Chhavi Mittal, popularly known as an Actor, Singer, Model, Wife, Mother, Homemaker, Writer, Producer, blogger, founder (Being Woman) & YouTuber (SHITTY IDEAS TRENDING) was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Chhavi who is popular for giving her 200% to each & every project she undertakes, once again proved it right. She faced another unprecedented challenge after being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. She is all out on her recovery.
In this interview, Chhavi Mittal with Women Fitness talks about her journey in coming to terms with breast cancer, surgery, and recovery.
Namita Nayyar:
How & when did it come to your notice that you needed to see a doctor regarding something wrong with your breast?
Chhavi Mittal:
Oh, it didn’t! As luck would have it, I had a gym injury in the chest and that is what I went to get checked. The examination showed us a lump in the other breast and hence we did further examination.
Namita Nayyar:
“The actor stated that she had her breast cancer surgery done two months ago, but she is still not feeling completely okay”. When did you undergo the surgery? Please share the initial response of yourself & your family?
Chhavi Mittal:
I had the surgery on 25th April 2022. It has been over 2 months but I don’t feel 100% normal, and naturally so, since any normal surgery also takes a minimum of 3 months to recover from, and mine was a pretty massive one.
The initial response to cancer? I’ve shared it on many platforms now but reiterated it for your benefit. It’s never easy to know that you have been diagnosed with cancer. So it definitely was not easy, but I was determined to not make it so difficult either. I took it like any other ailment and was happy that it had a definite treatment course and a cure ahead. The family was surprised to see my calmness and felt calm every time they saw me smile.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you think it was hereditary or symptomatic in your case?
Chhavi Mittal:
No. I have no history of BC in the family. I have breastfed both my babies and have had healthy pregnancies. I take care of my diet and health and fitness. I was not a candidate for BC by any normal standards. I also did not have any symptoms whatsoever. I just had a painless lump which I ignored, it was that asymptomatic.
Namita Nayyar:
What diet pattern did you follow during the treatment? How long did the treatment prolong?
Chhavi Mittal:
The treatment lasted for 2 months. I have given up sugar for life and minimized my consumption of milk and dairy for life too. Besides that, there haven’t been too many drastic changes since I have always followed a healthy diet.
I don’t drink water outside, only bottled, which was never the case, I don’t eat red meat, which I anyway was not fond of, and I am told to avoid soy.
During the treatment, I avoided spicy foods and raw foods, and I included a lot of body-cooling foods like kokum drink, chia seeds, etc. to keep my system acidity free due to the radiation. Laso kept the food light.
Namita Nayyar:
Share an insight into the shock, emotional turmoil, and uncertainty you went through during the treatment?
Chhavi Mittal:
There was no shock. It can happen to anybody and now it had happened to me. However, the emotions sometimes get the better of you. Considering the huge and manifold responsibilities I have in my life surrounding children and work, I didn’t get to rest much and continue to go about my daily life the way I used to before the surgery. But the difference is that now my right arm doesn’t work as well as it used to.
It is a struggle to push and pull doors, pick up my baby, do regular domestic chores like cooking and cleaning, and my back hurts because of only sleeping on one side for the last 2+ months. I also feel swelling and tightness in my breast which makes me extremely uncomfortable and I find myself holding my breast in the middle of meetings. Largely all this causes emotional turmoil since even though people around me can see the discomfort I am in, nobody can do much to ease it and this is a battle I fight alone.
Namita Nayyar:
You have gone out to proudly flaunt your breast cancer surgery scar & how you are coping with radiation and recovery? What’s the reason behind the same?
Chhavi Mittal:
I have fought a battle and emerged victorious not just physically but mentally too. Of course, it is a thing to be proud of! People ask me if I’ll get the scars removed with a laser and I say hell no! These are battle scars that tell a tale of bravery and would never want to hide them. Radiation was tough and the side effects can last up to 6 months or more in some cases. My oncologist was extremely careful with my radiotherapy so as to give me minimum side effects and I can’t thank him enough for it. I continued to work and gym a bit through it although the swelling and pain starts.
Namita Nayyar:
How important according to you is it to spread awareness regarding breast examination for cancer?
Chhavi Mittal:
I think it is of utmost importance since timely diagnosis is the only thing that can save you! Save you not just from cancer but from the treatment being so invasive and hence saving you from the immense emotional struggle too.
Namita Nayyar:
Share your present-day workout and diet routine?
Chhavi Mittal:
I continue to face the side effects of radiation hence the diet restrictions are still exactly the same for the next couple of months till I heal completely. I am allowed to run and swim now, although swimming is difficult in the rains, I look forward to it immensely. I feel it’ll be the best physio for the tightness I feel. I go to the gym and lift as much as I can, knowing the signs my body gives me and respecting those signs.
Namita Nayyar:
Share a message for women out there, as a breast cancer survivor?
Chhavi Mittal:
I would just like to say, don’t take your life for granted and don’t underestimate the importance of spending time with yourself, doing what you love.
Namita Nayyar:
5 things you learned to live by.
Chhavi Mittal:
1. There is nothing more important than you. If you cannot be happy, you will not make anybody happy around you.
2. Read that 4 times.
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