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Singtel Satellite along Bukit Timah Expressway BKE

Took leave off work for Dad's 3rd follow-up medical appointment at Singapore General Hospital - SGH..

It has been 5 months since his colorectal surgery. Dad has been in high spirits and energetic all this while. His recovery rate is incredible.

He is up and about to do his usual stuff - going out for groceries, to the barber and Friday prayers. Religiously tending to his garden and always so busy in the kitchen with the chores, while leaving the expert cooking to Mom.

My wife had to attend to her booth while my son has his cousin sleeping over. 5 people would defintely not fit in the cab, so I went alone with my parents.

Besides the medical appointment, both Dad and Mom wanted to do some shopping. Mom did go out much because she needs help even with her walking stick. Long walks meant she would rather be in the wheelchair.

Part 1

The journey from home was smooth. Since there was traffic jam at CTE due to the morning peak hour, the cab driver decided to take the BKE, PIE and Stevens Road route instead.

No luck there either. A broken down van made the traffic slowed down to a crawl, coupled with Dad forgotten to bring along his appointment card, it made me quite anxious.

Honestly not so much of being late, but more of the outcome of the blood test. I worry every time when the result is announced. Both Dad and Mom are kept out from knowing the cancerous tumor Dad had removed.

Mom made the ride less stressful as she pointed pointed out the beautiful blooms of pink and bright red flowers along BKE. The morning sun made the bloom so cheerful.

She pointed out to the wild ferns growing out from the undergrowth of the jungle along PIE and the abundance of tapioca plants as we about to exit to Stevens Road.

Reminiscing, we told me that Pucuk Paku or fern shoots were nice to eat when fried. So was the Pucuk Ubi Kayu or Tapioca shoots. Apart from its bulb, the shoots are normally cooked with coconut milk or Lauk Lemak Pucuk Ubi gravy.

Yes, we did ate the fern shoots when we went on a tour to Sarawak Malaysia just before Dad was diagnosed with the tumor in his large intestine.

The native there call it Sayur Midi they pick from the wild. They normally fry it with belacan or shrimp paste. It was my first taste to the wild fern shoots and it tasted great, just like asparagus!

Mom told me that it both dishes were common then when we were still living in the Kampong or village. I had no recollection of ever eating the fern shoots though. Unlike tapioca shoots, the fern shoots dish is non-existent in modern Singapore as far as I know.

We finally arrived at the hospital 6 minutes past 9:20am, our appointment time. Got our queue number 0937 but noticed the doctors were not in yet as all the lighted numbers in each consultation room were zero.

We continued our chat, mostly catching up on the stuff I missed or did not understand then when I was a child in the village. Some words of wisdom from them and some funny stories and incidences they experienced with the neighbours took us almost an hour before Dad's number was flashed on the queue board.

Dr. Ooi was exceptionally cheerful this morning. Lots of jokes with Dad that made his 2 nurses assisting him laughed as well. In between the jokes and casual talks, he interjacked questions of Dad's bowel movements, his general energy level and his diet.

All was good. He encouranged Dad to go out of the house to stretch his legs. He was happy to know that Dad had been doing just that since after his first follow-up visit.

More jokes from the drawn curtains as Dad was check by the doctor. All good.

As Dad got dressed, Dr. Ooi informed me of the good news. Dad blood reading was at 1.8, way lower than the 3.5 cancerous indication. His next follow-up will be spaced 6 monthly now.

I was relieved upon hearing the news. Guess it showed on my face.

That had always been the most tense moment with every visit I had to sit-in personally. Unknown to Dad or Mom of Dad's condition. For all they knew was that was a benign tumor that was removed.

Every checked out well, so Dad's next follow-up appointment will be spaced 6 monthly now. He is scheduled to go for a colonoscopy in mid June 2006, approximately a year after his surgery.

I am very proud of my Dad for religiously sticking to his diet and keeping himself in high spirits.

Off I went to tell Mom of the good news. Mom smiled and looked at him proud. Dad reciprocated with a smile that was even wider. No words were spoken but that was their moment.

I will not forget it. I was so happy to witness another beautiful moment. Wished all my brothers and sisters could have seen that too.

I thank Allah for the blessings He gives this family and more happy moments that we all get to share our time together.