Page 54 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026 VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026
A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

A Smile That

Stayed with Me

Reflections of a
Palliative Care Nurse

Chumpi Saikia
COP-Palliative Nurse
Diphu Cancer Centre

s a palliative care nurse with Assam Cancer Care
Foundation, I have learn that caring for patients
Agoes far beyond administering medicines or
monitoring vital signs. It is about bringing comfort, hope,
dignity and compassion to individuals and families
facing one of the most difficult phases of life.
Every home visit reminds me of the deep impact that
simple acts of care can have. Patients often tell us
that our visits give them strength and reassurance. For
many, we are not just healthcare providers. We become
a source of hope and emotional support, simply by
listening, understanding and standing beside them.
My responsibilities extend beyond clinical care. I assist
with wound dressings, symptom management, patient
assessments and bereavement support for families.
Equally important is educating caregivers on practical
home-based care, such as maintaining hygiene,
changing a patient’s position regularly to prevent
bedsores, preparing simple supportive solutions where
appropriate, and encouraging gentle exercises to
improve comfort and wellbeing.
One experience from the beginning of my palliative care
journey remains deeply etched in my memory. I was
caring for a patient with advanced oral cancer who had
become too weak to continue travelling to the hospital
for treatment. During a home visit, I found her in severe
pain, unable to eat, and struggling with a neglected
wound that required immediate care.

54 Healthcare creates lasting change when it reaches people before disease does. 55