It is my second innings at Pallium India, the Thiruvananthapuram-based NGO that does incredible work in the field of palliative care. After joining first in 2023, I had enriching experiences, some of which I shared in an article titled “The Impact of Palliative Care in Paediatrics,” published in e-hospice India and “Identify and address physical and mental needs of sick children” published in The Times of India. For personal reasons, I had to leave Pallium India after four months; four months that felt like four years for the amount of experience and memories I gained during that time.
In the next six months, I would learn that job satisfaction and peace of mind are more important than making money. Receiving calls from patients and their family members made me happy and sad at the same time: it’s a special feeling when you are remembered for the work you’ve done.
Circumstances led me back to Pallium India for a second tenure in March 2024, for which I am grateful to everyone who made it happen. After re-joining, I had the opportunity to visit the paediatric OP in Sree Avittam Thirunal (SAT) Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram – the place where I used to belong; the place that helped me find contentment; the place that brought out the child inside me.
It was a peaceful day. I went along with our multidisciplinary team that comprises a doctor, a nurse, and a physiotherapist. We have a new person in our team, a retired paediatric HOD from SAT, whose expertise and experience in paediatrics are boundless. I have much to learn from the way she works with the multidisciplinary team, as well as the children and parents.
All the things remain same as they were when I left, last year. When I opened the wardrobe, the toys came out and it reminded me of the moments I used to play with kids. Toys are the easiest way to calm a child who is crying from severe pain.
As I was reminiscing the past, an older man opened the door and came in. He held some files in his trembling hands. He seemed confused, because he didn’t know why he was in here. One of the doctors in SAT had referred him to us; that’s all he knew. I seated him near me and tried to make him comfortable. A few minutes later, he said that his grandchildren were admitted in the burn care room.
The next sentence shocked us all: he said, his 7-year old granddaughter had 95% burns and 2-year old grandson had 35% burns. Their story gradually unfolded.
The children’s parents had marital problems and were constantly arguing. One day when the father had left for work, the mother poured paint thinner over her own body and that of her children, and set fire using a match stick. The three of them began to burn instantly. The smell and smoke came out through windows and ventilations of the house. The neighbours came running and broke open the door. The mother died on the spot and the two children survived with severe burns. They were admitted to SAT burn treatment care department.
Our team decided to visit the little ones. For me, the distance between the palliative care OP and their room seemed longer than usual. My heart was beating fast. I could not imagine the poor girl’s condition with 95% burns; how much pain she would be going through. I had never attended a case like this. In addition, this was my first posting after a long break away from palliative care.
When we entered the room, the first thing we saw was the baby boy playing with his toys on his cot. He was evidently a truck lover. Only a few of his hair remained on his head but the fire could not destroy his cuteness. When he saw us, he tried to smile with his half burned face. The saddest thing was that he didn’t know how to indicate the pain area, because he was only two years old.
Then we saw the little girl. Words cannot describe her condition. I have seen many children with severe diseases but nothing could compare to her. I felt like I’m nobody and I didn’t know what to tell her. But I tried my best to look into her eyes. I could see that she wanted to tell me something; so I put my ears near her lips to hear what she was trying to convey to us. She said she was having the discomfort of itching and tremendous pain. Immediately the doctor in our team prescribed morphine to reduce her pain.
The condition of the child was so heart-breaking, we couldn’t see an inch of space on her skin, hair or muscle tissues that was not burnt. We could not imagine how she was enduring that much pain. She couldn’t move any of her body parts, she was only able to just lie down in the same position. To avoid bedsore or wounds, the doctor advised an airbed. But the family was not in a position to afford that. After psychosocial assessment, we decided to arrange one from Pallium India. I know an airbed is not going to relieve her of pain or suffering, but that was the best we could do at the moment.
The next morning I went to see her with an airbed. Even at the unhappiest moment, I felt so much joy when she remembered my name. In the evening I called her father to know how she was doing. I was overwhelmed with relief to hear that the morphine started working and now she was getting good sleep and her pain reduced.
But it was short-lived. After three days, I got a message from Dr. Sangeetha (Paediatric doctor-in-charge, Pallium India) that the little girl had passed away.
I think the most sorrowful news that a doctor can give to her colleague social officer is when one of our patients dies. However, in this case I would like to believe that death would take the little girl to a painless world. I can only pray for her. She certainly didn’t deserve this much suffering. At least we gave our best to reduce her pain and we hope that it made a difference to her.
Why do such things happen in our world? Why, especially to the poor kids who have done nothing to deserve it? Most often, children are the victims of their parent’s conflicts without even comprehending the reason. Some of these actions stem from the parents’ depression or anger.
I have a request to every parent or guardian: if you are going through emotional turmoil, my sincere request is to please seek professional help from a social worker or a psychologist. Please do not ignore it, because you might unintentionally end up hurting your child. Please remember that you are lucky to have children, and do not abuse them physically or mentally.
About the Author:
Mr Sibin Satheesh is a Pediatric Social Welfare Officer at Pallium India.
I just wanted to tell Sibin that he’s doing a great job. Go ahead Sibin.
Good writing
Heart touching
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your efforts to bring smiles to children…
Wow! That was a brilliant piece Sibin. You’ve brought to the forefront the suffering that children go through arising out of parental conflict. It was so saddening to note that the child didn’t survive, but heartening that she left with a smile with her pain addressed and a good sleep thereafter which is what Palliative Care is essentially about. It’s not the number of days lived but how well you lived that matters. Cudos to the Pediatric team of Pallium India for showing the way. Keep up the good work.
Keep up the good work