With only few weeks left to live...Cancer patient shares final wish

Kimoy Leon Sing | Feb 4, 2023 | Updated Feb 4, 2023

MITERA BALKARAN has only a few weeks left to live. While most individuals might quietly accept their fate, Balkaran has made the decision to live life to the fullest.

The Express first learned about Balkaran’s story last year, when the 32-year-old mechanical engineer went to the hospital with a painless bump on her leg. She was first told she had hives and that the swelling on her leg would go away, but it didn’t. The lump grew larger six weeks later. She visited a different physician, who, after conducting several tests, determined that she had Undifferentiated Pleomorphic High-grade Sarcoma (UPS).

Balkaran defined UPS in a prior interview with the Express.

She said, UPS is known as the “lonely” cancer because it is so rare and little is known about it. It strikes young people at random and typically begins in the limbs. It is aggressive and lethal.

Despite the grim prognosis, Balkaran underwent intensive treatment. Her left leg had to be amputated by doctors in order to preserve her life.

Balkaran and her husband currently reside in Belgium, but she is originally from Claxton Bay. Balkaran has experienced more in the last 18 months than some individuals have in a lifetime. After being diagnosed with cancer in June 2021, Balkaran was given the all-clear, but in May 2022, she learned heartbreakingly that the illness had returned. In August of last year, Balkaran was battling a potential infection in a Beligum hospital when the Express spoke with her.

Saving her memorieson TikTok

Despite the unexpected turn of events in her life, Balkaran always believed that she was using her life experiences to teach others. Last year, she revealed to the Express that she had been documenting her life on TikTok in order to save memories in the event that she passed away.

Balkaran created a GoFundMe page on Tuesday after receiving more terrible news. Her cancer had spread to her lungs, belly, back, and pelvis, and the doctors estimated that she only had a few weeks to live.

Balkaran wrote in her GoFundMe post, “It is my last dying wish to have our dream Hindu wedding ceremony in Trinidad.

“To dress up as a beautiful bride and have gorgeous photos for my loved ones to reminisce on.”

Balkaran does not have health insurance in Trinidad and Tobago; therefore, a medical team would need to fly with her to return home. The fundraising goal on her GoFundMe campaign is €40,000 ($291,292). Yesterday, the fund has received €28,262 (205,812.36). Balkaran’s airfare, medical expenses, consultations, and supplies that will make her last moments as comfortable as possible will all be covered by the campaign.

Mitera may get her last wish

Kimoy Leon Sing | Feb 8, 2023 | Updated Feb 8, 2023

MITERA Balkaran, the cancer patient who has only weeks to live, may be able to leave Belgium and return to the land of her birth in Trinidad to fulfil her last wish – a Hindu wedding ceremony.

A GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help her get home has raised more than 40,000 euros (TT$291,292).

She needs about 20,000 euros (TT$145,604) to cover the cost of her medical team that needs to accompany her home.

A rare and aggressive form of cancer known as Undifferentiated Pleomorphic High-grade Sarcoma (UPS) was discovered in the 33-year-old mechanical engineer from Claxton Bay, who has spent nearly two years fighting for her life in a Belgian hospital.

Balkaran recently announced on her TikTok page that her cancer had spread to practically her entire body, covering her lungs, back, abdomen, and pelvis, and that her doctors thought she only had a few weeks to live. In a video she posted to her TikTok profile, Balkaran struggled to speak, displayed her bloated tummy, and said the tumour had gotten so big that it was squeezing on her internal organs and making it difficult for her to breathe. Balkaran has used social media to communicate her cancer struggle and to raise awareness about UPS.

Balkaran would need a repatriation medical team to fly with her to return home because of the severity of her condition and the fact that she lacks health insurance in Trinidad and Tobago. The GoFundMe page was created by the 33-year-old mechanical engineer to pay for the trip and medical costs.

She shared on social media that her dying wish was to have a dream Hindu wedding in Trinidad.

“To dress up as a beautiful bride and have gorgeous photos for my loved ones to reminisce on.”

Yesterday, Balkaran’s fund received 41,280 euros (TT$300,518.40).

Many Express readers were touched by Balkaran’s story that was published on Saturday and sent words of comfort and prayers to her.

Kirk Fakira, a décor and events planner who works alongside Curtis Samlal, the founder and owner of Curtech Creations, was moved by Balkaran’s story and offered their décor services for free if she so desired.

Fakira said, “We strongly believe that service to humanity is service to God, and over the years we have demonstrated this through acts of kindness to those in need.” On Sunday, Balkaran gave an update via her TikTok page on her travel plans to come back to Trinidad.

She said, “These are my last few days now in Belgium, and I am just saying goodbye and, you know, putting aside all these material attachments now.” “I prepared my will on Friday morning, so at least that’s done.”

Balkaran expressed that nothing in life is permanent, and as such, everything we own goes to someone else when we depart.

She said, “That’s how life is right now... We don’t really own anything; we just rent it, and then the next person gets it. “I am just breaking free of all these material attachments and just wanting to spend time with the family and friends I want to see and to close this chapter.”

Mitera, 33, with weeks to live lands in T&T for her wedding

Kimoy Leon Sing | Feb 9, 2023 | Updated Feb 10, 2023

WHAT would you do if you were told you only had a few weeks to live? How would you spend the time?

Mitera Balkaran, who has cancer, has come to terms with the fact that she doesn’t have much time left on Earth. She plans to spend it with her family and close friends.

Balkaran landed in Trinidad yesterday and spoke with the Express on the telephone in a brief interview at her home in Claxton Bay.

Balkaran, a 33-year-old mechanical engineer, was diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic high-grade sarcoma (UPS) during a regular visit to the doctor for a bump on her leg.

She has spent the last 18 months fighting for her life in a hospital in Belgium with her husband by her side. Although the couple was married in Belgium, Balkaran did not have her family there to witness the nuptials, and she would like to recreate the special moment for them to cherish long after she is gone.

Raising awareness

In a recent post on her TikTok profile, Balkaran said her cancer had spread to almost every part of her body, including her lungs, back, belly and pelvis, and her doctors only gave her a few weeks to live.

In a video she posted to her TikTok profile, Balkaran struggled to speak, showed her swollen stomach, and said the tumour had grown so big, it was putting pressure on her organs and making it hard for her to breathe.

The mechanical engineer has utilised social media to share her cancer journey and to raise awareness about UPS.

Balkaran told the Express on Wednesday that she is appreciative of the public’s outpouring of support and only wants, as her last wish, to have a dream Hindu wedding in Trinidad.

Balkaran said she was fatigued and didn’t provide too many specifics about her wedding plans, but she was grateful to have an entire crew by her side to help her fulfil her final dream.

Mitera's brave battle has ended

Kimoy Leon Sing | Feb 19, 2023

Mitera Balkaran's battle with cancer is over. The 33-year-old mechanical engineer succumbed to her illness and died early on Saturday at San Fernando General Hospital after landing in Trinidad about two weeks prior.

The Trinidad Express was informed by Balkaran's family that she had passed away, and her husband Konstantin told her followers of the news by posting a video on Balkaran's Tik Tok page yesterday (Saturday).

He stated, "I’m very heartbroken that I have to let you know that Mitera passed away early this morning at San Fernando Hospital, the same hospital she was born in 33 years ago."

Up until her last breath, she was surrounded by Konstantin and her family. Mitera's dying moments are detailed in the nearly three-minute Tik Tok video.

Konstantin said, "I was dreading doing this post for a long time." I knew this day would come, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. It’s heartbreaking that we didn’t get to have our wedding. She really would have loved that. I want to thank all of you for all the love and support that you gave Mity. She really felt it, and that was very helpful for her. Please keep spreading Mity’s story. "Keep sharing her story to raise awareness for sarcoma cancer because that was very dear to her."

In August 2021, Balkaran received a diagnosis of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS), a rare type of cancer. The 33-year-old has since boldly shared her struggle on Tik Tok and used her platform to discuss the illness.

In addition, Balkaran's husband Konstantin stressed the need to raise public awareness about UPS and asked people to visit their doctor if they felt any unusual lumps on their bodies because that is how Balkaran's cancer journey started. Konstantin only asked that the phrase "Mity lost the battle with cancer" not be used because it implied that those who battle cancer are losers, which is completely untrue. On the contrary, those who battle cancer are the strongest people, and Mitera was the strongest person I have ever known and probably the strongest person that I will ever know.

The Express had the final interview with Balkaran. She was happy and excited to be back home, and couldn't wait to see herself as a Hindu bride.

A courageous life

To meet Mitera Balkaran is to meet a woman who never does anything half-heartedly. While she may look like the girl next door, Balkaran’s personality exudes strength and charm that fill the room.

The Express was invited to Balkaran’s childhood home in Claxton Bay two Fridays ago to have an exclusive sit-down interview with her. With a big smile on her face and a bright summer dress on, Balkaran sat down among her mother’s many plants, which have become her little outdoor oasis.

She said, “Given my condition, my doctor back in Belgium did not want me to leave and go back home to Trinidad, but he understood my decision. Apart from my husband, Konstantin, I have no family in Belgium to take care of me, and I refused to die there alone.”

With her mind firmly made up, Balkaran landed in Trinidad on February 7. Apart from her doctor visits, she quickly immersed herself in some of her favourite local foods—from doubles to saheena, and even mango chow. Soaking up the sun and doing some sightseeing across Trinidad, Balkaran says while she wishes her visit was for a fun holiday, she knows it is goodbye.

While many in Belgium know Balkaran as a mechanical engineer, back in Trinidad, Balkaran has become a social media sensation—a “Wonder Woman” to many, their very own hero.

Balkaran’s story about her cancer diagnosis and her struggles to get better, which she has documented on her TikTok page, has captured the minds and hearts of Trinidadians, who have extended words of comfort for her courage in sharing her story so openly. Balkaran has over 16,000 followers on TikTok, and her videos are watched by thousands of people all over the world. She has been adamant about using her platform to talk about the good and bad days she has with the disease, as well as to bring attention to Undifferentiated Pleomorphic High-grade Sarcoma (UPS).

She said, “There are days I cry; I cried last night.” When I think about the time I have left, I get afraid. “My thoughts are not for me, but for the people I love who I would leave behind.”

While life has definitely dealt Balkaran some awful speed bumps, it has not been all bad. In 2017, she met Konstantin Bellut in Ireland, and the two became friends, and the bond they shared grew into love. The couple got married in 2020, not long before the Covid-19 pandemic caused lockdowns all over the world, and they haven’t been apart since.

Sharing a bit of their love story, Balkaran chuckled and said, “We matched on Tinder.” We decided to meet up over St Patrick’s Day weekend, and it was a very exciting environment. I always tell people it wasn’t a date; it was a meet-and-greet. “I didn’t have to put in much effort; I was just myself.” Balkaran said the two shared similar interests, and there was a spark. While this may seem innocuous to some people, this little detail helped Balkaran realise Konstantin was the one.

She said, “While walking me home from one of our many dates, I noticed that his keyring had Simba on it.” The Lion King is my favourite movie, and it brought back so many wonderful memories that I quickly felt comfortable—like home. I have always read, ‘You know the person is the one when you feel safe and calm’.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Konstantin said, “I came out of a long-term relationship that wasn’t for me. We became friends first, and I realised we have a lot in common. We both share a passion for travelling.” Balkaran says she has been to 37 countries in her 33 years of life.

“We would have gone more places, but Covid had everyone grounded for some time. Konstantin and I had a brief, five-minute ceremony at a courthouse in Belgium.

“I wore something off the rack. I had none of my family there; only his family was able to be in attendance. That’s why I wanted to do a Hindu wedding and have my family around me since they didn’t get to be part of that and see me as a bride.”

The couple always wanted to have children but, sadly, Balkaran has had to put that dream away forever.

She said, “I always wanted to have a daughter. I tried my best throughout all the cancer treatments to preserve my fertility, but I guess it was all for naught, given the outcome.”

Looking at her shaved head and missing leg, Balkaran says when she often thought of herself as a Hindu bride, she never envisioned herself looking like this. She said, “I am often told I don’t look like a ‘sick person’, and I guess that’s a good thing. It is not the way I want to be remembered.

“My biggest accomplishment has been my life. I was always up for a new adventure and will continue to embrace life to the fullest. In the short time I have been on Earth so far, I have accomplished a lot. “From studying abroad, getting first-class honours in mechanical engineering, travelling the world, meeting my soulmate, and doing a job that I love, I have achieved more than most people my age, and for that I am grateful.”

Balkaran says she is more than just cancer, and wants people to remember the fun and free-spirited person that she is.

While Balkaran did not want to share too much about her upcoming nuptials, she did give the Express a few wedding details. “I am a Caribbean woman and proud of my Indian heritage, so my wedding is going to be totally local. I plan to do a very tropical theme and use a lot of local flowers.”

Grateful for the constant love and support shown by everyone, the 33-year-old mechanical engineer wants to make the most of her time by creating happy memories with those closest to her.

While Balkaran did not reveal the date or venue for the wedding ceremony, the couple asked that the public respect their privacy.

An inspiration to the end
Cancer patient Mitera dies after trip home for wedding...

Kimoy Leon Sing | Feb 20, 2023

Mitera Balkaran’s battle with cancer is over.

The 33-year-old mechanical engineer succumbed to her illness and died early on Saturday morning at San Fernando General Hospital after landing in Trinidad about two weeks prior.

The Express was informed by Balkaran’s family that she had passed away, and her husband Konstantin told her followers of the news by posting a video on Balkaran’s TikTok page on Saturday.

He stated, “I’m very heartbroken that I have to let you know that Mitera passed away early this morning at San Fernando Hospital, the same hospital she was born in 33 years ago.”

Up until her last breath, she was surrounded by Konstantin and her family. Mitera’s dying moments are detailed in the nearly three-minute TikTok video.

Konstantin said, “I was dreading doing this post for a long time. I knew this day would come, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. It’s heartbreaking that we didn’t get to have our wedding. She really would have loved that. I want to thank all of you for all the love and support that you gave Mity. She really felt it, and that was very helpful for her. Please keep spreading Mity’s story.

“Keep sharing her story to raise awareness for sarcoma cancer because that was very dear to her.”

In August 2021, Balkaran received a diagnosis of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS), a rare type of cancer. The 33-year-old then boldly shared her struggle on TikTok and used her platform to discuss the illness.

In addition, Balkaran’s husband Konstantin stressed the need to raise public awareness about UPS and asked people to visit their doctor if they felt any unusual lumps on their bodies because that is how Balkaran’s cancer journey started. Konstantin only asked that the phrase “Mity lost the battle with cancer” not be used because it implied that those who battle cancer are losers, which is completely untrue. “On the contrary, those who battle cancer are the strongest people, and Mitera was the strongest person I have ever known and probably the strongest person that I will ever know.”

The Express had the final interview with Balkaran. She was happy and excited to be back home, and couldn’t wait to see herself as a Hindu bride. The following is that interview: