From ICU to exam hall: How a teen with just 1% survival chance wrote class XII board exams

A year ago, Ankita’s [name changed] life revolved around hospital corridors and ambulance sirens. Instead of holding books, she found herself on a stretcher with IV drips, being taken to her Class 12 practical exams. While her classmates focused on scores, she was fighting for her life. “It may not sound like much, but for me, it meant everything,” she says while speaking to TOI.

A Sudden Health Crisis

Her struggle began in early 2024 with a persistent fever that refused to subside. Initial tests did not reveal much, giving her hope that it was minor. However, her condition quickly deteriorated, and doctors in local hospitals warned that her chances of survival were as low as 1%. She spent nearly a month in the hospital, including extended time in the ICU, surrounded by uncertainty and intensive treatment.

Diagnosis and Intensive Treatment

By August 2024, the hospital had become her second home. Under the care of Dr Amita Mahajan, Ankita was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and began treatment involving steroids and multidrug chemotherapy.

Battling Complications

The treatment brought severe challenges. At one point, she experienced extreme weakness in her legs and lost bladder control due to complications. Doctors modified her treatment plan and introduced neurological care along with physiotherapy, helping her gradually regain strength.

Personal Struggles and Financial Hardship

Beyond her medical battle, Ankita faced emotional and financial hardships. She had lost her mother the previous year, and her father had been absent since childhood. Living with her aunt, she struggled to manage expenses and often had to travel alone for medical tests. “There were days I went alone from one lab to another for tests, trying to keep up with both treatment and life,” she says.

Determination to Continue Studies

Despite everything, she remained committed to her education. When the Class 12 board exams approached in 2025, it was uncertain whether she could appear. Still, she persevered. She wrote her practical exams between chemotherapy cycles, travelling in an ambulance with medical support. After each exam, she returned straight to her hospital bed. Later, she completed her theory exams from home during brief recovery periods.

When the results were announced, Ankita scored 64%.

“Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is aggressive, but outcomes can be encouraging with timely treatment,” said Mahajan. “What stood out was Ankita’s determination.”

A New Beginning

Now, a year later, Ankita’s condition is stable, and she is on maintenance therapy, visiting the hospital monthly for treatment and monitoring. She has started rebuilding her life, enrolling in a BCA course and moving forward with renewed hope.

[With TOI inputs]