Cancer survivor quits job to care for mum with dementia

KUALA TERENGGANU - The growing sense of hopelessness has become all-consuming for a former prostate cancer patient who had to quit his hotel job to care for his mother whose dementia has 'pushed' the family into a corner.

Having to cope with his mother's condition meant Wan Mohd Khairu Affendy Wan Sulong, 41, from Kampung Kubang Panjang here, had to eventually quit his job for the sake of his own mother, Siah Jusoh, 65, his wife and two children.

He said that despite appearing normal, his mother, who has been suffering from dementia for the past three years, often does strange and dangerous things such as forgetting to turn off the gas stove and leaving sharp tools scattered around the house.

"Though my wife is not a working, it is hard for her to monitor my mother because sometimes, she (mother) becomes very stubborn and will only listen to me. If my wife reprimands my mother, she will brood in protest and sun-bake in the heat for hours, which is harmful to her health.

"This is a matter of great concern because she suffers from severe diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said at his home in Kampung Kubang Panjang near here recently.

Because of his mother’s condition, Wan Mohd Khairu said he lost his source of income and has to rely on financial assistance from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), zakat money and generosity of the public.

In fact, he is also unable to pay the arrears of the house electricity bill which has stacked up to more than RM1,000.

"I used to work at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. But after being diagnosed with stage three cancer, I had to stop work since I often took sick leave. At the same time, I also often shuttled back and forth to the village because of my mother,” he said.

"To make matters worse, I too suffer from serious diabetes and need to inject myself with insulin four times a day. To be honest, I am not able to do heavy work because I tire out quickly and have no energy."

Wan Mohd Khairu said that in such a dire situation, he is at a loss when he mulls the fate of his family due to the rising costs of living, adding that he has to fork out RM600 a month on milk, disposable diapers and his mother’s medication.

"My mother's JKM money is only RM200 a month. It is not enough for her expenses. We have not even included our children’s meals and various old debts that are overdue due to bills from illnesses. So, I have to scrounge around to cover these expenses,” he also said.

He added that his dilemma has been compounded as it also affected the education of his daughter, Wan Nur Ariana Sofia, 8, who has not been to school for five months. - BERNAMA