Hyacinth Wint is a strong believer in the power of positive thinking.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2004. Mrs. Wint, 62, tries not to focus on the cancer, but concentrates on getting through her chemotherapy treatments and getting on with life.
‘I don’t like to take many tablets and pills, so I have a candy if I’m feeling nauseous. I’ve lost my hair, but I still have my eyebrows,’ she said with a smile.
She had to wait months to start her treatment, due to the threat of hurricanes and then the arrival of Ivan, forcing her to go to Miami for her medicine. She was able to return to Grand Cayman in December to continue her treatment at Cayman Islands Hospital
The staff at the hospital’s monthly oncology clinic works closely with the hospice, explained palliative care nurse Heather Huizinga
‘At the oncology clinic, we introduce patients to each other. They share with each other. They talk about how to deal with the chemo. Everybody brings something to each other. A lot of good things come out when you share,’ she said.
Mrs. Wint refuses to allow the chemotherapy to get her down.
‘When I get my chemo, I jump in the car and drive all over the place. The more you worry, the more sickness comes onto you,’ she said.
Mrs. Huizinga has been visiting Mrs. Wint for six months. When the hospice nurse stops by, she is greeted like an old friend. Both women have benefited from their time together.
‘We talk about everything from cooking to cleaning. We just don’t try to let the sickness take over the conversation,’ Mrs. Wint said.
‘I love to come visit Miss Hyacinth and if I’m feeling down, she sorts me out. She helps me, too. We talk about Jamaica and her life and family. I get to know her as a person,’ Mrs. Huizinga added.
Mrs. Wint also has good things to say about the hospice as a whole.
‘I think it’s a good organization. It is doing good for the people of the island. For Heather and the other nurses coming to visit me, it’s always a joy to see them,’ she said.
Despite the positive effect she has on her patients and the unique and difficult physical and emotional challenges of her job, Mrs. Huizinga does not consider herself exceptional.
‘I don’t think I do anything special. I think we get more out of it than we put into it. It is quite a privilege. Working in Cayman is a much nicer experience than in the UK. This is a country that has faith. It is more family oriented, with more kinship and fellowship. We do not work alone,’ she said.
Except for keeping her head covered, Mrs. Wint shows no outward signs of the grave disease she continues to fight with both medication and her sheer strength of will.
‘When you get the news about the sickness, some people only think of that. But if you know how to take care of yourself and trust God, it will be all right,’ Mrs. Wint said.
And, Mrs. Huizinga will be there for her through it all.
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