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Caring for the Caregivers
Two Sundays ago, I was privileged to attend an event at the Davao Medical Center. Xai, the dedicated and gregarious worker of the Kythe Foundation, sent me a text message the previous night informing me of the event. She called the event "Parents' Day- Off" and was to start at 2 o'clock. Attending were parents of pediatric cancer patients at the hospital. In the early evening, a modest "Children's Party" was tendered to "resident" pediatric cancer patients. Finding my way to the meeting place, I arrived in the nick of time and meekly joined the parents' assembly. While some parents came all by their lonesome, not a few tagged their sick child along. It was like a prayer meeting where praise songs were sung and words of encouragement were shared. Then the pack was divided into smaller groups where the members shared their experiences and mutually drew strength from each other. While each has his own unique story to tell, there were many common strands which everyone easily identified with. Prayers were then said amidst the natural bonding felt among strangers with common concerns. The event was both therapeutic and instructive. After sharing modest snacks provided and served by members of the Rotaract, a short debriefing ensued. The parents then moved on to the newly-built Hope building where more intimate conversations were held. In the early evening, a party was tendered to the pediatric cancer patients. Two civic organizations sponsored the party - Rotaract and De Molay. I went there in my private capacity to find out how I can get involved and how to serve in my own little way. There are a few things I can emphasize: 1. There is a growing number of pediatric cancer patients in the region. Only a few obtain medical attention due to any or a combination of these reasons: ignorance or misappreciation of the illness, economic difficulty, geographical access to health facilities or health workers. 2. More than 70% of those who get medical attention eventually drop out and don't come back for medical attention. Where are they? Chances are, they have gone ahead to kingdom come or waiting for their time to expire. 3. Many parents accept the proverbial "death sentence" ascribed to cancer, not knowing that many pediatric cancer cases are curable. 4. There is a dearth of health facilities and support systems for cancer patients. The financial, emotional and various other demands to parents, who are also most likely to be the caregivers, of cancer patients make the caring for the care-givers very challenging. Caring for the caregivers is thus a very important but neglected aspect. Thus, the importance of this social gathering among people with a common predicament. Who else but those who underwent similar circumstances could share their insights and experiences in a passionate, compassionate and soothing manner. The sharing even goes beyond these things and embraces aspects like resource generation, patient care, sibling and parental role and involvement, as well as understanding of the disease and the diseased. I am very appreciative and thankful for the efforts made by people and organizations to support cancer patients and their parents. I thank the Rotaract, the De Molay, the Kythe Foundation and some individuals for this event. But more so for their loving hearts. Helping others and helping them help themselves go a long, long way in alleviating the hardship of those undergoing this difficult experience. Providing the needed support do not only enhance the chances for healing. If the ultimate healing inevitably comes, then the patient goes with dignity. And, let's not forget: care for the caregivers as well. |
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May, 2012
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