DIALOGUE WITH CERVIX CANCER PATIENTS IN GRIEF

MS. IVA ATHAVIAMS. IVA ATHAVIA

Cancer Patients Aid AssociationMumbai,India.Email: ivathavia_17@yahoo.co.inEmail: ivathavia_17@yahoo.co.inwww.cancer.org.in

Introduction

----------Care for the family and bereavement follow-up is

considered part of good palliative practice.

“ A Man’s Dying Is More The Survivor’s Affair Than His Own.”

--- Thomas Mann.

Service With the Cervix Cancer Patients in Grief

It provides It provides understanding and understanding and compassion for compassion for patients with advanced patients with advanced illnesses and their illnesses and their loved ones loved ones

The Goal of our Service With the Cervix Cancer Patients

To relieve suffering and improving the quality and quantity of life of the patients

CPAA’s Counselling CPAA’s Counselling Cell in a Govt. Cell in a Govt. HospitalHospital

MEANING OF GRIEF GRIEF: Is the feeling of reaching

out to the departed one.

MOURNING GRIEF: Rites and Rituals which follow death.

ANTICIPATORY GRIEF: Sense of loss before death.

ABNORMAL /PATHOLOGICAL GRIEF: Extended grief in different issues.

Counselling with a Cervix Counselling with a Cervix Cancer Patient in a Cancer Patient in a SanatoriumSanatorium

Risk Factors of Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer Cervical Cancer PatientsPatients Having sex at an early age

Multiple sexual partners

Sexual partners who have multiple partners

Women whose mothers took the drugs during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage

…………..2

Weakened immune system

Infections with genital herpes

Chronic chlamydia infections

Poor economic status (may not be able to afford regular Pap Smear)

Long-term use of birth control pills.

GROUP COUNSELLING GROUP COUNSELLING IN A SANATORIUMIN A SANATORIUM

Psychosocial Issues Psychosocial Issues Faced by Cervix Faced by Cervix PatientsPatients Lack of Lack of awarenessawareness AnxietyAnxiety andand sadnesssadness GuiltGuilt and and RegretRegret for for not going to not going to

the doctor earlierthe doctor earlier AngerAnger directed at doctors for directed at doctors for

mismanaging their treatmentmismanaging their treatment FearFear of the future for of the future for family family

specially childrenspecially children Early marriagesEarly marriages and and Child birthChild birth

…………2…………2

StressStress and and FearFear of of social social boycottboycott

Sexual problemSexual problem on on post post treatmenttreatment

DifferencesDifferences with the with the spouse spouse attitudeattitude

Extra marital affairsExtra marital affairs or or remarriage of their husbandremarriage of their husband

Suicidal attitude.Suicidal attitude.

A Cervix Cancer A Cervix Cancer Patient expressing her Patient expressing her griefgrief

MARITAL PROBLEMS WITH MARITAL PROBLEMS WITH CERVIX CANCER PATIENTSCERVIX CANCER PATIENTS (Grief questionnaire among (Grief questionnaire among 126 Cervix patients)126 Cervix patients)

Domestic abuse - 54%

Abandonment - 37%

Material support only - 21%

Infidelity - 95%

Suicidal - 11%

Factors Influencing on Cervix Cancer Patients Duration of cancer illness

Age of the deceased

Extent of physical suffering

Lack of support from the family ….….2

Depletion of resources

Guilt feelings

Feelings of social isolation.

A Cervix Cancer A Cervix Cancer Patient Expressing her Patient Expressing her TortureTorture

The Best Primary Support The Best Primary Support to CERVIX Cancer to CERVIX Cancer Patients in GriefPatients in Grief1) To Understand & Be Available during their grief

2) Offering friendship / A listening ear / Companionship.

3) COUNSELING: Identifying - Physical / Psychological / Social / Emotional needs.

Possible Reasons For Possible Reasons For Abnormal Grief. Abnormal Grief. Dependent relationships

A history of unresolved grief

Guilt feelings

Idealization of the deceased

……………2

Creating a shrine

Fear of the disease

Negative Personality Trait

Sudden and unexpected death.

Counselling at CPAA Counselling at CPAA Office with a Cervix Office with a Cervix Cancer PatientCancer Patient

Stages Of GriefStages Of Grief

1) Initial Reactions of grief:-

1.

Relief

70%

2.

Numbness

22%

3.

Disbelief

8%

2) Grief:-

Common Emotions & Experiences

1.

Sadness

77%

2.

Anxiety

15%

3.

Insomnia

8%

3) Despair:-

Loss Of Meaning In Life For Survivor - Nil

4) Adjustment:-

Acceptance: The Road Ahead - Total

Reactions To Cervix Reactions To Cervix Patients at Home visitPatients at Home visit -Enriching And Fulfilling Experience

Social Maintenance / Social Maintenance / Need HelpNeed Help - 32 %

A Cervix palliative A Cervix palliative cancer patient with her cancer patient with her family membersfamily members

ConclusionConclusion

1) Local Situations different to those in the West

2) Financial / Social Help Needed

3) Not much Abnormal Grief found

God hath not promised skies always blue,Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,Rest for the labor, light for the way.

Grace for the trials, help from above,Unfailing sympathy Undying Love.

………………………………………..

AAROLE PLAYROLE PLAY

Data has been collected from the following Hospitals

B.Y.L. NAIR Charitable Hospital

Mumbai, India.

&

Cama & Allbless Hospital

Mumbai, India.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU