What I share with you today is an account of my personal experience of seeing my younger sister go through the trauma of cancer. Before I begin, I, Kanika, thank Sahayata and ICCCPO for giving me this opportunity to reach out to other families in similar situations.  

We have a small family of 4- i.e.. me, my parents and my sister Nitya, who is 7 years younger to me. I remember how excited I was when she was born. Being an only child, I used to feel rather lonely and really looked forward to having a sister. So, when she finally arrived, I adored her like my little treasure!

When she was just 12 days old, she was diagnosed with meningitis. For me, it was heart-rending to see that innocent young thing being mercilessly pricked all over. She recovered soon, but when she was just a month old, she started having convulsions with high fever. She kept falling ill frequently, but we thought, as she grew up, health would stabilize.

But little did we know, that the worst was yet to come… When Nitya was about 7 years, she started complaining of a severe pain under her right knee. Initially, it was treated lightly, but when the pain persisted too long, an investigative surgery was performed to reveal the most horrifying news, on 3rd Aug 1977, that she had cancer-what they termed as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).  

I was 14 years old at that time and just knew that Nitya had been hospitalized for some knee surgery and would be back soon. While my parents were in the hospital, I was left with my grandparents with whom I used to visit my sister every evening.  

But I remember, one evening, when we reached home, everything was suddenly very different. Mummy was crying silently and Papa was nowhere to be seen. There were relatives all around with a serious look on their face and they would keep coming to me, hug me and say, "everything will be fine, you don't worry, take care". 

I sensed that something was seriously wrong, but I was just too scared to ask!

After that evening, things started changing rapidly. Whenever we went to the hospital, Mummy and Papa were always in a tense flurry and I never got a chance to ask them anything. I distinctly remember that strange and left-out feeling I got in those days. When I demanded to know what was going on, I was merely told: "Nitya will be fine soon. Don't worry, sab thik ho jayega". Somehow, I was not convinced, but I asked no further...
I resigned myself to the fact that my parents would have no time for me now and that I had to take care of myself. In this process, I got to be pretty independent.  

I started thinking of how to entertain my little sister while she was in hospital, so that my parents got a little break. I would take small gifts, toys and books to cheer her up and sometimes we would talk for hours, when she told me about her difficult day. Other times, she would be irritable due to the nausea etc. I remember doing all sorts of things to amuse her! She would specially call for me when she felt sick and I would feel rather important!
When she came back home after 5 weeks of hospitalization, I was very excited because her homecoming was at least one step of life returning back to normality. Now, I could spend more time with her and after coming back from school, we used to spend entire evenings reading books, playing games and singing songs. Sometimes, she would wake up in the middle of the night feeling uneasy, and I remember playing and amusing her all night!
Now, even though I adjusted to this new routine, at times I felt exasperated because it would take away my entire evening and that began to affect my studies too! It was getting difficult for me to manage everything smoothly and I grew irritable at times, because all this just didn't seem to have an end.  

Unable to contain myself any longer, I asked my father directly what the matter was and he told me the harsh reality that she had cancer! I got quite a rude shock that day because I never imagined that such a thing could happen to my very own sister! The thought of how close I was to losing her suddenly filled me with love and possessiveness for her I thought how much more concerned and understanding I would have been, if I had known this all along. I was also filled with a new respect and awe for my parents for the way they were handling everything with such courage and perseverance. I got more responsible and assured them that I would manage my studies well and they need not feel guilty for not being able to spend time with me.

In this way, the days rolled on......
During the treatment the role of the doctors was very important. Dr Arya, Dr. Yogesh Jain and Dr. Sunil Gupta were all a source of constant support and encouragement.
In the hospital, I also come across Mrs. Ohri and Mrs. Harmala Gupta from Cancer Sahyog. I was touched by their small gestures to cheer up young patients and even I felt like doing something similar.  

Finally, after the long treatment was over, Nitya regained her health and resumed school. We moved to Chandigarh, where I happened to meet Mrs. Bhan in PGI hospital during one of Nitya's check-ups. She told me that she is a part of Sahayata- a support group that works to provide emotional and financial support to cancer patients. I was impressed by their care and concern, so when she invited me to join them, I eagerly did. Mrs. Tuli, the President and other volunteers warmly welcomed me into the group.  

Since then, I have been involved in their efforts of raising funds for poor patients by getting donations, sponsorships and selling greetings cards made by cancer patients. I have also led awareness drives and rallies to spread information about cancer and it's treatment, while other volunteers personally spend time with patients and their families.  

As a sibling, having seen through Nitya's treatment so closely, I can easily relate to the necessity of all this comfort and guidance in these crucial times.
I would like to say a lot more about Sahayata, Sahyog, our doctors, my relationship w/t Nitya and so on, but time doesn't permit and I'll just wind up with a note for other siblings…  

That when your brother/sister is diagnosed with cancer and is jolted away from normal life , it is a time when they need you the most, because the love and friendship you can offer them, cannot be substituted by anyone else; not even your parents.  

The unique bond that I developed with Nitya that time, by just being there with her, is something that will continue forever and something that we are both proud of !