The Unexpected Separation – March 2020
When Sumit got posted to Tejpur, I stayed back in Ambala with the kids. Soon, I had to go to Dehradun, leaving them with my mother and brother’s family, as I needed to pick up some PhD documents from Ambala. I planned to return in a day but decided to extend it to two. Then, the COVID-19 lockdown happened, and I got stuck in Ambala for 42 days. Our entire family was scattered—my kids were in Dehradun, Sumit was in Tejpur, and I was alone in Ambala. The uncertainty of not knowing when we’d reunite was difficult.
First Signs of Trouble – April-May 2020
During those weeks apart, I noticed something off about my mother over video calls. She complained of stomach pain but brushed it off as something minor, possibly from gardening. A doctor prescribed a balm for relief, but she didn’t seem to be eating properly. She looked different. When I finally saw her after 42 days, I was shocked—she had lost nearly 10 kg. That was when I knew something was seriously wrong.
The Diagnosis – May 2020
I traveled alone to get her checked, despite COVID still being a major risk. An endoscopy revealed a mass, and the doctor looked concerned. A PET scan was needed, but Uttarakhand had no PET scan centers. The only available option was Paras Hospital near Chandigarh. We went there just for the scan, but while at the hospital, her hemoglobin dropped. On May 26, 2020, the PET scan confirmed cancer. The doctors admitted her and told me she wouldn’t survive. I broke down but refused to accept that answer.
The Fight Against Cancer – Mid 2020
We started treatment immediately. She underwent three months of chemotherapy at Paras Hospital, and I would drive down regularly to be with her. Slowly, there was hope—the tumor shrank, making surgery possible. Despite COVID restrictions still being in place, we began searching for a hospital that could perform the operation. It felt like we were in a constant race against time.
The Surgery and a Test of Faith – Late 2020
She was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, but just before the surgery, the doctor vanished—his wife was in the ICU with COVID, and he had tested positive too. We had to start over. At Max Hospital, we found a surgeon who agreed to operate only because of my mother’s confidence and our determination. The surgery lasted 17 hours. When she woke up, she had nine tubes attached to her body but was already pushing herself to recover. She was disciplined, even started yoga, and her only complaint was missing aaloo puri.
A Relapse and the Final Battle – Early 2021
Just as things stabilized, Sumit was hospitalized with a medical condition, and I had to divide my time between him and my mother. By December, she started having more health issues. A PET scan in January 2021 showed something suspicious, and by February, the worst was confirmed—her cancer had relapsed. Her body had become too weak for further treatment. In late February, I brought her home, knowing this was the only thing I could do for her now.
Saying Goodbye – March 2021
Her condition worsened—constant fever, oxygen support, and multiple hospital visits. She had always been particular about everything in life, but towards the end, she stopped caring, even refusing to let us change her diaper. On March 23, 2021, she told us she wanted to go home to my father. We took her back, and for one day, everything seemed fine. But on March 25, 2021, her brain stopped functioning. We had all the medical support, but nothing could be done. I gave her CPR, but I couldn’t change the outcome. I lost her.
June, 2025
Win4Ever
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