Goodbye dear uncle...

Today is the funeral of my late uncle Syl. He passed away last Tuesday due to stage 4 cancer. It was really a heartbreaking day for all of us, as he is a really nice and good person. Very friendly and playful. We really felt his absent now.

Earlier, he was diagnosed with ear cancer 30 years ago. He has undergone chemotherapy and has survived. But, it relapsed back since 2017 where he felt something blocking his view. He ignored it as he didn't feel any pain. Until one day his family and relatives force him to seek doctor for further investigation. After few investigations, it was confirmed that he has stage 4 cancer that spread from his right eye to nose and his frontal skull. The doctor suggested removing the cancer but his eye and frontal skull need to be removed. He agreed, and on October 2017, he undergone the operation.

As usual, every operation there is always some complication, so to my uncle. He was in and out of hospital as his suture keep infected. His blood pressure also suddenly going down. Of all the ups and down, he managed to survived. But again, after scanning done after a few months later, the cancer has spread to his left eye. The doctor suggested doing radiotherapy, as operation to remove the cancer is not safe for his condition. But, the radiotherapy might cause  him to lose his eyesight. Even he knew that, he still agreed. After a few cycles of radiotherapy, his condition change and his eyesight has gone. The doctor stopped his radiotherapy at once, and they decided he is only for palliative care for now.

17th July 2018 nighttime, my cousin called to tell us that his dad has passed away at palliative care ward. We immediately rush to his house to help them to clean and prepare their house before his body arrived. It was really a quiet and mourn night. Everybody was so quiet and you can see the sadness in their faces.

When the body arrived, I look through his face. His face was so calm, just like he is sleeping. I can see he is free from pain and misery. I feel so relieved seeing him with his face like that. At least we know that he is in peace now.

All their family members were crying out loud and you can see from their eyes, they were so suffering. They can't accept it yet, although they know this will happen to their dad in any time. We calm them and give words of courage to comfort them. We help them everything they need to prepare that night. Lastly, we had our rosary prayer and heading back home at 3.30am.

So today, is the day for all of us especially their family members to say goodbye to my uncle. He will lay to rest near his parents grave in Penampang, Sabah. After funeral mass at Holy Nativity Church in Penampang Sabah, we proceed to his final resting.

Good bye my dearest uncle, May you Rest In Peace with no burden and pain anymore. 🙏

Till we meet again uncle 👋

me @nytrie