Father Cancer Fight

SGH DAY 6

My mother has finally shed tears today after going strong ever since my father contract the cancer. It is not really easy to console her as they have brave through the up and downs of life. My father have not really enjoy life much as he is a simple and down to earth person.
My father has been transfer to the Dover Park Hospice this afternoon. We took a private ambulance to the hospice and it cost $40 for the trip and $20 for the oxygen. It is a brand new environment for him. He wanted to change to Ren Ci or Ang Mo Kio community hospital but it is not possible at this stage. Communication with the staff was the reason he gave. The doctor predicted that he will have a couple of weeks or months. They will tried to let my father feel less pain with the proper medicine administer to him.

SGH Day 5

The doctor has once again inform us that my father need to be sent to the hospice. I have inform him that I have selected Dover Park and the doctor will proceed with the application. It is a difficult decision but is needed as there are professional care available for my father.
My father is no longer on the MORPHINE drug after completing the dosage. He is looking well and vibrant today. I even get tick off by him by not adjusting the bed to his requirement. Ironically, he ask the nurse to do the same thing and he said thank you to her. Neverthless, his voice is louder and has no pain.
The Dover Park has accepted my father admission. He will be transfer tomorrow at 230 PM. The hospital has arrange for a private ambulance and cost $40 for the trip. This is half the cost when my father took it to the hospital for admission.

SGH Day 4

Firstly, I would like to express my THANKS to all relatives and friends that have visited my father during his stay at the hospital. It has been a difficult time for our family at this time but we are still coping with it.
My father condition has been quite stable after removing of the fluids near his heart. He is still able to talk but softly or it will cause him to be breathless. Currently, the doctor has prescribe MORPHINE to him already as he complaint of sereve pains. The dosage is 0.5ml per hour and he is given 10ml which will last about 20 hours. There were no pain after the drug was administer for the rest of the day. His stomach is still very bloated and hard.
The doctor has also advise us to let my father stay at a Hospice so as to better manage his condition. He has recommended four Hospice locations for us to consider. It cost around $160 to $210 per day stay excluding subsidies. We will have to go through a MEAN TEST before we know how much subsidies we can qualify for?

SGH Day 3

The procedure to remove water near to his hear has been a success. A total of 600ml of water was drain out and he is feeling better as the pressure on the heart has been relieved. He was transfer out of the CCU(high dependency) to the normal ward for recuperation.
May relatives visited him during the evening and that made him really happy after a stressful day. Thanks for all the concern that you have shown for my father and our family. My father was able to take some fruits and water during the meal time. It was a great improvement as he was not able to take any drinks and solid food previously.

SGH DAY 2

The doctor has informed us that my father condition is complicated and critical. The water are present both at the lung and the heart area. A decision will need to be make later on whether to remove the water as there are some risk involved. A Cardiologist will be checking his condition in the afternoon before we are ask to make a decision.
If his condition can be stabilise, he will need to be move to a step down facility like a hospice or community hospital.
My dad underwent a simple procedure to remove water near the heart in the evening time. It took 1 hour and it was a success. He will be staying at CCU(high dependency) for at least one night before going back to the normal ward.
My advise to all my friends who are smoker to quit now before anything happen to you. My dad was a smoker for more than 30 years and only quit after diagnosis of lung cancer.

Admitted to Singapore General Hospital

My father feel very breathless after cough early this morning. My wife call me and I rush back home from my work place.
I call for a private ambulance to fetch my dad to the Singapore General Hospital. The civil defence ambulance will not send him to the SGH but to the nearest A & E only. I only learn about this when I call 995 and in the end I need to call 1777.
It took 45 mins for the ambulance to come and the journey took us another 40 mins as it is the morning rush hour. Some drivers were good enough to give up way. It cost $80 for the trip and $20 for oxygen service and payable in cash or cheque on arrival at the hospital. More updates will be made when available.

2nd Opinion

My father went to the National Cancer Centre for his first appointment. We have decided on this second opinion as Tan Tock Seng Hospital Onologist is not very professional. Seeing an onologist at TTSH is just like seeing a GP at the polyclinic. They only ask about how is your condition and rather give you an update of the condition unless u ask.
The consultant at National Cancer Centre has told my father that the cancer cells has started to spread. It has affected the bone also and developed into five or six tumours. The consultant advised my father to participate in a chemotherapy treatment and he will be briefing me about the studies this Friday.
I will update all of my friends and relatives this weekend again.

Drainage of fluids

The drainage of fluids process is almost complete. There is only a bit of fluid left to be drain from the lung. My father is looking quite well and is still able to take his meals as usual. The hospital food is not really up to standard. But we do not blame the hospital as the C class fees are very affordable. The doctor will examine him tomorrow again to determine when he will be ready for discharge. The chemotherapy session tomorrow will be postpone. We would like to thanks all friends and relatives who has expressed concern for my Dad.

Remove Fluids

Finally my father got his X-Ray today since admission on Tuesday. Fluid was confirm presence in his lung and the doctor arrange to remove the fluid from the lungs. This time the doctor inserted a tube to drain the fluids from his lungs. It is expected to take two to three days to complete the drainage of the fluids.

Admission

My father went to the Accident and Emergency of Tan Tock Seng hospital as he want to be admitted to the hospital. He is coughing badly and suspect fluid has accumulated in his lungs again. The doctor at A & E arrange for his admission based on his previous medical records.