#QualityOfLife
#palliativecare
#CancerPatients
#CancerPatientSupport
#experiencematters
" Love recognises no barrier. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope." -- Maya Angelou
" Try to be a rainbow 🌈 in someone's cloud "--- Maya Angelou.
I love this quote. I am keen to share my experience stored in my heart for the last 9 years .
My first client was my one and the only beloved wife with metastatic cancer for whom I was the sole caregiver for two and a half years . I have learnt many a lesson during caregiving. In Palliative Care we often mention "Quality of Life" . Do you know what it is?
Quality of life is a subjective concept referring to individual's perception of their life in relation to their goals, expectation and the culture and value systems in which they live including physical, psychological, and spiritual health. Concept of QoL varies from individual to individual. Quality of life can be assessed with the tool coined " BREF" developed by World Health Organisation.
I am now focusing on the performance status and mental power of the terminal cancer patients which I believe , may be referred to his/ her wellbeing and the quality of life , how he/she has been transforming daily life with positive attitude consequently living in better quality of life.
My wife tried to maintain her quality of life as she had immense mental power. Sometimes she faced the agony of horrendous physical pain. Even in pain she used to listen to her favourite songs and at night she used to chant her "Mantra" , which we call spiritual therapy, and the pain subsided.
I have observed one gentleman who was undergoing Palliative Care treatment of pain management , used to do all household work accompanying his wife and I remember the days when he and his wife came to the clinic and offered us his own cooked food items. Runa Mitra and I visited his house and had a sweet chatting which he liked. He was worried about his property in future after his departure as his son doesn't stay at home with the parents. He was concerned about his wife's future as he loved his wife .
I have experienced with a tribal lady who used to come to the clinic for morphine and other supportive medicine. Sha was an agricultural labourer .She was concerned about her only daughter who was only 6 years old . She couldn't tell her community that she had cancer. If the community knows she will be driven away or called "Daini"/ witch ,meaning evil soul and will be beaten to death. This is how the social pain suffered by a cancer patient. I wonder despite the improvement of civilization how this myth prevails in so called modern society.
I remember one gentle woman who had willpower and mental strength to cope with the big C. She used to write poems and was fond of reciting poem . She is an inspirational cancer warrior, possessing good quality of life. She called me "Elder brother" and she is my sweet sister."
Recently, I have been connected with one individual with great personality and high spirit having cancer in his/ her body . I have no apt word to express my feelings. I pay my obeisance and deep respect to the person with cancer for his/ her mental will power with positivity. The performance status is high, every household work accomplished by the person. When I told the person " no body can think of you with cancer." The person just smiled. This is the spirit everyone should have.He/ she knows the prognosis of the disease, but being in the field of Palliative Care for many years, the person who possess compassionate heart, is aware of his/ her prognosis. Honestly speaking, he/ she has been trying to maintain the better quality of life and I have observed being in close . Here's my humble obeisance for how to maintain the better quality of life, and it's a great learning to me. He/ she knows how to cross the hurdles, how to face challenges in life. The person is truly honoured and inspirational to many of us. May Almighty shower blessings on the individual for more power to face the challenges. I am overwhelmed with the person's teaching ability with the presentation of PowerPoint in one teaching learning session of trainee student nurses and brothers imparting the efficacy of Palliative Care . The person possesses immense patience and resilience to maintain the quality of life. The person is a rainbow for many terminal patients in rural sector. We must be rainbow in someone's cloud and this is our ultimate satisfaction. The qualifications which a Palliative Care worker possesses are compassion, empathy and unconstitutional love .
Me is a volunteer in palliative care, counseling the cancer patients and caregivers, being experienced while engaged in Palliative Care services.
I pay humble respect to all the fighters. The warriors are truly honoured to be an inspiration to all other cancer warriors.
I believe, your comfort is determined by your activities which gives you a satisfaction. Only Physical presence in silence boosts mental power of the person.
There are several ways to cope with cancer mentally, including:
Maintaining a positive mindset: A positive outlook can help you feel more resilient and hopeful, and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Staying connected with loved ones: Sharing your feelings with people you care about can help you feel less anxious and afraid.
Learning about your cancer: The more you know about your cancer and treatment, the more in control you may feel.
Finding activities you enjoy: Try to find things you love to do, like reading, crafts, or music.
Complementary therapies: Complementary therapies like massage, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation can help reduce side effects and symptoms.
Getting support: There are many groups and true friends to get support.
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