I’m can’t recall the exact date when my dad was diagnosed with cancer, but it would have been some time in July.  I remember that my colleagues and I had gone to visit a former colleague during lunch time.  He had just been successfully operated on to remove a brain tumour.  Just as we were walking out of hospital, my mother called to break the bad news …

At my Dad’s insistence, I had to draft a “press release” for my sister to read out in church (which is also my previous church) so that his church friends could be updated on his condition (the thought of a "press release" is quite funny, if not for the fact that my Dad is seriously ill; plus you got to applaud my Dad for his courage in the face of this bad news)  :

“Dear church friends,
 
My Dad, Eng Hiong, wishes to send his regards to all of you.  He is grateful for the love, care and concern the church has showed regarding his present state of health.  He is encouraged in particular by the prayer meeting that was held last Saturday night.
 
Since a number of members have been asking how my dad has been doing, he has asked me to give an update.
 
My dad is suffering from a blood disorder (myeloma) and is currently receiving treatment at the Singapore General Hospital Haematology Department. 
 
Such an illness is not remote and it usually afflicts to men and women aged above 50 and 65 years respectively.  On average there are about 50 cases a year in Singapore. 
 
There is no clear medical evidence as to how this disorder is contracted.    It may be described simply as a group of “naughty white cells” that produce high amounts of protein and suppress the production of white cells.
 
This blood disorder is treatable, though it will take between 6 top 9 months for a full recovery.  In the meantime, my dad will not be travelling overseas and will have to avoid strenuous exercise.
 
…
 
Please continue to uphold my dad in prayer.  Pray that the doctors will have the wisdom and skill to provide the appropriate treatment.
 
Should any of you be interested in finding out more about the disorder, my dad will be glad to share his experience with you when he returns to church next week.”