Millennial Man Diagnosed With Cancer—Then His Cat Steps Up
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A man diagnosed with cancer in his 20s has shared how his beloved rescue cat helped him cope every step of the way.
Savaş Yeşilça, 31 and from Turkey, was just 27 years old when he received news that made him feel as if "my whole world broke"—he had been diagnosed with cancer, Stage III lymphoma.
It was 2022, and since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had been suffering from "fevers and night sweats"—but "every time I went to hospital, they said it was COVID and sent me home."
After almost two years of being dismissed, Yeşilça noticed a swelling under his armpit, and finally got tests, blood work and biopsies, before finally receiving the devastating diagnosis.
"That broke me, but I tried to stay strong because I was far from family, fighting alone with only my cat Shiva by my side," Yeşilça told Newsweek.
As he tried to grapple with the reality of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and breaking the news to his family, his mind was "like dirty water, full of fear and confusion. But when I saw my fluffy friend Shiva waiting for me, I felt better."
"Until that night, he never slept with me—but that night he climbed and slept on my chest, and my mind slowly cleared."
Yeşilça had adopted Shiva when the cat was 6 months old, and describes him as "like my son," revealing they "share the same birthday, so our bond feels even more special."
But, as Yeşilça was forced to move in with his parents as he began chemotherapy, he wasn't able to take Shiva with him. He said that "the loneliness was worse than the treatment," and he quickly fought to be reunited with his pet.
Savaş Yeşilçay with Shiva during his cancer treatment, and right, after he had recovered.
Savaş Yeşilçay with Shiva during his cancer treatment, and right, after he had recovered.
Reddit u/CatShiva
"During biopsy, he smelled the scar under my arm and rested his head there. Since then, he always sleeps with his head on my right arm," Yeşilça said. "One moment I [will] never forget—after chemo, I come home tired, lie on [the] bed, Shiva comes and puts his paws on my cheeks. It was his way to say, 'I'm here.' This comfort is hard to explain."
Describing how his cat became his "caregiver," Yeşilça said: "Shiva was with me every moment during cancer. His personality changed a little—he became more quiet and careful when I was sick or tired.
"He never left me in hard days; sometimes, he didn't eat just to stay near me. He was not just comforting—he was my silent, loving caregiver."
Now three years later, Yeşilça has recovered from cancer, and on June 30, took to Reddit's r/cats sub via his account u/CatShiva, where he posted: "My caregiver cat—during my cancer (2022) / after my cancer (2024)."
He shared two photos: one during his illness, while undergoing chemotherapy, with Shiva sleeping by his side, his head resting on Yeşilça's shoulder and his paw stretched out across his chest.
The second, taken after his recovery in 2024, shows Yeşilça looking fit and healthy, his hair regrown, and Shiva standing on his chest protectively.
"I finished treatment after 12 chemo sessions on 23 March 2023, and I go to checkups every six months," Yeşilça, who also used Buddhism to help him remain calm and acceptant during his treatment, said. "The journey was very hard, but I'm grateful I'm still here, stronger and hopeful. Shiva is still my loyal friend, giving me love and strength every day."
And he added: "My name, Savaş, means 'war' in Turkish—so I definitely lived up to my name by fighting cancer head-on. And Shiva, my cat's name, means 'the god who destroys'—fitting, since he helped me destroy cancer in his own loving way."
Yeşilçay with Shiva during his illness, and right, the pair in the countryside together.
Yeşilçay with Shiva during his illness, and right, the pair in the countryside together.
Reddit u/CatShiva
Reddit users were hugely moved by Yeşilça and Shiva's story, awarding the post more than 77,000 upvotes, with one commenter pointing out Shiva's "gentle paw" while Yeşilça was ill, and the "aggressive standing" after he had recovered.
"Congratulations on your recovery and also yes big caregiving from your kitty cat," another posted.
And a third wrote: "Aren't animals the best!? I have cancer myself (stage 4 breast cancer) and I'd be absolutely lost without my dog. Animals truly know exactly what you need and when."
Having a pet is beneficial for your mental health, as they provide companionship and a sense of security, reduce anxiety, and boost self-confidence through offering unconditional love, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
Yeşilça told Newsweek he shared his story to show how "cats are very special and healing animals," and to encourage people to adopt animals, like he did Shiva, instead of buying from breeders.
"I also want to change how people see cancer," he said. "When I was sick, many people didn't want to say the word 'cancer'—like it is scary to say. But I think saying it many times makes it less scary, and cancer loses power."
Yeşilça said his experience with cancer has made him "calmer, more peaceful," but he sometimes suffers from panic attacks, and Shiva helps him get through these bad moments.
As he put it: "Shiva keeps me connected and safe in good and bad times."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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