Story of Strength, Resilience and Self-Discovery

An inspiring story of Mala Mehta (Khyaal Community Member)

“My name is Mala Mehta, and I am 59 years old, from Kolkata. After graduating, I got married in 1989 and dedicated my life to my family. I also assisted my husband in his diamond manufacturing business, learning everything from scratch, from holding an eyeglass to assorting diamonds. We have two children, a son and a daughter.

Life was steady until 2018 when I was diagnosed with cancer. I began treatment under the care of doctors, and for a while, things seemed to be under control. But just six months later, one day, I fell to the ground and was unable to move. It took five hours to get me to the hospital. When the doctors examined me, they revealed that the breast cancer had spread and eaten away my femur bone. By then, it reached stage 4 cancer. I underwent surgery to replace the damaged bone with a steel plate and was advised bedrest for 6 months.

This was the toughest time for me. I was not sure if I would be able to stand on my feet again. But I did not lose hope. The journey was slow and painful, but I held onto my faith. With time, medicines and physiotherapy worked their magic. First, I used a walker to move around, then with a walking stick. Eventually, after a year of hard work and perseverance, I was able to walk independently again. It felt like a miracle because even the doctors had lost hope.

This phase was very difficult for me as I was physically and emotionally drained. To make things worse, I lost my elder sister and mother-in-law within a year. I was feeling lost. But I decided to not give up and gathered myself. I started looking for activities to keep myself busy and avoid negative thoughts. It was during this time that I came across an ad about Khyaal on Facebook. I joined Khyaal hesitantly and was a silent observer initially. Slowly, I started engaging, and that’s when my life began to change. I started attending almost all sessions of Khyaal daily which put my day in structure and gave me a routine. I started enjoying the sessions like Food stories, Salam Bollywood and Antakshari. The sessions on emotional wellbeing were deeply transformative. They gave me strength and hope. I used to hold on to small grievances, but now, I have learned to let go. I have also learned to balance my emotions, maintain healthy boundaries, and express myself confidently. With Khyaal, there was always something to look forward to in the day. Sometimes I tried new recipes, sometimes made artworks. Khyaal uncovered a creative side that was unknown to me. Now my drawers are filled with art materials! One fond memory is making a ginger bread house which I learned from the Food stories session. Various contests run by them are a chance to showcase our talents. I had never dressed differently in my entire life. But, I dressed as Zeenat Aman from the song “Dum maro dum” for Khyaal Costume Contest and won!! These experiences gave me a sense of accomplishment I had not felt in years. I made some lovely friends in the Khyaal community who were from various parts of India. Although, we never met in person, we shared a genuine bond with each other. This sense of belonging has been one of Khyaal’s greatest gifts. For me, it is not just an app; it is a family that has transformed my life in the most wonderful ways.

Fortunately, my husband found an oncologist in Mumbai whose advice worked wonders for me. Along with the treatment, I followed a strict diet that included nutrient-rich foods like wheatgrass juice, lemon juice, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables from our garden. Our garden is large and has a variety of vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, radishes, chillies, coriander, and even a sapota tree, as well as flowering plants. It provides us with a wholesome produce regularly. Spending time gardening and being close to nature gave me a sense of calm and joy. My husband and family were my pillars of support throughout this journey. I took the prescribed medicines for around five years, and recently, my doctor advised me to stop as I no longer needed them. I am now cancer-free.

Throughout, I never allowed myself to give up. I constantly reminded myself that I was healthy and cancer-free, even when fear crept in. I focused on healing, both mentally and physically. There were moments of doubt and fear, but I always chose to stay positive and keep fighting. My journey has showed me the unpredictability of life and changed my perspective completely. Life has taught me to embrace challenges, rediscover myself, and find joy in the little things. I look forward to live each day with hope and gratitude.

One piece of advice to my fellow seniors is: Life is unpredictable. Find something meaningful to keep yourself going and learn to live each moment to the fullest.” - Mala Mehta (Khyaal Community Member)