The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.113)

TZU CHI 113 17 attending nurse informed them that the patient had been taking medication at less than the prescribed dosage, resulting in unbearable pain. “We noticed that the patient’s clothes were soiled and tried to help her change into a clean set of clothing, but she wailed even louder in the process. The nurse then prompted us to ease her pain with medication first before proceeding with the task,” she shared. The oversight was unintentional, but it drove Tan Eng to attend to cancer patients and their families with a greater sense of empathy instead of sympathy. Reaching out to cancer patients Tan Eng has encountered countless cancer patients throughout the years, but she has a soft spot for a 21-year-old female student who was studying journalism in university. Upon receiving a notice seeking assistance with caring for the student, Tan Eng rushed to the hospital to tend to her immediately. The student was suffering from end- stage lymphoma. Cancerous cells had spread all over her body, causing pain in her spine and swelling in her pelvis to the extent that lying down was impossible. Her parents had to take turns to support her in an upright position so that she could sleep while leaning on them, but they persevered in the hope of easing their daughter’s pain and suffering. The cancer-stricken student’s heart-rending plight reinforced Tan Eng’s commitment to the Support Group, as she felt for the pain endured by cancer patients. Caring for cancer patients is a demanding commitment, as it entails innumerable trips to the hospital and being confronted with the imminent demise of the patients – a learning process that has shaped Tan Eng’s perspective on matters of life and death. She is now resigned to devoting her time to providing unreserved care to cancer patients until their final moments, rather than wallowing in grief over the deceased. Tan Eng once spent several years caring for a breast cancer patient whose prospects for recovery seemed promising, yet the cancer relapsed with cancerous cells multiplying rapidly throughout her body. Tan Eng and her teammates felt sorry for the patient and cared for her and her child to the best of their ability until her demise. When Tan Eng’s team attended the patient’s funeral to conduct the final rites, they were received warmly by the patient’s husband, who thanked them for their meticulous care towards his late wife. Tan Eng has since resolved to dedicate her time to providing the best possible care to cancer patients, as she firmly believes in the reassuring effect of unconditional support on the patients and their families. Tan Eng aspires to empower every cancer patient she encounters to broaden their horizons and discover their purpose in life. She believes that cancer patients equally deserve the opportunity to pursue their ambitions despite the odds as demonstrated by Yoke Pin, a former cancer patient who defeated her illness and became a volunteer as well as a member of the Cancer Support Group support team. In 2018, Yoke Pin managed to successfully complete the prerequisite training courses and was certified as a Tzu Chi Commissioner. For Tan Eng, all hope is not lost with cancer. She continues to radiate love and compassion through her dedication to patient care, serving as a beacon of hope in guiding cancer patients towards a better tomorrow. CarryingOn with Cancer