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#becauseimatter – I have regained my mobility

Now that I have regained my mobility, my wish is to be able to travel to Mecca to perform the Haj pilgrimage

           Noor had strong fears and anxieties about being a burden to her family
When she was referred to PPCS , she was bed bound , semi-conscious , unable to communicate and restless. With the care and support from PPCS palliative care team , she progressed from being bedbound to wheelchair bound. Her family members also became more confident to attend to her needs.
With professional care from a PPCS volunteer physiotherapist and an occupational therapist from a public hospital , she is now able to walk again with assistance. She was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude now that she is mobile again. She expresses her wish to be able to perform the Haj pilgrimage in the near future.
For Noor , her quality of life has improved.

Noor Azizuraidah Bt Mohdmmad Ali
Brain Tumour

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#becauseimatter – The primary caregiver

The primary caregiver

My husband, the primary caregiver now has the peace of mind to seek part-time work

           Elezabeth was devastated when she discovered she had neuromyelitis, a disease which attacked her nerves and left her paralysed from her waist down.
He husband had to quit his full time job to look after her. Her problem was further compounded by the fact she was extremely overweight.
Before PPCS palliative care team came into her life, she had to be taken to private hospital for medical treatment by ambulance. This transport cost plus other necessary medical costs depleted their financial resources.
Under the care of PPCS, she no longer needed to seek treatment in a private hospital. Her condition is now more manageable and less stressful for her and her husband.
With her husband now working part-time, their financial position is more stable.

Elezabeth a/p SelvaDural
Neuro myelitis

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#becauseimatter – To Tell or Not to Tell

To Tell or Not to Tell

To Tell or Not to Tell

           My struggle was real. I wanted to tell but my mother disagreed. She said that my dad would not be able to take the shock of knowing he had terminal stage cancer. The medical doctor did not give any advice on this but just referred us for home palliative support.
At PPCS I was not only given the chance to talk about my stress and fears, but was also encouraged and given the explanation as to my father’s right to know of his condition, and how best to disclose this info as a family.
I was advised to tell my father of his illness in the presence of my mother and siblings. My father has always been a quiet man, not prone to talking much. My father was calm upon knowing his condition, and with a sad voice he said, “Hard to believe my life is so short. My parents lived till 80s.”
Despite the sadness, I felt we were able to walk with my father throughout his illness. In less than a month my father passed away. The support given to my father and us during and after my father’s passing was invaluable. I still miss my father very much.

Family of late Mr Law Chin Siew

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#becauseimatter – Dignity and Autonomy

Dignity and Autonomy

           My father was diagnosed with advanced heart and kidney failure. I remember the quiet strength my father displayed throughout the days after the diagnosis was disclosed to him. He made his decisions on his treatment options (e.g. no invasive procedure, no active resuscitation) , chose where he wished to spend his last days, and planned his funeral.
As our father and head of the family, he bequeathed his love and deep desire that we remain close knit as a family, and to care for our mother and ourselves, after his demise. As much as he was preparing us for his departure, our father was also putting his life in perspective. By actively engaging in planning, our father was making time for what he valued most in life, i.e., his family, close relatives and his friends.
My father has left such a powerful legacy for us. He chose to know and face his fate. He chose to disclose his wishes to us as a family. He spoke up. By doing so he allowed us to spend his last days as a family, not a lonely dying person.
We love and miss you still, Papa.

Family of Late Chew San @ Chew Sung Leong

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#becauseimatter – Peace & Calm amidst Fears of Uncertainty

Peace & Calm amidst Fears of Uncertainty

           I suffer from Non-small cell carcinoma of lung. I have gone through courses of chemotherapy and pleural aspiration of fluid in my lung.
Both me and my husband appreciate the home palliative support.
We are always looking forward for the weekly visits by the palliative team. They help to alleviate my symptoms, clear my doubts and calmed my fears. We find peace together as we journey through this period. At the same time we are very fortunate to enjoy support from our religious community. I can see that my faith, together with such support, gives me courage to endure; to accept what is happening to me; and to find meaning in my days now.
I believe that palliative care is not just for those nearing end of life but for everyone who suffers from a life-limiting illness.

Mdm Chong Swee Yoong, Angie
Lung Cancer

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#becauseimatter – Terus berjuang bersama

Terus berjuang bersama

           Sejak 2013, PPCS  telah memberikan saya perkhidmatan sokongan  terbaik. Sememangnya ia memberikan semangat dan sokongan yang diperlukan bukan sahaja pesakit kanser seperti saya bahkan juga buat ahli keluarga yang menjaga .
Dengan itu, saya bersemangat untuk terus berjuang dan meneruskan kehidupan.
kehidupan menjadi lebih bermakna dengan kasih sayang daripada semua pihak yang ihklas dan setia berjuang  bersama

Zaharah Bt Abd Hamid
Endometrium Cancer