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