{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Parul Loses Manu To Oral Cancer","description":"Maya is joined by Dr. Parul Dua Makkar\u2014dentist, grief coach, speaker, and author\u2014who shares the heartbreaking journey of losing her only sibling, Manu, to oral cancer at just 34 years old.  Parul opens up about the moment she knew something wasn\u2019t right, the delays in diagnosis, what it was like navigating end-of-life care during the height of COVID-19, and how her grief transformed into a powerful mission. She also shares the legacy Manu left behind\u2014his book Life Interrupted, a powerful collection of essays he wrote during his final months, which Parul helped complete and publish after his passing. In This Episode: (00:01:00) \u2013 Sibling Bond, Eight Years Apart Parul shares what it was like being a big sister to Manu\u2014changing his diapers, watching him grow up, and how their love for dentistry helped them stay connected despite distance. (00:04:00) \u2013 Global Nomads & Deep Connections Raised across continents, Parul and Manu lived in different countries for most of their lives, but their bond stayed strong through regular visits, daily calls, and shared professional passions. (00:08:00) \u2013 \u201cThis Might Be Cancer\u2026\u201d Parul recalls the moment she saw the lesion in her brother\u2019s mouth. (00:10:00) \u2013 The First Surgery & Fighting Back Manu underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove half his tongue, and despite it all, came back stronger\u2014treating patients, traveling, buying a dog (named Maya), and embracing life with a new sense of urgency. (00:14:00) \u2013 COVID, Cancer & Compassion Release When the cancer returned in 2020, Parul had to fight to cross the U.S.-Canada border during COVID lockdowns. She shares the emotional story of writing her father a letter, asking for permission to say goodbye. (00:20:00) \u2013 \u201cYou Can Let Go\u2026\u201d On a video call, Parul tells her brother it\u2019s okay to stop fighting. He passes away just hours later. She arrives in Canada to plan his funeral\u2014grieving, and still under COVID restrictions. (00:24:00) \u2013 Loss Upon Loss Parul shares how, just three years later, she lost her father unexpectedly to cardiac arrest\u2014just after Thanksgiving. She reflects on how it felt like her dad died of a broken heart. (00:30:00) \u2013 Oral Cancer Awareness & Early Detection As a dentist, Parul explains why oral cancer is often caught too late, how misdiagnosis happens, and what signs everyone should look for. She encourages early biopsies and routine checkups. (00:34:00) \u2013 Turning Grief into Purpose After Manu\u2019s passing, Parul completed and published his book, Life Interrupted, which he had begun writing during treatment. She shares how publishing his words brought her healing and closure. This episode was sponsored by Duagoodjob.  Connect with Parul:   Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PDMFamilyDental Website: http:\/\/duagoodjob.com LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dr-parul-dua-makkar-bsc-dds-facd-375324145\/ Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/duagoodjob Youtube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCv46meC0Q0pwqTg8YD43-TA Connect with Maya: Podcast Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/survivingsiblingspodcast\/ Maya's Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mayaroffler\/ TikTok: https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@survivingsiblingspodcast Twitter: https:\/\/x.com\/survivingsibpod Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast Patreon: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast   ","author_name":"The Surviving Siblings\u00ae","author_url":"https:\/\/www.thesurvivingsiblings.com","html":"