KOCHI: The story of Varapuzha native Nayana, who defeated cancer with unwavering willpower, is equally captivating and motivational as a movie. The 29-year-old, who underwent ten surgeries, including two major surgeries and hip replacements, not only defeated cancer but also regained her dream life. Nayana, who stepped into the world of clothes after giving up her teaching profession, now owns a well-known online boutique in Kochi. She got married to Amit John, who fell in love with her after seeing her struggle for survival. The couple is living a happy life in Kakkanad with their daughter Ocean.

Nayana was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 when she sought treatment for a toothache. She was a Visual Media and Mass Communication student then. Even though the cancerous part was removed, her suffering did not end there. The flesh that had been removed from her leg and stitched inside her mouth stiffened, preventing her from opening her mouth. She was forced to use a nasal tube to take in food for eight months as a result. Her body weight was reduced to 32 kg. The right jaw had to be completely removed.

Nayana then underwent yet another surgery. The surgery was led by Dr. Subramanian Iyer, Head of the Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology Department of Amrita Hospital. She came back to life after a long rest. In the meantime, Amit John, a native of Thrippunithura, proposed to her. The couple soon got married. However, another disease entered her life on the very next day after marriage. Nayana was diagnosed with a disease called avascular necrosis (a condition where bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply). She then underwent a hip transplant surgery. Since it was the time of the COVID pandemic, the second surgery happened several months after one hip was replaced. Nayana thus defeated the disease.

In 2023, when Nayana was pregnant, she experienced immense pain in her right cheek where surgery was performed for cancer. Although the couple got worried, biopsy results showed that there was nothing to worry about.

Love that defeated cancer
Nayana and Amit become friends during a trip. Their friendship soon turned into love. Amit accepted Nayana wholeheartedly after knowing that she was a cancer survivor. They got married in 2019. Amit is an officer in the logistics department of an American company.