
My dad pointed to my mom’s pic: “That’s my wife!”
Me: I know. Where is she?
Dad: Heaven
Me: Where are you going?
Dad: Heaven
Me: I’m sure you will meet her there.
Dad: I try every day to join her in heaven…
Me: “Heartbroken and Crying”
Love, living and loss – are so intertwined and bittersweet.
This, of course, broke my heart. But, it also made me wonder about my patients who are waiting while counterintuitively yearning for something. Those #livingwithcancer wait for the next scan, scared their cancer will return, they spend their lives always having cancer but yearning to be truly free of it. People with more advanced diseases and those who are #livingwhiledying long for some final peace, as they wait to die but do not want to die.
My dad is 91 years old and has dementia, and can understand everything you say and has the usual thoughts but struggles to get words out. However, he is still wickedly funny – #wordsmatter. He loves very tactilely too.
There is an interesting concept of ambiguous loss, for example, when a person is still physically present but psychologically gone, as with those with Alzheimer’s, or if you have someone who physically isn’t well but psychologically present like those with a terminal disease. In both cases, you cannot resolve the question of mourning and loss because you don’t know whether they are here or not?
My sadness for the frail and elderly comes from knowing there is nothing lonelier than loneliness.
Loneliness and social isolation in the elderly are associated with decreased survival and declining daily activities. Considering the overlap between cancer symptoms and depression, depression is particularly difficult to assess in older geriatric cancer patients. In addition, according to several studies, elderly people who experience high levels of loneliness are at greater risk of becoming physically frail.
A frail person is very prone to stress because they have lowered physiological capacity, a reduced ability to maintain stability, and generalised weaknesses. Consequently, there is a growing subspecialty in geriatric oncology, and out of this realisation that we need to treat this group differently, excellent tools have been developed.
One of the critical issues is giving chemotherapy or active treatments to the elderly and frail. How far should we go?
I guess the question is how can we spend our and their time better…
Dr. Prinitha Pillay is a Specialist Radiation Oncologist in Gauteng. She is practicing in Johannesburg, offering radiation cancer treatments, comprehensive palliative care and psycho-social support. She offers a variety of treatments including Breast Cancer Treatment, Gynaecological, Gastrointestinal, Lung Cancer Treatment, Paediatric, Head and Neck, Prostate Cancer Treatment, Brain Cancer Treatment, Dermatological and Musculoskeletal Cancer Treatment.
This article was first published at https://treatingcancer.co.za/fragility
This article was first published at https://topclickblogs.co.za/radiation-oncologist-dr-prinitha-pillay-2/
Top Click is one of South Africa’s leading full-service digital marketing agencies. Our custom-built, cutting-edge solutions are targeted to help you attract customers, convert leads and grow your business. From SEO and Google Ads to social media marketing and digital design, our measurable marketing campaigns deliver results – and ensure that, in a cluttered online marketplace, you rise above the rest.
Latest from
- Choosing the Right Pet Food for Your Animals
- Managing Contracts With Simpler Tools
- New Website to Keep Up with the Demand for Online Pet Food Delivery in South Africa
- Machines That Make Packaging Easier
- The Role of Transit Solutions in Modern Connectivity
- How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance Without the Stress
- Making Radiology Workflows Simpler with the Right Tools
- Reduce Late Payments with These Practical Tips
- A Simple Guide to Choosing the Right Forklift for Your Business
- Keeping Your Car in Good Shape with the Right Services
- Why Property and Asset Valuations Matter
- Finding Quality Engines and Scrap Yard Services
- Practical Guide to Rooftop Tents
- Practical Uses of Vehicle Awnings
- A Look at Engine Choices Across Popular Car Brands
The Pulse Latest Articles
- Booty, Buff & Glow – Gloot’s Juiciest Drop Just Landed! (September 12, 2025)
- History In Motion: Springbok Women Embrace World Cup Quarterfinal Challenge (September 11, 2025)
- The Braai Reimagined: Joyful Moderation, A Contemporary Twist (September 10, 2025)
- Kgomotso Ndungane Joins Finfind As Cro To Champion Msme Access To Finance (September 10, 2025)
- Artificial Intelligence In Psycho-legal Practice: Opportunities, Risks, And Ethics – Part 2 (September 10, 2025)