A CanSupport staff member received a text in the early hours of the morning from one of our long-term volunteers, Shyam Gupta. It read, “Just got a call from Shanti Avedna. A destitute patient we had been supporting has passed away. I need to reach there by 9:30 am. Will come to Day Care if time permits.” In that moment, he could not have known what the day had in store for him.
The deceased patient was a mother and is survived by her 13 year old boy, her only next of kin. She had been a domestic help at an elderly lady’s home before her diagnosis and treatment rendered her unable to carry on with the work. After her passing, the young boy in his heart of hearts hoped that the old lady, who he had come to view as his grandmother, would be there for him. Sadly, the senior citizen had decided to get him moved to a shelter.
The heartbroken child was now faced with the harsh prospect of surviving at a facility where he would be surrounded by strangers, left all by himself to fend against the whole world. With multiple thoughts flooding his mind, Shyam maintained his composure and wanted to focus on how to gently break the news to the kid and to find a safe haven for him.
The morning had fast turned into noon. He decided to stick around and be there for the boy. As he took the boy to one of the shelters, the old lady accompanied them. He had spoken with her to reconsider her decision but she had been unrelenting.
With a heavy heart, they had made it to the children’s home. They waited for the formalities to be carried out. The clock had almost struck 3pm. During this wait is when a shift occurred.
Was it because of the misty eyed boy’s submissive silence? Was it due to a flicker of conscience? Or was it what Shyam had shared about compassion and kindness with the elder woman? It could have been a mix of all of those but whatever the reason may have been behind the turning point, the lady had had a change of heart. She simply could not bear the thought of leaving that innocent young one there. She had made up her mind that she would keep him at her place and Shyam breathed a sigh of relief.
He had not abandoned the child in the dark moment and his heartfelt prayers had been answered.
This story reminds us, once again, that palliative care does not end at the day care, home care, or with just any of the several programs we run. It is comprehensive and extends to even the un-clocked hours our teams and volunteers give to the patients and caregivers without any second thoughts. The guidance needed for navigating hospitals and getting the services. It is about the home visits, any additional support which might be required to sustain families and more. To the eventual steps which follow the demise, and the quiet, aching spaces left behind the loss. CanSupport, through our representatives, walks with everyone who comes into our care for whole of their journey, and even post that to assist and address the grief of those left behind. We are forever grateful to all who make it possible for us to carry on with our cause.
