Today’s counselling session left an imprint on my heart, one that I will carry with me for a long time. I had the honour of meeting a mother and daughter, both of them fighting their own battles with cancer, yet drawing courage not just from within, but from each other.
The mother sat quietly, receiving her chemotherapy, while right beside her, her daughter held her hand. Just a week ago, the daughter had completed her own cancer treatment. She wasn’t there as a patient today, she was there as a pillar of strength, as a caregiver, as a daughter simply loving her mother through pain. There were no grand words exchanged between them, just small gestures, a gentle nod, a reassuring touch, an occasional smile, but it spoke volumes.
I sat with them, listened, spoke when needed, but mostly observed this powerful, silent language of love and resilience. They had both been through so much physically, emotionally, and mentally, but neither of them carried bitterness. Instead, what shone through was grace, courage, and a bond so deep that illness could not shake it.
Sometimes, healing doesn’t come only from medicines or therapy. It comes from knowing you’re not alone. It comes from having someone beside you, someone who says, “I’m here. We’re in this together.
Alpa Dharamshi counsels cancer patients on behalf of ICS Bangalore.
