تشخیص/تشخیص:

Almost eight months ago, my dad began experiencing difficulty swallowing food properly. We then consulted a doctor, and after an endoscopy, it was discovered that he had a tumor. Subsequent biopsy results revealed a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. He was unable to consume solid food and relied entirely on a liquid diet.

سفر:

Cancer came as a bit of a shock, especially since my father wasn't accustomed to hospitals. Adjusting to medical procedures was a big challenge for him. He was advised to receive nourishment through a feeding tube. Throughout his treatment, I remained by his side, spending considerable time with him. I fulfilled the role of caregiver for nearly four months, meeting with multiple doctors to understand my father's condition and potential outcomes.

چونکہ میرے والد ایک 65 سالہ مریض ہیں، اس لیے انہیں ریڈیو تھراپی اور کیموتھراپی سے گزرنے کی سفارش کی گئی تھی نہ کہ جراحی کے طریقہ کار سے۔ ہم لفظی طور پر ہر چیز سے بے خبر تھے جیسے کیموتھراپی یا تابکاری اور اس کے مضر اثرات وغیرہ۔ ہمیں کچھ ڈاکٹروں سے مشورہ کرنا پڑا۔ ہم نے مختلف تحقیقیں بھی کیں۔ ایک مسلسل سوال تھا کہ آیا اے کے لیے جانا ہے۔ سی ٹی اسکین یا پی ای ٹی اسکین کیونکہ اسکیننگ ایک مطلوبہ ٹیسٹ تھا۔ ہم بہترین کو تلاش کرنے کے لیے اپنے اختیارات تلاش کر رہے تھے۔ متعدد نتائج کے ساتھ بہت سے اختیارات تھے۔ ہم پی ای ٹی اسکین کے لیے گئے، اور اسکین سے پتہ چلا کہ ٹیومر اس کے ونڈ پائپ کو دھکیل رہا تھا، جس نے پیچیدگی میں اضافہ کیا۔ اس دریافت کے بعد ہمیں پہلے ٹیومر کو کم کرنے کا مشورہ دیا گیا۔ ٹیومر کو کم کرنے کے لیے ہمیں گزرنا پڑا کیموتھراپی.

After two cycles of chemotherapy sessions, the doctors witnessed a miracle: a significant reduction in the size of the tumor. This news not only kept us positive but also motivated us to continue with the treatment. Following this success, we proceeded with several weeks of radiation therapy. However, radiation therapy brought along a slew of side effects. Managing continuous coughing was particularly challenging for my father, causing him considerable discomfort. Nonetheless, the promising reduction in the tumor size kept him determined to press on.

ہمارا پورا خاندان میرے والد کے ساتھ کافی وقت گزارتا تھا۔ ہم نے اسے مصروف اور مشغول رکھا تاکہ وہ تنہا محسوس نہ کرے۔ اس کے ساتھ وقت گزارنے نے مجھے بھی اچھا محسوس کیا۔ اسے کیمو سیشنز کے بہت سے مضر اثرات تھے۔ تاہم، میرے والد پورے سفر میں بہت مثبت تھے۔ اس کے مثبت خیالات نے اسے آگے بڑھایا۔

تابکاری کے بعد اسے نمونیا ہو گیا۔ اس نئی شناخت سے میرے والد کے لیے بہت سے خطرات تھے۔ میں نے محسوس کیا کہ یہ میرے والد کو مار سکتا ہے، اور ہم اس کے بارے میں کچھ نہیں کر سکتے۔ کینسر ابھی تک مکمل طور پر نہیں گیا ہے. اس دوران اسے فسٹولا بھی ہو گیا۔ کوویڈ کی صورتحال کی وجہ سے، ہم مدافعتی تھراپی شروع کرنے کے لیے ہسپتال نہیں گئے، جس سے میرے والد کی قوت مدافعت بڑھ سکتی ہے۔ اسے کھانسی کے دوران نالورن سے کافی دقت کا سامنا کرنا پڑا۔  

As a caregiver, my entire family and I dedicated as much time as possible to be with him. I firmly believe that spending quality time with the patient can significantly impact both the patient and the family. My father developed a daily habit of playing online chess, which served as a valuable distraction and source of engagement for him. Despite facing challenges such as the presence of a fistula, which limited his mobility, he remained determined. I continuously sought ways to enhance his comfort and accessibility, exploring various strategies to improve his quality of life.

خاندانی ردعمل:

Everyone in the family initially struggled to come to terms with the news. Initially, we hesitated to tell him, but when we finally did, he responded with remarkable positivity. His courageous acceptance of the situation set the tone for the entire family. Although the news was difficult to digest at first, we found strength in each other and in the stories of cancer survivors. My father's determination to fight back was evident from the start, and his unwavering belief that he would be okay inspired us all. We moved forward with a renewed sense of hope and determination to explore all possible avenues for his treatment and recovery.

علاج کی مدت:

مجموعی طور پر یہ سفر کل 23 ہفتوں تک جاری رہا جس میں سے چھ ہفتے کیموتھراپی ہوئی۔ ڈاکٹر نو ہفتوں کے کیموتھراپی سیشن کرنا چاہتے تھے لیکن انہوں نے نتائج دیکھنے کے بعد ریڈی ایشن کا مشورہ دیا۔ تابکاری میں تقریباً 12 ہفتے لگے۔ 

سائیڈ اثرات:

We observed a variety of side effects on a daily basis. Hair loss and continuous shedding were prominent, along with general weakness. Rashes appeared on his body, and muscular pain became frequent due to lack of movement. Coughing increased due to issues with the windpipe, prompting the use of steamers and nebulizers to alleviate mucus buildup. His sleep patterns were disrupted by discomfort on the hospital bed, so we adjusted the incline for better rest. The radiation treatment also brought about additional symptoms, for which the doctors recommended various creams to mitigate their effects. 

طرز زندگی میں تبدیلیاں:

With the cancer diagnosis came positive changes in my father's lifestyle. He embraced his situation and stayed engaged in various activities. Embracing technology, he used it to communicate with others and even started playing online chess for distraction and entertainment. We utilized online shopping to purchase steamers and nebulizers, setting up a mini-hospital at home for his convenience, minimizing the need for frequent hospital visits.

وبائی امراض کی وجہ سے اثرات:

The pandemic brought about drastic changes in everyone's lives. Travel became restricted and risky, with limited mobility compared to pre-COVID times. However, with proper medications and guidance from doctors, these limitations could be managed effectively.

مفت علاج:

ہم نے کسی متبادل علاج کے لیے نہیں جانا یا اس پر غور نہیں کیا۔ آیور ویدک یا ہربل تھراپی. ہمیں ہمیشہ صرف روایتی ادویات ہی کرنی پڑتی ہیں۔

علیحدگی کا پیغام:

Cancer news can indeed turn your world upside down, but with positivity, support, and the right advice, anyone can move forward and face this battle. The journey is exhausting for both the patient and the caregiver, leading to numerous questions and second thoughts about treatment and medication. However, with support, love, proper medicine, and sound advice, the journey becomes a little easier. Spending time with patients helps them feel comfortable and normalizes their experience. Engaging them in activities like online games can distract them from overthinking about the future. As a caregiver, I advise others to keep patients engaged, provide them with attention and time, and spread positivity, as these activities can significantly benefit patients.

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