My private home line came to life, and rang on the quiet night of 10 July 2024. It was 3 am. The call was from the Singapore General Hospital. The hospital staff told Sue that they had a matching liver for me. And that she needed to bring me to the hospital immediately within 1 hour.
The words from the hospital staff sent a jolt of adrenaline through us. At that point in time, I was languishing and teetering on the precipice of life. But, all of a sudden, I was presented with a gift of life. A second chance to live.
Just 2 months ago, in May 2024, my doctor, Dr Thinesh Lee had spoken to my wife, Sue, and my daughter, Debbie, that I cannot give up half way on my liver transplant workup. At that time, I requested the hospital to discharge me, and that, I no longer want to continue with the workup. Dr Thinesh told Sue & Debbie that if I don't finish my workup, I will not be in the queue for liver. That is, if I don't get a donor liver any time soon, I will not live beyond 2024.
While I was on my way to the hospital, my mind was a blur of racing thoughts. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. It was a contradictory mixture of hope and fear.
We arrived at the Hospital Emergency at about 4am. After a 45 minutes wait, the hospital told us that the deceased liver is not ready. We were told to go back home to get some sleep.
Later, at about 10am, the hospital called again, to ask me to go back to the hospital to prepare me for the surgery. I was swiftly wheeled away by a liver transplant coordinator, Ms Gaya, as soon as I arrived. The waiting was agonizing. But the surgical team has to ensure that the liver from the deceased person is disease-free and suitable for transplantation. They worked tirelessly. Each passing minute felt like an eternity to me. A stark reminder of the fragility of life and the immense responsibility entrusted to these medical professionals.
By evening, Ms Gaya, together with another liver transplant coordinator, Ms Quah Yue Ling, were busily preparing me for the surgery. They become the only 2 faces that remained beside me throughout my 1-year post-transplant journey. They saw with their eyes how I journeyed from being gravely ill and bedridden, with a dementia-like mind and languishing frame, to almost full recovery today.
Finally, I was wheeled into the operating room at around 8pm on 11 July for my liver transplant. If I remember correctly, the liver transplantation took a lot more than 10 hours. The operation was a success. Sue was informed of the success at about 8am on 12 July 2025.
One year later, reflecting on that life-altering night and the subsequent surgery, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of awe and thankfulness. In the recent 2 months, I started to recall the events on that momentous day. I could remember vividly my emotions then and everything that happened on 11 July. All these emotions and memories were buried deep somewhere in my mind, and I have not shared them with any single person.
The 1-year post-transplant journey has been very challenging. I was saddled with agonizing pain, immobility, a loss of memory, frustration, and the many side effects from the medications. I was languishing and in a deep slump.
The days that followed were filled with medications, lab tests, scans, emergencies, physical rehabilitation, and reviews by my liver team, endocrinologist, and kidney specialist. And throughout the whole year, I have quietly done plenty of emotional processing on my part. For the first 8 months (from 11 July 2024 to early April 2025), I was immobile, and my physical & mental states were completely off. But, by mid April to end April, I could feel that my physical and mental states started surging back to power. I started to recall things, events, the doctors, nurses, and the people in my life. I started to walk without my wheelchair and walking stick. I no longer need my diapers. I can dress myself and go for my medical appointments on my own by public transport. All these become possible because of the dedication of the medical team from SGH. Now, I live each day feeling grateful and filled with gratitude to all the medical staff and my family. I now live with renewed purpose, cherishing every moment and striving to make the most of the precious gift I have been given.
On 12 June, I have my 1-year post-transplant appointment with my liver team. This is a crucial milestone for all transplant patients. The original appointed date was supposed to be 10 July. But because my blood & urine tests done on 2 June have shown some severe complications to my damaged kidney, the liver team decided to advance my appointment date earlier out of urgency.
To me, the appointment, which is to review my condition, was like a get-together. Consultant Dr Chanda Ho, Transplant Coordinator Ms Quah Yue Ling, Pharmacist Ms Yee Mei Ling, and a lady doctor whom I have seen many times but am unable to remember her name, were at the review. They were all very astonished, happy and excited to see that I have recovered very well - on my own without Sue's help, without the wheelchair or walking stick, and looking good.
