Actress Monal Gajjar recently took to Instagram to reveal that she had been diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, a type of thyroid cancer. The news came as a shock to many in the film industry. When Filmfare exclusively reached out to her to understand how the entire ordeal unfolded, Monal was forthcoming about her experience.
Difficult to process
Monal Gajjar reveals that she has a history of sore throat and tonsil-related problems. In August, she started experiencing a sore throat and fever. Initially, she took medication and continued working. However, the medicines did not provide any relief. “I consulted doctors again. They said my tonsils had become bigger, and as a result, I was having an infection and inflammation.” Even after a week of medication, her symptoms persisted. “I was experiencing a lot of difficulty sleeping. In fact, I haven’t slept properly for two months.”
Monal felt that her condition required more serious attention. On her doctor’s advice, she underwent an ultrasound, followed by a biopsy. The reports revealed that she had Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, a type of thyroid cancer.
“I was initially shocked to learn about it. The news hit me hard, and it was difficult to process since I lead a very healthy lifestyle. But the doctors asked me not to worry because it had been detected at an early stage.”
Seven-and-a-half-hour surgery
The development left her entire family in a state of shock. However, Monal mustered the courage to face the situation and decided to undergo surgery on November 2. “It was a seven-and-a-half-hour surgical procedure,” she recalls. “It was tough and challenging, but I was always confident that I could get through it because of my mental strength.”
Monal points out that this type of cancer is often detected in older people. “In a way, I was lucky that it was detected at a very early stage. Doctors said that this type of cancer spreads slowly, but the early diagnosis came in handy.”
A positive approach is crucial
Post-surgery, Monal remains optimistic. She says the experience has made her more grateful for the many things in life. “Not that I wasn’t earlier, but my positive approach and mindset towards the cancer treatment helped me recover faster. While the word ‘cancer’ itself is scary, a positive attitude always helps us overcome challenges. When life throws challenges at us, we should accept them and move on. My family and friends’ support was significant during this time.”
