IT was ‘love at first sight’ for veteran nurse R. Kanageswari when she first stepped into Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital as a junior staff nurse in 1980.
Upon completing her nursing studies abroad, Kanageswari, who is famously known as Sister Kana among her peers and patients, was compelled by her parents to return to Malaysia to look for a job as they were already planning for her marriage.
“So, I decided to return to my country and did as what my parents asked me to do. That was when I discovered that working at Mount Miriam was clearly the ‘final destination’ for me.
“I say this because when I was looking to secure a nursing job, I had three hospitals in mind. Mount Miriam was one of them.
“The other two private hospitals didn’t really fit my bill. The last stop was Mount Miriam. It was a beautiful feeling when I first stepped my foot into this place.
“It felt like a whole new world, an amazing connection that I thought could take me miles into performing my duties as a nurse.
“There were good vibes all over, and I truly loved the fact that the hospital was located in a quiet and friendly residential environment.
“And of course, the fact that it was stunningly seated around a green-filled environment.
“Even my husband was amazed and he thought working here would bring a true meaning to my purpose in life of giving the best care for the sick,” Kanageswari told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview at the hospital today.
Kanageswari, 68, was one of the pioneer staff members at the hospital since its inception in 1976.
The hospital was established by the Roman Catholic nuns from the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM).
Before operating as a cancer hospital, Mount Miriam in 1963, was set up as a space to care for cancer patients.
This changed after the late Bishop Francis Chan (Penang’s first Catholic Bishop) died from terminal cancer.
After his death, his successor Bishop Gregory Yong, invited the FMDM Sisters to take over the mission and they agreed.
“Those days, the sisters did everything themselves as the hospital could not afford to hire many staff.
“We underwent professional training to be qualified as certified nurses, radiographers and radiation therapists.
“Mount Miriam will always be my second home. Good or bad, it has been an incredible journey thus far for me,” Kanageswari added.
In 1994, she went to the United Kingdom to pursue her further studies in palliative care, through a scholarship by the UK government.
When asked about the struggles that she had faced in her journey as a nurse, Kanageswari said the biggest was when she was pregnant with her first and second child.
“Coming from a traditional family, they were very concerned, especially when I broke the news that I was pregnant.
“My family was worried over the high radiation presence at my workplace, but I had no choice back then because we had limited staff.
“Also, when I was carrying my first child in 1981, I remember I had to do wound dressing on a deceased body before offloading it to the mortuary. What got more frightening was when I saw maggots at some parts of the body,” she added.
Despite the challenges, what has kept her going is her passion for caring for the sick.
“I have always had a soft corner for palliative care.
“Sometimes, we may wonder why is it that our lives are full of miserable events and unpleasant circumstances.
“We need to understand something. God is watching and he knows how and when to reward us.
“I strongly believe that my commitment as a caregiver may not necessarily bear fruit for me, but it will surely go to my kids and husband.
“Both my kids are very successful now, and I strongly believe it was due to my good deeds. When our loved ones enjoy the fruits of our labour, nothing beats the feeling though,” Kanageswari added.
Presently, she is still working at the hospital, but under certain contractual conditions.
“Age is catching up and these days, I try to limit my working hours and be more involved in activities to calm my mind and soul.
“During my free time, I would be cycling, walking, playing tennis or sometimes hitting the gym to keep myself fit and healthy,” Kanageswari said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting