CASE STUDIES of Selected Callers Befriended... By Trained Befrienders at the Mithuruwela Center, Maharagama
RANI’S STORY
Rani is a 37 year old patient from Batticaloa. She is married and has a 4 year old son. She is presently attending the monthly clinic at the Cancer Hospital after having undergone a mastectomy. I happened to meet her at Shanthi Nivasa and she spoke to me with much confidence and has accepted her illness come what may! She recalled how shattered she felt when her family doctor informed her that she has having cancer in the breast. She was so disturbed that the first thing which ran through her mind was ‘Death’. She said that to her knowledge she knew of only two members from her village who had this type of illness, but after she came to Maharagama and visited the transit home, she realized that so many others from her home town too were undergoing treatment for cancer. She said that seeing the little children suffering much more than herself and being befriended by the volunteers of Mithuruwela, made her realize that she had to face life with a positive attitude.
RUWANTHI’S STORY
Ruwanthi, who was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2009 September, hails from Gampola and is a bubbly 10 year old with an infectious smile. She had come to Shanthi Nivasa for her second round of chemotherapy. Her mother, a pretty, serene looking lady of 40 was attending to Ruwanthi’s needs. The mother was always composed and hid her true feelings from the daughter lest she gets disturbed. Ruwanthi’s paternal grandmother had died of cancer just before she fell ill.
Ruwanthi looked bloated and had a puffy face. To me she resembled the child widow “Chuiya” in the film ‘Water’ with her chubby cheeks and shaven head. It was easy to establish rapport with Ruwanthi for she is such a friendly and an outgoing girl. In no time we were chatting like old friends. I encouraged her to talk. She spoke about her illness, family, friends, school, pets and hobbies. She sounded so positive, so carefree and happy. It was amazing!
Her face lit up when she spoke about her school. I gathered from her conversation that she is a bright and promising student studying in Grade Four. A model student, in fact, excelling in studies, sports, chess and other extra curricular activities. She aspires to be a doctor someday.
Ruwanthi’s father, who is a Vice Principal of a school in Gampola had obtained all the new text books needed for the year 2010. Her only sibling, an older sister of 14 is also very supportive. So are her friends and teachers in school who supply Ruwanthi with all the necessary study material. Ruwanthi is a voracious reader and keeps herself occupied reading story books and studying.
On my second visit, I noticed that Ruwanthi was not so chirpy. Maybe she felt tired. Maybe she was missing school and her friends.
When I visited her next, she appeared down hearted, anxious and worried. The reason for this was because she had developed high pressure and diabetes. Her diet had to be restricted - especially sweets. This was unbearable and a big blow to Ruwanthi who has a sweet tooth. You can imagine her agony.
The fourth time I visited she was at the Cancer Hospital. Her treatment had to be delayed until her pressure and diabetes were brought under control. This time Ruwanthi looked sad – almost withdrawn. Her mood had changed completely. She hardly spoke or smiled. She was impatient with her mother too. Her mother said it was because of her restricted diet.
But I had my doubts about Ruwanthi’s low mood. Was it because she had to forgo sweets? Or was it because she had come to realize the true nature of her illness? The uncertainties and the gravity involved? She is a very intelligent child.
Ruwanthi seemed confused – her mind was clouded. We spoke to her and comforted her and put her mind at ease. We spoke to her about going back to school and she beamed. It was so rewarding to see the change in her mood – the smile returning to her face.
This was the last time I saw her. Later I heard that she had completed chemotherapy and gone home.
Let us hope that Ruwanthi’s young life will not be snuffed out prematurely.
Let us hope that Ruwanthi’s dream of becoming a doctor will come true.
Let us hope and pray that Ruwanthi will recover fully from her illness and be a source of joy and pride to her family, friends and to all of us here at Mithuruwela.
All names of patients and places have been fictionalized to protect the privacy of the persons concerned. Their stories are however authentic.
Rani is a 37 year old patient from Batticaloa. She is married and has a 4 year old son. She is presently attending the monthly clinic at the Cancer Hospital after having undergone a mastectomy. I happened to meet her at Shanthi Nivasa and she spoke to me with much confidence and has accepted her illness come what may! She recalled how shattered she felt when her family doctor informed her that she has having cancer in the breast. She was so disturbed that the first thing which ran through her mind was ‘Death’. She said that to her knowledge she knew of only two members from her village who had this type of illness, but after she came to Maharagama and visited the transit home, she realized that so many others from her home town too were undergoing treatment for cancer. She said that seeing the little children suffering much more than herself and being befriended by the volunteers of Mithuruwela, made her realize that she had to face life with a positive attitude.
RUWANTHI’S STORY
Ruwanthi, who was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2009 September, hails from Gampola and is a bubbly 10 year old with an infectious smile. She had come to Shanthi Nivasa for her second round of chemotherapy. Her mother, a pretty, serene looking lady of 40 was attending to Ruwanthi’s needs. The mother was always composed and hid her true feelings from the daughter lest she gets disturbed. Ruwanthi’s paternal grandmother had died of cancer just before she fell ill.
Ruwanthi looked bloated and had a puffy face. To me she resembled the child widow “Chuiya” in the film ‘Water’ with her chubby cheeks and shaven head. It was easy to establish rapport with Ruwanthi for she is such a friendly and an outgoing girl. In no time we were chatting like old friends. I encouraged her to talk. She spoke about her illness, family, friends, school, pets and hobbies. She sounded so positive, so carefree and happy. It was amazing!
Her face lit up when she spoke about her school. I gathered from her conversation that she is a bright and promising student studying in Grade Four. A model student, in fact, excelling in studies, sports, chess and other extra curricular activities. She aspires to be a doctor someday.
Ruwanthi’s father, who is a Vice Principal of a school in Gampola had obtained all the new text books needed for the year 2010. Her only sibling, an older sister of 14 is also very supportive. So are her friends and teachers in school who supply Ruwanthi with all the necessary study material. Ruwanthi is a voracious reader and keeps herself occupied reading story books and studying.
On my second visit, I noticed that Ruwanthi was not so chirpy. Maybe she felt tired. Maybe she was missing school and her friends.
When I visited her next, she appeared down hearted, anxious and worried. The reason for this was because she had developed high pressure and diabetes. Her diet had to be restricted - especially sweets. This was unbearable and a big blow to Ruwanthi who has a sweet tooth. You can imagine her agony.
The fourth time I visited she was at the Cancer Hospital. Her treatment had to be delayed until her pressure and diabetes were brought under control. This time Ruwanthi looked sad – almost withdrawn. Her mood had changed completely. She hardly spoke or smiled. She was impatient with her mother too. Her mother said it was because of her restricted diet.
But I had my doubts about Ruwanthi’s low mood. Was it because she had to forgo sweets? Or was it because she had come to realize the true nature of her illness? The uncertainties and the gravity involved? She is a very intelligent child.
Ruwanthi seemed confused – her mind was clouded. We spoke to her and comforted her and put her mind at ease. We spoke to her about going back to school and she beamed. It was so rewarding to see the change in her mood – the smile returning to her face.
This was the last time I saw her. Later I heard that she had completed chemotherapy and gone home.
Let us hope that Ruwanthi’s young life will not be snuffed out prematurely.
Let us hope that Ruwanthi’s dream of becoming a doctor will come true.
Let us hope and pray that Ruwanthi will recover fully from her illness and be a source of joy and pride to her family, friends and to all of us here at Mithuruwela.
All names of patients and places have been fictionalized to protect the privacy of the persons concerned. Their stories are however authentic.
posted by Mithuruwela Cancer Support Network @ 9:02 AM
