LIFE GOES ON - Ragavan
I am an intern student from Japan and one of the extraordinary experiences I had whilst in Malaysia was making a home visit to a cancer patient with MAKNA. It was certainly an eye opener for me.
My venture got off to a shaky start. We were driving in Shah Alam, when a colleague exclaimed “I can’t find the house!” That worried me as I might miss the chance to see the patient. But after much persistence, we finally found the place. We got down and knocked anxiously at the door. It opened and we were warmly welcomed by the family. The patient whom we had come to visit greeted us and sat down to chronicle his situation to us. Ragavan, at the age of 43, was diagnosed with colon cancer. He is unable to walk independently and relies on a walking stick. He currently requires further treatment for the bone in his right leg. Despite this handicap, he was still taking care of all the house work as well as minding his three children.
Saki (left), Ragavan (seated) with his three children, S.Aishah and Zarifah of MAKNA(back).
Even though he is faced with these terrible circumstances, he had a quiet sense of faith about him. Perhaps it is for the sake of his children that he strives to overcome his ordeal. His three little ones are aged five, ten and eleven, and were extremely obliging and polite when asked to help bring files to us when asked. In the course of their daily lives, they also help in other household chores. Even at such tender ages, they do realise that their father is unwell and help as much as they can. As we delved deeper into our conversation with Ragavan, I noticed that all of his children sat very close to him. Although I was there for a short while, I could feel their affection towards Ragavan and vice versa. This is probably the catalyst that drives Ragavan’s resolve.
Now, when I recall my experience with Ragavan, the image that comes to mind is the sweet smiles of his children. I thought to myself, cancer might not be the problem of that one particular person but it is a crisis that affects the whole family. It is thus as a united entity that they face this cruel reality and wage war against this bitter disease.
Ragavan is due for a medical check-up this month, and I hope in my heart that all will turn out well for him and his family.
By Saki (Japanese Intern Student)
19 Nov 2007 – 25 Jan 2008
