‘A caring hand’, to mark the international cancer day, interwoven pictures done in collaboration with the civil-society organization DSF, a NGO providing crucial paliative care for terminal patients in Cambodia.

While taking these pictures, one of the aspects that got my attention were hands. The caregiver hands that bring relief to pain, and the patient’s hands, waiting patiently for an end, appreciating the last touches from loved ones. Not being able to do, to act in the world, but with wrinkles and calluses telling us all the life lived, the hard-written story of their gentle pushing against death, a survival with humble resistance against the cruelty of sickness and pain. And, at the same time, I hope these pictures can function as a homage to the health professionals, all the doctors and nurses from DSF and partner medical facilities. Tirelessly working to make the life of others a little bit better, their existence a little easier, less painful, perhaps more meaningful. The gift of a dignified end. Through both medication and calming words, counselling both patient and family on how better to write this last chapter.

What would matter the most for you in the end?
How would you prefer your last goodbyes to be?

Last, but not least, let us honor the families, with their tender care and hopeful gestures, trying to help in what they can. Being the last support in the home care where many of the DSF patients stay, they are crucial for the management of not only the medical situation but, equally fundamental, their psychosocial issues, the existential well-being of the dying person, and the careful negotiation of goals of care and ways to accept the reality and make peace with death. Without them the work of DSF would be even harder, and they are part of the core of palliative care practice. End-of-life care is tailored to each patient, identifying their unique situation, needs and values, and working closely with the family in order to achieve the least suffering possible.

A caring hand to wipe out a tear, a compassionate word to calm down grief.

(click on the image to zoom in on individual photos)