Creating Lasting Legacies of Love

Madam Hajjah with Mr Abdul and SLH staff Letchemy and Esther show off her legacy projects of thumbprint art, message book and magazine collage.

With the support of the palliative care team, Madam Hajjah creates meaningful memories for her loved ones.

63-year-old Madam Hajjah has been battling stage 4 nasopharyngeal cancer for seven to eight years. The cancer, which spread from her nose to her throat, left her unable to eat and affected her speech. She endured severe facial nerve pain, nausea, and vomiting, resulting in multiple hospital stays.

For the past five to six years, her devoted husband Mr Abdul, 69, retired early to care for her at home. In July 2024, as caregiving became increasingly challenging, he was referred to St Luke’s Hospital (SLH) for inpatient palliative care.

Before her illness, Madam Hajjah led a vibrant life, offering massage and facial services to women and enjoying hobbies like creating art, sewing, and cooking. Her positive spirit remains evident at SLH, where she participates enthusiastically in activities such as Mini Café sessions, playing games and singing with other patients.

The SLH palliative care team — comprising occupational, music, and art therapists, programme executives, medical social workers, and medical staff — has supported Madam Hajjah in creating meaningful legacies for her loved ones. She completed thumbprint art pieces for her children, embedding heartfelt sentiments in the paintings to convey her love and wisdom.

She also created a message book in Malay, sharing life lessons and encouraging her family to “do good deeds until your last breath.” Additionally, Madam Hajjah planted a chilli plant as a living symbol of her love, hoping her children will nurture it as she nurtured them. She expressed her love for festive celebrations like Hari Raya through a magazine collage.

“Even in pain, Madam Hajjah brings joy to others and motivates those around her, demonstrating what it means to live with grace and kindness,” shared Senior Occupational Therapist Esther Lim. “Beyond clinical care, legacy projects help patients to express themselves socially and emotionally. Our team is always exploring new ways to honour our patients’ lives and create special memories with their loved ones, such as our Palliative Community and Family Day, customised to their interests and function,” she added.

Caring for a loved one in their final days is an emotional journey. Mr Abdul highlights the importance of living in the moment and prioritising quality of life, making every day count. Together, he and Madam Hajjah continue to inspire others with their love, courage, and devotion.

As a charity hospital, your support helps us continue providing quality care and meeting the evolving needs of our community.
Donate

Your gift enables patients needing rehabilitation, wound, dementia, or palliative care to receive essential treatment and reintegrate into their families and communities.

Volunteer
Bring cheer and uplift our patients’ spirits! Your time can make a meaningful difference in their healing and recovery.