CanSupport is a most wonderful palliative care organization which gives free support to those palliative patients suffering with cancer. We have been conducting trainings with doctors, nurses, and counselors.
Zuleikha has tea with CanSupport Founder/Director Harmala Gupta
I first met the founder/director of CanSupport, Harmala Gupta, a most extraordinary woman, about 4 years ago. At that time, she asked me to work with the children who come to the day care center. They taught me how much energy they have or didn’t have, and we proceeded. It was a heart opening experience. I went on to work with their parents, where one lady said,” I haven’t laughed in a year!”
From then, I met Dr. Ambika, who is the director of the Home Care Program. She organized a nurses training in Self Care. This program was received with great enthusiasm. Well. I was then invited to be a presenter in CanSupport’s annual Foundation Course Conference, which I have been doing for several years. On one day, I share Self Care for Professionals, and on another day, we look at bringing this into Care for the Patients, becoming known to those in CanSupport, as "Relaxation Exercises, for the Patient" and “Stress Relief Exercises for the Family or Caregiver”.
I first met the founder/director of CanSupport, Harmala Gupta, a most extraordinary woman, about 4 years ago. At that time, she asked me to work with the children who come to the day care center. They taught me how much energy they have or didn’t have, and we proceeded. It was a heart opening experience. I went on to work with their parents, where one lady said,” I haven’t laughed in a year!”
From then, I met Dr. Ambika, who is the director of the Home Care Program. She organized a nurses training in Self Care. This program was received with great enthusiasm. Well. I was then invited to be a presenter in CanSupport’s annual Foundation Course Conference, which I have been doing for several years. On one day, I share Self Care for Professionals, and on another day, we look at bringing this into Care for the Patients, becoming known to those in CanSupport, as "Relaxation Exercises, for the Patient" and “Stress Relief Exercises for the Family or Caregiver”.
Zuleikha presenting at Foundation Course in Palliative Care, CanSupport
CanSupport days are filled with home care team visits. I go out with a team for the whole day. First, I go to the main center, and check in with Harmala, and with Dr. Ambika . Then I meet up with the team. A team consists of a doctor, a nurse, a doctor, and a driver. Generally, we have tea first, and discuss the patients we will be visiting, so that I understand the nature of their illness. Some days we visit new patients, and this procedure takes a bit longer, as the team has to compile information regarding the history of the disease and the caregivers etc. Then we embark into the great adventure. The drivers are a part of the team, and know the areas each team works in.
The teamwork is a very special experience. The jokes, the communication and the way these wonderful people move through these severe situations are very inspiring, and great learning experiences for me. Palliative means something like ‘the care and support that reduces suffering’. It may not ‘fix’ the situation but works with comfort and reducing the apparent suffering. Most of the patients we visit are suffering with different kinds of cancer.
CanSupport days are filled with home care team visits. I go out with a team for the whole day. First, I go to the main center, and check in with Harmala, and with Dr. Ambika . Then I meet up with the team. A team consists of a doctor, a nurse, a doctor, and a driver. Generally, we have tea first, and discuss the patients we will be visiting, so that I understand the nature of their illness. Some days we visit new patients, and this procedure takes a bit longer, as the team has to compile information regarding the history of the disease and the caregivers etc. Then we embark into the great adventure. The drivers are a part of the team, and know the areas each team works in.
The teamwork is a very special experience. The jokes, the communication and the way these wonderful people move through these severe situations are very inspiring, and great learning experiences for me. Palliative means something like ‘the care and support that reduces suffering’. It may not ‘fix’ the situation but works with comfort and reducing the apparent suffering. Most of the patients we visit are suffering with different kinds of cancer.
CanSupport Home Care patient does relaxation exercises with Zuleikha
I have met people suffering from cancer of the liver, of the bone, of the blood, of the breast... Death is in our faces, and this Precious Gift of Life is in front of me. As I work with the different patients, and in many cases, with the stress of the families, I learn over and over again how important it is to feel the heart of the person, and to appreciate life itself.
Food
Everyone wants to know what I eat in Delhi. This photo of the puffed up bread, is like the native American ‘fry bread’. It is served with a kind of dhal, which is spicy, and delicious. It is considered a snack, but for me it is a meal in itself. Of course, in a city, you can get any kind of food. I generally eat what others around me are eating, as it is the custom, and also so tasty. When I go out into villages, then I eat with people in their homes. This is an honor, and always an adventure.
On occasion, I keep crackers, and peanut butter in my room. Sometimes I need to connect with the habits of my country of origin!
As I write this, it is Republic Day here in India, the celebration of India’s independence. It is a day to consider freedom, and well being on the planet. As we find ourselves surrounded by all of the terrible disasters and difficulties which appear before us, I find that if I ‘take the moment’ for a stretch and breath of awareness, there can be space for the ‘natural state of joy’ which can be helpful anytime, anywhere.
As someone I know once said “Try it! You’ll like it!”
All the best,
Zuleikha
I have met people suffering from cancer of the liver, of the bone, of the blood, of the breast... Death is in our faces, and this Precious Gift of Life is in front of me. As I work with the different patients, and in many cases, with the stress of the families, I learn over and over again how important it is to feel the heart of the person, and to appreciate life itself.
Food
Everyone wants to know what I eat in Delhi. This photo of the puffed up bread, is like the native American ‘fry bread’. It is served with a kind of dhal, which is spicy, and delicious. It is considered a snack, but for me it is a meal in itself. Of course, in a city, you can get any kind of food. I generally eat what others around me are eating, as it is the custom, and also so tasty. When I go out into villages, then I eat with people in their homes. This is an honor, and always an adventure.
East Indian fry bread
On occasion, I keep crackers, and peanut butter in my room. Sometimes I need to connect with the habits of my country of origin!
As I write this, it is Republic Day here in India, the celebration of India’s independence. It is a day to consider freedom, and well being on the planet. As we find ourselves surrounded by all of the terrible disasters and difficulties which appear before us, I find that if I ‘take the moment’ for a stretch and breath of awareness, there can be space for the ‘natural state of joy’ which can be helpful anytime, anywhere.
As someone I know once said “Try it! You’ll like it!”
All the best,
Zuleikha
By Zuleikha ©2010
Swan Lake Publishing
Swan Lake Publishing
