Dr. Garima Chauhan’s Inspiring Comeback: From Tragedy to Triumph
Dr. Garima Chauhan’s Inspiring Comeback: From Tragedy to Triumph
Dr. Garima Chauhan, an anaesthesiologist, has an incredible story of survival and transformation. In early 2023, she moved to Uttarakhand with her husband, an orthopaedic surgeon, to start a new life. But just a week after moving, a serious car accident changed everything. She fought for her life, spent months recovering, and later achieved amazing milestones—trekking to Everest Base Camp, winning a national beauty pageant, and embracing life with a fresh perspective.
The Accident That Changed Everything
On February 10, while returning from Jageshwar Dham, their car was hit by a speeding tourist vehicle at a blind spot. “It happened in a second, and I didn’t understand anything,” she recalled. The impact on her side left her with severe injuries, while her husband only had minor bruises. Her right hand was fractured, and locals rushed to help. Using a wooden log and cloth, her husband stabilized her injury.
Getting medical care was not easy. It took eight hours to reach a well-equipped hospital. She was shifted between three hospitals, none of which had the facilities she needed. By the time she got proper care, her condition had worsened.
Doctors found severe internal bleeding in her abdomen. The next day, she became critically ill—her pulse was weak, and blood pressure was unrecordable. A life-saving emergency surgery revealed a ruptured intestine. She spent a month in the ICU, battling septic shock, liver damage, and multiple complications. She couldn’t eat or drink for 11 days.
Doctors even told her husband to call her parents as they were unsure if she would survive. Her family rushed from Mumbai, praying for her recovery. “I had no choice but to be strong,” she said.
A Second Chance at Life
After spending two and a half months in the hospital, Garima emerged stronger than ever. “I became extremely grateful. Not everyone gets a second chance,” she said. Determined to test her limits, she took on new challenges.
She trekked to Everest Base Camp, enduring harsh weather for 14 days. “It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but every step reminded me how strong I am,” she said. Standing at the base of Mount Everest, she felt victorious—not just against nature, but against life itself.
Her achievements didn’t stop there. She entered and won the Mrs. India beauty pageant, showing that strength and beauty go together. She even went skydiving in New Zealand, embracing the thrill of life. “I was never into fitness before, but now I work out every day,” she said, embracing her new self.
Now back at work as a full-time anaesthesiologist, she approaches life with new energy and enthusiasm. “This is Garima 2.0,” she says. “Life gave me a second chance, and I’m making the most of it.”
