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This mother lost six organs to colon cancer, but not the will to live
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This mother lost six organs to colon cancer, but not the will to live

Mumbai-based bridal makeup artist Hansa Raghwani beat cancer with loads of hope, love and sheer grit
Colon cancer affected six of her organs and almost took away her will to live
Hansa Raghwani: A mother, makeup artist and colon cancer survivor

Nobody understands the beauty of life more than Hansa Raghwani, a bridal makeup artist and entrepreneur from Mumbai. The 43-year-old mother of two, lost six organs to rapidly spreading colon cancer last year. Yet, she came back to work, helping brides look their best on their wedding day, barely a year after a marathon surgery. She is in the final stages of her chemo sessions and doctors have said that she has made tremendous progress so far. Though she credits her doctors and family for staying by her side as she battled cancer, she continues to inspire others with her story of grit and determination.

Diagnosis of colon cancer

In March 2022, Hansa sensed something amiss as the frequency of her urge to pee increased. On self-examination, she felt a lump in her lower belly.

“I consulted a gynecologist in my neighbourhood and was advised to do a sonography as there was a growth in my uterus. I did an abdominal ultrasound at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central. I was asked to do a few more tests and scans. The following day I was informed that I had cancer of the colon,” shares Hansa. “I was asked to consult oncologists Dr Jimmy Mirani and Dr Boman Dhabhar at the same hospital,” she adds.


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Hansa was shattered as she feared the worst and almost gave up.

“But my husband and kids, though shaken, spurred me to give myself another chance at life and not give up without a fight,” she adds softly. They encouraged her to go ahead with the treatment while they did everything possible to support her.

The battle and family support

The oncologists advised another PET scan which revealed that the stage 4 cancer had spread from the colon to the entire abdominal area (peritoneum).

“Dr Mirwani advised me to begin chemotherapy immediately because surgery wasn’t possible in my case as the cancer was widespread. So, on April 11, I started chemotherapy,” Hansa reveals.

When she felt weak after the chemotherapy, her family ensured she got rest to recuperate without stressing about household chores. “My husband and daughter managed the home perfectly,” she smiles.

Her husband Bhavesh, a businessman and daughter Tithi, a student of Std XI took turns to accompany her to chemotherapy sessions. Her son Vatsal, a final year student of engineering in Pune, visited home whenever he could take a break from college to be with her.

Around September, Hansa noticed that she was gaining weight and her abdomen was enlarged. She was finding it difficult to walk because of the size of the tumor and could barely eat. “My oncologists prescribed another PET scan which revealed that the cancer had spread to my ovaries,” she explains.

Surgery during Diwali

They immediately referred her to Dr Sanket Mehta, a surgical oncologist at the same hospital. “He told me that there was no time to lose and I needed to have a surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries which were the organs that were affected most. When I told him Diwali was near, he firmly said ‘surgery is more important than the festival!’,” she says.

On October 22, she underwent a six hour surgery where the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, colon, gallbladder, appendix, a portion of the liver and the omentum along with the entire peritoneal surface was removed because the cancer had spread to these organs.

Recovering from colon cancer

Doctors reassured Hansa that thanks to modern medicine she would be able to lead an almost normal life even after the removal of six organs. The doctors added that with advanced treatment and a combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy along with advanced techniques of surgery, the doctors can hope for long-term survival and even a potential chance at fully curing stage 4 abdominal cancers.

Hansa also adds that Dr Mirwani and Dr Dhabhar constantly encouraged and cheered her up before the procedure.

“Dr Dhabhar said that they have administered chemotherapy to cancer patients older than 70 years and since I was younger I had a greater chance at combating colon cancer,” Hansa says.

For a brighter tomorrow

“During the 15 days in the ICU I recovered well. I began eating on my own and could visit the washroom without help. Within a month I was back to normal activities. About half a month later I began cooking for my family and accepting orders for bridal makeup because I felt stronger,” says Hansa.

The doctors advised her to do whatever made her happy and she found contentment in her work. The wedding season keeps her busy.

“I’m on chemo right now and feel a little weak for a few days following it. But the moment I feel energetic I begin to take orders for bridal makeup. In fact I travel alone on work, though my family gets unduly worried. I find peace and happiness in making brides glow. My work completes me and keeps me going,” she says. She signs off with a piece of advice for those fighting cancer, “I’d like to say at least try to give yourself a chance with the best treatment available and don’t give up without a fight.”

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