Our Daughter, The Fighter: Riona’s Journey Through Leukemia
Posted on 2025-08-20 By : Tanuja Mitra & Pranav Ghosh
We still remember the day we found out Riona had leukemia. It was September 30, 2022. She was just 10—full of life, stubborn about food, always running around with more energy than we could handle. When she started showing signs of fatigue and appetite loss, we thought it was just a phase—maybe a vitamin deficiency, or perhaps the stress of the pandemic. We never imagined that the word cancer could become a part of our lives.
During COVID, all of us had symptoms and got tested. A blood test revealed that Riona’s hemoglobin was dangerously low. That was the first time we truly suspected something was wrong. Our pediatrician advised us to consult a specialist. We rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. In that moment, our world turned upside down.
Her chemotherapy began soon after, but through a friend’s reference, we heard about Dr. Gaurav Kharya at Apollo Hospital in Delhi. There was something about him—his calmness, his clarity, and the way he spoke to us—that gave us hope. For the first time since her diagnosis, we felt like we could breathe. Shifting Riona’s care to Apollo was one of the best decisions we made. Dr. Gaurav was not just her doctor; he was available for us 24/7—not only for Riona, but for all his patients—and became the pillar of strength we leaned on throughout this journey.
From October 2022 to June 2023, Riona underwent six cycles of intensive chemotherapy. Those months were the most difficult period of our lives. Chemotherapy is hard on anyone, but for a child, the side effects are unimaginably harsh. Riona endured mouth ulcers so painful she could barely eat, extreme fatigue, hair loss, and periods of dangerously low immunity. What carried us through was not only her incredible spirit, but also the unwavering support of the doctors, nurses, and the committed team at Apollo. They handled every complication, every late-night panic call, and every setback with such grace and compassion.
At home, we rebuilt our lives around her care. Her food was carefully planned, hygiene became a daily ritual, and masks were always on. Her world shrank to just two places: home and hospital. Guests were limited, and school became a memory for the time being. It was overwhelming, yes—but we leaned on each other, and even in the hardest days, we found small reasons to smile, just to keep one another going.
Despite all our precautions, infections still crept in. One episode was so severe that she had to be hospitalized for nearly 20 days. Watching her go through that was heartbreaking—but time and again, she bounced back with a strength that left us in awe.
Today, we write this with hearts full of gratitude. Riona has completed her treatment. She is cured. Her medications are over. And she’s back to being her full-of-attitude, teenage self. Yes, she’s entered her teens now—and believe it or not, we even cherish the eye-rolls, the loud music, and her obsession with oversized hoodies. After everything we’ve been through, even her teenage tantrums feel like a blessing.
Her younger brother, too, has been her silent cheerleader. He gave her strength in ways he didn’t even realize—by sharing his toys, making funny “get well soon” cards, and asking every day when she could come play again.
As parents, we’ve seen fear, helplessness, and heartbreak—but we’ve also witnessed resilience, courage, and miracles. Riona has taught us what true strength looks like. She is not just our daughter; she’s our hero.
To every parent walking a similar path—have faith, ask questions, and seek the right care. Medicine saves lives, yes. But it is love, support, and belief that carry us through the hardest battles.
And to Riona: thank you for showing us what it means to fight—and what it truly means to live.