“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference” - Elie Wiesel

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I came across this TV programme a couple of days ago, describing the life of a woman who had lost her husband to cancer and with two small children to feed.

It was said that she was not told of her husband’s illness until it developed into its later stages. The lady was obviously angry and upset at her husband’s decision for not confiding in her about the severity of his diagnosis and called him “selfish” and “irresponsible”.

This then had me thinking, what if one day we were in that situation? What if we didn’t know that the one we loved and cared so much about were to be stricken with an incurable illness and we were ignorant about the whole situation until our loved one is on his/her deathbed?

Thinking about this, I then posed this question to my mother who was with me and watching the programme at the same time; “What would you do if you were placed in a similar situation?”

My mum’s answer quick and firm, she decided that if she was ever diagnosed with cancer, she would fight to the end; a second opinion was not even required. However, she would discuss her situation with my father first, but would keep the news from us and inform us about it until much later.

She then added, “If it were to happen on your father, he would react differently towards it.”

I then agreed with her, we knew him too well to know how he’d react.

My father is afraid of operations, would probably be in a state of self-denial for awhile until he gets a second opinion and then probably after much persuasion from the doctors and mum, will finally seek treatment. I’m sure that my mother will be informed of his illness, but I’m not sure if my dad will be able to tell his children about it. Even if he doesn’t, I know my mother would inform us about it.

But I’ll definitely know that I would be angry and hurt if I was kept in the dark about the illness of my loved ones, only to find out too late. Even though I know I might not be able to do anything, I think I would be of help in some way or another.

I’ll like to pose this question to my friends, what would you do if you were faced with such circumstances?

There has been a lack of updates the past few months as I was sorting out various decisions one could make. I’ll will be officially returning to Singapore in November for good and have found work and will be commencing my new job in December. To my friends in Melbourne, I hope to see you again should you visit Singapore for a short trip, holiday or work attachment and good luck on your future endeavours. To my friends in Singapore, we’ll see each other soon…:)

Will post up pics of my graduation soon.