Anuradha was a 60-year widow afflicted by cancer of the breast with stomach metastasis. She was born and raised in Delhi and had two sons who were married and living on their own in their own homes.
As a vocation, the family has been in the farming business. Anuradha was aware of her diagnosis but not the prognosis.
Anuradha resided with her younger son in West Greater Noida while her older son lives in Delhi with his family, and seldom made trips to his ailing mother.
When Anuradha would feel pain in her stomach, she would become anxious and ask her family why she was in pain. Or why couldn’t she eat well? But the caregivers did not want to reveal the prognosis to her. They thought if they disclosed the prognosis, she would have more anxiety.
The palliative care team from CanSupport visited Anuradha for the first time in April 2022. The team found Anuradha in bed. She articulated her discontentment of not being able to physically do anything for herself and that she had become dependent on others. She further shared that both her son and daughter-in-law had jobs and had very little free time. Even though they did their best for her, provided for her, she wasn’t getting enough attention for them.
The team decided to meet both the son and the daughter-in-law and share with them that Anuradha needed their presence and attention more. The team counselled them and shared with them that, more than anything else, Anuradha needed their time. The team also suggested if the couple could invite Anuradha’s elder son and his wife to stay in their house for a few days so that Anuradha would feel happy. This suggestion was heartily welcomed by them and that very day, they invited them over for a few days to stay with them. The team also assured the couple that they would also visit Anuradha regularly to listen to her and manage her symptoms.
The team continued to visit Anuradha to manage her symptoms, to listen to her, to help relax her mind and nerves. Anuradha was happier to have family members around and didn’t feel neglected or lonely anymore.
The team also advised the family that it was important that they shared the prognosis with Anuradha rather than ignoring her question about why she wasn’t getting better. The family became very emotional and shared with the team that they did not have the courage to tell her that the cancer had spread. They requested the team to break the bad news.
The team broke the bad news to the patient and counselled her. Contrary to the fears of the family, Anuradha became calmer after learning about her prognosis. She became more loving, more accepting and appreciative of her children and their spouses.
Gradually, Anuradha’s condition started to deteriorate. She wasn’t able to sleep well due to breathlessness. This kept the entire family awake. The team suggested that the family take turns in staying awake for a few hours, so that everyone was able to carry on with their jobs as well as look after their mother.
By now, the family had started asking the team for advice on every small thing and did exactly as was advised by the team. Three months later, Anuradha passed away peacefully surrounded by her sons, their wives, and her only grandchild.
