"Eat more celery and black fish, never eat protein powder, don't eat pickled vegetables, exercise more and work out frequently." In Gansu Anti-Cancer Club, volunteer Shurui Li sat around the table with two patients who had just undergone breast cancer surgery, explaining to them the precautions after the operation. 45-year-old Shurui Li is a breast cancer patient who lost her left breast in an operation three years ago.
On the 2nd day, this scene was witnessed by the reporter at the "Patient's Home" of Gansu Tumor Hospital. The "Patient's Home" of Gansu Tumor Hospital is simply but warmly decorated. On one side of the room, there is a TV playing repeatedly the hospital-made "Breast Cancer Sufferer Aerobic Exercise Rehabilitation Gymnastics". On the other side, there are tables and chairs placed, and the walls are hung with pink balloons for health preservation.
During the interview, a balloon fell down, and a nurse picked it up and gently tapped it over her head, playing the "balloon tossing" game with more than ten elderly volunteers present. The "Patient's Home" was immediately filled with laughter and noise.
"Sharing our experiences with cancer patients, passing on hope through our own stories is more convincing than doctors' persuasion," said Shurui Li, smilingly referring to her talks with cancer patients as "talk therapy."
Three years ago, when she learned that she had breast cancer, "I couldn't accept it psychologically at first, didn't see anyone, and didn't answer any calls." During the subsequent hospitalization for chemotherapy and surgery, under the communication and guidance of the anti-cancer club volunteers, Shurui Li gradually walked out of the shadow. Now she wears a silicone bra and looks no different from a healthy woman.
The Anti-Cancer Club of Gansu Tumor Hospital was founded in 2005 and now has more than 300 members including doctors, nurses, patients, and volunteers. The club regularly conducts cancer prevention and treatment publicity, popular science lectures, free clinics, community screenings for breast cancer, etc., to popularize anti-cancer knowledge and prevent cancer in society. At the same time, the "Patient's Home" was established as the "headquarters" for club members' activities, organizing patients and volunteers to gather here, exchange anti-cancer experience, and help cancer patients regain confidence in life.
Shurui Li joined the volunteer team after entering the rehabilitation period after the operation and has been passing on hope to new cancer patients in the anti-cancer club for three years. "Rehabilitation during the recovery period is particularly important, and you must not be careless," said Shurui Li. An elder who once guided her became critically ill six years after discharge because he did not pay attention to rehabilitation during the recovery period, and his cancer cells spread.
Ms. Wang, who underwent breast surgery 10 days ago, still had a drainage tube in her body. After six rounds of chemotherapy, all her hair fell out, so she wore a white hat. Since being hospitalized, she often came to the "Patient's Home" to communicate and share her feelings with the volunteers of the anti-cancer club, and they have become friends long ago. "I will also be a volunteer after discharge and pass on the hope," Ms. Wang said.
There is also an active "Anti-Cancer Star Volunteer Team" in the anti-cancer club, voluntarily organized by anti-cancer volunteers to provide free anti-cancer experience lectures to patients in the ward who are not mobile.
Mr. Wu, 78 years old, is the most "senior" star. Although he has completely white hair, he is still very spirited and humorously refers to himself as "11 years old", having gained a "rebirth" from a colon cancer surgery 11 years ago. Mr. Wu said that the anti-cancer club provides a platform for cancer patients, which plays a significant role in pleasing the mind and enhancing the confidence to fight against cancer.
"A good mindset is crucial for recovery," said Ting Chi, director of the Psychological Counseling Department of Gansu Tumor Hospital. Cancer patients are a special disadvantaged group in society, with psychological characteristics such as worrying about being discriminated against, abandoned, or self-pitying. Correct and timely psychological counseling is equally important as physical treatment. "Healthcare workers and cancer patients have a win-win relationship. Patients need our treatment, and we learn valuable anti-cancer spirit from the patients," said Ting Chi.
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