Updated finance page.
There's an unpleasant theme being carried over from last month. My dad called me while I was in office. His eldest brother had just passed away in the hospital. Aged 74, leaving behind his wife, two married children and two grandchildren. Uncle H was a small built man with a healthy tan who worked the tough jobs in construction. As far as I could tell, he and my auntie went through a challenging life in raising their children. They could be considered below average income earners and Uncle H did odd jobs from his fifties after physical exertions took its toil on his weary body. Their livelihood was very uncertain and difficult. Yet, every CNY, they gladly welcomed us with a sumptuous seafood hotpot, until one year, we stopped visiting and I never saw them thereafter. That was about ten years ago. So I finally got to reunite with my cousins and auntie at the funeral. From them, it was established that Uncle H suffered from lung cancer that spread to the brain. One chemotherapy session later, he waived off further treatments and his condition rapidly deteriorated. From diagnosis to death was a mere six months. He was what a doctor call a classic case; heavy smoker and drinker since young who met his fate. Rest well, Uncle H, what's past is now over.
Then, I got to experience a surreal moment in a conversation with my wife. We were on the way to dinner and I was driving. She put down her phone after a series of texting and gave a little sigh. Our friend and ex neighbour just informed that she has stage 2 breast cancer that spread to the lymph nodes. Seriously, what is happening! She's in her late forties with two school going children. Fortunately, a treatment plan is in place and she's determined to follow through, even if it includes removing her mammary glands. There's a saying that bad news come in threes and I'm witnessing that within a month, all related to people whom I have known for a significant part of my life.
During lunch with a banker friend, he disclosed his recent medical check up results. It was part of his annual health screening that he passed without fuss for the last 20 years. This year, red flags were raised. He was borderline high on cholesterol and blood pressure but felt fair enough due to his nature of work and perhaps stress induced. What concerned him more was a similar pattern observed in blood sugar and that completed the trinity of the three highs! I could see his eyes getting a little misty, unbelieving of what was presented. He exercised twice a week, looked fit and was within acceptable weight. Absent of any signs, this was like suddenly falling into a deep hole without realization. Refusing medication, he's going to try to modify his lifestyle and watch the diet. I wished him the best.
Maybe it was coincidence that an insurance friend called me. We met up for coffee and she began by warning me that a newly revised policy on Medishield for cancer claims had been implemented. In short, coverage was restricted to MOH's cancer drug list and within individual claim limits. So a consumer has to decide whether to buy additional cover. My thoughts are the claimable amounts were too little and cancer seemed to be prevalent, even if medical advances meant bigger recovery possibility when detected early. Without hesitation, I purchased the Singlife Cancer Cover Plus (for my wife and I) which has an annual claim limit of $1.5m and allowed any medication. The official business was done and we enjoyed a great meal of rosti with ice lemon tea. I was impressed by the skillful cooking for a small cafe that focused on waffle and ice cream. My kids would love the many other delightful items and I hope to bring them soon. By the way, the name of the place is Carrara. A slight tongue twister and one that I almost mistook for the Porsche icon.
Tip: Kamimaru Junmai Daiginjo 40, good acidity, mellow scent and heavy body
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