A journey through deep loss, illness, self-discovery, transformation, and healing

Mine is a journey of profound personal transformation and healing — shaped by the loss of my only brother and my child, and my own diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cholangiocarcinoma, all within a span of just a few years. It has been a journey from wanting to “leave” to choosing to truly “live,” where pain, loss, and suffering gradually transformed into strength and purpose.

My journey with cancer began in 2018 as a caregiver to my brother, who was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma (GCT). We lost him within a year, despite trying everything imaginable to save him. His passing left me disconnected, lost, and seeking answers. At the time, I was working as a lawyer in India, deeply rooted in the corporate world — a space that shaped my thinking but could no longer hold me in my grief.

After a difficult few years, I moved to Belgium in 2020 for love, hoping to start afresh. I was in my third trimester of pregnancy — glowing, hopeful, and ready to welcome a new life with my husband. We were happy. This pregnancy brought light and joy back into our lives and our family. Then, everything changed overnight in March 2021. A sudden, unexpected pain led to an infection (cholangitis) and the in-utero death of our baby boy. I cannot explain the pain of giving birth to a silent child; a part of me shattered that day in a way I can’t describe.

Further investigations led to a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma — a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile duct. I underwent an invasive Whipple surgery, given my history of an earlier surgery at the age of one for a choledochal cyst. Although the initial staging was believed to be stage 2, it later progressed toward stage 3/4, bringing profound uncertainty around prognosis and treatment. With no family history of cancer, these events were overwhelming, shocking, and deeply confusing for me and my family.

The physical pain was excruciating, but it was nothing compared to the grief in my heart. I was desperate to survive — initially for my family, who had already lost so much. Holding on for them became my anchor in the darkest hours. Over time, I made a conscious decision to take charge of my healing and began a deep exploration of integrative approaches alongside conventional medicine. Today, I am over 4.5 years post-diagnosis and NED. What began as a fight for survival evolved into a deeply transformational healing journey.

This journey has not just been about surviving — it has been about remembering life’s deeper meaning through pain and finding purpose within it. It became a process of shedding identities, labels, and what no longer served me, and reconnecting with who I truly am beneath it all — a journey of coming back home to myself.

I carried an intense fear of death and pain. When I heard the word “cancer” again in my own diagnosis, memories of my brother’s journey flooded back, and fear resurfaced. Even now, moments of uncertainty arise. But I have learned to make peace with the unknown. For me, this journey is about living fully, living presently, living truthfully, and living with purpose — following a new path carved by pain, but guided by consciousness and choice.

While I continue to heal, learn, and evolve, navigating life as it unfolds, I have found deep acceptance of my unique journey and immense gratitude for being here. Although my body is not the same, I am more alive and present than I have ever been. Some days are hard — but I now have tools. I no longer remain stuck. I move forward with greater resilience each time, learning to live in the present, navigate ongoing symptoms, and seek support when needed. My values have changed radically. I now live from a space of truth, love, forgiveness, compassion, gratitude, and self-connection.

During the many months I spent in hospitals, I began sharing with fellow patients what supported my emotional and mental well-being. I found deep fulfilment in connecting with others walking similar paths and felt a strong need to bridge the gap between physical treatment and holistic well-being. I was incredibly fortunate to have access to excellent medical treatment and care, yet I know that I would not be showing up to life the way I do today without addressing the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of healing. That holistic integration is what helped me feel whole again, despite all that had happened.

This realization led me to create RSS HEALS. After practicing law for over a decade, I knew I could not return to that path. Instead, I chose to follow my calling and become a health and wellness coach — empowering others on their journey towards health and healing, and raising awareness about integrative mind-body intervention programs for individuals facing critical illness and cancer. My approach is rooted in holistic, evidence-based mind-body modalities that blend scientific understanding with ancient wisdom.

Even our deepest challenges hold the potential for transformation. If my story can offer even one person hope, clarity, or something to hold on to, then it is all worth it.

Drawing from extensive training, lived experience, and insights gained from working with my clients across multiple coaching and healing modalities, I have developed a comprehensive and adaptable approach to support individuals on their unique journeys. While we may all be moving toward a shared essence of well-being, I believe each path is deeply personal and deserves to be respected and honored.

I invite you to begin this transformative process with me, starting exactly where you are. Together, we will explore what resonates most with you and create a supportive pathway toward sustainable growth, balance, and healing.