When I was a kid, the only time I hear about people getting cancer is on TV, usually in dramas. Then, all forms of cancer were terminal, and so, it’s always been known as a frightening disease to be diagnosed with. However, since it was mostly fictional characters with that disease, it felt distant.
As I grew up, cancer became more real as two of my polytechnic classmate’s aunts passed away from cancer. Note that this wasn’t two classmates, but two aunts of the same classmate. And a third aunt of hers was diagnosed with cancer as well while we were still in polytechnic. It felt real but still, they were relatives of a friend; people I don’t know in person.
After moving to Japan, cancer got even closer when a former polytechnic schoolmate and army platoon mate, Minghao, passed away from cancer. That was following an ex-colleague’s passing a year before, regarding both of whom I’ve written about. To be honest, while they were very heartbreaking, I wasn’t super close with them so it still felt like something a slight distance away.
Last year, a very good friend of mine R, whom I knew since secondary school, was diagnosed with nose cancer. Suddenly, it felt like cancer was beginning to come really close to my life. I was worried, but learned for the first time that it can be cured so that was the good news. But at the same time, cancer still held the image of something deathly and so I was praying that he would pull through. Some time later, he announced that he finished his treatment and was recovering well. That was a relief and I had thought that was as close as it can get until I learned a few days ago that my dad was diagnosed with cancer.
I recall writing the post on Kondo Makoto, a doctor who promoted non-treatment of cancer. But when it comes to someone as close as my dad, I’d rather he go get the treatment. I’m not sure how much he’ll be covered by Medisave but I know he doesn’t have insurance so I can only hope that the whole treatment wouldn’t cost too much although I’m a little worried about that since R told me his treatment cost him over $100,000. The good thing for R was that he had insurance and riders to cover most of his medical fees.
Please pray for my dad.
Thank you.
Hi there. I left a comment a while back on global insurance and mentioned I’m a Singaporean who was living in Japan but I returned to Singapore to seek medical treatment. I was diagnosed with cancer and now I’m undergoing my treatments at National Cancer Centre. If your dad can, try to go to a polyclinic to get a referral. It will bring down the cost significantly. I’m two-thirds done currently but just for reference, my full treatment (consultations, surgery, radiotherapy, medication) will cost a total of 40k. Depending on your dad’s diagnosis, the treatment plan may differ but if it’s of any comfort, it isn’t a death sentence and I’ve had nothing but good experience with the medical professionals here. Hope your dad recovers soon 🙂 Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for the reference. Should I assume a significant part of the cost was covered by Medishield? It’s of great comfort to hear your pleasant experience with NCCS and thank you for the well-wish. I’ll drop you a mail if I’ve got questions. Hope you recover soon as well.
I have insurance so I used it instead but yes, MediShield should cover a significant chunk. I strongly urge your father to consider getting a referral from polyclinic to bring it down nonetheless. A simple consultation (and you will have countless of them) will cost $36 instead of $100 over with the referral. Ward wise I think your dad will only be able to choose B2. Anything above that has to be out of pocket. Again, depending on his treatment, his experience may differ from me but they tend to upgrade you as long as they have rooms available. The counter staff are knowledgeable about the financial schemes available and will always check if he wants to draw from his MediShield. If he doesn’t have enough, I think you or your siblings can use your Medisave/MediShield to help. Best to check with the staff though!
No worries at all, happy to help. It can be hard to be away from him now.
Thanks for the note on the referral.
I pray for your smooth recovery.
I feel that sometimes as children, we would need to take initiative to consider the type of support that our parents need and to try to provide while we can, because they would never ask.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
That’s true. Sometimes, they wouldn’t even say what is going on, especially since I’m away.
Thank you.
I’m sorry to hear about the diagnosis. No doubt there will be many people with more intimate experience with cancer reading this, so I shan’t add on the usual stuff about reminding your dad to stay healthy, etc etc. Instead, I thought I’d remind you not to forget about yourself, and your dad’s caretakers. Cancer is such a horrible illness not only because of the toll it takes on the patient, but also because it’s emotionally draining for the people close to the patient, as I’m sure you’re experiencing. Hoping you and your family remain strong through this!
Thank you for the kind message KL.