“A best friend is the only one that walks into your life when the world has walked out.”― Shannon L. Alder. Majority of palliative care patients have lost almost everything because of the state of their illness; friends, families, property, fame, dignity and other basic human rights. Some describe their world as dark and empty, they have no one to talk to and no one to hold their hands. Their world is crumbling in front of their eyes and the world seems not to care, why am I undergoing through this they wonder? Indeed the world is walking out.
When a palliative care provider talks to masses about the need to support the palliative care initiatives, people wonder which patients do they support, do this patients exist? Yes they exist, they are our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, neighbours suffering from life threatening illnesses like cancer, HIV/AIDS, organ failures, congenital malformations, birth asphyxia among other conditions.
One may wonder how a palliative care patient’s life is different from others, these patients face numerous challenges including; pain and inadequate symptoms control, stigmatization, loss of self esteem, loneliness , fear and uncertainty regarding the future. “How do you feel?” she asked, trying to fluff his pillow. “Other than terrible, I mean.”He moved his head slightly to the side. It seemed to be a sickly interpretation of a shrug. “Of course you’re feeling terrible,” she clarified, “but is there any change? More terrible? Less terrible?” He made no response. “The same amount of terrible?” ― Julia Quinn, Just Like Heaven.
We can make their world better, we can put smiles on their faces, we can ease their pain and suffering. “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.― John Bunyan. Lets us start living by supporting this patients. Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association are inviting you for a fundraising dinner to raise funds to scale up provision of palliative care services in Kenya. Palliative care is everyone’s business, it is our business!