These are posts I shared on X over the course of a year. They tell a story I didn’t plan to tell publicly, but I’m glad I did.

June 2022

While I generally keep my Twitter super professional, I wanted to share something personal today.

I’ve been away from all work for the past two months to be with my family. My mum was diagnosed with stage 3 uterine cancer recently and will be starting chemotherapy tomorrow.

What that means professionally - I’m taking up 2-3 small projects over the next six months and saying no to everything else. If you send an email, I might reply after several days.

What that means personally - I’ve never been more terrified in my life.

Why am I sharing this here - to give you some idea of why I’m MIA and unresponsive. So that you can send your prayers and positive thoughts - for I need all strength possible at the moment.

Good thing - I have tons of hope. Bad thing - I’m constantly searching for courage.

A few days later

Thank you so much for the thoughts, support and love on this thread and DMs. Being vulnerable is hard, but can often bring hope and solutions. So thank you for that.

Personal news on the celebratory side of the spectrum - Collective visits and nights spent in the hospital brought two people closer than before, ultimately nudging them towards getting married earlier than planned. I feel fortunate to call Aashish Kalra my companion.

Aashish and me on our wedding day Married — something good that came out of a difficult time.

February 2023 — World Cancer Day

Yesterday was World Cancer Day. After 10 months, my warrior mum is 4 days away from finishing her proposed treatment. I am both relieved and anxious, but letting the relief dominate because of all the positivity my family showed to get through this. Celebrating her chemo fashion!

My mum dressed up during her chemotherapy treatment My warrior mum and her chemo fashion.