Pratap Bhatt (name changed) was 48 years old when he was diagnosed with buccal mucosa cancer. But being diagnosed with the illness was not the hardest obstacle life had thrown his way. It did not seem as big an issue to Pratap, given all the problems he had endured in his life, to be where he was. His father had left the family at a young age, and he now had to take care of an aged mother, a wife and six children, amongst whom the eldest daughter had a broken marriage, and the rest were still in school.

Pratap’s life was a battlefield; each day was a battle for survival.

He disregarded cancer, pretended that it was not a big deal when the truth was that it was devouring him from inside. His condition gradually worsened, and the illness could no longer be neglected. His family called up the CanSupport team, but he remained unwilling to get help. It wasn’t unusual for the team to meet patients who didn’t trust or were too afraid to trust anyone but their own; most of the families in their community had come across instances of betrayal that left them hand-to-mouth for generations to come. Nevertheless, the CanSupport team went all out to take care of him, and to provide the family with all of their support. They assured the family that all the services would be provided free of charge, and the team would stick by till the very end.

Pratap had developed a fungating wound with maggots and malodor in due course of time that had to be attended to urgently. The team doctor studied the wound and the swelling, and the team nurse applied turpentine oil vapour and removed the maggots. The doctor prescribed him medicines for his neuropathic pain and swelling.

Pratap was advised by the team to visit the hospital for further treatment and to get a nasogastric tube inserted into his nose which would help him consume nourishment. But Pratap was adamant, and he refused profusely. He felt as if he were a burden to everyone around him; he felt as if death was his only respite.

In the time of war, when one is certain that his fate lies in defeat, the soldier ends up taking his own life to die an honourable death. Our soldier wanted the same. He didn’t want any treatment to be given to him, he just wanted to let go.

But the CanSupport team’s vow is to serve its patients through thick and thin, to ignite their perished hopes, to make their last days as tranquil as possible. The team doctor prescribed him a morphine tablet for his pain, and his counselling sessions helped him express his feelings. He spoke about his fears, his pain. He felt calm, his thoughts quietened. He felt closer to his family, he felt healed.

It was one beautiful evening when he felt so delighted, that he danced on his tippy toes, and everyone in the room rejoiced with tears of joy.

Pratap wanted to live, he wanted to undergo surgery, but he knew it was too late. He confessed that he feared for what lay ahead, but he was grateful for how loved he felt in his last few days.

On the 12th of January 2021, Pratap took one deep breath and left for the heavenly abode.

There are many people like Pratap who need palliative care but they don’t know where to go. While CanSupport is doing its best to reach out to people informing them about their services, we request you to spread the word.

Share our Helpline Number 011-41010539 with all the needy people. Though all CanSupport services are free of charge for patients, the cost of reaching out to patients and caring for them cost Rs. 1400/- per visit per patient.

If you would like to support our cause, please donate at https://cansupport.org/donate