deadly disease like cancer, she did not spend time crying and being sad. Instead, she started treating the disease carefully and tried to live life beautifully. Her book on cancer is becoming an inspiration for many cancer patients. Let us know in detail from cancer survivor Latika Batra about her journey of struggle and victory over cancer.

I have called life many times, Dear Cancer

Writer Latika Batra started writing down her experiences of her days of struggle with cancer in her diary. These experiences of hers are present in the form of a book titled “Pukara Hai Zindagi Ko Kai Baar, Dear Cancer”. She says about the book, ‘This is my personal experience, which I experienced during cancer. I nourished it with my experiences and then put it into words.’ In the title of the book, the word dear is unusually associated with cancer. That is because cancer not only made her understand the value of every moment of life, but also changed her perspective of living.

Troubled but not defeated

Latika Batra was carefree about her life. She was completely devoted to fulfilling her responsibilities towards her husband and children. While cancer was taking root in her body, she was also caught in difficult situations on the emotional and financial fronts of her life.

She was not able to pay attention to herself at all. Then all the tests like biopsy, mammography, ultrasound confirmed cancer. Then it was not possible for her to turn away from the truth. Even after knowing about cancer, Latika neither allowed herself to sink into despair nor did she let fear and panic dominate the atmosphere at home.

got along with the family

Her husband and both sons supported her wholeheartedly. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy. During the treatment, Latika also got discouraged. She found herself surrounded by pain and troubles. Latika says, ‘In those days, I consoled myself that as long as I am alive, I will live every moment to the fullest. I started keeping myself busy in creative works like writing and painting. My will to live did a bigger miracle than medicines in defeating the disease.’

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I can’t sit there in fear

Latika was in India when she was diagnosed with cancer. The biopsy report confirmed breast cancer. The sample was sent to Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai for a second opinion. There was no room for doubt.
When Latika came to know about her positive report, she was shocked at first. Her heart and mind went blank. Then she thought, whatever is to happen will happen. The night before she was to be admitted to the hospital for the operation, Latika had dinner outside with her family and also watched a movie. After that pleasant evening, she was ready to face the difficult days strongly. She says, ‘My only goal was that if something happens to me during this time, I should leave behind beautiful memories for my children. Whenever they remember me, they should remember me as a person full of life and content.’

Deciding on a Mastectomy Procedure

The doctor decided to do a mastectomy, i.e., removal of the entire breast. Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center has the best doctors, the most modern medical equipment and medical system. Here, she was treated under the supervision of Dr. A.K. Dewan and Dr. Dovil. After this, she underwent six cycles of 21 days each of chemo. Certainly, all this was not easy. Latika says, ‘I could not sit back in fear and defeat.’

I don’t like being called a poor person

When some of her close relatives came to know about this, everyone had almost the same reaction. Oh, what happened to the poor girl! What is her age? Her children are still studying, she has not seen any happiness. Latika recalls the past and says, ‘My mother and aunt came to meet me in a very bad state. They were crying and I was busy arranging tea and snacks for them.
Aunty started saying that you should cry a little, it will make you feel lighter. The girl has got a shock, someone please make her cry. On this I started to calm her down saying that everything will be fine, don’t worry.’ Actually, the disease doesn’t kill us as much as the scared faces, pity and negativity of the people around us kill us.

Cancer changes you as a person

Cancer also changes you as a person. When you return to life after a fatal disease, its horror, long intensive treatment and almost touching death, you are no longer the same as you were before (Cancer Survivor Latika Batra). One realizes that every moment of life is precious.

She stresses, ‘We also know that in the struggle to fulfill our desires, we ignore many beautiful and small pleasures. They are scattered around us. I have learned to collect them. This is also the philosophy of my life.’

I’m a vegetarian and eat a lot of salads

Cancer made her understand the value of life. In these precious moments, she decided to fulfill many desires that were left unfulfilled in the hustle and bustle of life. She completed her unfinished novels (Writer and motivator Latika Batra). Latika joined many theatre platforms. Now she also actively participates in literary seminars. She also fulfills her hobby of travelling by travelling across the country and abroad. She is also fond of cooking.

Occasionally, her recipes are published in the cookery column of the women’s magazine Griha Shobha. She says, ‘To keep myself healthy, a morning walk of half an hour and then the practice of Anulom-Vilom for some time energizes me. I do not take special precautions regarding food. I am a vegetarian. Therefore, I eat lots of green vegetables and salad. I take two soaked figs and some almonds with breakfast every morning. I take one grain at a time. I do not take rice and wheat roti together.’

Why dreams remain unfulfilled

Currently Latika Batra is in America. Recently she has returned from the much awaited Disney Land, Florida Orlando trip with the whole family. Now that she has got time, she is fulfilling her dreams. She is also doing unfinished writing work and theatre (Theatre activist Latika Batra). She had done M.Phil in ‘Buddhist Studies’ from Delhi University. She had a great desire to do PhD further, but time and circumstances did not support her. Now if she gets a chance, she will definitely fulfill this dream.

At the end

Latika Batra wants to tell the women suffering from cancer, ‘In our society, women are not aware about their health. After the age of 40-45 years, every woman should get herself checked regularly. So that the disease can be controlled as soon as it appears. It is also important to know that not every lump is cancer.

If the report comes positive, then on hearing the name of a disease like cancer, the patient and his relatives feel helplessness, negativity and despair towards the patient. Even before the treatment, everyone assumes that the patient’s death is certain. Instead of crying and wailing over the adverse situation, one should face the situation with patience and courage.

Nowadays, it is possible to prevent cancer up to the third stage. There is a need to be aware and be alert to even the smallest changes happening in your body (Cancer survivor Latika Batra).’

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