128. Life Beyond Cancer | Sarita Parmar on Thriving After Trauma
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Too Young To Be Old, host Diane Gilman welcomes Sarita Parmar to share her courageous journey through breast cancer. Together, they explore the emotional, mental, and spiritual hurdles that come with a life-changing diagnosis, as well as the strength, resilience, and perspective it brought into Sarita’s life.
As both women reflect on their personal battles with cancer, they offer deep insights into coping with trauma, navigating cultural expectations, and finding purpose through adversity. This conversation is a powerful testament to the human spirit and how challenges like cancer can lead to thriving, not just surviving.
Key Discussion Points
1. Breast Cancer Awareness and Personal Stories
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Diane and Sarita open up about their individual experiences with breast cancer. Sarita shares her emotional diagnosis, discovering that she had not one, but two different types of cancer in each breast. Diane reflects on her own journey, including the time she ignored early symptoms due to her career demands.
2. The Burden of Responsibility as First-Born Daughters
Both Diane and Sarita are first-born daughters of immigrant families, and they discuss the unique responsibilities this role entails. Sarita reflects on being a caregiver not only in her family but also in her professional life, which added pressure during her cancer battle. Diane relates, offering insights into the cultural pressures that can make it difficult to prioritize self-care.
3. Genetic Testing and Preventative Surgeries
Sarita talks about her genetic testing journey, discovering she was BRCA1 positive, which put her at high risk for breast and ovarian cancers. She describes the decision to have a preventive surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes following her diagnosis and her feelings about entering medical Menopause.
4. The Mental and Emotional Toll of Cancer
The episode dives deep into the emotional impact of cancer. Sarita shares how she compartmentalized her emotions during treatment, only to be hit by a wave of feelings once the physical battle ended. She found healing through journaling and Yoga, which helped her process and regain her emotional and spiritual strength.
5. Thriving Post-Cancer: Redefining Life and Purpose
Both Diane and Sarita explain how cancer forced them to reevaluate their lives and make significant changes. For Sarita, this meant leaving the corporate grind and pursuing self-Employment, allowing her to design a life that prioritized her well-being and family. Diane discusses how her experience shifted her spiritually and led her to focus on helping other women navigate similar challenges.
6. A Message of Hope and Empowerment
Throughout the conversation, Diane and Sarita emphasize the importance of mindset. They encourage listeners to view adversity as a teacher, not as a victimizing experience. Both women convey that while cancer was a difficult journey, it also provided them with the strength, perspective, and purpose to live fuller, more meaningful lives
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Connect with Sarita Parmar
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarita1parmar/
Website – https://saritaparmar.com/
Connect with Diane
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedianegilman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDianeGilman/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedianegilman/?hl=en
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You can get a copy of my book on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Too-Young-Be-Old-Vibrant/dp/1637554532
