Palliative Care

Had my father not been diagnosed with cancer recently, the term “Palliative Care” wouldn’t come this close to me, like… ever.  Later on I realize it wasn’t just me, it’s actually an unfamiliar term to many people as well. So I decided to write about it.

Definition of Palliative Care by World Health Organization (WHO)

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. Palliative care:

provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms;

affirms life and regards dying as a normal process;

intends neither to hasten or postpone death;

integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care;

offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death;

offers a support system to help the family cope during the patients illness and in their own bereavement;

uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated;

is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.  

Before my father’s incident, I’ve always thought illnesses can and will always be cured by medicines. If you are unwell, drink more water, rest more and you’ll feel better in a few days time.  If the condition gets serious, consult a doctor, take some antibiotics and you’ll feel better in a few days time. And of course, life is not always a bed of sweet roses. You may have came across articles and stories about cancer and stuff, or, even freak accidents that lead to deaths. But those are just other people stories, right? In real life, this is the first time I’m learning to face the harsh reality of an illness that will possibly take a life away; and the person happens to be someone in my family.

Palliative Care members involves in the process of helping patients and their families to cope with and alleviate the physical and psychological implications as such. Patients are usually given stronger dose of morphine and unrestricted diets to make them feel comfortable.

Throughout this sudden twist of fate, it struck me real hard about what really matters in life. Would it really be money and career? or family ties? Pride and egoism? love? impermanence?

In regards to this matter and on behalf of my family, I would like to thank our dear friends and relatives who have given us the moral support during this time. Your warm thoughts are deeply and truly appreciated.