Page 96 - ACCF - Stories of Resilience

honking cars, bustling streets, and loud vendors—felt like a stark contrast to Morigaon’s peaceful simplicity.

At the Cancer Institute, Amrita underwent a series of tests. The sterile smell of the hospital, the whitewashed walls, and the
distant beeping of machines made her feel small and vulnerable. The doctor’s words, when they came, were clinical and
devastating: “It’s breast cancer.”
The air grew heavy with those words. Amrita’s mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest. Cancer. The word alone was
enough to shatter her sense of control over life.

The doctor explained the stages, treatment options, and the importance of acting quickly. “The good news,” he said, “is that
we’ve caught it early. With the right treatment, your chances of recovery are high.”

Despite the reassurance, Amrita felt her world crumbling. How could this be happening to her? She had always taken care of
herself, been mindful of her health. Yet here she was, standing at the edge of an abyss she had never imagined.

The treatment began with chemotherapy. The clinic became a place of contrasts—hope and despair, resilience and exhaustion.
The first session left her drained, her body rebelling against the chemicals coursing through her veins. Nausea was her
constant companion, and her once-thick, black hair began falling out in strands.

She cried the day she found clumps of hair on her pillow. Standing in front of the mirror, she barely recognized herself. But
Ramesh stood by her, steady and unwavering. “Hair will grow back,” he said gently. “What matters is that you’re getting better.”

96 HOPE IS OUR WEAPON, AND TOGETHER, WE WILL WIN