AL-FATIHAH

Maybe it was fated, yes it was fated alright... That fateful Saturday morning, he got up early. Eager to go home, took his shower, had a clean shave, dress-up and posed for prayer. Supposed to be discharged by 10 a.m.

As his usual self, the neighbours in neighbouring beds saw how happy he was that morning. Moving around with the dripper stand beside him, he never shows worriedness nor anxiety or even fear, less the emotion of pain that builds up in his chest.

Weeks before that, the feeling of uneasiness mushroomed his thought. He knew something is not right. The chest pain, the left hand getting weaker each day and difficulty in breathing has weakend him. He needs rest but the hectic days never gave him the opportunity of getting it.

So off to the hospital he went not only to get treatment but primarily to rest. His brother is already there in bed at the ICU. He made it clear to his children not to informed others of his being warded at the hospital to minimise obstruction of the rest he really needs.

True to his knowledge, he felt better after a week. But going home, has become no easy task. The pain, the sickness, greet him again and after three days he gave up and drive this time straight to the General Hospital (GH).

The doctors told him they will do whatever they can and describe the best possible treatment. Visitors were told by him that the operation that he is going through is normal. No problems will arise, and he is going to get the best doctor available in GH. So the visitors left with a very high expection that this man will survive easily.

Fate has its own way of making simple occasion into a history. The operating theater at the GH is under major renovation. They have that facility at the nearest hospital in Alor Star only. The movement, the personnel and those involve was noted down and carefully planned. Monday, 21st July was chosen as the Sultanah Bahayah Hospital would be ready to receive the patient and its group staff of doctors and nurses. And so off they went that morning.

The operation went on at four p.m. and ended at around 7 pm. A PTCA was performed on him but along the way they found he had five blocks and one of them is 100 percent. That is not good news according to the doctors. But crossing their fingers, they ask the family members present to pray for the best. The doctors after going through a vigorous time of checking all the readings which goes by the minute, only declared the next day that the patient is responding normally, and the operation was a success, but still the monitoring has to go on.

Others were informed of the success, and all are happy. Till the very last minute, the happiness was still there. Most are anxious to visit him at his home. The waiting was shortlived however.


Saturday : 26th July

The news came at around 9.30 am that he has passed away before 9 a.m. that day. The shocking news was hard to absord. The chair next to where I was standing cushioned me when I suddenly knew I've lost another brother.

Though hard to swallow, life has to go on.....

AL-FATIHAH TO MD YUSOFF BIN MD IBRAHIM, MAY ALLAH BLESSED HIS SOUL AND PLACE HIM AMONG THE FAITHFUL IN HEAVEN.