Sindhu P Menon of Beypore in Kozhikode is now living her third life, having defeated cancer twice. In 2004, till age 29, she lived her first life. At that time, she consulted a gynaecologist, after she felt something had gone amiss. When medicines did not bring relief, advanced tests were conducted, which confirmed cancer.

She sought treatment at Kozhikode Medical College under Dr Ajayakumar and was also subjected to surgery.


Courage


When chemotherapy was initiated, the doctor asked her to be ‘strong’. “This is a war,” he told Sindhu.

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She soon realized what the word ‘strong’ really meant. Losing hair at that young age was a difficult phase in Sindhu’s life. She considered using a wig and soon found one with the help of a relative in Chennai. “It was provided by a man named Harianna, who supplies wigs to Telugu film actors,” recalls Sindhu.

Another daring activity Sindhu engaged in during this time was driving. Even though she had learnt driving, she had not dared to take it on her own to the road. But now, feeling that she had nothing to lose, Sindhu boldly travelled around in the four-wheeler.

Second hurdle

In 2016, Sindhu faced problems again. She had fever that did not subside and met the doctor again. Sindhu’s son was in Class 10 at that time and she was tense. When she was diagnosed with cancer before, her son was just three years old.

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Tests confirmed cancer again. However, Sindhu did not feel chemotherapy was difficult this time. Initially, she did not lose hair too. But soon, hair began to fall. Sindhu had to undergo surgery again. Meanwhile, Sindhu decided not to go for a wig.


When Sindhu was diagnosed with the disease for the first time, she was working in Kozhikode Magistrate Court. The second time when the disease struck, she used to work as a senior clerk at the honorary court in the Civil Station. She now lives with her father Padmanabha Menon, mother Padmavally and son at ‘Anamika’ in Beypore.


An open heart

According to Sindhu, the biggest change she felt after conquering cancer was that her reluctance to help others vanished. Now she has an open mind and supports many people. “During the early stage, when the disease was diagnosed, I had some worries. But all that has disappeared now and I feel no tension. Many people suffering from the disease contact me. I tell them my experience of having conquered cancer not once, but twice,” says a confident Sindhu, with the voice of a winner.

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