Terisa Tamang, Psychosocial Counselor at Bir Hospital, Founder, President and Counselor of Dhairya Cancer Foundation, shared on LinkedIn:
“One pattern. Different colors. Every creation has its own story.
When we think of cancer treatment, we think of medicines, chemotherapy, surgery and tests. But the emotional and mental struggle a patient goes through during treatment often stays in the background.
Living with physical pain and living with mental pain are very different stories. The fear after diagnosis, the uncertainty about the future, worry for the family, the financial burden: none of it shows on a scan, but all of it weighs on the mind.
We give so much attention to the body. How much priority do we give to caring for the mind?
Building on our art-based work with children in cancer care, we introduced art for patients in the oncology ward. According to the healthcare staff, it was the first time an activity like this had been held in this ward.
Everyone received the same pattern. But one person chose a single color, another blended many, another colored slowly and with great focus. Family members sitting beside patients joined in too. Patients and the people caring for them, coloring on the same page.
Before and after the activity, we asked patients to write down how they were feeling. All the participants wrote that they felt calmer and lighter afterwards. Reading their words moved us.
We are still learning from patients and families, and in the coming days we plan to continue this for cancer patients.
Cancer affects not only the body, but the mind and emotions too. Care should not stop at the body. Thank you to the patients, their families, and the hospital team who made space for this.”
You may also be interested in:
