A new mom. A new cancer diagnosis. A fight no family expects.

In June 2025, my wife, Vaishnavi, became a mother. She delivered our baby via C-section and was still recovering - still trying to regain strength, still learning the rhythms of new motherhood, still doing the quiet, everyday work it takes to care for a baby while her own body was healing.

And then our world shifted in December 2025.

Vaishnavi was diagnosed with aggressive, triple-positive invasive breast carcinoma. The treatment plan is long and demanding - roughly 15 months of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, radiation, and years of continued hormonal and targeted therapy beyond that.

Where we are today

Vaishnavi is close to completing the first major phase of her treatment (Chemotherapy + Targeted Therapy). It has been brutal - far more than we were prepared for. Side effects have included peripheral neuropathy (constant burning in her hands and feet), severe fatigue, sleep loss, and weight changes that have made every ordinary day with our baby a test of endurance. Through all of it, she has kept showing up - for her treatments, for our daughter, for our family.

The next phase is the hardest stretch yet:

1. May 17, 2026 - 6th / final chemotherapy and targeted therapy infusion
2. June 8, 2026 - Surgery (a major step in her treatment plan)
3. July 2026 - Radiation therapy begins, followed by ongoing targeted and hormonal therapy

Each phase brings its own physical toll, recovery time, and out-of-pocket costs - surgical care, post-surgery recovery, radiation skin care, lost income from caregiving, family travel, and medications not fully covered by insurance.

An added pressure we did not expect

On top of everything, visa-related issues are forcing our family to plan a move out of the country - possibly in the middle of Vaishnavi's treatment. The timing could not be worse. The legal, travel, and relocation costs are landing at the same time as cancer treatment, and we are doing everything we can to keep her care uninterrupted through it.

About Vaishnavi

Before all of this, Vaishnavi was a primary school teacher, touching countless students with patience, warmth, and care - the kind of teacher families remember for years. She has always been someone who gives. Now, in the most vulnerable season of her life, she needs that care back.

This diagnosis has also changed the most basic parts of early motherhood. She cannot breastfeed our baby, and the heartbreak of that is hard to put into words - especially when she was still healing from childbirth herself. She is trying to stay strong for our baby while carrying the fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion that come with cancer care.

How you can help

Our priority is simple: keep Vaishnavi supported, stable, and surrounded by care so she can put her energy into healing and being present for our baby.

1. Donate - any amount, $10 or more, sends a real signal of support
2. Share this page - one share into your network reaches people we never could
3. Send a prayer or message - on the hardest treatment days, your words have lifted Vaishnavi more than you know

Thank you for standing with our family.

With deep gratitude, Bhargavan, Vaishnavi & baby Moksha