Rahil is just 18 years old and was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach. A continual stomach ache led him to go in for further investigation that confirmed cancer.

Rahil is from Uttar Pradesh and stays with some relatives in East Delhi. He moved to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh to make a living. The motivation was to begin his career, and grow professionally.

Back in Uttar Pradesh, he has an extensive family that comprises his parents, four sisters and three brothers. Of all his siblings, only one sister is married.

Rahil’s dad runs a barber shop and for some time Rahil also worked and supported his father, but he wasn’t satisfied trimming people’s hair or beard, so he chose to live with his maternal uncle and aunt in Delhi to uncover his calling professionally. Rahil had finished his schooling and started seeking out jobs.

Rahil had just got adjusted in Delhi when he started experiencing a frequent stomach ache. After trying all home cures and medications from a general practitioner, he decided to get tested at the Delhi State Cancer Institute Hospital and ultimately, cancer was detected. The diagnosis put Rahil in a state of shock and he went into complete denial for a few days.

For four weeks Rahil didn’t step out of the house and didn’t meet or speak to anyone. His uncle and aunt encouraged him to start his treatment. They strove to give him confidence and motivate him to commence his treatment without further delay.

Going to the hospital was just as difficult for him. Finding himself encircled by other cancer patients who were in their 50s 60s or 70s, he felt it hard to believe that he was one of them. To add to his stress was other people asking him why, at this young age, he developed this disease.

Rahil kept asking the oncologist at DSCI why, at such a young age, he got this illness. The oncologist shared with Rahil about CanSupport so that, along with his curative treatment, he could also receive palliative care at home, which would help him greatly.

At first Rahil was a bit confused as to what palliative care is all about. But when the palliative care team from CanSupport visited Rahil for the first time, he was greatly surprised to meet a team of doctor, nurse, counsellor who came across like friends. He was touched by the genuine warmth and concern the team showed to him.

Having the team at home, listen to him, his concerns, worries was so comforting for Rahil and his uncle and aunt. The team doctor looked at Rahil’s medical papers and assessed his symptoms and gave him proper medication that would take care of his symptoms well. The team nurse also shared with the family a nutritious diet plan that they could prepare at home to keep Rahil’s energy levels high.

Rahil warmed up to the team from the start. He only had one question that was bothering him that why, at such a young age, he had got cancer. When the team shared with Rahil that getting this disease had nothing to do with age and that there are many factors and reasons that lead to developing cancer and that even young children, including babies and toddlers can get cancer, Rahil became calmer.

The team counsellor encouraged and counselled Rahil to focus on defeating cancer and follow his treatment through. The team assured Rahil of their availability 24x7 to answer any of his queries or to manage any symptom that he experienced while undergoing treatment.

While Rahil’s treatment continued at the hospital, the home care team from CanSupport continued to provide palliative care to him at home. Rahil and his family felt greatly supported. Regular counselling sessions with the team counsellor made Rahil more positive, that greatly helped him go through the treatment.

Rahil successfully underwent cancer treatment and is now once again thinking about his future, career and a happy life!

Rahil now also works as a volunteer at CanSupport and would like to help other young people who get cancer. He comes to CanSupport’s Day Care for children and motivates the children who come to Day Care to not give up on their dreams and future and face cancer bravely!