Page 90 - 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
Experiences

and Challenges

Faced by Beauty Tirkey

Nurses Nursing Officer
Darrang Cancer Centre

ursing is not only about administering money for their bus fare. After examination, the
medicines or assisting with treatment. doctor advised IV saline and observation in a
NIt is also about compassion, empathy hospital bed, but they could not afford the saline
and kindness during a patient’s most difficult or bed charges. They broke down, unsure of how
moments. Every day, nurses meet people carrying they would manage. We arranged the required
pain, fear, financial hardship and uncertainty, and treatment, provided food and also helped them
some encounters stay with us long after the shift with the fare to return home. When they left the
ends. hospital smiling and grateful, it reminded us of the
One such experience was with a cancer patient true meaning of nursing.
who came to the hospital for a check-up. While These are only a few examples of what nurses face
speaking to her, I listened to the painful realities she across departments. Whether in emergency units,
faced in her daily life. Her words were emotional paediatric wards, intensive care units or cancer
and heartbreaking. As nurses, we often become care settings, nurses witness pain, grief, fear and
the people patients speak to when they are afraid poverty at close quarters. The work is physically
or overwhelmed, and these conversations remind demanding and emotionally heavy, yet nurses
us how deeply illness affects a person beyond the continue to stand beside patients with patience
clinical diagnosis. and dedication.
On another day, a patient arrived for a Beyond medical treatment, nursing offers comfort,
consultation but could not pay the reassurance and hope. These experiences teach
₹100 fee. She was distressed and us that kindness is not separate from care; it is part
worried that she would not be of healing. Even a small act of support can make a
able to meet the doctor. When I meaningful difference in a patient’s life.
asked her what had happened,
she explained her situation. I paid Small Acts, Lasting Impact
the fee on her behalf so that she
could receive the care she needed. Ê A listening ear
It was a small act, but for her it meant For patients overwhelmed by illness.
access to treatment at a moment of Ê A helping hand
helplessness. For those unable to afford immediate care.
Another incident took
Ê
A steady presence
place in the emergency For families in emergency situations.
department. A poor
couple came to the Ê A humane response
hospital without When patients arrive with fear, grief or poverty.
relatives, children or Ê A reminder
any support. They Kindness is part of healing.
had only enough

90 Drink enough water and include fruits, vegetables, nuts, 91
and protein-rich foods to support healthy skin.