Igbekele , Nigeria shared by Oluwatosin

It started when he collapsed suddenly while working on the farm. He was taken to the hospital and we found out that his pcv was low and after much tests, referrals and treatments he was later diagnosed with bladder cancer. I learnt about it in the hospital and I had to look up more about the ailment online and later learned about it in nursing school. I felt devastated , anxious and couldn't really focus much in school. My situation nor my relatives personal situation were not taken into account

I think it was watching him deteriorate and the fear written on his face that comes with every invasive procedure prescribed by the physicians. Chemo periods were worst Financially it was draining and most of his pension was used to care for him Personally for myself and other relatives just the hope that he'll get better was all we prayed for. Anxiety always came with every complaints he made about his health.

I think my faith in God helped me and I prayed most times j felt anxious. I later had a friend who her dad also passed on from cancer and we were able to talk about it and her words of comfort allayed my fears atimes.

I think the physicians tried their best but the follow up system was very poor. Most times facilities and basic consumables like gloves, syringes etc as well as medications and equipments were not always available. Patients relatives mental health and wellbeing were sidelined most times. Sometimes even the physicians are barely remunerated by government and the health care institution so they barely have time to deliver quality care.

To someone supporting a loved one facing cancer today , my advice would be that keep being a support system that's the best and most important gift you could render to your loved one at this point. Your presence communicates to your loved one that they are not alone in the fight. The healthcare system should properly renumerate healthcare workers, train more oncology staffs , increase and improve on follow up care and also include patient relatives in care and decision making as well as care for the patient relatives as well.