Articles on Cancer
From a Mother’s Heart!
There can be no tragedy greater than the death of one’s child. But, Aparna Biswas, who lost her 16–year–old son to cancer, has learnt how to still manage living and keep smiling in the face of it all.
Aparna Biswas’ face breaks into a broad smile as she greets you. The air of vitality and exuberance which she carries with her, almost like a protective shield, masks the sadness in her eyes. “Even though my work and other activities keep me busy, I feel something is missing in me – my heart seems very empty,” she muses softly. Aparna lost her 16–year–old son to cancer, two years ago.
Today, she has managed to come to terms with his demise, but the pain remains as a constant reminder in her heart. The tragedy has also radically changed her beliefs and toughened her in a way.
Abhijeet Biswas, or ‘Raja’ as he was referred to by his mother, was a very talented boy. Tall, fair and handsome, he was the apple of his parents’ eyes. Good in both academics and sports, he also penned beautiful poems. Enough to make any parent proud of him. All this changed the day Aparna found him unconscious when she went to wake him up for an examination. Doctors found a deep–seated tumor in his brain which proved to be malignant. By the time, palliative surgery was performed on Abhijeet, he had already begun to lose his memory, and the tumor recurred again after three months.
“You could say that I was prepared for only those three months. I set myself and the family into a routine that made things seem normal, at least for a time,” reveals Aparna. It was especially exacting for Aparna. While her job as an insurance agent kept her busy (sometimes she travels 60 kilometers a day), she had to make frequent trips to the hospital, carrying food for both her husband and son, besides looking after her daughter, who was growing up. Still, Aparna tries her utmost to keep living, engaging herself in numerous activities and setting a tough routine for herself. Her day begins with a workout at the gym, then work at the office takes up much of her time. In her free time, she involves herself in a Talent Club she formed for children. Besides, she is there to provide active encouragement to her daughter who is now in college. She also makes it a point to meet her friends and attend kitty parties.
Throughout it all, thoughts of Raja keep coming back to her. “He is always with me, at the back of my mind when I’m busy, and I look forward to those moments when I am alone and I recollect his voice, his mannerisms, the way he laughed…,” she says, her voice trailing off. There are no tears left to overwhelm this mother, whose sorrow dried them up a long time ago! “Raja was a very bright student,” she continues. “After his demise, the S S Ajmera School decided to institute a rolling trophy in his name – the Abhijeet Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the student who stands first in the Board examinations”.
For Aparna, recovery can never be total. Once a devout believer in God, her conversion to atheism was forced. Instead, she found solace in the quiet advice of her son’s doctor, Charudut Apte, who gave her “Encouragement and guidelines” which she has diligently followed. “We women are gifted with patience and tolerance – it is the gift of nature,” she muses. There is no denying that Aparna is a spirited person. “Fate is not something that is in your hands,” she says. “Therefore, never look back. If you keep looking back, you’ll get a crick in the neck,” she concludes.
| Users' Comments |
 |
| |
Average user rating |
 (0 vote) |
|
Conditions & Concerns 
