this is a long post. very sorry. but i think it's something we feel sometimes, esp with those we love.
Swee Chong is not only an excellent obs/gyn consultant, he also researches into cervical cancer. he's travelled to all parts of the world, either with KK Hospital (where he works) or by invitation from WHO. he's lectured and performed operations in South America, India and villages in China, as well as in Europe. i give general continents cos i can't remember all the cities, haha, never mind that it's my job to remember things.
but that night, i was furious when he said that he was invited to Tanzania (over Chinese New Year, mind you) to speak. i got furiouser and furiouser (apologies to Lewis Carroll) when he said that Tanzania was actually quite safe, WHO had assured him, etc etc.
you know what came next: how do you really know it's safe? have you been Tanzania? people would say Mumbai was safe too, but is it now? Bangkok? America? Bali? how do you know? how will you ever know? why do you have to do this??
and of course he does it because he has to, it's in his blood and his heart. i am a little angry still cos i know he will go ahead with his plans (Type A, ACS, eldest son, Teochew, conservative Bible-Presbytarian...do i stand a chance?). and i am a little angry cos i understand his decision, and i hate that!! haha.
how will we ever know? we never will, until it's done, and it's wonderful, or it's done, and it's too late. he's not a soldier going to Timor Leste, but because of the madness the world has taken on, he's become a soldier in a different type of war, where bringing change to people struck by poverty and sickness, could well bring danger to himself.
but before i drown in the unknown, i must float on what i do know.
in 2003, when SARS struck, Chong was the only KK doctor who volunteered to work at the obs/gyn ward in Tan Tock Seng. he was paired with another doctor who went unwillingly, some of them weeping. for about 3 weeks, our home was a battle zone, with him stripping of his clothes at the door and all of us being incredibly careful. his own colleagues were shocked at his decision, some even telling me that i can't know what SARS is, else i wouldn't have let him go. as i write this, i am full of angry tears still.
this is the man i married. i married him for a great number of other reasons, but this amazing, humble, fearless side came up only after. he has proven again and again that the work he believes in produces the results that he wants - greater awareness of cervical cancer, better health care, more living women.
other doctors weep and feel sorry for themselves, and protect themselves first; Chong doesn't have time to do that. i married him for better or for worse, in sickness and health, til death we part. Africa is nothing compared to what i feel for him. i still don't want him to go, but i won't stop him.
i hope you all support me in this too.
thank you for reading this.
much love.
1 comment:
Sweech is a real life Batman. You are The World's Least Selfish Wife and I am proud of you!
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