Alternative Treatment - Cancer

When papa was diagnosed with cancer, I was sure that he would emerge as a winner. I was confident, chemotherapy would do the necessary justice- but as time passed and nothing seem to work, I became desperate-more desperate. At that point of time, I was ready to try any treatment that would give some relief to papa.

Since I was a part of lot of forums and would read extensively, I found a few alternative treatments- that may or may not be helpful. But, I feel they are worth sharing, may be it heps someone.

 Most of these treatment have no proof and generally play no role in curing cancer, but they do provide some relief in dealing with the signs and symptoms as a result of cancer and the treatment.

Honestly speaking my father din't  or couldn't try these treatmets becasue of the weakness and his lack of desire to work on something which would not bring results( he was diagnosed on the advanced stage)

But one thing, that I felt really helped was music. Secondly, Lavender oil  helped him relax and sleep a bit( otherwise because of the pain, he could not sleep).

Most of these treatments- It is better to take help from professionals to begin- in order to mantain a balance between the traditional treament and the alternative treament.

Alternative treatment, which I personally feel are quite helpful ( some of them which as a caretaker- helped me to relieve my anxiety and stress)

Meditation:  The safest form of alternative treament. The patient can practice himself for 2-4minutes twice a day without any help from anyone.

Music Therapy:  The best I found. It helped in relieving pain and controlling nausea and  vomitting.  Music can be of any kind. Nowadays many hospital have trained staff to help the patients.

Massage(s):  Massages are found to be especially helpful in relieving pain, stress.  It helps you to relieve anxiety, fatigue and induces relaxation. 

People with cancer in bones have to be careful, while applying pressure.  

People with low blood counts should avoid any kind of massages. 

People with tumors, radiation treatments and  with scars should be extra careful while taking massages

Excercise : Through excercise, many signs and symptoms can be managed during the course of treatment. Regular excercise can help reduce stress and relieve fatigue and to an extent control insomnia.

Acupuncture: Basically a technique in which the trained specialist will insert tiny needles at particular sites on the body. This technique is extremely helpful in controlling pain and nausea as a result of cancer ( or treatment).

Patients who have low blood count or who are taking blood thinners should  consult the doctor before starting any such treatment.

Aromatherapy: Use of  different kinds of oils to relax the mind and the body. People with breast cancer should consult the doctor before using any kind of oil.

Yoga:  Includes stretching excercise with deep breathing. There many kinds of yoga. Yoga may provide some relief in stress for people with cancer. People who practise yoga regularly have shown sign of improved sleep pattern and reduction in fatigue.

Relaxation Techniques: Are said to help the patient by helping them by focus their attention on calming the mind and relaxing the muscles. These techniques help in reducing the anxiety and sleep better.

These tecniques are absolutely safe. With little gudence from the therapist - the patient will be able to do the techniques by himself in few days. 

All through my blog, I have repeatedly said that believe in your doctor. Nothing can replace the doctor. While most of the techniques mentioned above can be easily practised at home-but still I am saying before starting any of the above, meet the specialist- he will guide you through.  After all you are fighting CANCER- and we dont want to take risk. Your life is precious- value it, Love it!

I love you, Papa

Happy Fathers Day !!

The night it happened......

It was 5:00a.m, Papa woke up. He wanted to have tea. My heart sank. I choked.

I woke  my mother. She made tea.  Papa had half a cup of tea. He looked contended. And went back to sleep. He looked so normal, as if he just woke from fever and now everything will be fine. But I knew...nothing will be fine now...never.

Somebody,  I know once told me - when the day will come, you will know-  It will feel as if everything will be all right. I will notice a strange shine on my father's face. And I don't know why, but I always knew that papa will go on a saturday night. And today was saturday.

My instincts were telling me-the day has arrived. For past two days every time, I tried to take papa's blood pressure and pulse - the machine always showed error.

I went to my home, took shower and was packing my bags when I received a call from my aunt. My aunt informed me that palliative care team( of doctors) visiting papa has arrived and wanted to speak to me. I knew the news was "not good". I took the receiver, and the doctor said( what I din't wanted to hear)..."Your father is half gone, you can call your brother".

I was just stabbed in the heart. And blood was coming through my eyes. I packed my bag and ran down the stairs. My husband followed. I was shaking when I reached my daughter's school. I picked her up hurriedly. 

Back in the car, My husband said, everything will be okay...and I said "today is the day, and I know it". I called my younger brother. He was in office. I said bhai, "Come" and dropped the phone.

I reached home. My aunt told me, today papa had apple juice. After months of not eating or drinking anything, he even had porridge.  Papa was having difficulty in breathing. I decided to get an oxygen cylinder( owing to my Asthma,  I know how it feels when you can't breathe). I got the oxygen cylinder. But, I could see - It was not much of a help. 

It was 7.pm. My younger brother arrived straight from office.  I called papa. He opened his eyes and recognized my younger brother. He smiled at all of us.

Around 9 p.m:  I noticed papa's breathing had become more erratic and irregular. I decided to nebulize him. Papa was restless. I put the mask, and started the machine. Around 11:30p.m,  I held papa's hand and said, I will come in the morning. Papa put all his left strength together and screamed "don't go". And I din't...

I switched off the " Mahamritunjaya Mantra" and asked everyone to sleep. I said, I will sit. Everyone would sleep around papa.  Lights were switched off. And, I took my tablet and started reading. Every two minutes, I would check if papa was still breathing. Papa was extremely restless and was panting heavily.  He was struggling for life and life was moving away....far away!

My father was in deep pain.  But he was trying. He wouldn't give up. I was suffering.  I have to let him go......

At 12:35a.m, papa asked me to remove the mask. He wanted water. I gave him water and said papa, you can go now, I love you....

The time period between the breaths increased...and it kept on increasing...I woke my mother, aunt ...I called for my brothers, husband and uncle....

We all were there when papa took his last breath......1:15am,  26th October 2013!

I Love you, Papa!

A day before....

25, October 2013

Papa seemed less ill, at least thats what I thought. I was kind of relieved.

My husband was traveling and today he was returning. I told papa - I would be back in few hours. He tried to smile, but couldn't. So he moved his eyes in affirmation. I left.

It was evening. Papa became restless. He was asking for me. I hurried. When I reached, papa was unconscious. I pulled the chair ( my companion for last 11months) next to papa's bed. I waited. But today he din't open his eyes. He din't move. He was sweating heavily. His breathing was loud and sporadic.

By now, It had become a routine to stay awake all night for my very obvious reasons. I called him twice. But he din't respond. I grew anxious. I searched for my mobile. I switched on the torch  to check if he was breathing. Yes! Yes! he was. .......Yes he was!

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, It is about learning to dance in the rain".

Papa was breathing- that was more then enough. Nothing mattered. He was with me was more that I can ask for.  At that moment, the happiness, the relief - I felt, cannot be put into words.

Every five minutes, I would switch on my phone's light to see if papa was still us. The whole night passed. It was 5:10 a.m.  Papa opened his eyes. He wanted tea.....I knew...today was the day!

Love you Papa!