Accompanying a Patient on his Journey of Recovery
Mr Lim fell seriously ill in 2016 and volunteers from Tzu Chi Singapore began visiting him and his family after that. Besides supplying nutritional milk and adult diapers to him, Tzu Chi also arranged for its volunteer TCM doctors from its medical association (TIMA) to give him acupuncture treatment twice a week in his home. Mr Lim used to feel agitated when he saw the volunteers at the beginning, but through continued care and support from the volunteers and doctors, he is able to establish a close rapport with the latter. He started going to the Tzu Chi Free Clinic for check-ups in April this year after his condition improved. The volunteers, with their selfless love, continue to accompany and support Mr Lim and his wife along their life journey.
Walking hand in hand with her husband was something that Goh Siew Lan could never imagine 3 years ago.
Mr Lim’s wife, Goh Siew Lan:
He couldn’t even turn his body and move his bowels properly. I was very scared and anxious at first as I didn’t know how to face a husband who suddenly had this condition.
Mr Lim’s wife, Goh Siew Lan:
After he had a ruptured aneurysm, he became like this……
In 2016, Mr Lim suffered a ruptured aneurysm, and subsequently lost his memory and ability to take care of himself. After learning about him, Tzu Chi started supplying him nutritional milk and adult diapers, as well as giving him acupuncture treatment.
Volunteer：
Relax… it’s only like a mosquito bite. Look at my ear. No problem. It’s very well-done. I don’t only give you one thumbs up. I give you two thumbs up. Yeah!
Now, everyone at the home care visit looks happy, but it wasn’t like this at the beginning.
Mr Lim’s wife, Goh Siew Lan:
I feel very sorry towards Dr Chow as my husband often threw tantrums and even spat on his body.
TIMA’s TCM doctor Chow Khai Shui:
His mind was in a mess. He often got agitated and scolded people. He would also pinch us and it was quite painful. But all these were not a problem to us.
Volunteer:
A word once spoken… What is the next line?
Mr Lim:
A word once spoken cannot be overtaken even by a team of four horses. (What is said cannot be unsaid.)
TIMA’s TCM doctor Chow Khai Shui:
When he got angry, we would stop talking about the same thing. We would talk about something else and gradually, he would calm down.
Mr Lim’s wife, Goh Siew Lan:
Tell the doctor whether you’re well or not. (I’m well. Okay)
Mr Lim’s condition gradually improved. In April 2019, he began walking out of his home and going to Tzu Chi Free Clinic for check-ups, accompanied by his wife.
TIMA’s TCM doctor, Chow Khai Shui:
When he went out in the past, she needed to put on diapers for him. Now, she doesn’t need to do that. She only needs to let him visit the toilet before taking him out and he will be okay till he comes home. All this makes us feel very happy and relieved. As a doctor, what’s most important is to see my patients recover.
Mr Lim’s wife, Goh Siew Lan:
I feel that I am no longer afraid, because Tzu Chi is there to help me. The volunteers are like my family, so I’m really not afraid anymore.
Mr Lim:
Good water, good land, healthy body and mind
Nobody can predict when illness will strike. Surrounded by love, Mr Lim is able to stand up again and give back through action. His wife also joins him in volunteering with Tzu Chi. Their transformation is the greatest reward for the doctors and volunteers.
