This cancer survivor is not ready to give up her dreams

Navi Indran Pillai was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, then again in 2018 with lung and bone cancer. Although it was unexpected, she stayed positive despite the setbacks and negative thoughts. She strongly believes that even though life can be unfair at times, there is no reason to give up on it. So to inspire and support other cancer patients, she has done a photo series titled Bold Indian Bride. “In 2013, after a few surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other treatments, I was as good as cured and continued living my life, as a normal girl would. 

I went to Australia to complete my masters in project management engineering and even started working there. And it was when I came back for my yearly check-ups with my oncologist in 2018, that I was yet again diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The disease got my liver and parts of my spine. Yet, I try and find a little bit of hope and faith to push me through these tough times. My experiences made me want to do something different to inspire more young women out there who are going through similar struggles. So I approached a few people whom I know to see if they could collaborate. Luckily everyone liked the concept and immediately came on board,” she says.

Cancer treatments have given people a lot of limitations; it has robbed beauty and taken away people’s confidence. Navi’s idea was to tell the world that cancer cannot control anyone’s lives. “As little girls, we have always dreamt of what our big day would be like and how we would look like a bride. But having cancer has stripped some of us from fulfilling these dreams. A lot of cancer survivors have postponed or even cancelled their weddings. For me, as a cancer survivor, I dreamt the day I would marry the love of my life. I dreamt what it is to look like a bride, and to feel like one. Losing my hair during chemotherapy was by far the hardest thing I ever had to go through. I felt that I was not beautiful enough to be loved and was not fit enough to be a bride. Hair, to me, is a woman’s ‘crowning glory’, and having that taken away from you is devastating, to say the least. But we choose to accept what we have, appreciate what we are and welcome what is coming,” says the youngster, who is also a dancer.

Navi tells us that the shoot was well received on social media because of the effort put in by the team behind it. “Celes Gerard was behind the camera and Hanu did my makeup and styling. Not only did I look like a bride, but also felt like one, thanks to the wonderful team behind the shoot. I am so grateful to have met such wonderful people and feel extremely blessed for the amount of love and support I have received so far. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I scrolled down the pictures because my dream had just come true,” Navi muses.

As a parting note, she shares a piece of advice for cancer patients/survivors. “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger,” she smiles.