Choosing the right doctor can be as crucial as selecting the treatment itself, especially when navigating the challenging journey of cancer care. Samara Mahindra, founder of Carer, shares a deeply personal story that highlights the profound impact of a compassionate doctor on a patient’s experience.
When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Samara and her family sought the best medical care abroad. “We got her one of the best oncologists we could think of,” she recalls. “While he was phenomenal at what he did, he did it with absolutely zero emotion.” This lack of empathy made the already grueling process of chemotherapy even more daunting. “Every time she finished a consultation with him, we would come out so discouraged, scared, and hopeless,” Samara admits.
After a relapse, her mother decided to continue treatment in India, where she found an oncologist who transformed her experience.
“She was so compassionate and caring, and really cared about what my mother felt—how she was feeling physically and psychologically,”
This emotional support had a profound impact. Her mother went on to live for seven more years, a testament to the importance of holistic care.
Samara emphasizes, “I’m not suggesting that this is the reason why she survived longer, but it most definitely had a huge impact on her quality of life, her state of mind, and her tolerance towards the treatment.” This story underscores the essence of integrative oncology, which goes beyond medical treatment to address the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients.
“Having the right people around you, specifically your doctor, could make a huge difference to your overall health,”
Integrative oncology is not just about combining therapies; it’s about fostering a partnership between patients and healers who treat the whole person. By choosing a doctor who walks the journey with empathy and compassion, patients can find hope, resilience, and a better quality of life, even in the face of cancer.
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