‘My wife thought I was mad': Comedian Johnny Lever reveals what he did to cope with son's cancer
Johnny Lever
, known for decades of making audiences laugh, recently opened up about one of the darkest chapters in his life—when his 10-year-old son, Jesse, was diagnosed with a severe tumour. The diagnosis came with a heavy burden: doctors in India considered the case too complicated to treat through surgery.
The tumour was dangerously close to Jesse's nerves, which meant any medical intervention could lead to blindness or even paralysis. Despite rounds of treatment and a heavy dosage of up to 50 pills daily, the tumour showed no signs of reduction. Each day, Johnny and his wife watched their son lie helplessly in a hospital bed as their faith in medicine slowly eroded.
A Ray of Light in the Darkest Hour
In the midst of this despair, the family travelled to the United States, where fate seemed to intervene. During their time there, they met a priest who urged them to visit
Sloan Kettering Hospital
, a prominent cancer care center. Although Jesse's mother was filled with anxiety and hesitation—especially given what the Indian doctors had advised—Johnny decided to move forward with a consultation in the US.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
IQ Worldwide - Test your Intelligence, know your IQ Score
IQ-Worldwide.org
Try Now
Undo
What followed was a bold decision to proceed with surgery on foreign soil. Johnny, who had never been particularly religious before this moment, found himself turning to divine faith for strength. He became so deeply engrossed in prayer that his wife thought he had lost touch with reality.
"The operation took place, and I was so engrossed in prayer that I felt as if I was in the operating theater, and my wife thought I had gone mad. Shortly after they brought him out, he raised his left hand up and signalled to me that he was okay..." he said.
A Life Transformed by Gratitude
Grateful beyond measure, Johnny made a conscious decision to give up all his bad habits. He credited the divine for saving his son and dedicated himself to a life of gratitude. Jesse has since fully recovered and embraced a new identity as a performer. He is now a
cancer survivor
,
musician
, and social media content creator, often sharing videos of himself singing and playing drums.
A Family That Performs Together
While Jesse explores music and digital media, his sister Jamie Lever is carrying forward their father's comic legacy, performing stand-up comedy across the globe. Meanwhile, Johnny Lever continues his journey in cinema, recently appearing in Housefull 5 and preparing for his role in the upcoming film Welcome To The Jungle.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
44 minutes ago
- NDTV
Three Years On, MBBS In Hindi Slow To Take Off In Madhya Pradesh
Three years after Madhya Pradesh made headlines as the first Indian state to introduce MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) education in Hindi, the ambitious project is still struggling to find its pulse. In October 2022, the fanfare was loud - Hindi-translated medical textbooks were launched in Bhopal and the move was declared a "historic step." The promise? That the next generation of doctors would speak - and treat patients in - the language of the people. But when NDTV visited Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, the state's premier government medical institute, the picture was more complex. "I studied in Hindi... but gave the exam in English," says Ankit Pandey, a second-year MBBS student. "No one stopped us from using Hindi, but everyone around us slowly shifted to English for better marks, for a better future." Ankit, like many others, comes from a Hindi-medium background. He entered the college thinking this experiment would bridge the language gap. But soon, reality hit: technical terms in Hindi were awkward, exam patterns still leaned towards English, and career prospects still demanded English proficiency. "This isn't about preference, it's about survival," adds Daksh, another student. "If I want to go for my post-graduation or work in a metro city, English is essential. If I only study in Hindi, I'll be a doctor trapped in a regional bubble." The government spent Rs 10 crore to print Hindi medical books, distribute them across libraries, and set up translation panels. "The books are available. But I haven't seen a single student take their Physiology exam in Hindi," says Dr Rakesh Malviya, President of the Medical Teachers' Association. The reason? It's not that students are rejecting the language, they are just unsure whether the system will reward it. There's no separate Hindi-medium form. No clear data. And, in an exam-driven profession, no one wants to risk uncertainty. Kavita Singh, Dean of Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, said: "15-20% of students come from Hindi medium backgrounds. They struggle at first. But most eventually shift to English to keep up." In smaller towns like Jabalpur and Satna, however, the story is different. Here, students are actually writing exams in Hindi and doing well. Chetna Jharia, from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, says: "I gave the first-year exam in Hindi. When the books came in my language, I finally started understanding." Sheetal Kori, a student at Hitkarini Dental College, recalled, "When the question came in Hindi, I could answer freely. Earlier I used to lag behind, now I feel confident." But these success stories are a fairly small percentage of the total. The Vice Chancellor of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University, Dr Ashok Khandelwal, said, "We don't have exact numbers. Some colleges say 10-15% took theory exams in Hindi. Others say 50% used mixed language in practicals. But no comprehensive data exists." Government's Take Rajendra Shukla, Minister of Public Health & Medical Education, said, "Nearly 15 to 20 per cent of students are studying using a mix of Hindi and English, and they're doing quite well with it." Dr Lokendra Dave, nodal officer of the Hindi Cell, said the language is not being enforced on anybody. "This is a trust-building step. We're not enforcing Hindi. We're just creating space for it. A student should not be judged by the language they write in," he said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
These common foods may be silently making you obese
We often think that we are eating healthy and nutritious foods. But still we feel low on energy, lethargic, and lacking motivation. According to Sadhguru, it happens because of eating the wrong food, wrong timing, and wrong technique. In a YouTube video, he recently explained the yogic perspective on foods that are not supportive for overall well-being and can cause ill health. This piece of article explores the 4 common foods he suggests to avoid and why. Indian cuisine is rich in flavors, tradition, and variety. While many dishes are rooted in wholesome ingredients, some commonly eaten desi foods can quietly contribute to weight gain. What makes it tricky is that these items often seem harmless or even healthy when consumed in moderation. However, hidden calories, excessive carbs, sugars, and oils in everyday staples can lead to gradual fat accumulation—especially if paired with a sedentary lifestyle. Overuse of Ghee and Oil Ghee and oil are often praised in Indian kitchens for their taste and Ayurvedic benefits. However, when used in large amounts—for tadkas, parathas, puris, or deep-frying—they become dense sources of saturated fats and calories. One tablespoon of ghee alone contains about 120 calories. Over time, this excess fat intake can lead to weight gain and higher cholesterol levels if not balanced with physical activity. I prepared a nourishing and affordable Indian meal featuring steaming khichdi, fluffy upma, and vibrant vegetable pulav. White Rice and Refined Wheat Rotis White rice and regular atta (refined wheat flour) rotis are staples in most Indian meals. While comforting and filling, they are also high-glycemic carbs that spike blood sugar quickly and convert to fat if eaten in excess. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Pairing rice or multiple rotis without enough vegetables or proteins can increase fat storage—particularly around the belly. Pickles, Papads, and Chutneys Pickles (achars), papads, and spicy chutneys are tasty additions, but they're often loaded with salt, oil, and preservatives. These condiments stimulate appetite, cause water retention, and sometimes encourage overeating. Eating these every day—even in small amounts—can quietly contribute to both bloating and long-term weight gain. Sweetened Tea and Bakery Biscuits The classic chai-biscuit combo seems innocent but can be deceiving. Many people consume tea with added sugar 2–3 times a day, along with refined flour biscuits that are low in nutrients and high in empty calories. These snacks quickly add up and promote fat storage, especially if there's little physical movement throughout the day. Indian Sweets and Festive Foods Traditional sweets like ladoos, jalebis, and barfis are rich in refined sugar, ghee, and khoya—ingredients that are extremely calorie-dense. Leftover sweets after festivals or daily indulgence in small mithai can contribute to slow and steady weight gain. Even homemade sweets can pose risks if portion sizes aren't controlled. Supporting Study A 2020 study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that traditional Indian diets high in carbohydrates and saturated fats—especially when not balanced with fiber or protein—significantly increased the risk of obesity and insulin resistance in urban Indian adults. The study emphasized the need for portion control and mindful eating, even with homemade or familiar foods.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
8 medications that should not be mixed with alcohol
We all have heard that alcohol should not be mixed with antibiotics. However, do you know that apart from antibiotics, there are many other medicines that do not mix with alcohol, even if you take them hours apart? Alcohol alters the effectiveness of medications while making their adverse reactions more severe. Here are eight types of medications that must never be consumed with alcohol. 1. Painkillers (Opioids and NSAIDs) You should never combine opioids with NSAIDs when taking pain medication that includes codeine, oxycodone, morphine, ibuprofen and naproxen. When opioids combine with alcohol, the breathing rate of patients decreases to dangerous levels which may result in death. Consuming NSAIDs with alcohol heightens the risk of stomach bleeding, along with ulcers. 2. Antidepressants and Anti-Anxiety Medicines SSRIs and benzodiazepines together with antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications including Zoloft, Prozac, Valium and Xanax require alcohol-free use. Their deadly combination results in severe sleepiness and dizziness, together with confusion. This further aggravates depressive episodes, and the risk of overdose increases manifold. 3. Antibiotics Metronidazole (Flagyl) and tinidazole along with isoniazid, react negatively when combined with alcohol. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo The combination of these substances leads to nausea, vomiting, headaches, flushing as well as heart-related problems. Avoid drinking alcohol throughout your antibiotic treatment period, (make sure you do not have it at any time during the course), and even several days after finishing the medication. 4. Blood Thinners The effectiveness of warfarin blood thinners becomes less stable or their use becomes riskier, when patients consume alcohol. These medications become less safe when alcohol consumption occurs, because it elevates the danger of bleeding complications while forming blood clots. Before taking blood thinners, you should consult with your doctor regarding alcohol consumption. 5. Antipsychotic Medications The consumption of alcohol remains prohibited for patients who take antipsychotic drugs, used to treat schizophrenia alongside Quetiapine/Seroquel. The combination of alcohol with these medications leads to severe side effects including dizziness and drowsiness, as well as concentration issues and heart-related complications and seizure risks. 6. Diabetes Medications Taking insulin or diabetes pills with alcohol consumption will lead to harmful blood sugar reductions. The inability to detect blood sugar symptoms such as dizziness or confusion due to alcohol, makes it more likely for patients to experience severe complications. 7. Seizure Medications The combination of epilepsy and seizure medications including phenytoin, gabapentin and clonazepam should never occur with alcohol consumption. Using these substances together leads to excessive sleepiness and dizziness, and abnormal behavior and higher seizure risks. 8. ADHD Medications Adderall and Ritalin along with other stimulant medications used for ADHD, interact negatively when consumed with alcohol. The combination of these substances produces heightened side effects which include dizziness and drowsiness together with heart complications and decreased concentration abilities. Why Mixing Alcohol and Medication is Risky Medicines undergo altered absorption or breakdown processes in the body due to alcohol consumption, which leads to reduced effectiveness or increased toxicity. The consumption of alcohol enhances medication side effects including drowsiness and dizziness while simultaneously inflicting severe damage to liver function and stomach health and heart systems and nervous system tissue. Certain dangerous drug interactions can even be fatal. Sources PubMed The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) WebMD Healthdirect Australia
