Singapore General Hospital witnessed a bittersweet moment in 2021 when Dr Aqilah Faaiqah Haji Shamsuri fulfilled one of her late mother’s last wishes by marrying her boyfriend of two years. Tragically, her terminally ill mother lost her battle with late-stage ovarian cancer a week later.
Despite the heartbreak, Dr Aqilah’s determination and resilience guided her through medical school, culminating in her graduation from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS) this year.
Meanwhile, Dr Doreen Goh, the first NUS Medicine graduate to earn both a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and a Master of Science (Research), pursued her dream of becoming a physician-researcher, leveraging the unique opportunities offered by NUS Medicine’s Intercalated Year Programme (IYP) while caring for her terminally ill mother.
A Daughter’s Promise Fulfilled Amidst Terminal Illness
One of Dr Aqilah’s mother’s final wishes, despite being terminally ill, was to witness her daughter’s wedding. In a poignant ceremony held at Singapore General Hospital in 2021, Dr Aqilah and her boyfriend exchanged vows in the presence of their immediate families, just days before her mother’s passing.
Throughout her mother’s illness, Dr Aqilah balanced her caregiving responsibilities with her studies, even spending countless hours studying beside her terminally ill mother’s hospital bed during her final days. Despite the emotional and academic challenges, Dr Aqilah persevered and successfully graduated from NUS Medicine’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
Triumph Amidst the Struggles of a Terminally Ill Mother
Source: Aqilah Faaiqah
Dr Aqilah candidly reveals that she had to manage her terminally ill mother’s expectations, as both her mother and the family hoped for her recovery. Balancing caregiving and exams during her fourth year, Dr Aqilah faced mental and academic difficulties but managed to overcome them with the help of her clinical partner.
Dr Aqilah’s journey to medical school was marked by her mother’s late-stage ovarian cancer diagnosis during her last year in Republic Polytechnic’s biomedical science course. Juggling studies with caregiving, Dr Aqilah’s determination was further tested when her terminally ill mother’s cancer returned, requiring her to undergo dialysis and forego chemotherapy due to its debilitating effects.
Despite the pain and loss caused by her terminally ill mother’s condition, Dr Aqilah’s experiences have shaped her perspective on patient care. The support she received from NUS and scholarships allowed her to focus on her studies. Dr Aqilah’s resilience and empathy, born out of her experiences with her terminally ill mother, have sparked an interest in palliative care, where she aims to address patients’ needs holistically.
Pursuing Dreams of Medicine and Research Amidst a Terminally Ill Mother’s Battle
Dr Doreen Goh initially considered a career in research but realized her passion for solving problems directly for people during a six-month clinic assistant stint, all while caring for her terminally ill mother. This realization led her to pursue medicine while keeping her research aspirations alive.
NUS Medicine’s MBBS Intercalated Year Programme (IYP) provided Dr Goh with the chance to delve into research while pursuing her medical degree, even as she cared for her terminally ill mother. She became the first NUS Medicine graduate to achieve both an MBBS and a Master of Science (Research).
During her IYP, Dr Goh focused on studying cartilage regeneration after injury under the guidance of Emeritus Professor Lee Eng Hin and Dr Yang Zheng, all while caring for her terminally ill mother. The opportunity allowed her to develop problem-solving skills and resilience, providing a fresh perspective on her medical studies.
Conclusion
Dr Aqilah Faaiqah Haji Shamsuri and Dr Doreen Goh exemplify the remarkable strength, determination, and compassion demonstrated by graduates of NUS Medicine. Despite the challenges posed by their terminally ill mothers, these inspiring women have shown unwavering dedication to their medical journeys.
With their unique perspectives and personal experiences, Dr Aqilah and Dr Doreen are poised to make a profound difference in the medical field, serving as beacons of hope and resilience for future generations of healthcare professionals.
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