By Young Joo Choi
This week's home care was untraditional. CanSupport usually serves patients who have cancer but two of our home visits this week were unconventional in the fact that they had other debilitating diseases.
Our first visit of the day was to an 88 year-old female patient who was socioeconomically well off. Her complications were from old age—she required a nebulizer from time to time to help her breathe and had a catheter that was removed recently. She resided at home with her husband and her daughter, Arti, and son would alternate taking care of their mother. The family was very concerned about their mother's health to the point that they kept a daily log of her bloody pressure every morning and night. They discussed the lack of nursing homes in India and that the home care aids are not professionally trained as they are in the States. It was obvious that they had wanted the absolute best care for their mother, which was heartwarming to see. It also made me realize the vast differences across the culture in India and the States.
While the US promotes individuality, Indians value community, especially living and taking care of their elders. Often, nursing homes or long-term facilities are utilized in the US. Even during my time during hospice volunteering, the residents always expressed their desire to be at home, surrounded by their family to their last breath. Most of the anger that I observed were reserved for the fact that they could not peacefully die at home—whether because the family could not afford an additional caretaker or they did not want to harbor the memory of their loved ones passing in their very own home. Although it mobilizes more resources from the provider's aspect, I love the fact that I have the chance to explore and see the impact of a medical team serving patients in need in the comfort of their own homes.
Like the first patient, the next lady was also a patient without cancer. However, she had a list of diseases that had to be managed, including hypothyroidism, asthma, coronary artery disease, and diabetes. She lived with her sons, daughter-in-laws, and her granddaughter. Her youngest son, Kuldeep, had been unemployed for 3 years in order to take care of his mother at home. But this was not their first encounter with CanSupport. His father had cancer and passed away just last August. Despite the death of his father and the fluctuating health of his mother, he is surprisingly positive and smily. During my interview, I had asked him about having to take care of his mother. He simply replied that he is in fact thankful for having the opportunity to provide for his mother like the way she has since he was a child. Though not by choice, Kuldeep was able to express his gratitude for his mother and reciprocate the same love and devotion that he received.
The final patient that we saw this week was Abdul, whose throat cancer had relapsed after being clear for 8-9 years. Once full of spirit, he claimed that he was absolutely devastated and hopeless after his second diagnosis with cancer. As a self-proclaimed doctor, he attempted to relieve his pains through his own methods. When it had an effect, there was a glimmer of hope that overcame and motivated him to call and rely on CanSupport as he did before. Although it has only been 3 months since he re-familiarized himself with the organization, he remains upbeat. Through his raspy and hoarse voice, he tried his best to answer all of my questions.
I find the effects and the impact that CanSupport has on the patients and their families extraordinary. It's not only relieving physical pain but also mending the emotional pains that has occurred due to the disease, whether it be individual or amongst the family. Even without the words to say, I can always feel the intuitive gratitude that are given to the doctors, counselors, and nurses that provide their service into improving the livelihood of others by offering their own sympathy and compassion around the clock. Truly, they are an inspiration and as Arti said, "CanSupport is the real hero."
