As a heart patient with several respiratory and heart-related co-morbidities, Mdm Suriah, 70, was also diagnosed with kidney injury this year—a condition that came together with heart disease, and required her to be on lifelong dialysis.
Despite having undergone several medical procedures and treatment over the past three decades, her heart condition had affected her capacity to have adequate oxygen saturation during the night. If left untreated, this condition can cause heart and brain damage, and lead to death. Her condition requires a Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) machine to provide symptomatic relief towards her breathlessness, and to ensure adequate oxygen supply during her sleep.
Being unemployed, Mdm Suriah has been financing her medical bills with her husband's savings and often worries about not being able to foot her bills and expenses. "The cost of living has increased over the years, and it is difficult to keep up," shared Mdm Suriah, who currently has mobility issues and moves about with a walking aid.
Through the referral of a medical social worker at NHCS, she sought financial assistance from the NHCS Heart To Heart Fund, which provides support to needy heart patients in the form of subsidy for medical equipment or treatments, after they have exhausted all options. After assessing Mdm Suriah's situation, the NHCS Heart To Heart Fund paid for her NIV machine fully, so that she could concentrate on managing her heart health at home with a peace of mind.
Pillar of Strength
Mdm Suriah stays with her husband, Mr Ishak, who is also her main caregiver. As partners for more than five decades, they are inseparable. "Wherever I go, she follows me. I will remind her to take her medications, be her translator, and be her pillar of strength when she's feeling low," he shared.
As a result of her varying illnesses, Mdm Suriah turns to Mr Ishak for support in her daily activities, such as taking her medicine on time. "You know kacang puteh (nuts)? She has to take so many [pills] like kacang puteh!" quipped Mr Ishak who likened medicine to nuts.
Mdm Suriah and her husband, her pillar of strength
Despite the adversities that she has gone through, there remains a spark of optimism in her. "Every day, I count my blessings to be able to spend time with my husband and family. My hope is to recover from my illnesses one day, so that I don't have to stay in bed all the time, and be able to spend more days with my loved ones," shared Mdm Suriah, with a determined look on her face.
On days that Mdm Suriah's motivation level dips low, Mr Ishak has a secret to keep his wife's spirits going. "I will tell her – "Up! Up! Get up!" And she'll get out of her bed quickly," he shared with a grin.
But Mr Ishak admitted that there would be days when he felt scared – at the thought of death and being separated from her. "No matter what happens, I know I have to be strong for her. As long as we live another day together, I will take care of her for as long as I can," he assured Mdm Suriah, with his hand tightly clasped together with hers throughout the interview session.
Mdm Suriah and her husband, Mr Ishak, with their two adorable grandchildren
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Your Gift Brings Hope
Heart disease is a lifelong battle for most patients. Launched in 2010, the NHCS Heart to Heart Fund has supported more than 3,000 financially needy patients like Mdm Suriah, and fund their medical treatment after they have exhausted all options.
Your gift can make a difference to the lives of our needy heart patients and their families. Give today.
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