Proud of Her Body After Fighting Cancer
- Bollywood actress Chhavi Mittal, 41, has been recovering from surgery after getting diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in April.
- Now cancer-free, the body-confident beautyand digital content creator has bravely been showing off her scars to her half a million followers, despite some unsupportive trolls “flinching at the sight.”
- Unfortunately, cancer treatment often alters the way someone looks. Even though a lot of those changes are temporary, it can be really hard to live with during and after treatment. Healing from the inside is what counts most during this trying time.
Now cancer-free, the body-confident beautyand digital content creator has bravely been showing off her scars to her half a million followers, despite some unsupportive trolls “flinching at the sight.”
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Additionally, the Delhi, India native also said that she would never want to cover up or fix her scars.
“They remind me of the fight I fought and the victory I achieved. Why would I ever want to hide these battle scars! That would be tampering with evidence!
Chhavi concluded with: “Proud to be a #cancersurvivor”
Scars or no scars, Chhavi’s radiance takes center stage in how she presents herself: Full of good energy and silliness, not to mention her strength. The powerful messages she expresses about her fight, and now the pride she feels through her recovery, is highly inspiring.
Not only is she a strong unit independently, but she also conveys her appreciation for her husband of 17 years, director Mohit Hossein, whom she celebrated with in the hospital, cutting a chocolate cake and not letting cancer get in the way of them celebrating their union.
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The couple married in 2004. Eight years later, they had a baby girl named Areeza Hussain, and son Arham Hussein was born in 2019.
Chhavi reflected back on their nuptials for a sweet post for her loving husband, who has firmly stuck by her side during her cancer battle.
"Dear @mohithussein, When you asked my father for my hand in marriage, he tried to warn you saying I fall sick frequently,” she shared. “He just meant regular flu, but did you ever imagine that time that I could face such scary illnesses like cancer, and you know the others?”
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“Idk if you regret it now,” she continued to her lover. “but I would choose you a 100 times over as my life partner coz the way you have stuck with me through everything, I don't think anyone could've. Today, the bond is only getting stronger as we compete 17 years of togetherness in a hospital while my pain is reducing and the annoyingly demanding me is coming back.”
If, by “annoyingly demanding,” she means an outspoken feminist who sticks up for herself and doesn’t allow others to put her down, then we are all for it!
This wasn’t the first time that Chhavi has faced criticism, as she was put down by some other mothers on Instagram last year for “neglecting her children,” simply because she works from home making online fitness videos.
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“When will mothers stop putting other mothers down?” she asked in a post immediately after the trolling. “When will we stop undermining and 'judging' working mothers?"
Taking the high road, she simply concludes her expressed frustration with “ditch the guilt” and “embrace strength,” to her fellow mamas out there, whether they hate on her or not.
Getting the Emotional Support You Need
Cancer and Body Confidence
Unfortunately, cancer treatment often alters the way someone looks. Even though a lot of those changes are temporary, it can be really hard to live with duringand aftertreatment.
Healing from the inside is what counts most during this trying time.
Although it is admirable for Chhavi to show such strength, it is perfectly okay to need a bit more support to get through the aftermath of this disease. Everyone’s cancer battle is different, as is their journey with their body healing.
"My confidence was gone," says Jaclyn Kaczynski in a previous interview with SurvivorNet. Jaclyn was diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 years old and found it really threw her body image off track. "My confidence was destroyed. I was always vain about my appearance and my weight, let alone losing a breast, or both."
My Confidence Was Destroyed Dealing With Body Image During Cancer Treatment
Jaclyn says that she gained a lot of weight during treatment, and that, combined with losing her breasts, really did a number on how she felt about her own body. A lot of women struggle to feel like themselves again after breast cancer treatment. Members of the SurvivorNet community also tell us that deciding between reconstruction or embracing a life without breasts is a really tough decision. While many women decide to "go flat," others simply don't feel like themselves after surgery.
Related: The Silver Linings: Laura Morton On The Aftermath Of Breast Cancer Surgery
In Jaclyn's case, she went the reconstruction route. "I just had my reconstructive surgery … my favorite doctor was able to make it happen for me. It's amazing how much more confidence I have … my hair is growing back, for real." Jaclyn says she's feeling so good about herself she's even starting to date again "I'm keeping my options open."
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