A Journey Through Cancer and Self-care
It is a routine misconception for most doctors. Famous Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. For Nabat Lakhani, days are spent in constant motion. “In obstetrics, you don’t control time, it controls you,” he says. Last year, that pace was interrupted and reshaped by a personal battle with Stage 3 breast cancer; This changed not only the way he worked but also his perspective on life.
A typical day rarely follows a script. It starts early and extends into long, unpredictable hours. “Deliveries don’t wait, emergencies don’t pause, and you learn to adapt to whatever comes,” he says. Before her diagnosis, she created structure in the chaos, starting with strength training in the mornings, followed by household responsibilities, hospital visits, outpatient care and community work. It was challenging, but it was a rhythm he mastered. Today, treatment, fatigue and recovery have forced him to slow down. “I’m still coming, but I’m listening to my body in a way I’ve never done before,” she says.
What once felt like pushing boundaries now feels like understanding them. “Like many doctors, I did not prioritize my own health,” he admits. Patient care came first, then his family, leaving little room for himself. This is a pattern he now recognizes in many women. “We are conditioned to keep giving, often at the expense of our own well-being,” he says. He believes that health cannot be postponed. “This is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”
For him, nutrition was always about balance. “I try to keep my meals simple, home-cooked and balanced,” she says. A typical plate includes vegetables, proteins, and fruits; “It adds a rainbow to what I eat.” But long hospital hours often disrupt the routine. “Some days only quick snacks, dried fruits, or coconut water are consumed between cases,” he says.
The movement, once intense and structured, also evolved. “I went from intensity to consistency,” he says. Heavy workouts were replaced by walks, light yoga and small daily efforts. In the field, stress is constant. “Meditation and prayer help me stay grounded.” Painting, music, and even crocheting offer moments of calm in a life driven by urgency.
Sleep remains a challenge. “Sleep in medicine is rarely predictable,” he says. Years of training left him ready to work despite exhaustion. Even now rest comes in pieces. “I value sleep more now, even though I can’t always control it.”
Her advice for women balancing work and family comes from experience. “Regular screenings, self-check-ins, and listening to your body are critical,” she says.
