Exploring Option Three

The journey to Singapore was relatively smooth. Except maybe I didn't quite have the appetite to eat anything, even though the coach steward served muffins, tuna sandwich and chocolate cake. The Filipino man sleeping across me in the lounge had his leg sticking out in my direction, not bothered with his daughter, and his wife who was seated next to me. The scenery along the way would be refreshing for city dwellers; expressway lined with rows of oil palm or rubber trees.


In less than five hours, the bus arrived at the Singapore Customs and Immigration checkpoint through the Tuas Second Link. If not for the heavy human traffic (mostly Chinese nationals), I think I would have reached the city centre sooner. Since the appointment with the neurologist at Mount E Hospital is at 12.15PM, there was still a lot of time but I tried my luck by going there earlier and see if I could fit in a preceding slot.




The wait for the neurologist took longer than I expected. At his clinic, a couple of other patients were waiting. What drew my attention were rows of awards hung on the wall and the many souvenirs he received in the course of his service. "Fancy and flashy." That came to my mind the whole time I was there. The meeting with the doctor was brief and his assistant explained to me in detail the kinds of treatment Mum should consider. They are definitely very pricey but I was gonna hold that decision until I have discussed with my relatives.


The journey home stirred a lot of thoughts in my head. I was thinking about the many questions I would have to answer back in KL. The ring tone on my phone turned soundtrack in the whole five hours I was in the bus. Thankfully, and surprisingly, First Coach buses are upgraded with a mini TV set on each seat so passengers get to enjoy movies and music by picking from the list on the panel - a private entertainment. By 9PM, the bus halted at Bangsar LRT station. And I didn't miss much of the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics!

Option Number Three

I received an important call from Aunt Amelia at half past eleven on Tuesday night, right after mum and I came back from Singapore. She wanted to find out how it went with the two oncologists we saw in the last two days. Actually we decided to skip the appointment with a neurologist in the afternoon because everyone was already tired and mum was concerned with the costs arising from these consultations so collectively; Aunt Tua Ee, mum and I decided to forgo the appointment.

Aunt Amelia and her husband explained the necessity of seeking professional advice from a brain specialist, at least, before deciding on what to do next. It dawned on me the next day about the relevance of their advice and that it's perfectly harmless to seek for another opinion even though it will cost a bit more. I quickly made some calls to arrange for my transportation and to arrange for a 12.15PM appointment on Friday with the neurologist from Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. The coach service that I usually take is Aeroline. To ensure that I arrive in Singapore on time, I got the 6AM coach but their SG-KL route for the afternoon have just limited seats and only the 1.30PM coach was available. 1.30PM is just too tight for the doctor's appointment so I decided to seek other options.

Called up First Coach, a coach service I used to take in the past. A male voice answered the phone. He told me 2.30PM, 4.30PM, and 6.30PM coaches are still available.

I thought to myself, "2.30PM sounds possible".

And with this arrangement, I would be able to optimise my time in Singapore and still make it back to KL early. Told the man on the phone if I could reserve a seat and collect it in a while. Left my name and phone number with him and made my way to their Bangsar office to get the ticket. So all the necessary arrangements were made and I told my aunts about it. Mum is not aware of this because I didn't want her to worry about me. She tends to be very concerned with my work and how all these will affect me. To let her worry is the last thing I want her to be occupied with.