At an age when many slow down, 76-year-old P B Santhakumari of Ernakulam in Kerala is pumping iron in a gym to stay strong, that too after beating cancer without chemotherapy. Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
A breast cancer survivor, Santhakumari of Maradu fought her battle without chemotherapy, relying instead on holistic treatments. Today, she is a regular at the gym, lifting weights and engaging in rigorous workouts to keep her body strong and healthy.
Santhakumari, who retired from Spices Board in Kochi, also practices yoga and meditation under Art of Living. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, she made the unconventional decision to opt for holistic therapies instead of traditional chemotherapy. Though doctors advised her to go for either chemotherapy or radiation to prevent relapse of the disease after removing the breast which was affected with stage-three cancer, she opted the path of holistic healing.
A firm believer in the power of natural healing, she focused on a combination of Ayurveda, dietary changes, and yoga to prevent relapse of the disease after undergoing a breast removal surgery.
Against all odds, she emerged victorious, her body and spirit unbroken. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage. After removing the affected breast, I opted for a holistic treatment instead of chemo and radiation to prevent relapse of the disease. For the last 22 years, I have been leading a healthy life,” Santhakumari said.
Her husband, C R N Panicker, stood by her decision to avoid chemotherapy and radiation for cancer treatment. “He gave me the courage to beat cancer. He was my strength and support until his death two years ago,” she said. She is also a proud mother of two daughters – Shalini Rakesh and Malini S- who bring joy and strength to her life.
At the age of 74, she decided to start going to the gym regularly along with her daughter, Shalini Rakesh. She now works out consistently at Bodyfit Gym in Thripunithura under the guidance of her trainer, Ajeesh
“I realized that survival alone wasn’t enough. I wanted to thrive, to live my life to the fullest,” says Santhakumari, who is a regular participant in all marathon events in Kochi.
“My mother was initially shy to join a gym. But once she started hitting the gym regularly, she realised the positive changes in her body. Her routine now includes strength training, cardio exercises, and flexibility workouts. She is more disciplined than us. Her energy and enthusiasm motivate everyone around her,” her daughter Shalini Rakesh told “Open Digest“.
“Cancer was not just a battle of the body, but of the mind. Meditation helped me find peace, and yoga gave me balance. Now the physical workouts in the gym have given me more confidence,” said Santhakumari.
For Santhakumari, age is just a number, and she says, “It’s never too late to take charge of your health and live your best life.”
