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Parul Loses Manu To Oral Cancer

The Surviving Siblings Podcast

Release Date: 04/16/2025

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Maya is joined by Dr. Parul Dua Makkar—dentist, grief coach, speaker, and author—who 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’t 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—his 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) – Sibling Bond, Eight Years Apart
Parul shares what it was like being a big sister to Manu—changing his diapers, watching him grow up, and how their love for dentistry helped them stay connected despite distance.

(00:04:00) – 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) – “This Might Be Cancer…”
Parul recalls the moment she saw the lesion in her brother’s mouth.

(00:10:00) – The First Surgery & Fighting Back
Manu underwent an eight-hour surgery to remove half his tongue, and despite it all, came back stronger—treating patients, traveling, buying a dog (named Maya), and embracing life with a new sense of urgency.

(00:14:00) – 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) – “You Can Let Go…”
On a video call, Parul tells her brother it’s okay to stop fighting. He passes away just hours later. She arrives in Canada to plan his funeral—grieving, and still under COVID restrictions.

(00:24:00) – Loss Upon Loss
Parul shares how, just three years later, she lost her father unexpectedly to cardiac arrest—just after Thanksgiving. She reflects on how it felt like her dad died of a broken heart.

(00:30:00) – 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) – Turning Grief into Purpose
After Manu’s 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. 

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