A visit to palliative care ward

Charity Hai (front row, second left) and the team often make patients’ last wishes come true.

May-December romance in sunset years

Over the years, the palliative care ward is the breeding ground of countless touching stories. Here is one of them. Ms Chan (pseudonym), an old lady over 80, was diagnosed with pelvic cancer. Widowed at young age, she fell in love with Mr Lee (pseudonym), who was 20 years her junior. They each have their own children. Mr Lee proposed to Ms Chan many times but she declined because she believed that marriage can take place only once in a lifetime. Yet she was finally convinced by Mr Lee’s niece and agreed to marry him. The wedding, which took place in the palliative care ward, was prepared and witnessed by all ward staff. Charity Hai, Ward Manager of the OLMH Palliative Care Ward, recalls, “Ms Chan became more lively than usual on the wedding day. She even teased Mr Lee a lucky man, finally had her as his wife. They enjoyed a happy and sweet afternoon.” Ms Chan passed away on the next day, yet they had seized the chance to treasure their precious memories. It made her last days count.