In Marabá, cancer patient sets an example of courage and moves the team during chemotherapy
At the Regional Hospital of Southeast Pará, the patient decided to cut her hair during treatment and was embraced with empathy by professionals and family members
For many, cutting hair is just an aesthetic issue. For Antônia Hilda, 50 years old, a resident of Marabá, in the Carajás region, it was an act of courage. Hospitalized in the oncology service of the Regional Hospital of Southeast Pará – Dr. Geraldo Veloso (HRSP), she decided, on this Monday (16), to remove her hair before it fell out due to chemotherapy, facing one of the sensitive effects of cancer treatment head-on.
“I didn’t want to wait for my hair to fall out little by little, day after day, due to chemotherapy, as if I were losing control. I preferred to say goodbye all at once, with my head held high. And, to my surprise, it wasn’t a moment of pain, but of welcome. I felt respected, embraced. It gave me strength to keep fighting,” she said.
With a serene smile, the cancer patient added, “Now I will choose my scarves with care, not as an obligation, but as part of a new phase of my life. Each one of them will tell a little piece of my story, of my strength. I will move forward with faith, courage, and a strong desire to live,” explained Antônia.
An emotional and empathetic cut - Antônia’s gesture was received with sensitivity by the hospital team, who turned the moment into an act of care. The action was supported by hairdresser Mathias Silva, who regularly volunteers at the Pará government unit.
“Each strand of hair that falls carries a story, a struggle. I help these women to rediscover themselves in the mirror, to recognize their beauty, their strength. It’s about reclaiming self-esteem and remembering that they remain beautiful even in the midst of battle,” said Mathias.
During the cut, Antônia was surrounded by looks of support and admiration. Beside her, her daughter and health professionals silently witnessed the scene, visibly moved. It wasn’t sadness. They were tears of pride and deep empathy in the face of the courage with which that woman faced treatment, dignified and inspiring.
Luciana da Silva, Antônia’s daughter, couldn’t hold back her tears during the initiative. “Seeing my mother in that chair, with so much courage, broke me inside and strengthened me at the same time. I cried a lot, but it was out of pride. She taught me there what it means to face pain with dignity. I will never forget this day,” she said, emotionally.
Nurse Mirelly Rosa, responsible for the oncology service at the unit, highlighted the importance of the action. “More than treating an illness, we care for those who face a daily battle with a courage that inspires us. Seeing Antônia take such a dignified and serene attitude reminds us that we are here to welcome, strengthen, and ensure that no one feels invisible or alone,” explained the professional.
Moved, nursing technician Antônia Dias, who shares not only the name but also the sensitivity in her gaze with the patient, emphasized. “I have the same name as her, and that, in some way, makes me feel connected to her story. Being by her side on this journey is a privilege and a daily learning experience, as her strength inspires us,” she highlighted.
Care that embraces completely - At the hospital managed by the Amazon Social and Environmental Health Institute (ISSAA), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), oncological treatment goes beyond medical protocols; it is also a commitment to affection, respect, and the emotional strengthening of each patient. Antônia’s story reveals this perspective, where every gesture, such as cutting hair, is treated with the dignity it deserves.
In the oncology service, a multidisciplinary team made up of doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers works together to ensure not only disease control but also the physical and emotional well-being of patients.
“We know that the fight against cancer is not only physical but also spiritual. That’s why we offer support that recognizes the human being as a whole, with their pains, fears, memories, and hopes,” explained executive director Flávio Marconsini.
The director also emphasized that each patient brings with them a unique story that deserves to be heard and respected. “Our role is to be by their side, offering not only treatment but also presence, empathy, and pathways for life to continue, even on difficult days,” he emphasized.
With modern facilities, the oncology service offers consultations in various specialties, as well as chemotherapy sessions and oncological surgeries. The sector has a chemotherapy room with 10 chairs and 20 beds designated for patient hospitalization.
Profile: The services at the Regional Hospital of Southeast Pará are 100% through the Unified Health System (SUS). The unit has 135 beds, including 97 for clinical hospitalization and 38 in Intensive Care Units (ICU) - Adult, Pediatric, and Neonatal.
Text: Ederson de Oliveira
