Page 23 - ACCF - Stories of Resilience

Bongaigaon District
A FARMER’S QUEST:

RAJU NATH’S JOURNEY WITH CANCER

n the quaint village of Bashbari, nestled in the Bongaigaon district of
IAssam, lived Raju Nath (Name Change), a 70-year-old farmer. His life
was a testament to his love for the land and his community. Raju spent
his days tending to his crops and his evenings sharing stories with his
family and friends. Raju’s life took a dramatic turn two months ago when
he was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. The news shook him
to the core, leaving him feeling lost and helpless. Raju’s family, including
his wife and 22-year-old son, rallied around him, had been suffering
from persistent difficulty in swallowing and unexplained weight loss
for several months. He had been experiencing severe pain in his throat
and had difficulty eating solid food. Despite his symptoms, Raju had not
sought medical attention, attributing his condition to a simple throat
infection or a side effect of his smoking habit.
As the days turned into weeks, Raju Nath’s condition worsened. He
became increasingly weak and frail, unable to perform his daily tasks as
a farmer. His family was worried, but they didn’t know what to do. They
didn’t have the financial resources to seek medical attention in the city,
and the local healthcare facilities were inadequate.

ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION 23