Bad News

Terrible news keeps coming. First, we are devastated daily by the senseless murders in Gaza. Then, one sixth of my favourite ensemble from Friends, Matthew Perry suddenly passed away, and yes, I am watching Friends as I type. Frequently, they are my background noise but yesterday I was equally devastated, but I had to keep calm and control myself. My friend a taxi driver that I befriended a while back told me really shocking news. I wrote about him a few posts ago when I wrote about COPD.

Matthew Perry from Ring Side Report

I have not met him for a while, that time he was ailing with COPD and frequently required breathing equipment support. So, I used his services less compared to before. But yesterday I needed help. I was going to a few places, and I am too tired to drive, having arrived early that morning from Kota Bharu. My parents were with me, and I had to be in Putrajaya for my medical appointment. In the last 2 weeks I have been using CPAP machine, the exact same model below.

Philps DreamStation

Yes, I have been officially diagnosed with sleep apnea and I need to use this machine for life. I had this mask for the last 2 weeks and when I get the machine next year, for the rest of my life.

Resmed Airfit Nasal Mask

I used to suffer from lethargy and micro sleep but while I have not felt anything, using this I am less sleepy, and I was able to make the drive from Kota Bharu to KL without feeling sleepy. I had an earlier meeting so couldn't leave earlier. It was amazing that I managed to drive in the afternoon, arriving at 1.00 am and not feeling at all sleepy. Praise to Allah for his bounties. So, the machine must have helped. Right upon arriving in KL, I woke up early to leave for Putrajaya for a meeting and my medical appointment. Then I spent time with my friend until he dropped me off at the airport.

When he told me the news it was all I could do to burst into tears. Instead, I held my cool just with thoughts thinking of such a great person with a lot of life ahead to declare that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. What is even worse is that he has mutation 20 that is not quite common and is incurable. There is no medication for this mutation. Even chemo is to lessen the impact but will not eliminate the cells. His biopsy and blood samples had to be sent overseas for confirmation. His blood samples themselves does not carry any cancer markers.

Stage 4 lung cancer

Controlling my emotions and my tone, I calmly continued speaking to him. Along the way we had breakfast and later lunch as we spoke on a variety of topics. Our conversation frequently centres on current events, politics and at times veering into his cancer diagnosis.

Stage 4 lung cancer

He almost did not survive while doing MRI. His lungs can no longer cope with the imaging ink. He has accepted it and is just doing whatever he can. I need to keep in touch with him more often. I wouldn't want to suddenly discover he is no longer contactable or available. We had plans to do things together. He was so enthusiastic about it and suddenly everything just came crashing down.

With this knowledge, looking at Gaza helplessly I returned to Kota Bharu last night. This morning I went to Pasir Puteh to present an update to the District Office followed by a meeting in Tumpat with another District Officer. Before that, while on the way to Pasir Puteh I attended a Management Meeting and returning from Tumpat I attended another Management Meeting, both online to table 2 management papers while in the car. That's progress, I guess.

Ultimately, I am grateful to Allah for an incident free journey home with my parents who are fine despite the long journey. For my son preparing to start in university next week. He is now mentally ready.

I pray for ultimate peace for all and for the best outcome for the Palestinians. For justice to prevail in the end and for the perpetrators and supporters to be dealt with severely. Insya Allah. Alhamdulillah. Ameen.