Radhika Sapra, a 27-year-old woman, is courageously fighting stage 4 ovarian cancer all by herself. With a soft voice and an innocent smile, she evokes a desire to hug and comfort her. Her journey has been tough, and she acknowledges that it has always been so. She lost her father in 2022 and has no siblings. When questioned about her mother, Radhika chooses to remain silent.
Early Symptoms and Diagnosis
Radhika was only 22 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She recalls having painful periods that caused her to faint in school, often for days in a row. Her periods occurred twice a month, with bleeding lasting 10 to 14 days. She experienced excessive bleeding, soaking through an XL pad within two hours. Despite consulting doctors, her symptoms were dismissed for years.
At the time of diagnosis, Radhika was working in Chandigarh. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, she could not travel home to be with her father. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, with fatigue, vomiting, and rapid weight loss. She became so weak that she had to crawl down the stairs. Her father obtained special permission to pick her up, and she was immediately admitted to the ICU, where doctors warned she might suffer a cardiac arrest at any moment.
The Silent Killer
Radhika emphasizes that ovarian cancer is often called a silent killer because its initial symptoms are ignored or mistaken for common menstrual or gastric issues. She now lives with her partner Param, whom she met on a dating app, and her aunt Sonia, who has never left her side. Her friend Anmol has also been a constant source of support, bringing her food daily and never judging her when she spoke about the domestic and physical abuse she endured.
Financial Struggles
When asked about managing her expenses, Radhika has no concrete answer. Her father, a heart patient, suddenly passed away in 2022 after suffering a fall. He was deeply troubled by financial losses and left no savings. Radhika was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and her father died worrying about her. Since then, she has managed through donations, freelancing, and a monthly contribution from a kind soul. However, her monthly expenses amount to around ₹2-3 lakh, which is very difficult to meet. She has registered as a clinical trial patient and is undergoing immunotherapy.
Cancer has returned four times in six years, and it has now spread to her lungs, liver, and other parts. Despite the tough battle, she finds strength in her dog, whom she does not want to abandon, unlike how she felt abandoned by her parents.
A Traumatic Childhood
Radhika's childhood was filled with pain, hunger, and abuse. Her parents did not get along, and policemen would visit their home every two days. She was often sent to relatives' houses, where she felt abandoned and like a burden. She was not given food and was beaten black and blue. She was physically abused at her relatives' place, and when she told her mother, she was beaten again. Even while recounting these details, she shudders and trembles.
Despite her traumatic past, Radhika shows immense gratitude towards the few people who support her, including Param, her aunt Sonia, and her friend Anmol. Through her Instagram account, she bravely shares her journey, and her innocence melts hearts. Money is a constraint, and she does not want to confront how she will manage future expenses. But Radhika is eager to live, enjoy every bit of life, and embrace whatever comes with bravery and acceptance.
Her story is a stark reminder that even in the face of unbearable pain, abandonment, illness, and uncertainty, the human spirit can still choose hope, love, and the courage to keep going.
