Vitaly, a homecare patient in Ukraine
by Dr Olena, Ukraine
He lives in Bortnychi, a residential suburb located in the southern part of Kyiv. Our mobile palliative care team travels a 50-kilometre round trip to visit him. And we are happy to do this.
Vitaliy is living with advanced lung cancer that has spread to his spine. There was once a chance for him to receive expensive immunotherapy treatment. His family was prepared to spend all their savings and even sell their property to pay for it. But Vitaliy refused. He did not want to leave his family without financial security. When our doctor Olena first visited him, the pain was so severe that he could not get out of bed.
A week ago, marked a truly special moment! Vitaliy greets doctor Olena in his garden.
He proudly introduces her to his pigeons, peacocks and told her stories about the turtles he once rescued from a nearby lake. Those tiny turtles might not have survived on their own. Now they have a safe home.
His greatest passion is his pigeons. He knows each one by heart, and they respond to his voice and commands. During the most difficult period of his illness, when pain made it impossible for him to care for them, his wife stepped in. Now, thanks to effective pain management, he is back doing what he loves.
Vitaly and Dr Olena
Vitaliy is living without pain. He goes fishing with friends, spends time outdoors and enjoys the simple things that bring him joy. Doctor Olena provides him with pain relief medication, clinical nutrition and a medicine that helps maintain his platelet levels.
Following her most recent visit, Dr Olena sent a message to Vitaliy’s daughter:
“I visited your father today, delivered his medication, and spent some time photographing his pigeons. They were wonderful to see. Please send me some photos of the turtles next time. Your dad is doing brilliantly.”
Her daughter replied:
“You have no idea how much joy you brought him. He called me afterwards so happy. He said how kind and positive you are, and how much it meant to him that you praised him and encouraged him. Thank you. It means so much to him and to all of us. He says he will be waiting for you every week.
Sometimes, the most powerful medicine is well-managed pain control and simply knowing that someone cares.
