39. Brush With Death

In 1993, father Chung Chow was very ill for some time. He had lost weight considerably. He was very thin and weak, and his cheeks were sunken. Even his skin had lost it's light brown glow and had turned to a dull, darkish complexion. The many private doctors he had consulted told him that it was just a case of "old people illness" - a general term commonly used to describe the various ailments associated with old age. They just gave him some medication to ease his pains.

Fortunately, he met a young Dr. Lee who is no stranger to him as he is the son of the charcoal shop proprietors who lived down the road. His diagnosis was more thorough and he suspected that father could be suffering from a lung infection and advised him to have a complete check-up and x-ray at the hospital.

Initially, our father was quite reluctant to do what the good doctor advised. He had never experienced any serious ailments before and the thought of staying in a hospital frightens him. He felt it was too troublesome, not for himself, but for others who would have to look after him. He said it would make no difference if he gets well or not for he was almost 78, and about time he join his ancestors. However, the following incident changed his mind.

One afternoon, while father was dozing in his easy chair in the hall, he dreamed that an old scholarly man came up to him and gave him a message. He had long flowing white hair and beard trailing behind him as he appeared just outside the doorway. He was riding on a big white horse and accompanied by a troop of soldiers. They were dressed in traditional clothes of the Ming Dynasty. He told father in a loud voice that his time was not up yet and that he must go the hospital to be cured.

Father awoke and related this incident to mother who was very much relieved and hopeful. Heeding the old man's advice, they went to the hospital the next day for a check-up and more tests. The doctors confirmed that father had contracted tuberculosis, and the hospital has all the necessary drugs to treat him.

The treatment was a long and painful process and mother had to accompany him to the hospital every day to receive his medication. This procedure lasted for more than a month. Fortunately, they had arranged for a taxi to ferry them to and fro the hospital. The taxi driver was a fellow clansman and he diligently fulfilled his duty without fail each day.

Eventually father recovered from his illness and mother nursed him back to health again with her tender loving care and devotion.

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