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Breast cancer survivor Chhavi Mittal opens up about the need for support after being discharged from hospital: ‘One by one, I lost all my ‘friends’’

Just because you are back from the hospital doesn't mean you don't need support from people anymore. That's when you need it the most, Chhavi Mittal added

Chhavi Mittal shares about the need for support (Source: Chhavi Hussein/Instagram)

Chhavi Mittal has been highly vocal about her breast cancer diagnosis, subsequent surgery, and the recuperation period. Now, she has opened up about the need for support after the operation, once one is back home, in a candid chat with actor and cancer survivor Lisa Ray, sharing that she experienced a lack of empathy from some close friends.

“Every second day after my surgery, there was a lot of discomfort in my breast. I often found myself comforting my breast as I would get a lot of swelling. I did that once in a restaurant when a very close friend said…stop doing it…stop attracting attention to yourself. And until then, I didn’t realise that it’s something that’s attracting attention. It’s just that I was comfortable doing it. Slowly, but surely, one by one, I had these kind of incidents with so many close friends, and I think that played a lot on my mind,” shared Mittal, 44.

She added, “Just because you are back from the hospital doesn’t mean you don’t need support from people anymore. That’s when you need it the most. And I felt that, too. In fact I was judged and looked down upon for my behaviour and for my mental health by the ones closest to me. One by one, I lost all my ‘friends’ coz nobody had the patience to let me heal.”

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Taking a leaf out of her admission, let’s understand how emotional and moral support and empathy play a crucial role.

Clinical psychologist Kamna Chhibber seconded Hussein and shared that support must extend beyond the crisis. “Most people tend to be available to help in the immediate aftermath of a situation. While aiding in planning and problem-solving is important when something occurs, continued support is a must to ensure the person can cope effectively over a longitudinal period,” said Chhibber.

Also Read | Discover where trauma is stored in your body — and how to release it

Furthermore, the support from loved ones helps to foster a sense of normalcy and purpose, which is crucial for emotional recovery, stressed Dr Neerja Aggarwal, psychologist, co-founder, and CEO of Emoneeds. According to Dr Aggarwal, social interaction, encouragement, and reassurance can counter feelings of helplessness while providing opportunities for patients to feel engaged and involved in daily life.

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A post shared by Chhavi Mittal (@chhavihussein)

“Remaining actively involved in the patient’s recovery, loved ones can even play a crucial role in identifying early warning signs of mental health struggles, such as persistent anxiety or depression. Their vigilance ensures that patients receive timely interventions, which can significantly improve their emotional and psychological well-being during recovery,” said Dr Aggarwal.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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