With Three Years to Live, this Grandfather Found Hope in Volunteering
What would you do if someone told you you only had a few years left to live?
Cancer forced Suhaimi bin Masohan to reflect on the kind of legacy he wanted to leave behind. In 2022, the 70-year-old was shocked to be diagnosed with Stage Four prostate cancer. He had shown no symptoms before this.
With doctors giving him about three years to live, Suhaimi fell into a dark place. He felt grief and a sense of loss over his situation. He also worried about losing his family.
Through it all, he was supported by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS). In particular, SCS’s Hospice Care nurses visited him regularly in his home and helped raise his spirits with their jovial nature.
Slowly, the former police officer and commercial diver shifted his perspective. He pushed himself to adopt a positive mindset; to remain hopeful and cherish each extra day he was given to live.
“The more down you are, the more negativity will come into your mind. Fight for it and think positive,” is his best piece of advice for other patients.
Finding Meaning Through Volunteerism
Giving back to others helped Suhaimi find the will to carry on. For example, when he was approached by Ambulance Wish Singapore (AWS) to make a wish, Suhaimi used the opportunity to volunteer and give back to organisations that have helped him and his wife.
“Why not contribute?” he has said of his collaboration with AWS. “At least I won’t think negative thoughts. I always must think positive.”
Working with AWS volunteers, Suhaimi organised a befriending session for patients at the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) dialysis centre. It is the same place where his wife, who suffers from kidney failure, receives dialysis thrice a week.
During the befriending session, Suhaimi brought joy to the patients by distributing encouraging notes as well as potted money plants which he had personally prepared.
Said NKF of Suhaimi’s initiative: “We’re blessed not just by the generosity of Mr Suhaimi but also the positivity that radiates from both him and his wife as they bravely look at death, yet resolve to live so fully until it comes.”
Inspiring Others with His Story
Sharing his cancer journey is another way that Suhaimi makes meaning in life. “I can try to encourage others who are suffering the same sickness as I am. That is my target.”
In the past year, he has done interviews with the Singapore Cancer Society; recorded a podcast with the Singapore Hospice Council on the importance of optimism, and shared his story with Berita Harian to raise awareness of AWS’ wish-granting work with terminally-ill patients.
It has been 14 months, or just over a year since Suhaimi received his fateful prognosis. And he is determined to do as much as he can with whatever time he has left.
“Before you leave this world, you must do something to benefit others, especially those who are suffering like you,” he declares. “Don’t condemn them. Don’t say, ‘Aiya, I cannot survive.’ You must continue to live through the suffering.”