TIME IS ALL WE NEED

Today, I and Shikha (both BSW SWS) met a cancer patient, Vinay Kumar, age 43 from Jalandhar.  Most unfortunate thing is that he has been diagnosed with blood cancer last stage.  Savita mam (MSW SWS) day before yesterday posted a message in our group regarding the need of a caretaker for a cancer patient and I approached her and arranged few caretakers, but when I called her yesterday morning, she told me a very  devastating news that Vinay had been told by doctors that he has just three months to live and this led to him being depressed and suicidal.  So, I and Shikha decided to go and meet Vinay in person in PGI.  When I called Vinay over phone, he told me he is very weak, frail and debilitated person and cannot talk.  We told him that we would meet him in Radiation Department and we met him there.  To our eyes, it was hard to believe that such a young person has been diagnosed with such a dreadful disease.  We talked to him at great length and told him that certainty of death is such an uncertainty that nobody can tell when it is going to come and living life to fullest is all what we have to do no matter what life gives us whether it is sorrow or joy, hope or failure, and so on.  He realized that we were right to some extent and then he told us that he just wishes to be on his feet and want to have some strength in his legs and arms so that he can sustain for himself.  We asked him to tell us how we can help him in this crucial time and then he said that he would like some home prepared meals of course if it does not bother us.  We both marked our duties and divided time for food delivery to Vinay.  In evening when I went to meet Vinay, he was distraught to such a level that he didn't even bother to touch the food and just talked with me for a long one hour and vented out his emotions.  At that point, I realized that food is just merely a connection between us, all that he wants to do is to meet someone who could hear him and he could ventilate his emotions out so that he could be at ease and peace.  I don't know for how much long he will be there with us in Chandigarh, but I am sure that I will be going to him every day to provide him comfort and peace.

The purpose of this message is to make aware my colleagues that we have such a man in our lives who needs our time and space so that he could attain peaceful closure.  Life for Vinay will become more and more tough and painful in the upcoming days.  Any comfort given to him will worth a lot.  If anybody wishes to meet Vinay or want me to convey his or her wishes, I would be glad to do so.  Contact me at any time.

Avtar Singh Cheema (#7986609911)