Caregiver, my HERO~

Along my journey to recovery, I have to admit that fighting cancer alone is pretty impossible.
Tough & spirited that I may sound in my previous blog entries, there are times when I feel so tired & fighting spirit is at a low level.
At times, the mental & physical stress drains every drop of sunshine that we carry in our feeble body.
The thought about pain & death always cast a long shadow and cover the hope that we carry in our mind & heart. Walking alone is TOUGH.

At this time, a caregiver plays a very important role in walking with us to overcome the challenges.

During chemotherapy, radiotherapy or operation, a cancer patient will have difficulty in performing everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, drinking, eating, talking or walking to the toilet. He or she needs the emotional support as well as someone to talk to.
A caregiver is the person whom cares & look into the needs of the cancer patient.
The caregiver could be a family member or a friend or a community service volunteer.

My wife, Mimiko

The person whom had walked with me throughout the ordeal is my wife, Mimiko Nezu. She sat beside me the day when the doctor told me I had cancer. She walked me to the operating theater for my biopsy. She accompanied me to Singapore to get my 2nd opinion as well as to meet my surgeon doctor. She traveled back with  me on the same day by bus before we went for my 1st chemotherapy on the following day at SDMC. Two months later, she accompanied me to Singapore again for my operation. She waited for me at the operating theater & she was the one whom I saw when I opened my eyes. She had accompanied me to every chemotherapy session. She was there for every check up. She was with me every step that I had took.
For 6 months, she kept herself strong & become the pillar to my family. She had only wept once, the day I was diagnosed. To have such strong determination & becoming a strong supportive role player, it amazes me & earn every bit of my respect towards her.

Mimiko & myself

At Lover's Bridge, Tg Sepat

During my chemotherapy, my emotions & frustration was so erratic. Sometimes I feel strong, sometimes I just want to throw tantrums. At times I just don't want to talk or I just need to find someone to vent my frustrations. Mimiko was always the person whom would be there to get all my bombardments. She was always my boxing bag.

Being a foreigner & not well versed with the local language, I can imagine how hard it is & how much of work she needs to put to understand every situation which we were in. She was my dictionary to all the medicines used, the possible side effects, the causes of my cough, the prefect to see that I go to bed early & all kinds of information that I need to know about cancer.

She cooks my meal, things which I'm able to eat & only good for the health. But most of it are not tasty to the taste buds. She has to skip her sukiyaki beef, her japanese curry, the limited choice of vegetables, less meat... but fish everdy day & she even drinks beer/alcohol much lesser. Most of the time she will not drink in front of me eventhough I told her that it was allright. (I love drinking moderately too).
It was a noble & supportive act.

Mimiko & Ryusei

Apart from taking care of me, she has to care for our son, Ryusei as well. During school days, she will sometimes send & fetch from the school. Once back, she has to revise the studies with Ryusei, especially for the term 1 & term 2 exams. Luckily Ryusei has been a good boy & did'nt give much problem to Mimiko.
The things that Mimiko did for me, the list just goes on & will never end. This is the true dedication Mimiko had given me, as a partner, as a friend, as a wife & above all, as my caregiver. (she's expecting me to buy a gift for her after reading this blog, " hahahahah " ... an Ipad or an Iphone.). 


I considered myself as a very lucky cancer patient as I have two caregivers.
The 2nd person whom had walked with me was my mom, Doris How. She had wept for me & I was so frustrated to had caused it. At times, I vent my frustrations & she will just absorb all my criticisms. At her age, I was ashamed that she still has to care for me. This shows how far a mother's love can go for her own children. She never gets tired & always want the best for her children. She sacrifices her time & sleep, just to cook nutritious food and soup for me. I believe every mother out there are as noble.

My mom & dad stays about 15mins away from my place.
For the past 6 months, she has been helping my family like ferrying Ryusei to & fro from school, preparing my meals & sometimes meal for my family & asking around about things like chinese herbs & qiqong. She has supported me emotionally, filling me with hope & having me to focus on healing. She reiterated me that I need to get well since Ryusei is still young & needs the support of a father.
All the things which my mom had done for me, I will never forget & always cherish it in my heart.
Till this day, she still cooks for me... bringing me multi grain rice with fishes, cordyceps, buck wheat tea... these are the food which my mom had cooked & filled with love.

Throughout my blog, I had only shared about the experience on myself.

This blog is a special one. 

A dedication to all the caregivers out there whom had helped the cancer patients to take heart & fight till the end.

Thank you, Caregivers~. 

P/S : Thank you to all my friends, family & relatives whom had encouraged me all the way.

Without you guys, the road will be much rougher.