Palliative Care (PC) is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. It also helps patients cope with the side effects of medical treatments. It offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death.
At the Uganda Cancer Institute PC is offered as one of the specialized medical care to the patients undergoing treatment. This service is essential because it provides an extra layer of support and relief that complements ongoing care.
The Palliative Care team at the Children’s ward would focus on improving the quality of life for both the patient and the family. This involved managing the child’s symptoms and providing support. The team looked at the whole picture while working together with the primary medical team.
Maxy (not real mane) is a 10-year-old boy, who was diagnosed 4 years ago with a bladder rhabdomyosarcoma. He received all medical oncological treatments for his disease. His parents needed help caring for him during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
The palliative care team became close to Maxy and his family as they made frequent visits while on the ward and offered support every step of the way.
Working together with the primary doctor, the palliative care team was able to provide more support through: Expert treatment of symptoms, including; Stress management Communication, and guidance for difficult and complex treatment choices. Helping clarify the goals of care and matching them to the treatment options. Close communication and coordination with all other doctors and medical teams. And support given to the family.
The palliative care team was able to help Maxy and family caregivers cope with the challenges of illness and hospitalizations by relieving the symptoms of the disease and the side effects of treatments. Common symptoms, such as pain, anxiety, and nausea, among others, were worked on. Maxy’s father was in the hospital most of the time attending to his patient. He was prepared and given the necessary information and practical advice about making difficult medical decisions and caring for Maxy outside the hospital and into the community.
Maxy was always given appointment dates for his reviews to the hospital a couple of times a year for treatment. The palliative care team continued providing guidance, resources, and connections with appropriate resources for anyone involved in Maxy’s life, including the school and the local community. Whenever Maxy felt well enough, he would attend school.
Other resources for continuous medical care closer to home were provided and the patient was given a referral to the PC service closer to their home district.
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