On the 5th of November 2011, we went to Brightvision Hospital together for the first time. Meeting Staff Nurse Gay Thor at the front of the Faith ward signified the beginning of our 6 month stint at the palliative care ward, and seeing her kindly face with a welcoming smile was an assuring sign.

The first feeling which I had when meeting the the patients of the Faith ward was one of familiarity. They reminded me of my bedridden uncle who currently resides at All Saints Home. It was not a startling sight as I had seen on many occasions the same emaciated limbs and balding heads; yet the heart wrenching emotion that accompanied it was akin to the one I experienced when I first laid eyes on my uncle as a young boy. It was just so sad that these patients had to undergo such suffering nearing the end of their lives, and it sparked off a strong determination inside of me to try to alleviate their pain and ease their passing.

We were introduced to Mr Koh, who seemed the friendliest of the lot. (probably because he was the only one awake at that time) Spending a good half an hour chatting with him, we realized that he was in some way the ringleader of his ward and would try his best to take care of his “brother” patients who were less able than he was. Although his words were conveyed in simple and unrefined dialect, the love and care which he felt for his fellow patients were felt deeply by all three of us. His strength and courage to keep on living for his fellow patients shone like a beacon amidst all the death and suffering, and it made me wonder how the world would be if there were more people like dear Mr Koh around.

Whilst interacting with Mr Koh, I noticed that there were nurses that were busy cleaning the discharged bowels of the elderly patients. The thing about them that struck me was that they never once uttered a single word of complaint when performing such a degrading task, even when the smell was almost unbearable. It clearly demonstrates their unwavering dedication to their calling, and shows just how selfless and caring each one of them is.

-- Eden Tay