Connecting with a 52-year-old patient with advanced stage of Brain tumour proved to be a challenge. When prompted, she was able to share her thoughts, feelings and wishes. She talked in a feeble voice about her belief of a speedy cure so that she could go back to her village to be with her home and family and about taking care again. She shared her concern about the marriage of her children and that she looked forward to completing the responsibility at the earliest.
The pain in her leg, the headache and dizziness did not deter her to take a deep breath of relief at the end of over 15 minutes of monologue. Her emotions drained away with a free flow of tears and momentarily her was pain over-powered by the vision of her own world of peace and tranquillity. The radiating facial glow, the silent lips said more about her navigation within self.
Her daughter, a doctor by profession was standing nearby as her caregiver. I could see that the internal war between her two identities was draining her. The calm mask in front of the mother and wailing eyes behind was killing her softly.
Later, she expressed that by just sharing, crying, and venting to listening ears she felt comforted.
I said, ‘You are not alone’.
Article by: Sachin, Volunteer Emotional Counselor at Manipal Hospital
