My Journey into Palliative Care: A Path of Compassion

My Journey into Palliative Care: A Path of Compassion

– Ms Maheshwari Frawel, Bilaspur

I completed my General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) training at Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) in 2022 and shortly after began my career as a staff nurse at the same institute. One day, our supervisor asked if anyone was interested in pursuing a course on palliative care as my institute has always been supportive of further education and even offers financial assistance for courses. So, when this opportunity came up, I decided to apply even though I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. To my surprise, I was selected, and little did I know, that this course would change the way I looked at nursing forever.

I joined the Certificate Course in the Essentials of Palliative Care offered by the Indian Association of Palliative Care in 2023. I quickly realized that palliative care (PC) is something very different in comparison to the regular nursing care I practiced. Palliative care is much more than just managing medical needs; it was about looking at the whole person. In addition to physical care, we learnt to support patients and their families socially, emotionally, and spiritually. I also learnt that it is about improving the quality of life irrespective of a patient’s stage of illness, and even when cure is not possible.

Through the training program, I gained so much knowledge about pain management, symptom assessment, and even ways of how to support patients and their families through difficult emotional moments. However, it wasn’t just the theory which taught me these things, it was also the real-life experiences which truly shaped me.

One patient stands out in my memory. Rani (name changed) was just 32 years old, was living with oral cancer, and hailed from a very poor family. When she arrived at our center, she was in severe pain and had a large wound on her face which was infested with maggots. I had never done a dressing like this before, especially not one that involved the removal of maggots. Our palliative care team swiftly got into action and ensured that Rani received the necessary care alongside her oncological treatment. I remember carefully changing her dressing and administering morphine for her pain. Though her pain didn’t completely disappear right away, I will never forget that moment when she looked up at me, gave me a big smile, and thanked me from the bottom of her heart. That moment filled me with a sense of fulfilment that is hard to put into words. It made me realize that sometimes, it is not about making everything better but that it is about being there, showing care, and offering comfort in a way that helps people through their toughest times. Throughout her time with us, we tried to ease her suffering as much as possible.

The other story that stays with me is that of Ms Devi (name changed), a 60-year-old woman who came to JSS with a large, fungating breast lump. Ms Devi’s son had brought her in, hoping that something could be done to ease her suffering. She was suffering from not just her physical pain but also due to the foul smell and constant discharge that oozed from her wound. We also realized that Ms Devi and her son was not fully aware of her diagnosis, and that her condition was quite advanced by the time they reached us. Our palliative care team then assessed her, explained the disease and prognosis in detail, and counselled both Ms Devi and her son regarding the various available treatment options. Ms Devi then underwent a toilet mastectomy with a skin graft. Later, she also developed lymphedema, which required ongoing wound care. During this time, I helped her with a double-layer dressing and also taught her son about how he could care for her and manage it at home. As the wound healed, I saw the relief on Ms Devi’s face – a kind of quiet gratitude that needed no words. Knowing that I had played a part, however small, in bringing her comfort and dignity filled me with a deep sense of purpose.

It is these moments – the small acts of care, the smiles, and the gratitude that have kept me deeply attached to palliative care. For me, this field is more than just providing medical treatments; it is about dignity, compassion, and helping patients and their families navigate some of life’s hardest challenges with support and kindness.

I have learned that while working in palliative care, every day is different, and that every patient brings with them something unique. This journey has been the most rewarding part of my nursing career, and I am grateful to be a part of a field where I can make a real difference in someone’s life, no matter how small it may seem.