People often underestimate the emotional impact of cancer. But no one touched by cancer – directly or indirectly – remains the same, ever again. There is a strong emotional effect of cancer. A cancer caregiver herself, Sangeeta Ghosh became a cancer counsellor. She shares useful insights for cancer patients and caregivers from her cancer journey.
“It gives you a second look at everything – every emotion, every relationship. Life is no longer as simple as it used to be”, says Sangeetha Ghosh, a Bangalore-based cancer counselor.
The Emotional Effect of Cancer
Sangeetha lost her parents and brother to cancer. Upset by all the pretense surrounding the disease and how everyone acted it wasn’t really all that serious, she decided to become a counselor for cancer patients and their families.
Since 2000, Sangeetha has been helping families cope better with cancer and all that it entails, including something as important as “breaking those silences that keep people from finding strength in each other”. She works independently as well as with support organisations like Karunashraya and others.
She took her own pain and her experience as a care-giver to teach others how to give care as well. And that is the lesson we must take from her.
“Everyone has the wisdom and intelligence to find solutions and give advice. The key to giving care is listening. All anyone wants is to be heard and understood”, believes Sangeetha.
The Change is Up to You
So yes, every diagnosis of cancer brings great change and turbulence in its wake. The emotional effect of Cancer is strong to withstand. But what to make of that change is up to you. You can choose to be a victim of the difficult circumstances or you can rise above them and give care – to yourself, to others and to the world.
Tell us about someone you know whose life has changed for the better, as a result of Cancer!
Reflection
- As a caregiver, how can you show more empathy for the vulnerability and helplessness of the cancer patient?
- Rather than becoming a ‘victim’, how about becoming the ‘victor’? What can you do to take charge of your healing?
- What positive aspects do you takeaway from your cancer experience? Can you use that positivity to lighten up your own life and that of others?
Author
Anindhita R. is a student of Communications at Mount Carmel College. She has no personal experience about cancer but what she has read about it has inspired her to , in some manner, contribute to helping people rise above it.