For every 90s kid, the name Sonali Bendre brings out a flood of happy memories. Truly, Sonali has been an epitome of inspiration and positivity. In July 2018, Sonali made a heart-breaking revelation when she shared an Instagram post about her high-grade metastatic cancer. Ever since, she has been sharing motivational posts on her social media handle from the US, where she is currently undergoing treatment for the same. (Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana On Tahira Kashyap's Cancer, Says He Was Sleepless For Seven Nights, Seven Days)
In a recent post shared by Sonali, she can be seen applying kohl on her eyes and flaunting her bald look. She captioned it as, “I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.” – Cheryl Strayed, Wild."
She began describing her cancer journey as, "Over the past couple of months, I have had good days and bad ones. There have been days when I’ve been so exhausted and in so much pain that even lifting a finger hurt. I feel like sometimes it’s a cycle… one that starts off with physical pain and leads to mental and emotional pain. The bad days have been many… Post chemo, post-surgery and the like… where even just laughing hurts.” (Also Checkout: Rubina Dilaik Can't Stop Praising Her Cancer Survivor 'Sasu-Maa' At Her 'Sangeet', Calls Her Queen)
Her post could further be read as, “Sometimes it felt like it took everything I’ve had to push past it… a minute to minute battle with myself. I got through it knowing that even though I was fighting a long drawn out, draining battle… it was one that was worth the fight. It’s important to remember that we’re allowed to have those bad days. Forcing yourself to be happy and cheerful all the time serves no purpose. Who are we being fake and putting on an act for? I allowed myself to cry, to feel the pain, to indulge in self-pity… for a short while. Only you know what you’re going through and it is fine to accept it. Emotions aren’t wrong. Feeling negative emotions isn’t wrong. But after a point, identify it, recognize it and refuse to let it control your life.”
She concluded by saying, “It takes an immense amount of self-care to get out of that zone. Sleep always helps, or having my favourite smoothie after chemo, or just talking to my son. For now, as my treatment continues… my visual focus remains to just get better and get back home. It’s yet another test… Student all my life… Learning all my life… #OneDayAtATime”. (Also Read: Sonali Bendre, After Sharing Her New Look In A Wig, Confidently Flaunts Her Bald Look With A Smile)
Anupam Kher, who is in the States for the shooting of his American tele series, New Amsterdam, bonded with Sonali and her husband, Goldie Behl over a dinner. Sharing a string of photographs from the evening, where Sonali and Anupam can be seen twinning in black, he tweeted, ““The elegance under pressure is the result of fearlessness.” It was so wonderful & refreshing to have dinner with the most beautiful, inspirational & courageous @iamsonalibendre along with the compassionate @GOLDIEBEHL & ever smiling Rupa. #DeliciousFood #RichConversations #NYC”. (Don't Miss: Hrithik Roshan Prayed All-Night In 'Mandir' For Sunaina Roshan's Cancer, She Writes Emotional Letter)
In August 2018 too, when Anupam ji met Sonali in the US and took to Twitter to share his blessings, love and wishes for her. Calling her his 'hero', Anupam had tweeted, “I have done few films with @iamsonalibendre. We’ve met socially many times in Mumbai. She always has been bright & a very warm person. But it is only in the last 15days that I got the opportunity to spend some quality time with her in NY. And I can easily say, “She is my HERO.””
Rishi Kapoor, who is also undergoing some medical treatment in the US, met Priyanka Chopra, Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl for a get-together. Neetu Kapoor shared the pictures from their meeting, and captioned it, “Love you @priyankachopra love you @iamsonalibendre love you @srishtibehlarya Goldie !!!! Wonderful beautiful people”. Priyanka shared the same picture with Rishi ji and Neetu ji, and captioned it, “Was so good seeing you both @neetu54 #RishiKapoor laughter and smiles as always!!” (Also Read: Rishi Kapoor Allegedly Diagnosed With Third Stage Of Cancer, Brother Randhir Kapoor Reveals Truth)
It so good to see Sonali in such good spirits and we hope to see her back soon in Mumbai, all hale and hearty!