Bringing Back Smiles and Dignity with Palliative Care

A 68 year old patient with an advanced Lung cancer, which had spread to his back bone and ribs was being treated at a reputed cancer hospital in west Delhi. He had received extensive Chemotherapy, he was also given Radio frequency Ablation, Ozone therapy and nerve block. Inspite of all efforts to control his symptoms for 2.5 yrs and a hefty bill, he did not improve. He was told finally that nothing more can be done. The treating doctor was exhausted from answering his multiple calls about his agonizing pain and breathlessness and referred him to Dharamshila Rahat Medical Centre. At the same time, he saw a write up on Palliative Care in Mayur Info about Dharamshila Rahat Medical Centre.

Finally he came to our emergency department with unbearable pain, breathlessness, inability to talk, looked emaciated and exhausted. His wife too was exhausted because of stress, lack of sleep and 24x7 nursing at home. In addition to physical symptoms, there were lots of emotional, psychosocial and financial issues which had strained the interpersonal relationship between the couple.

At Dharamshila Rahat Medical Centre’s emergency. He was given pain killer with sufficient dose to relive his pain. He was admitted under our Pain and Palliative Care specialist Dr. Amit Jain, who made a complete long term care plan, involving psychologist, palliative care trained nurses, Physiotherapist and Dietician. It took 3-4 days to bring back smiles on the patient’s and his wife face, with pain killers, lung physiotherapy counseling, diet plan as per his choice, 24x7 two Nursing Aids by his bed side and under constant supervision of Palliative Care Nurse, in a positive cheerful and vibrant environment .

Being a highly educated, learned, Social and Cooperative Patient with positive attitude, it was relatively easy for us to achieve the good results. He has been discharged and is getting home care under the supervision of Dr. Amit Jain. His quality of life and interpersonal relationship has improved and is living with dignity at home, doing his acts of daily activities by himself, with a sense of Independence.

Why He Had To Suffer So Much?

1. His disease was advanced and was incurable
2. Palliative care was not started early, in a dedicated Palliative care hospital, where 24x7 facilities are available for OPD, Emergency, Day Care and indoor admissions to address his distressing symptom and problems by a multidisciplinary team.
3. Focus was not shifted from treating the disease to comforting the patient with Palliative care.
4. No attempt was made to understand and address his and his wife’s emotional psychosocial, spiritual and financial problem, including estranged relationship.

THERE IS END TO CURE, BUT NO END TO CARE: THERE IS ALWAYS A HOPE IN PALLIATIVE CARE: