Volunteers at the clinic understand patients, as theyve been through it too
For a breast cancer patient, the trauma is more than the pain. Anita Vesulwala knows this all too well.
This is what it comes to in the end. I was just 39 when I found out I breast cancer. After surgery I found myself thinking whether I will ever be the same. After all a vital part of my body was missing, she says. Thats when she decided to work her way around the trauma.
And Vesulwala hasnt forgotten the lessons. She is using her experience to help other people at the free Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic at Prince Aly Khan Hospital, Mazgaon.
The clinic, started in 1994, focuses mainly on breast cancer survivors. Lately, its also extended its expertise and hand towards throat cancer survivors.
The Reach to Recovery Programme and the Laryngectomy Support Programme are the two support schemes that seven volunteers help run. Those who have undergone mastectomy are shown special post-surgical exercises. Anitas biggest problem after surgery was about learning to face the world. She had heard of prosthesis, but didnt know where to avail it. She did, however, through a friend in America, who was a breast cancer patient. Many times, patients are bogged down with such problems, because no one knows how to measure the intensity of the situation. When they come to us we show them how to go about coping with their lives. Its not difficult, she says.
Pradeep Lahiri, who now helps the clinic with speech therapy sessions, is another success story. I used to smoke 60 cigarettes a day. After surgery I started breathing from a hole in the neck. I thought I had lost my voice, but I learnt about the speech therapy programme. Now, I can speak, though not how I once used earlier to, says Lahiri.
Lahiri says that one of the plus points of the clinic is that apart from emotional support, it guides them around living a normal life.
Right after surgery, people recommended this electric device that helps vibrate the membrane in the throat. it helps you speak but makes you sound like a robot. Very few people know that speech therapy helps. It teaches you to gulp in air and vibrate the membrane.
At the clinic. breast cancer patients can avail of prosthesis, stoma covers and necessary medication, all this at competitive rates.
Its easier for survivors to talk to us because they know they we are not just counselling. We know what it feels like to be in their shoes. Weve been through it all, says Vesulwala.
Stigma is one of the biggest problems faced by breast cancer patients. We had a case where a husband abandoned his wife after he learnt of the disease. We try and counsel the family as well.
The clinic runs awareness programmes in association with Cancer Patients Aids Association. People should know two things, early detection and insurance. These are very vital.
Patients can call 23777864/ 24144497 or 24138905 between 10.30 12.30 pm from Tuesday to Saturday.Relief mission: (L to R) Aarti Hire, Anita Veguvala, Pradeep Kumar and Behroz Dordi
Publication:DNA; Date:Dec 19, 2005; Section:ZONE; Page Number:8