Health is Wealth

My mother, the chatty and bossy Mrs Lee, called me recently announcing she may have the much-dreaded C word in healthcare.

She had gone for one of her regular polyclinic health checkups and while preparing for an ECG, an eagle-eyed nurse spotted a strange growth on Mrs Lee's left breast.

"Anyway, the doctor referred me to a public hospital for follow up, in case it's cancer," Mrs Lee said casually to me over the phone like it's the most common topic to bring up for a Friday evening phone call.

I was having dinner with some business associates and my mind went blank at the word "cancer".

What followed was a whirlwind of texting activities with my siblings.

Brother Barry was drowning -- his work, which has an international scope that covers Europe, kept him and his team extremely busy.

"We are fighting fire," he texted briefly.

As the bigger brother, I took matters in my own hands.

I texted my friend, who runs a private derm practice.

He had very kindly given me a slot first thing on Monday morning.

Long story short, my friend took biopsy samples from my mum's skin and in just a matter of a few days, texted me to say that the results showed no cancer.

It was such a relief for the entire family -- including Mrs Lee who pretended she was very calm with cancer growing on her breast. 

That evening, we had a family gathering -- we had each taken time off to eat with Mrs Lee.

Brother Barry and my sis, and me visibly exhausted from the weekend stress but clearly relieved. 

Over dinner, our mum revealed she had already drawn up a will and had made sure everyone gets something.

Barry, the baby of the family, fought back tears.

My sis, the eldest, made enquiries on Mrs Lee's collection of jewellery.  

That evening, our dinner at Spring Court, Chinatown, was most meaningful.

Our family gatherings have always revolved around Cantonese restaurants and Spring Court happens to be one of a few restaurants Mrs Lee approves.

That night, when I went home after a very filling dinner, I sat on my couch, processing my week.

We had been on a rollercoaster ride -- from the discovery of a potential health problem to living the healthscare over the weekend and discussing plans and backup plans among the family, to holding our breaths at the biopsy tests.

That night, for the first time in days, I slept well. 

Here's wishing all my readers and their loved ones good health.

 

 

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Adam's stories are based on real life events and inspired by real people