The Signs We Missed—Before the Diagnosis
Looking back, I sometimes wonder—did we miss the signs?
My dad used to be a driver. He had a little tummy from sitting long hours behind the wheel. After he stopped driving, he took up gardening. He loved plants. He had green fingers, and enjoyed spending time under the sun, taking care of the garden.
He started losing weight during that period.
We thought it was because of all the movement and physical work from gardening.
We never suspected anything else.
The Day Before His Birthday
One day, just before his birthday, something felt different.
He looked very pale—almost white.
I wasn’t home that day. My brother brought him to the GP. The doctor advised that he go to a polyclinic to get a referral letter for further checks at the hospital.
We managed to get the referral the next day—on his birthday.
A healthcare staff member commented, “I wouldn’t come for checks on my birthday.”
But to me, that check-up was the best birthday gift we could have given him.
Because without it, we might have lost him without knowing what happened.
The Diagnosis
The results came back.
Colon cancer.
It had already spread to the liver and lungs.
The tumour in the colon was serious. It could have ruptured anytime.
That check-up gave us the chance to act, and to prepare.
It gave us more time with him.
Lessons from a Missed Sign
Until today, I still think about how we brushed off his weight loss.
We simply thought he was becoming healthier because he was more active.
It’s easy to miss signs when life seems to be going well on the surface.
Now, I remind people gently—observe your loved ones closely.
Notice what’s different, even if it seems small.
Sometimes, what seems “normal” may be the body quietly asking for help.
In the next post, I’ll share about how I found my role as a caregiver. How I stayed calm, focused, and present—while respecting his dignity and independence.