By Irena Laska, Executive Director
Mary Potter Palliative Care Center, Korça, Albania
“Please tell me: What does palliative care mean to you?”
With these words, I started a conversation with Alex, a 32-year-old man diagnosed with rectal cancer and multiple metastases. Alex was languishing on his bed, the only object in his room aside from photographs that he kept next to the pillow where his head rested 24 hours a day.
He had told me that, “Although this room looks empty, it is full of memories for me. Here in this photo is my father, a wise and very hardworking man, but a year ago, God took him by his side, leaving me and my mother in misery. The next photo is my mother, as beautiful as she was a sufferer. She also passed away six months ago, leaving me alone. The other photo is of my sister, who lives in another village, but suffers from a mental illness and often doesn't even recognize me.
“This is life!” he continued. “An experience: for some it is beautiful, but for some others sad and I have seen its dark side only. This is the kind of life no one would want to live. Palliative care is… I do not know! I'll wait and see what you can do for me and then I can tell you what I think it is.”
I visited Alex often, and always took away with me something from the kindness he conveyed. I watched his eyes shining when he saw me at the door, and his face—although tired from much suffering—brightened and he smiled.
Alex experienced physical problems including pain, which my colleagues and I managed as best we could, alleviating his suffering. He lived in extreme poverty, which aggravated his situation. His only income was economic assistance that amounted to less than $100 US per month.
“It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” —Psalm 23:6
—Quotes that spoke to Irena? while caring for Alex
Our entire staff discussed his situation, wanting to help this young man—filled with hope and faith in God—beyond medical treatment. We decided to provide food, and asked him what foods he preferred. He said that anything would please him. We started to bring food every time we visited. For Christmas, we prepared a box of food, a warm meal, and sweets for Alex. When he saw us at the door again, the gladness in his eyes shone brightly and he smiled with kindness, giving us so much love.
“Thank you so much!” he said. “You do not only take care of my health problems; you also provide my nutrition. You are the only anchor I have left in this world. I did not think that in my most difficult days, I could find a ray of hope and be offered support by such professional but also generous people.
“If God would bring me back strong and healthy, as I was before, I would join your team of saviors, so that I could also give comfort to others who need you the same as I do now. You have brought me physical and spiritual peace! When I am alone at home, I try to answer your question. ‘What is palliative care for me?’ Now, after so long, I have an answer: palliative care is more than I could have imagined.
“It is doctor, nurse, professionalism, dedication, and compassion. It is friendship, respect, kindness, a helping hand, a warm meal, presence: it is care. It is people with a good heart, and healing abilities, both physical and spiritual. It is love and much, much more. Palliative care is everything people like me need… You are a blessing to me!
“Thank you for your presence and thank you to all those who are working to develop palliative care, wherever they are, so that people like me do not die in suffering and misery, but have hope that they are not left alone and uncared for! God bless you!”
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