‘Never felt like a patient’: Nisha Jose K Mani shares cancer survival story in memoir

Kottayam: Social worker Nisha Jose K Mani has turned the short notes she wrote during her battle with cancer into a book titled ‘I Flow from Light to Light: A Cancer Memoir’. She is wife of Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K Mani. More than just a narrative about cancer, the book weaves in reflections on life and resilience, conveying the idea that anyone can face and overcome adversity.

Nisha recalls that people were surprised to see her arriving at the hospital for radiation sessions dressed in traditional set mundu sarees with colourful borders. “I went for all 15 radiation sessions wearing a set mundu. During a trip to Delhi, I tried to look fresh, wearing glass bangles I had bought from Faridabad. While many others came in saris and nighties with bath towels, I stood apart. I never felt like a patient—and neither did those who saw me,” she said.

After returning from the radiation table to her room, she would jot down her thoughts on small pieces of paper—about love, loss, and life. Among these writings is a moving account of an ordinary woman from Faridabad who taught her that making glass bangles could be a source of joy and a symbol of women’s empowerment.

The woman who found joy in wearing bangles

Nisha had seen a woman who sold bangles at the Surajkund Mela in Faridabad, year after year. One year, the woman was missing. On enquiry, Nisha learned that she was suffering from a serious illness affecting her stomach. She travelled to the woman’s village and found that she had cancer. Though her face had darkened due to illness, the woman still wore bangles on both arms.

At first glance, she did not appear to be a patient. The woman told her, “I feel happy when I wear bangles. I deserve to be happy.” What Nisha saw in her was empowerment expressed through the simple act of wearing bangles. This meeting took place before Nisha herself fell ill.

When she was later diagnosed with cancer, Nisha says the first face that came to her mind was of this woman, and it was her words that gave her the strength to survive.

Even before her diagnosis, Nisha had twice cut and donated her hair in solidarity with cancer patients. The book also reflects on the days when, despite the physical changes brought on by radiation, she chose to live fully, keep on learning, and savour every moment of life.

The book will be released on January 28 at 4 pm at the office of MP Shashi Tharoor in New Delhi, with former Supreme Court Justice Kurian Joseph releasing the book. The foreword has been written by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose.