At the age of 21, when the world outside is fantasizing about futures, mapping out careers, and succumbing to the endless elation of their twenties, a man is counting down his final Diwali celebrations. His words, shared publicly on social media, have touched the hearts of thousands deeply: “Cancer won, guys, see ya!!!“
When diagnosed in 2023 with Stage 4 colon cancer, this courageous man has endured what no one can imagine to think of taking constant cycles of chemotherapy, and the agony experience when physicians finally told him there was nothing left that they could do. The prognosis is tough: he likely may not live another year.
As Diwali lights the Indian streets, he gazes at them with a bitter truth and emotionally posts as “It’s difficult to believe that I will be seeing Diwali for the last time,” placing each word into the seriousness of the ending. “I will miss the lights, the jokes, and the commotion.” It is strange to see life move on as mine creeps away.”
The savagery of his circumstances is exacerbated when he talks of unrealized dreams. Places to travel that will never be visited. A company that will never get off the ground. The simple pleasure of adopting a dog’s dream is now apparently forever beyond his reach. These weren’t grand fantasies. They were the everyday dreams that make life worthwhile, now fleeing from him like sand.
Maybe the saddest part of his experience is not agony on his part, but watching the agony etched upon his parents’ faces. To be 21 and have your parents sit still as you deteriorate is pathetic. The lifestyle was reversed cruelly. Parents would never bury children, but he also has the burden of having to see their grief even when he’s alive.
“I am aware that someone else will light diyas in my home next year and that I shall be there only as a memory,” he said, a sentiment which reflects the utter isolation of terminal illness being present and already in a way of loneliness.
His message was not a plea for notice or sympathy. It was more concise and in some way more moving: “I don’t know why I’m posting this. Maybe just to say it out loud, to leave a small mark before I disappear quietly into whatever comes next.” A young man looking for validation he existed, his life counted, before the shadows took him away.
The reaction of strangers all over the world has been massive. Thousands have crossed prayers, messages of hope, and encouragement like “If God exists, please save this guy” and “Tight hugs to you!” Some implore him to enjoy whatever time is left to take evening strolls, hear music that touches his heart, have brunches, and bask in moments with those he loves. Some merely attribute his abnormal strength to confront challenging circumstances that are out of the ordinary.
Cancer may be endless, and this tragedy makes us have to face a very unpleasant truth. Even though we consider it an elderly disease, the prevalence of colon and rectal cancer among the youth has been soaring. The experience of this young fellow is not only sad, it would be an eye-opener to many.
Life is precious. Each day that we take for granted the privilege of planning, of dreaming agelessly, of lighting diyas year after year is a gift which can be taken away from us in an instant. His words have to haunt us to the best of our ability so that we live each day to the fullest, love to the core, and never take tomorrow for granted.
A Path to Prevention
As medical technology progresses, we also need to remember that the advanced lifestyle practices may contribute to a significant rise of cancer in people, especially among younger generations. The future demands a return to natural and organic living principles as our human bodies are originally designed to operate on.
Our meal should consist of unprocessed foods and meat, good vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes that provide us with the fiber and antioxidants to protect our cells against damage. The risk of developing colon/ colorectal cancer may be decreased by nearly fifty percent with avoiding processed meat, sugars, energy and carbonated drinks, and ultra-processed food. Regular exercise, physical fitness, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding over consumption of Tobacco smoking and alcohol would be life saving practices.
Lastly, our living environment may also factor a lot. Minimizing our exposure to carcinogens, minimizing stress through knowledge and proper sleep, and being healthy socially all contribute toward cancer prevention. Early screening, even among young adults with any identifiable signs, should not be overlooked.
Final note
A world free of cancer is utopian perhaps, but each decision that we make brings us closer to making it a reality. This man’s tragedy would move us, not grief. Make his life the lightning bolt that pushes us into making changes to our lifestyles, detecting the lifestyle mistakes earlier and being introspective lead us to be responsible towards our own health.
“Every life is worth preserving, every dream deserves to bloom, and every Diwali should be celebrated with hope—for it reminds us of the light within and the promise of new beginnings.”