Honoring Simon Bell

All this is a background to this article, which is essentially a tribute to a patient that positively moved forward in dealing with a range of these factors and that I had the honor of knowing in my role as ward psychologist. 

Article: Whitten by Nina Dollis, Phychologist, Metropolitan Hospital 

Like many previously healthy and active people, Simon Bell had a sudden diagnosis of lung cancer that overturned all the givens in his life.  In my daily contact with him he maintained however, a wonderfully positive outlook toward his diagnosis. Simon had worked very hard over his lifetime to succeed in his career as he did, neglecting his health which was one of the things he spoke about with regret during our work together due to his heavy workload and hectic schedule the past few years with his growing company. Having stopped smoking over 11 years ago, in the past here years or so he experienced symptoms of tiredness, sometimes exhaustion that he attributed to his pace of work. And even when his diagnosis was known he continued that persistent work ethic, dealing with work from his bed, on the phone and with his paperwork by his side.  He was one of those unique people that had his own core strength and drew the support he required, but even towards the end of his battle with lung cancer, fought for more time with his family and wanted to avoid providing them with a future, in which he would be absent. Walking into Simons room every morning I have a very clear vision of me asking Simon how he is and his consistent gentleman like response being “I am fine Nina just fine thank you, please check on Korina and the children, make sure they are doing okay”. He maintained that essential element of hope so important to all cancer patients, which improved his state of mind.  Finally, his family, his wife Korina and their two children Melina and Eric faced the disease hand in hand with unconditional love, support and strength for each other. When he was confronted with the devastating news that he was not  accepted into the clinical trial that may have succeeded in prolonging or saving his life, he continued to fight with a positive state of mind for his future and his family. Simon left his last breath in a room in Metropolitan hospital overlooking the seaside. The sea that he loved so much but could no longer feel and enjoy.  He was a lesson to me as a caregiver, but I also a great inspiration for other lung cancer sufferers.  

The FairLife Vision

Simon Bell passed away with dignity surrounded with his family, leaving them with a legacy of wanting to continue to support others that find themselves in like situations. His positive energy flows through his wife and children still, as they transform their grief into effort to establish Fair Life Cancer Care Foundation, a nonprofit community care organization that will support and inform lung cancer patients in Greece, eventually giving them access to clinical trial medication that patients like Simon where not able to have access during their battle with Lung Cancer.  Simon not being accepted into this clinical trial was a tragic event for himself and his family that is the core drive for the Fair Life vision. Supported by diverse and eminent professionals with informed programs, Fair life to support sufferers and their families as Simon would have wanted. 

A Lung Cancer Diagnosis

For many people just hearing the doctor say the word “cancer” can have a deep effect.  An actual diagnosis inevitably commences a pathway of experience that affects not only physical health, but mental well-being and relationships within and outside the family, as feelings that a person may never have experienced before arise. Despite broader community familiarity with the disease, the uncertainty that a cancer diagnosis brings about the future can cause a range of reactions. Almost one in two patients will experience anxiety, distress and some form of depression or sadness in the course of their disease. Intense feelings of anxiety may cause insomnia, increased sense of physical pain, and depression, and can lead to detrimental behaviors such as missing scheduled treatments and avoiding interaction with loved ones.  Feelings of anxiety can occur during screening for cancer, diagnosis, treatment, and even during routine checkups. For lung cancer patients in particular, the common and unpleasant symptom of shortness of breath can provoke greater anxiety, and as a result, levels of anxiety and depression are higher in these patients. Many times, systematic psychotherapy with the help of medicinal treatment from a psychiatrist can help lung cancer patients greatly. Anger, the soul mate of depression, can also be felt by the patient and their family. 

Dealing with the Diagnosis

None of these reactions are unexpected as people are confronted with or are required to deal with the uncertainty and mystery about the future.  Changes in their bodies and sometimes their appearance occur as do changes in their daily functioning arising from treatment or the disease. Possible new financial issues may also arise.  What can a person dealing with these altered conditions and feelings do to help in their day to day quality of life?  Acknowledging ones’ feelings rather than suppressing them is a first step. It is important to share these feelings with a loved one, a close friend or a qualified professional. For some patients, understanding their specific condition and its treatment course may help reduce uncertainty and enable them to focus on their recovery. There are a range of strategies that a person with cancer can adopt to cope better with their specific diagnosis and their particular life situation.  There are also a range of areas where the help of a qualified professional, including psychologists and social workers can guide and support the cancer sufferer and their family. Active listening based on professional training, the provision of practical advice, supporting the open expression of feelings and communication between the patient and their significant others and linking people to other resources, are all the mandate and responsibility of the trained professional for the cancer sufferer and their family.