Fifty-six-year-old Mrs Lim finds it hard to navigate life without her late husband but is doing her best, one day at a time. Months after his passing, she recalled the care he received in his final months at St Luke’s Hospital (SLH).
Mr Lim, who had worked tirelessly his whole life, was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2020. His condition deteriorated in August 2023, leading to his admission to SLH for palliative care. Expressing a strong desire to return home, the multidisciplinary team worked closely with the family to fulfill his wish. First-time caregiver Mrs Lim received training from therapists on wheelchair use, transfers, and feeding, while nurses guided her on meal preparation. “Against all odds, Mr Lim made it back home after three months. I trust it was meaningful time spent with family in the comfort of his home,” said Registrar Dr Rachel Lu.
As Mrs Lim was often alone, the team arranged for Mr Lim’s admission to hospice day care. Dr Rachel remained a steady source of support, providing virtual assessments and advice on medication. “Dr Rachel was always just a phone call away, even on weekends,” mentioned Mrs Lim.
When his condition worsened in December 2023, Mr Lim returned to SLH. “He was content to return to inpatient care, knowing it would ease the burden on his wife,” observed Medical Social Worker Leong Si Jie. As his health declined, Mr Lim had a stroke, losing his ability to move or communicate. Mrs Lim noticed her husband no longer enjoyed activities like weekly patient devotions and therapeutic activities like arts and crafts or music appreciation as his strength faded.
The palliative care team continued to focus on improving Mr Lim’s quality of life through the Humanitude™ care methodology, which emphasises emotional connection. On one occasion, they wheeled him to the garden, where he enjoyed his favorite apple juice and porridge. “I’m glad Mr Lim was finally able to speak with us. We managed to facilitate closure on how he felt about coming back to SLH and if he had any unfinished business, of which there was none,” shared Dr Rachel.
In the early hours of an April morning, Mrs Lim received the news of her husband’s passing. “When I visited him the night before, nothing seemed amiss. I take comfort knowing he was resting peacefully when he passed,” she shared. Social Worker Si Jie and Chaplain Esther Goh attended the wake and helped Mrs Lim cope with her loss. Taking Si Jie’s advice, Mrs Lim now attends quilting classes, cycles in the evenings, and prepares to return to work. “I’m still getting used to this change in my life. Thank you, SLH, for caring for my husband and supporting my family through it all,” she added.
