Father-in-law

Father-in-law holding a durian. He was very keen to eat the fruit.

Father-in-law reading newspapers (he is without the feeding tube).

My father-in-law

Here are two pictures of my father-in-law and my eldest son

A trip to Malaysia

On the 4th July my kids and I made a trip to Malaysia to see my father-in-law who is very sick. He has advance throat cancer and his health has not been good and we decided to make a trip home to see him. This will give the boys an opportunity to spend some time with their grandfather.

Three weeks prior to our visit, my father-in-law was hospitalised for 10 days and he was so weak, he was apparently, almost unconscious most of that time. A week or so after being home, his condition improved dramatically. By the time we arrived he has gained a lot of his energy and was able to sit up and at times he was able to talk. It was a very special time for all of use seeing him. He was also able to eat and drink some when the feeding tube was removed, but eventually it has to be put back as he was getting weaker without getting the necessary nutrients. His condition was deteriorating.

The doctor said there is nothing more they can do for him. Due to the fact that his condition was very weak initially my father-in-law could not undergo chemo or radiotherapy. The only other treatment at this stage was palliative therapy to reduce the tumour and to manage the pain. It was decided his condition was too weak even for this therapy. Just before we left, to help him breath the doctor did a tracheotomy.

We were able to spend two precious week with him. I'm sure my children and I will cherished that special time with him.