Shweta Chawre, animator and graphic designer, who was diagnosed with stage 2 osteosarcoma, an aggressive type of bone cancer, as a teenager, looks back over her life and celebrates her decade of survivorship with gratitude and optimism.
It was the summer of 2008. I was 15 years old and had just completed my SSC board examinations. One day I developed a routine knee pain, nothing that signified a major health trouble. The pain was in my right knee. I was active in sports so we reckoned that the pain was due to a strain. The pain kept getting worse. It had become so unbearable that I was unable to walk properly. Finally, after a month, when no pills and ointments worked and the pain persisted, we got an X-ray done.
My world falls apart
We approached an orthopaedic doctor and he sent me for an MRI. To my horror, the biopsy report indicated that I had a big tumor just below the knee. We went to Tata Memorial Hospital, specialists in cancer treatment, for confirmation, but the result was the same. I was diagnosed with stage 2 Osteosarcoma - an aggressive type of bone cancer. That day, on September 12, 2008, my world came crashing down.
I had always been an active and healthy teen - a basketball player, sprinter and an artist. I would be seldom sitting idle. From a young age, my ambition had been to become an animator. I used to develop stories, characters and TV shows for myself. But now the diagnosis of a big, life threatening disease seemed to blur away my dreams. It’s hard to hear anything after the words, “You have cancer”. The words thundered down on me and my family. But together we decided not to give up at all.
Rigorous treatment
Three days later, I began an aggressive 3-month chemotherapy treatment. I was constantly sick, and bed-ridden. My immune system was so weakened by the treatment that I was at high risk of developing other diseases. I lost all of my hair and a significant amount of weight. I weighed only 29 kgs! On 3rd December 2008, I had a surgery, where in the doctors removed the whole tumor along with a major part of my tibia bone as well as my knee and replaced it with a titanium implant, and also a plastic surgery where they removed a patch of skin from my left leg and grafted in on the right leg. I still remember screaming like an animal being thrashed! I have seen a lot of pain during those days. The dressing, the blood, the exhaustion, the anger, frustration, I remember each and every minute of it. I also remember one incident when I used to observe people walking, and think to myself, "I am never going to walk like this" Looking at girls my age, styling their hair, wearing awesome clothes, hanging out with friends - used to depress me terribly.
Art and movement therapy for emotional well-being of cancer patients
After the surgery, 6 more cycles of chemotherapy, 9 months of physiotherapy and a LOT of more pain, we finally completed the treatment in September 2009. A little freedom for me. I was able to walk independently soon after. Short distances at first, then all the way up! Right through my treatment, my family and close friends rallied around me with unremitting support. I was able to cope with the uncertainty of it all with the help of loved ones, with hope, courage and drawing cartoons.
I picked up my studies again. In July 2014, I completed my B.A. in Animation & Visual effects. I also volunteered with a childhood cancer support group at TMH. All the members are victors of childhood cancer, so I feel a spark of confidence and positivity - “I am not alone”. I continue to go for the follow up once a year and have a series of tests done.
Decade of survivorship
2018-19 marks a decade of survivorship for me. I am now a long term survivor. Celebration began when I got engaged to my best friend Satish Pathak who is truly a gem. No words enough to describe him. He is equally strong, supportive and caring. Well, that is a whole different story ;) 10 YEARS!! I still can't believe it, I don't believe that I am still standing today. Is this a dream? Well, no! To cancer, I say, "Did you think this fool could never win?
I am now one of the very few who turn their childhood passion in to career - I am happily an animator by profession. I decided not to let any physical disability stop me from doing what I love so I manage to travel 4 hours up and down the Mumbai rush every day. I have not limited myself to anything - being equally careful at the same time. Satish and I run a YouTube food recipe channel called “Food Me Now” . I am an independent illustrator as well. I draw cartoon caricatures, graphic designs, logo designs, branding etc. I have also represented India at SIOP – Society of international paediatric oncology in Toronto, Canada. That was my maiden flight and my first ever visit to the airport!!
My story is not unique. Many cancer survivors face the same challenges I did, some of them face worse. However, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon best doctors and on time treatment. Many survivors unfortunately have to discover and research a lot of new and scary issues on their own. They are not as lucky as I am. Cancer can do two things to you: make you stronger or make you insane. I believe I've tasted both. But if God did this for a purpose, it's going to be pointless if I don't figure out a way to make the experience useful. Every bad thing in your life is redirecting you towards a good thing, and everything happens for a reason. Believe me - I have lived it!
