Good morning friends, Yesterday I saw a 59 year o...

Good morning friends, Yesterday I saw a 59 year old patient who has been recently diagnosed with blood cancer (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) at Lotus hospital OPD. He was diagnosed whilst in Thane but since then he returned to Nashik to be with his father. His only daughter is married and stays in Canada. He lost his wife 3 years ago to breast cancer. He lost his mother 7 yrs ago (she had heart failure). His father, 86, has diabetes and is on regular oral therapy. The patient came to my clinic with his father and i initially thought that his father was the actual patient! His father insisted that I tell him his son's diagnosis and prognosis. I hesitated at first but gave in after his continuous persistence. I told them that he would need chemotherapy and the good news is that we can now treat his cancer at home wIth oral drug called ibrutinib (this is a novel oral drug for a type of blood cancer). His father had a small diary and pen and with his trembling fingers he jotted down the details. His first question: special dietary requirements so that he can ask or go to the local vegetable market to source it? Second, any changes to his 2 bedroom home for his son? and he went on and on.......normally i would get annoyed but not yesterday!! I was totally taken a back at his commitment and love for his son... he was 86 yr now and had to deal with the bad news but i learnt about being "positive" from this gentleman who had seen so much negativity and deaths in his life. hats off to him and our parental love! salaam and thank god for giving me a chance through my profession to meet so many different people in my day to day practice. Cancer care is not only giving chemotherapy, blood tests but also positive energy from loved ones and I have always said it plays a major role in cancer healing. Pritesh Junagade Lotus Hospital, Nashik