When Shital Thakkar quit Sasural Simar Ka 2 in January last year, she never imagined that her ongoing health issues would eventually lead to a cancer diagnosis. Today, the actress is proud to call herself a cancer survivor. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “I was struggling with my health for months, and during the last two months of shooting, I could only manage close-up scenes because my condition didn’t allow me to work long hours.I took a break to figure out what was happening, as my medical reports were inconclusive. It was only after I left the show that I was diagnosed with leukaemia. The past two years have been spent in treatment. Now that I’m back on my feet, I feel ready to share my story.”
‘I had a bone marrow transplant last September’
Speaking about her treatment, Shital shares, “I went through 32 chemotherapy sessions. In my case, a bone marrow transplant was necessary to prevent the cancer from returning. I had the transplant last September and had to stay in isolation for 36 days in the hospital followed by another three months at home. The first year after the transplant is critical, and I’m grateful to have completed it successfully. To mark the occasion, I took my first trip to Greece, which I had planned before being admitted to the hospital.”
‘I was incredibly lucky to have the support of my family’
During this challenging period, the actress, who has been part of shows such as Swabhimaan, Aashirwad, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, found immense support from her family. She says, “When something like this happens, you realise how grateful you should be for the simplest things in life. Just having your health and being able to do everyday tasks, is such a blessing. I was incredibly lucky to have the support of my brother and my husband — they were with me for every single blood test, and I had many. It’s not just a difficult time for the patient; it’s tough for the family too, and their strength gave me the courage to keep fighting. My daughter was only 10 at the time, and I needed to gently explain everything to her. She was very strong throughout the ordeal and the only time she cried was when I told her I’d have to shave my head.”
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On her future plans:
The actress is looking forward to new adventures. “I have a few travel plans lined up. I’m also considering ads and web shows that don’t require long-term commitments. Ironically, I received some of the best offers when I wasn’t able to work,” she shares with a smile.
