Cancer survivor Manisha Koirala bounces back to life and how!

Recently, actor-turned-author Manisha Koirala shared anecdotes about her journey as a cancer fighter at the ZEE Jaipur Lit Fest while promoting her book on cancer.

Actor Manisha Koirala was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. She fought for recovery till 2015 and is now back on the sets essaying roles in films like Lust Stories and Sanju. Sanju is a biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt in which Koirala portrayed the role of late actor Nargis Dutt. Nargis, who died of cancer in 1981, was also treated in Sloan Kettering, the same New York Hospital where Koirala got her surgery done. The 48-year-old actress of 1942 A Love Story fame has authored a book on cancer: Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life. Koirala was seen promoting her book at the recently held ZEE Jaipur Lit Fest (JLF), where she inspired a packed house as a cancer crusader. Here is what she said at the JLF about her cancer and how she battled the condition.

I don t want to die :

This book that I have written starts with a line I don t want to die . When one is diagnosed with cancer, the first thing that happens to us is the thought of death. It s a very difficult thing to comprehend. It was a long night (the night I was diagnosed with cancer). It was excruciatingly lonely and painful. The plane ride from Kathmandu to Mumbai is 2 hours but it felt like a lifetime.

The treatment:

My grandfather who had cancer was treated at Sloan Kettering. It so happened that my mother s childhood friend from Banaras was a doctor in New York and that s how we connected with Dr Chi Choose the right doctor and follow the doctor s advice to the tee. Once the doctor has done his bit, it is my responsibility to revive my health. I realised you need to make a lifestyle conducive to a healthy life.

Acknowledging flaws:

I drank a lot. It was champagne if I was celebrating and vodka if I was depressed. I found a reason to drink. Once cancer struck, that was out.

Living life to the fullest:

When it is our time to go we should be graceful about death. But as long as we live, we should do our best and try and do everything possible.