Print this article

Must read: Life lessons from a cancer survivor

February 08, 2019 08:10 IST

The 34 year old Malayalam actor is spreading smiles and positivity one post at a time.

Mamta Mohandas

IMAGE: Mamta Mohandas shared this picture of her transformation from 2009 to 2019. Photographs: Kind courtesy Mamta Mohandas/Instagram

The last few days have been inspiring in more ways than one.

It started with Sonali Bendre and Tahira Kashyap showing us how they haven't given up the battle to cancer.

Almost a month after the #10YearChallenge went viral, Malayalam actor Mamta Mohandas who had Hodkins lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) recently took to her social media to share her journey of growth and learnings.

The 34 year old shared a before and after picture and wrote a long post explaining what she has learned in the past 10 years and how she fought the big C.

Mamta's post reminds us to appreciate the good things we have.

She stressed on the need to be there, be kind to those who are going through a rough patch:

'2009 was the year that changed everything for me and impacted every plan my family had for us,' the award winning actor wrote.

'Last 10 years has been quite a challenge. As I look back, come 2019, I’m proud to realise that I have fought tirelessly, stayed strong and survived.'

'Staying positive and strong for several years is very hard but if I have done it, there are a few people behind it.'

'All Thanks to Dad-Mom(thank you is a speck of a word to express my gratitude to you), a few of my cousins who have shown me what sibling-love is and my dearest friends who always cared to call or text to check if I am ‘actually well’ and not just pretending to be OK.'

'All the good work that comes my way and colleagues who challenge me to perform better and to all the opportunities given to me by the universe to realise what’s right for me and what’s not,' she said.

Mamta Mohandas with her team of nurses

IMAGE: Mamta posted this photograph with her team of nurses who helped her recover.
'This picture is not about me,' she wrote on Instagram
'I had to show off to the #world my AMAZING team of nurses who helped me day in day out during my 30-day isolation period of BMT. They became my world, my life, and the ones that I shared everything with.. my stories, my pain, my tears, my fears.'
'They walk in and magically made me feel better with their kindness, smiles and caring touch.'
'The one that I was closest to was sister Nimita (the short one with the cutest smile) who is now practicing in Philadelphia. Thank you ladies! You are all so beautiful,' Mamta said.

She was one of the first few actors down South who spoke positively about her struggles and comeback.

Mamta relocated to Los Angeles, US for her clinical treatment but did not stop working in India.

During this time, she also filed for divorce.

She did not let any of this affect her spirit as she continued to work and bag multiple awards.

She watched her health, her diet, surrounded herself with people who lifted her and came out stronger, a winner.

And how did she do it?

In Mamta's words, 'A smile can change the world.. don't let anyone take yourself away from you.'

Rediff Get Ahead Bureau