Calm in the Storm ...

Deb and I were able to visit Shanti Avenda Sadan - the first Hospice in India - and meet Sister Sophie. We brought flowers as a gift and took a taxi into the heart of Delhi during the middle of day. After an hour ride I wasn't sure we would find the place or whether we would wilt first before the flowers. But our taxi driver persisted and finally found the gate right off one of Delhi's busiest streets. We were greeted by "Alex" when we entered the building - he was dressed in mechanic overalls and had a proper British accent - he was born and raised in India but had a joke shop in the heart of London for almost 30 years before moving back with his wife. His energies now were spent as a volunteer at the hospice. Sister Sophie and seven other Holy Cross Nuns were the main caregivers and administrators for this 40 bed facility. Anyone with a terminal cancer diagnosis can come and receive comfort, hope and pain relief. There is no charge for the patients and their budget is maintained by contributions and the work of an NGO charitable organization. All of the necessary components of hospice care are provided including Morphine for pain control. Sister Sophie graciously showed us the hospice with it's prayer room, beautiful outdoor garden, and the ward of patient beds - we were able to see 2 adolescents with sarcoma, a women from TIbet who had been there 4 months, and a mother with her 3 children. All of the patients seemed to be at peace and were lovingly cared for. What we both noticed was the quiet, serene, and comfortable surroundings - with the busy Delhi congestion just outside its front door. I asked Sister if she had any concerns and she mentioned 2 - patients are referred too late and the doctors in India need to be better educated on palliative care and when is the right time to transition patients. Our visit ended over a cup of chai with the lovely sisters and Mr. Alex. We talked about the poor, hospice in general and our families back in the USA. Alex handed us his card and said to call if we needed anything - As we left we read the bottom of his card - "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if we can't help them, at least don't hurt them". It was an afternoon well spent.