Sonali Bendre took to Instagram on Thursday 4 July to share a special post marking the one year anniversary of receiving her cancer diagnosis. It was exactly one year ago that Sonali had shared her diagnosis with the world.
This year, Sonali shared a picture symbolising two sides of her journey: her with a full head of hair before the cancer and her with a shaved head after. Along with the picture she shared a poem by Rupi Kaur. “It’s been a year... I can’t tell you how instrumental YOU ALL have been... Thank you for helping me get through this and for helping me. #SwitchOnTheSunshine
#Gratitude #BeFearless#OneDayAtATime #MyNewNormal”
The poem, from Rupi’s 2014 book ‘Milk and Honey’ reads as follows:
stay strong through your pain
grow flowers from it
you have helped me
grow flowers out of mine so
bloom beautifully
dangerously
loudly
bloom softly
however you need
just bloom.
Many celebrities and fans left supportive comments for Sonali. Among them was director Farah Khan, who wrote, “Ur not a flower baby.. ur a Tree!! Strong n unbending.” Shweta Bachchan commented, “Hello beautiful ... send me homework please.”
On 4 July 2018, Sonal had shared a message on social media that went, “Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with a high grade cancer that has metastised, which we frankly did not see coming. A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis. My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for. I am very blessed and thankful for each of them.”
Since then, she has shared constant updates on her battle with the disease and eventual recovery.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)