Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 23
Cancer can be an isolating journey for those battling it; alongside caregivers, surviving cancer is an arduous climb but one that can be bolstered with a support system.
‘Beyond Cancer,’ a cancer support group, celebrated its first anniversary under the theme ‘Celebrate life’ here at Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) on Saturday.
Formed a year ago at CIHSR, the group consists of cancer survivors, patients and caregivers. The objective of the group is to ensure and understand the individual needs of cancer patients, their caregivers and family members, comforting and improving their quality of life and helping them to find meaning and purpose of life.
Founder of the group, Ahimsa Zhimo, in her welcome note said a major concern with an illness such as cancer is the social stigma and negative perceptions attached with the disease. Ahimsa recalled that when she was first diagnosed with cancer, her initial reaction was one of shock and denial. But with strong support from her family, she accepted her sickness and started working hard to take care of herself in every possible way by keeping faith in God, exercising, eating well and maintaining a positive attitude alongside medication.
“Out of my experience I realized that a cancer patient needs physical, emotional and spiritual healing and a strong social support from family and friends,” she said. When Ahimsa came back home after her treatment, she started visiting cancer patients. “I wasn’t planning to set up a support group when I first started visiting the cancer patients but as I visited the patients, it dawned on me the need to have a dedicated support group,” she said. Ahimsa then wrote a proposal to the director CIHSR on February 25, 2017, which was approved and the cancer support group was finally inaugurated on June 24, 2017.
Presently, the support group visits the oncology and radiation centre at CIHSR once a week to counsel and pray for the patients.
Director, CIHSR, Dr. Sedevi Angami, in his address said cancer is no longer “dreaded” as in the past and that significant advances have been made in treatment of cancer including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy and palliative care.
Underscoring the need of a strong support system in cancer treatment, Dr. Sedevi said the Church and community can play a big role in alleviating the plight of cancer patients. He also stressed on positive outlook to speed up the healing process and quoted an inspiring statement made by a South African doctor who, during his visit to CIHSR, reportedly said, “Instead of continuously talking about the leading causes of death, let’s talk about leading causes of life.”
Medical superintendent, District Hospital Dimapur, Dr. Z Khesito Zhimo, former additional chief secretary, HK Khulu, and deputy director (Admins) CIHSR, Dr. Viu Meru, also spoke on the occasion.
