60 year old Shyamlal had worked in a private firm for 20 years. Just before he was due to retire, he was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth. Unable to carry on working he was relieved from his job and went to live with his elder son who was a salesman in a mall. His younger son worked as a mechanic in a local market.

While undergoing chemotherapy sessions at the Indian Rotary Cancer Hospital, Shyamlal learned about CanSupport during a hospital visit. The CanSupport representative talked to him and his son about CanSupport’s free palliative care services and enrolled him in the Home Care Program.

On their first visit to Shyamlal the team got acquainted with the family. They discussed his diagnosis with them in detail and explained the procedures they would follow to care for him at home. The doctor gave him medication to relieve the fever and vomitiing that resulted from chemotherapy and the nurse gave Shyamlal minor dressings to relieve his mouth discomfort.

When the lockdown was announced in March, most hospitals were turned into Covid centres. Cancer patients’ appointments were cancelled and their treatment interrrupted. Without timely hospital treatment, the wound in Shyamlal’s mouth started to deteriorate. Consequently, he was unable to eat and this made him weaker, resultiing in other symptoms and greater discomfort.

Gripped with fear and confusion, the family asked the CanSupport team to visit him at home. However, the area they lived in was a Red Zone and under complete lockdown. The team doctor made a video call to Shyamlal’s son and explained in detail what he could do to provide immediate relief to his father.

After making strenuous efforts the team were able to visit the next day. Shyamlal was unable to eat anything because of the severe pain of the wound in his mouth.

The team nurse inserted Ryle’s tube to enable him to get some nourishment. The doctor gave him morphine to bring him relief from his pain.

The family’s troubles worsened as Shyamlal’s son lost his job when retail shops started closing down due to the pandemic. When the team counselor received this news she spent time talking to the son and giving him emotional support during this new crisis the family was facing. As the only wage earner in the family, the son was extremely worried about how he would provide food for his family. The Team Counsellor assured him that they would do their best to find help through their support network.

Within a few days the CanSupport counselor was able to inform the son that CanSupport has tied up with OXFAM India who are providing ration support for families affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The team provided one month’s food rations to Shyamal and his family which went a long way in easing the son’s pain and concern.

As time went on, Shyamlal’s condition deteriorated. While talking with him, the counselor discovered that Shyamal was more worried about his wife than himself. The counsellor got the family together, discussed Shyamlal’s worry and as a result both his sons assured their father that they would take good care of their mother. This eased his worry and gave him much-needed peace of mind.

The team also suggested that both sons should come and stay with their father as he was in the last stage of his life. Having both his sons and the entire family with him gave Shyamal a great deal of comfort and happiness in his final days. He breathed his last on June 08, 2020 at his home, at peace, surrounded by his loved ones.