Article: D-DAY- No free surgery for me
This is so heartbreaking, I’m actually fighting back my tears. St. Vincent Medical Centre is unable to cover the cost of my surgery this time because they’re under a new leadership and facing some financial issues. However, the surgery counselor was able to get me a package of US$28,600 for surgery fees and 6 day of hospital stay. But I’ll never be able to raise such an enormous amount. Our Malaysian Ringgit is still so weak! I’m seriously doomed. RM108,000+ for 20 years of my hearing!
And it’s not just my hearing that I’m trying to save, but also my facial nerve and balance nerve. If I have the tumour removed in Malaysia, I will suffer from facial paralysis, my balance nerve will be sacrificed and I will be deaf in an instant. The House clinic associates are the only doctors in the world familiar with decompression to buy time for my hearing and save me from facial paralysis. But it’s all hopeless now.
*sigh* The government should be focusing on other things, but they don’t. They should send our government doctors for training abroad and alleviate the bloody IPTA admission quota, so more qualified students can pursue medical studies at cost. And when is our Malaysian Ringgit going to increase in value so that surgeries in US won’t cost a bomb for us? Neurofibromatosis is such a dreadful illness.
88 Comments so far
Yvoone, I don’t know how to put this in the nicest and gentlest way. But I would like to say, Keep the faith that something good will come. When you hit a blank wall, there is nothing to lose so grab the last straw, i.e. faith. Think how you can go around this? Are you willing to publicise for help? Because I am sure there must be some good samaritan/s out there. And what I want to say most - f*ck those things that made you angry. Forget them, anger made your judgements bad only. As cliche as it sounds, I will keep you in my prayers and I am sure many are praying for you as well. Believe. *hugs*
i’m sorry to hear about your condition.. is there a way to raise funds? i’m sure once made known, good-hearted samaritans could help =)
[...] The top one is a donation box to ask my readers to part with some of their hard earned cash to help Yvonne Foong, who hsa Neurofibromatosis. She needs US$ 28, 600 for her surgery. I’m in the mean time, attempting to get her paypal link to put there. [...]
Really feel sorry to hear about this, I sincerely hope that things will work out fine. Have you tried looking at other options like S’pore, Australia or maybe even India (medical tourism, I’m not sure how good and cheap it is). It’s a very specialised medical procedure, but I think these countries have the doctors for you, most probably much cheaper than the States.
In Dory’s words in Finding Nemo, just keep swimming..just keep swimming…
Hey girl…
Really sorry about what you are going through right now. I might not know what it feels like but I feel your sadness in the post.
I hope everything will be alright soon and just believe that everything will be fine and have faith, kay.
And I agree with Reta, maybe you should try raising funds and I am sure there are a lot of good samaritans out there that can help you.
Just chill about the NEP although it’s hard and we cannot do anything about it and we can only wish that they have better minds rather than bullshitting all the time.
May you feel better soon. *warm huggies to make you feel better*
Yvonne, email me the code. TQ
Lilian Thank you for your prayer, I sure need it badly. I have faith in God too. But it’s human nature to worry, and so I can’t help it. This happen in such a sudden. I have no preparation at all.
Reta I believe there is. But RM108,000 is not a small amount. I’m hoping that I would be able to.
dreamer idiot I haven’t looked into those countries, but as far as I know, no one can avoid the facial nerve other than Dr. Friedman. As for india, well it will certainly be cheaper over there. But whether or not they’re able to remove the tumour while sparring the facial nerve is a big question mark. There are many doctors out there who dare to say they can, but they actually can’t. Then there are those who charges much more, and even twists some facts to mislead their patients. It happened to my friend before.
Kyels Thanks for the kind words.
yes, blame the government, seriously blame isn’t going to help anyone, you can curse the sun, the sky, the moon or even that fat apek that lives near my place, but the point is, suck up the blame, and do something about your predicament instead of whining, write to people, papers and shit, save money, sell your house, easy for me to say? What is a goal without effort? You fail to highlight effort on your part, because i’m not going to hunker up and give you money because i feel sorry. Seriously, i hate beggings, because you’ll be no more than the people you hate, asking for handouts.
You, my friend, truly have no compassion. She doesn’t need such condemnation. She needs support.
One day, when you get struck down with a crippling illness, then let’s see whether you can handle it as well as she has.
Arrogant prick.
Empire 23, Yvonne was not complaining or whining, per se. She was just voicing her opinions and observations. And, frankly from my reading of it, she was being objective in her personal observations and comments. Critically objective.
And, furthermore, this is her blog, and Yvonne has the right to post whatever she wants to write on it. Pardon my bluntness, but you chose to read it, you were not forced to read it.
Volenti non fit injuria, on your part.
If anything, Yvonne needs our support; she’s been really strong in hanging through all that NF has brough her, she does not need cynicism or derision.
Whatever happens, Yvonne, you have my moral support, and my prayers are with you. Hope you get what you need, you deserve good things coming your way! Ganbatte, and take care, Yvonne!
Let every true worshiper
of the LORD shout,
“God is always merciful!”
When I was really hurting,
I prayed to the LORD.
He answered my prayer,
and took my worries away.
The LORD is on my side,
and I am not afraid
of what others can do to me. - psalm 118:4-6
God will make a way =) but, of course, u can’t leave just sit there and wait for Him to do all the work! =D
Hang in there, praying for ya!!
Hey Empire23,
Yvonne is clearly not blaming the Government and why are you here in her territory hitting her back?
You’re just a prick and imagine you’re in her shoes and you are goddamn it SICK! What would you do and how do you go about? And if you are truly sick, don’t let me see you begging for help through the media because I will definitely not help you, Mark my words.
Aha. Goal without effort huh. And you’re asking her to sell her house? How lame could that be? If you are a man with conscience you will not say that.
She is not begging and she is just highlighting her plight and what is so wrong with that? Yeah, maybe cause you’re living a nice, and luxurious life and you’re not sick at all. That is why you have the power to say that but honestly, you’re just a jerk.
Yvonne,
Just be tough alright. I am sure everything will work out fine for you. And God is there to protect you always and have faith.
Just ignore that arrogant prick, just like what John labelled him.
Karma and he will get it back.
*hugs girl and feel better soon alright*
Because i donate to the truly needy? Oh, how many of you take a out 200 bucks a month out of your pockets and donate to the truly needy? Do you? So now hypocracy has become the norm eh? I have no compassion, but i know in my heart there are people more deserving, people who are actually DYING! So, the dying people or the girl, pick and choose, pick the wrong one and someone dies, and the other just isn’t deaf.
yeah, and isn’t the NDP a government programme? Wow, my english must suck, reallly, yeah, when i’m dying, i’ll blame the NDP alright, no. I’d rather be signing organ donor cards.
Empire23,
You donating to the needy? Haha. I guess that must be a joke. You can criticise Yvonne but you can donate to the needy. The why not open your wallet, take out a couple of hundreds and donate it to her?
I know that you’re a well-to bloke so I guess that says it all.
A lot of people in the world deserves care and our attention. Look at the people in Iraq, Bosnia, and the latest addition, Sudanese. I know they are dying and you don’t have to remind us that there are people in the world who are actually DYING.
i know which needy to donate to, that’s the point of it all! I have the money, but i donate it in a mindful manner, who? Girl or dying kid? My conscience doesn’t even need more than a nanosecond to decide that.
Well, yeah.
You have a lot of conscience.
Both are living beings why should I choose? Both are humans. Again, why should I choose?
You know which needy to donate to but you can’t even be a polite gentleman. Hitting her back in her own territory.
So is she not in need at all? Hello, it’s NF. At least have the conscience to be nice to her and not rude.
so that’s all you can muster? me being rude? how about the earlier compassion? died? Both are humans, but one is dying, and can’t even eat, sleeps on the dirt, cant even cry because her eyes have not the minerals to spare, can’t even walk because her muscles are all eaten away through malnutrition. But lastly, i need not be nice to do good, i people all day and flame them, but in the end, i have the greater good of the heart in mind.
Don’t talk to us about donating RM200 a month to save lives. In fact, don’t brag to us about how many lives you have saved. Let’s talk about how many lives you destroy with your reckless words.
You come onto the blog of a girl who is trying to spread awareness about NF, and you step on her efforts.
You throw RM200 into the world, and you think that gives you the right to behave like a brat? Being charitable is about how you conduct your lifestyle and how you carry yourself.
Going around and slamming people is charitable, is it?
You should be ashamed.
Arrogant prick.
Do not discriminate. If you want to be compassionate, be compassionate towards all.
One if one day, your flames cause someone to commit suicide? You think that’s charitable?
Empire23, perhaps you are not aware of this, but Yvonne’s tirelessly promoting awareness of NF, as a condition, and not just out soliciting donations for herself.
She’s making the first steps towards hope for others like her. Thousands of others like her, all over the world. She blogs about her condition, yes, but because it is her cause, and her desire to see all NF sufferers better, not just her alone.
1 in every 4,000 persons suffers from NF1
1 in every 40,000 persons suffers from NF2
Might seem few, but please do the math.
Yvonne’s raising awareness en masse for a condition that goes unknown.
Why are you condemning her?
Why are you attacking her efforts on her blog?
And, why are you so derisive towards sincere efforts?
You have the greater good of the hear in mind?
You are just bloody arrogant. Even if you are the leader of this country, I think we will all be dying.
Yeah, that is what I could muster because I do not want to choose and both are living beings. For your information, she needs the surgery and she may die if she doesn’t have the chance to go for that surgery.
And so you want to let her and see her die? Aww, come on she is also a living being okay. Think about her parents losing her, think about her friends and others. What would they feel.
I have enough compassion for everyone in the world. I know about the crisis in Sudan, whatever that is happening around the globe.
You don’t carry yourself well enough. You can hardly gain respect in the near future.. Because you’re just a man without honour, a man without conscience and you’re an arrogant man.
And, please do consider this.
What is donating RM 200 a month, when you brag about it.?
What is donating RM 200 a month, when you are not sincerely charitable?
A salve for an ego, perhaps?
Absolution of sin is only absolution when it is done with a sincere heart.
Hang in there, Yvonne! Must say- you don’t deserve a thrashing like this. Not now, not ever.
Yvonne, I agree with Yi Liang.
You deserve something better than this jerk in here.
And yeah, not now, not ever.
oh, NF actually kills loads of people eh, not like AIDS? wow, real good, real good, i’m here trying to highlight the fact that all compassion is equal, are your views so narrow that you see not what’s important. I see things for what they are, you’ve ever been to place where there’s no electricity or water? when people greet food like a gift from the heavens?
Being charitable is not throwing around money, it’s about throwing around effort, about raising awareness for people who really need it about being able to see the greater good in efforts, if a person cannot see the points behind these words and kill themselves, so be it, they took their own lives, like the cowards they are. Flame is insult without points or merits, i think my arguement has merits.
It’s just like getting cancer before then supporting cancer awareness programmes, shows how much you care.
If you are a great person, you don’t have to brag about the RM200 that you have donated..
You will just keep quiet and keep that in your heart because I don’t see the urge in telling the world that you have donated RM200 to some charity homes.
sincere? i’m truly sincere, i know where my money is going, to better people’s lives, and you people don’t get the the 200 bucks was an analogy right? Chalk one up for comprehension. But i look in my computer screen everyday and the TV and see people far worse off. Jerk? You just let a kid die because you donated wrongly, you’re the jerk.
you people have morality in the colour of black and white, no i mentioned it once as an analogy, so stop pushing a fallacious statement, where is your point? your factual backing? Your arguement? I make it a point to donate, granted sometimes greed gets the best of me, but i’m damn well sure that i have others more in my mind that you, why do people come rushing to her aid, i’m angered at the fact that no one put up links to the the red cross, CARE, UNICEF, the UN food programme and medicine san frontiers. I’ve seen doctors in medicine sans frontiers curse at their patients, but they still do it, treating people for no money, so which is better? Being polite or doing the right thing?
I agree with Empire23 on this issue. Whom would you donate 200 bucks. Dying children or Yvonne?
And don’t give me the crap that it’s her blog and she can write whatever she wants, that’s pure bullshit. For starters, there is still the code of conduct, legal issues, and all that other stuff. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING in life is free.
So Dead Man,
Yvonne is not a human? She is a robot? Ironic.
Incorrect, she is a less needy human.
Less needy?
Everyone including the dying children are needy people. Even Yvonne.
Why thrash her about?
Yes, less needy, do I need to give you a brain to understand that?
Dead_Man. True, Yvonne is subject to some limitations, exactly as you pointed out, but in this case, referring to this issue, such an argument does not apply.
Yvonne suffers from NF. And therefore, it’s her prerogative to write on her condition. Even more so, considering she’s taken up the torch of promoting awareness for this condition, not only for herself, but for those suffering along with her.
Derision is not what she deserves. And one can surely donate to both causes at once.
As I mentioned earlier, Yvonne’s more or less singlehandedly fighting to raise awareness for a condition suffered by thousands.
Thousands who could die unknown, to an unknown condition. Through Yvonne, they just might have the hope that their suffering would not go unknown.
Please do think about it.
Yes, I thought about it, how about you think about it, that with 28000 bucks you cuold vacinate 28000 children and save them from many, many diseaes.
I have brains alright. You don’t have to tell me that.
She may be the less needy one but still she deserve to live. And I know you’re going to say that the dying children deserve to live. Yes, we all deserve to live. Regardless we are sick or not. We desrve to live.
you can only choose 1 side here, take a pick.
Empire 23, I would like to refer to your comment “And you people don’t get the the 200 bucks was an analogy right? Chalk one up for comprehension.”
No. We honoured you with the benefit of the doubt. That you donate, and you donate such an amount.
Frankly, we can choose to do both. To help both causes.Not one or the other.
The comment that we can choose one side, is utterly irrelevant and short sighted. Supporting two causes, oes not mean we are shortchanging one.
And, please, we all may be forgetting, that Yvonne did not openly ask “please, hand me money”.
She was just voicing her opinions, re her condition. That was all she was doing. You are free to donate to her cause, if you wish, she did not force you to do anything.
Please do not forget this. And, if you have nothing good to say, please leave this blog.
seriously, choose 1. answer the question wrongly and i’ll leave and even agree to your philosophy, heck, i’ll even pledge 50 bucks to dear yvonne, i swear. Answer the question right, and you’ve just proved my point, and i’ll send them my money instead. Which is wrong and which is right, i guess you know well.
no but i guess after opening a pay pal account that’s what you damn well mean. it’s like me saying “ohhh……..my car broke down and i need money! oh gawd i need money and if you do want to give me money which i didn’t ask for, here’s a donation box”
Choose 1? I won’t! As I said, it’s illogical, wholly illogical.
Convince me, please. Put it to me as clearly as you can, please. Why can I only choose 1?
Even with the paypal account, it does not mean you are forced. It is entirely up to you, still.
Once again, please let me make it clear. I will not choose one, and just one. I will choose both.
Choose both eh? instead of 100 people dying, only 50 die and the girl is deaf, but her face is still ok. I don’t believe in half hearted jobs. but the bottom line is, did you think about them when you were reaching for your pocket? or thinking of 1 person? i laude you belief in your stance, but as can’t do 2 things at the same time can we, i’m asking you to make a simple choice, either or, or just flip a coin.
I will choose both. There is more at stake than just this “one girl”.
Her work, her efforts, her cause.
I will choose both.
Brief article near the back of the newspaper:
Frenchman arrested
BANGKOK- Police have arrested a 56 year-old man for allegedly having sex with a girl, 8, whose HIV-positive mother rented her out for $24 US each time to raise money for medical treatment, police report.
The fact that that even happened at all is so sad and wrong in so many ways. And I would imagine, for whatever amount of money this woman saved for her own medical care, it’s going to cost many times that much for all of the counselling that girl is going to need…
Moral of the story is i could have donated to someone like the girl above and probrably save her from diseases, give her a better future,life etc, and probrably a whole lot of other’s, why donate a whole lump sum of money to a specific person when i can save a whole lot of other’s.
But, however, the point is not choice. The point was an attack that came out of the blue, and was uncalled for.
Yvonne does not deserve this. Not now, not ever.
If you have nothing better to do, than try to pick a fight with someone fighting for something worthwhile, please leave.
Please, agree to differ in opinion, and leave.
This is not about NF or AIDS or all the humanitarian disasters that are happening around the world.
This is about you being rude and insulting a sick girl who is campaigning for a cause. The whole world doesn’t matter if you can’t treat the person in front of you with some dignity.
So, please don’t preach.
I guess things are getting out of hand and Yvonne doesn’t deserve to be thrashed about.
She is still a human being. A person with emotions, feelings, etc. It’s really childish to thrash her about in the first place.
*sigh*
In our current world, we put our efforts to better this world without hesitation. If we consider choosing 1 or 2, we will become too mindful and in doubt in our right causes. The main thing is just to help whoever and not to categorize them to less needy or needier. It is how much you are willing to give that matters.
You cannot shun away and not be caring for those other people that you term as “less needy” just because there are worse cases to consider. We should live life fighting to protect anyone.
There were even issues where foundations and organizations received so much aid, but could not get it to the needy. The result? The food aid expired and thrown away..
Our hands can only reach that far. We cannot track every single needy person. Whoever is within reach, just lend your strength.
My love for all.. Stay Blessed.
again, back to square 1, is this any better than begging? She even cited the NPD in her post, and yes, blaming the government, somewhat shifting the burden, she hates handouts, yet she asks for them now. I’d thrash my own mother if she were hypocrite, so, no replies besides the usual GTFO? sigh, yeah blame your medical bills on purchasing power and the government, it all makes sense on how the NDP is interelated, look, i’m no supporter of the NDP and have been blogging about it for a year, but briging it up here is just inane and pointless.
Please Helps Yvonne Foong Medical Fund
Yvonne Foong is suffering from incurable Neurofibromatosis (NF). Now, she needs a big amount of surgery fee. Please make a donation to her medical fund.
…
FINAL WORDS then Lets all LEAVE Yvonne ALONE!
To empire23,
The self-righteous tone you used to condemn Yvonne shows that you are in no way a decent person, and going to slam her efforts of rasing money for herself in fact undermines the so-called superior moral ground you stand on. Yes, the rationale of the need to donate money first to people in Niger and other parts of Africa suffering the plague of AIDS shows your social consciousness, but when you needlessly attacked Yvonne for asking for funds; mind you she did not say that funds should be diverted to her alone and not to people who are greater need than her, in fact you should know for a fact that Yvonne rasies the plight of other people who are unjustly ttreated and people who desperately need help also. Your ’superior’ moral ground falls apart from your insensitivity to another human being. hence your arrogant attack and violation of a dignity of one individual is not better than trampling on the dignity of others, because the rights of each human to be treated with dignity is applicable for all, even for one’s enemies. Indeed, more people should give to those severely deprived of basic needs (to use your crude analogy, RM 300), but they can also in addition give to Yvonne (RM50), there is nothing in wrong in that at all.
Let me repeat, Yvonne is NOT SHOUTING to the whole world saying I’m in need and help me only, she is saying I’m in need and I need help along with the other people suffering in the world that you should help also. Instead of mauling her feelings mercilessly and accusing the apathy you see in tohers for not caring for the suffering millions in the world, go ahead quit your job and work as a UN volunteer in Malaysia to raise the awareness for Africa, poor Mexicans, Australian Aborigines, AIDS orphan etc. Your anger is so terribly misguided and shows your severe lack of maturity.
Before I end, put yourself into this scenario, if your family member suffers from a terrible disease, and he/she needs a medical procedure to help alleviate her pain and suffering (Clearly you didn’t read that Yvonne’s condiiton cause her pain and disenables her to fucntion normally -deteriorating hearing and if the tumour grows blocks of certain neural function), and you didn;t have the funds for it, would you say to your family emmber, I need to raise money for the sufferings in Africa first before I raise funds for you. That, you foolishly arrogant one, is exactly what you are trying to say - yes, give money to the suffering in Africa and else where but by all means rasie money for your own family member also). [If you don;t understand the family member analogy, I'm totally sorry for you, when calling for the needs of others, you are standing in the family of all men, and Yvonne is no less i that family also]
Stop the evil that you are doing and LEAVE YVONNE ALONE. NOW!
I’m sorry Yvonne, just ignore all our comments and our insenstivity to you, lyeself included.
Everybody, Let’s leave her, OK.
still have not answered my question about bringing politics into this, but what ever, let the ignorant have their dellusions, i see your point of view and i accept it to a certain degree, now show me, can you spot the flaws in her post? well what ever the fact, i still fail to see the point i raised at the start, why got NDP and govt?
The only flaw is that you are rude. It is her opinion and even if you disagree with it, you should do it in an respectful tone.
Now stop it.
Your self-righteous tone is the problem. Why did you have to jump on her and attack her so viciously?
Whether she is a needy person or a less needy person is entirely beside the point.
The point is this:
You, as an able-bodied person with the right frame of mind, should carry yourself in a manner that is filled with integrity and intelligence.
I recommend that you reexamine the manner in which you delivered your opinion.
I further recommend that you apologise to Yvonne.
You see, you give all sorts of reasons why you are an enlightened human being.
But you do not act enlightened. You were harsh and disrespectful in your opening post. There was little need for such insultive words.
Well, yeah.
Enough said. And this is not about the Government and NDP anymore. This is about Yvonne.
If you’re a man, you should apologise for attacking her for no apparent reason.
And please, leave her alone. No point thrashing her because she didn’t do anything at all.
my prayers go with you..
Exactly right.
Look, as an enlightened human being, you should have just laid out your points and explain why you disagree in a respectful manner.
Why go all rowdy?
ok, i apologize for my tone, i’m not exempt from my flaws, so the only point is tone eh? but still, NDP, Govt and buying power, i want an explaination, not all is free, but you live with the consequences of your words, i attacked her, read my first reply for bringing politics into question, then it veered off to emo land. I’m not satified at the way she conducted her posts are you are not satisfied the way i conducted mine. I’ve apologized, now the original questions beckons, i’m not willing to let it die just yet, and yes personally to yvonne, i’d like to apologize, but as a gesture of good will, why don’t you explain your post, your obvious shifting of burden, look you think you’re a government basher? I’m far worse, but i have points, i suggest you show yours now, because i have a strange ire for people that blame their misfortune on inanimate things.
Well what ever the consequences, i’ve learned a few things, and i’m gratefull for that, but in return have you learnt anything?
empire23 Firstly the NEP and the purchasing power are not related. Just because I did not put them in seperate paragraphs, I confused you. Sorry about that.
What I’m saying is, instead of focusing on projects like the NEP, why don’t they put more efforts in improving our medical facilities? I’m sure you are aware of corruptions and all the NEP hooh haah. This cannot to be solved in one day, I know. But does it hurt to merely suggest?
Secondly, I am saying that with a higher purchasing power, surgeries abroad won’t cause as much. I did not blame the government for the low purchasing power.
And what made you think I’m blaming the government for my illness? That would be ridiculous! Did you not know that my illness is a genetic disorder, and not contagious? I’m merely saying that the government should invest more in medical facilities and better equip our doctors with the expertize they need to treat illnesses, especially Neurofibromatosis. If our neurosurgeons are more exposed and learnt, I won’t have to resort to going overseas. On my last trip to US, I did suggest that my Malaysian surgeon follow along to learn new techniques, but he remarks by saying, “who’s going to bear the cost?” Sometimes, it’s not that doctors don’t want to know more, but they can’t because their profession requires so much of their time, that they cannot afford to seek more knowledge. But with more doctors at government hospitals, they will afford to spare time to hit the books and open up their eyes.
last time i checked the NEP has nothing to do with our medical system, i would like solid numbers behind them, the economic structure that the NEP as based around is specifically designed not to touch public services, they are of different reamls, if you wish to use the fact that money could be channeled for NEP use to public services, i say not so, because the NEP is under economics, not social services, i doubt even with the abultion of NEP would anything change in terms of public services, how much does the NEP cost anywyas? Not much by my estimates and the budget set aside for bumi ed, it’s more of an equality and morals battle grounds, the government doesn actually spend much, except in the NDP’s education sector. Focusing is not what our government has been doing, under the wawasan 2020 plan, the NEP benefits are slowly being retracted instead of increased, it’s just the rambling of digruntled dumbarse bumi politicians, but it is in no way, in effect.
Most of our doctors do have the expertise, the giant gaping hole of logic is that doctors prefer private service, it’s not a matter of the government training them or not, it’s a matter of keeping them here after their tenure is over, like one government doctor in the star cited, doctors these days are lured away by money, more than anything. I don’t think it’s the government’s fault, doctors, although are just as human are after all bound by the hippocratic oath, not money, we should challenge the public stigma on doctors being rich and instead being people who help, like the attitude of most doctor’s i’ve met in the UK under the NHS. It’s an attitude problem mostly.
And as for purchasing power, i have not comment since you cleared it up. Anyways i do regret my conduct in the matter, it’s just a misunderstanding, all cleared up, you know, we all have our flares of anger and passion. Again, i cite my regret on my tone, but my points still stand, Anyway, i do see the points put up by Tan Yi Liang, he did open my eyes some what to your plight, and i respect him for that. But i’d like people to remember, that’s was one of my few points that don’t be creatures of the moment, remember those who have been suffering far longer, they may not have blogs, friends, computers or anything, but remember them each time you donate to any cause to judge it’s worthiness. Partially frustrated that no one takes up their cause.
Well that’s done, again, my apologies, i fully admit to being an unsensitive jackass and prick. I think it would aid you further if you posted an address people could mail cheques to.
PS: Dreamer idiot can shove it.
empire 23,
The government appoints a Malay contractor to handle the importation and delivery of microscopes for a government laboratory.
This contractor does not have the skills to do so, but he cleverly outsources the task to a Chinese businessman. A dishonest arrangement is soon put together.
The government trusts the Malay contractor. $100,000 is allocated for advanced microscopes from Sweden. Unfortunately, the Malay contractor and his Chinese crony decides to cheat, and orders $50,000 worth of microscopes from India instead.
When the microscopes are delivered, they are labelled as Swedish instead of Indian.
The $50,000 is split between the Malay contractor and his crony. Corruption has now damaged the government lab and the general hospital in which the lab is housed.
Multiply this by many times and you will see how the NEP disrupts medical care.
Simple enough to understand?
empire 23 I have been diagnosed for three whole years. My first surgery was a spine surgery to remove multiple tumours along my spine, that left me with several nerve damages. I was paralysed for a whoile month before I could learn to stand and walk agan. Of the only 2 other NF2 patients I know in Malaysia, one is suffering from Kyphosis after a spine surgery in SJMC and the other girl is now paralysed due to the same type of surgery.
As for the acoustic neuroma, I don’t have to explain further. To the local surgeons, Treating an acoutic neuroma is like seeing dinasour.
Being a patient of Neurofibromatosis, I have all the reason to say our most of our doctors lack experience. Ofcourse, there are always the elite fews out there.
If you say that doctors are after money, I partly agree with you. But I would also like to welcome you to visit our government hospitals. There are a lot of doctors willing to contribute to the society. I know quite a number of local doctors willing to learn more. But their time is so contrained that they can barely do anything else than spend their time in the hospital. But then again, I am not dismissing your point. Some doctors can be very money-minded. So I do my best to avoid private hospitals. After seeing so many doctors, I can actually tell which doctors are genuine and which are not. *sigh*
hei, look. yvonne has a condition, and all she’s doing is appeal to whoever she can reach out to to spare a change or 2 for her. Period.
Why go on to debate at ends about the government, or RM 200 donation analogies?
Empire23, please, having a good grasp of greater reasoning and word-play doesn’t warrant any splatter of self-absorbed and sometimes, arrogant standpoints. If you had thought that her pleas were without base, just abstain from donating if that’s what you’ve chosen. Don’t say you will pledge 50 bucks if there was sound reasoning…why? Because of the very same reason you argued…you willingly and sincerely donated each month. Donation because of sound reasoning isn’t the same. Period.
Dead_man, your nick suggests the lack of compassion you proved in your remark. Less needy? Do not segregate when it comes to such topics. They all belong in one, whether they are lacking food, to being paraplegic. I consider it a blessing in itself to have been born normal, and that the majority who were brought into this world thay way should help the not so fortunate, regardless of their plight.
My point here is this. To those who have posted offensive and sometimes spontaneous, ego-fed remarks: As some other bloggers have suggested, just leave if you have nothing nice to say and think her condition doesn’t warrant your money. Having extra moolah to trash around doesn’t give you the liberty of splattering another’s blog with hurtful remarks!!
Yvonne: My best wishes to you. God bless!!
Sorry but I just cannot even read this dialogue here from you know who. Over the past year and months I have taken a true look at the difference between living with NF2 and other severe altering conditions or death. I don’t mean to break anyone’s spirits here, but I see death as a great sense of freedom. In fact, I am not sure if it is up to me, but I have already chosen the first thing I am going to do when I die.
Some days are really hard but I try my best to live triumphantly and to hold out for my dogs, husband, and others. I have come to realize that my time here is not my own.
Yvonne I really wish the best for you. People who think NF2 is just about deafness haven’t a clue. Heck I would be joyous if that was the only result of NF2. Over the past week it feels as though someone put meat hooks into my chest and pulled on them trying to rip my heart out. I feel guilty for saying such when I know others suffer much worse than I have. What is more agonizing is not knowing what is next or if things will improve or get worse. But that is just me and losing who I was (not talking about deafness).
Never lose hope and don’t let others get you down. Remember the saying “What comes around goes around.” It took me a long time to understand the meaning behind the phrase. Someone who broke my heart long ago made that statement to me and at the time it seemed it that it did not make sense. It took years to understand the full context.
Or if you have seen “Harold and Kumar” I like the quote “The world has a way of unfolding as it should.”
By the way, I have been very impressed by your support and fundraising for other people of need and charities that do not even relate to NF2. Obviously some people only look at the surface and not the entire package.
Replying to John Ling again, cronyism seeping into the medical service, sometimes i question the hate warrated by such a subject, most people assume that this shit happens right under our noses, and maybe it does exist but to flog it into a subject so far from the point is what orignally ticked me off, yes, it has it’s effects, but to think about it, the NEP actively affecting medical services? it’s that lack of rationality that i dislike. No doubt it’s connected, but to draw aline is going to take far longer.
Yes, they’d like to learn. obviously the major problem is, how can you send doctors to learn, when the majority of them have left for higher paying jobs? and the ones that are left shoulder all previous obligations, it’s a sad state, we can’t blame the the government for everything, although honest to god i would love to do so, but it’s more society’s fault, we constantly prod that doctors will be rich, doctors will be respected, doctors will drive fancy cars and all that, seriously nobody to blame but ourselves for this problem, we should challenge the stigma, and make a grassroots difference.
empire23 I think this is a very interesting topic that we’re talking about. I’m keen to find out the true reason, as to why government service is not favourable. But before I find that out, let me just share with you my observation.
In GHKL, there are probably more than 10 neurosurgeons, but only 2 or 3 are deemed ‘qualified’ to operate on patients. The rest just follow-up with patients, and carry out orders. My surgeon is the head of department (which proves to you how severe NF2 is). And based on what I observed, when a operative surgeon leaves, a more junior doctor will move up in rank and overtake that surgeon’s position, and an even more junior doctor will take up that junior doctor’s position, and so on and so forth. But sometimes, doctors from other government hospitals are called to fill up empty spaces instead.
My point is, they seem to have this weird system whereby, it’s nearly impossible to move up the ladder, unless they seek greener pastures elsewhere.
Faces at the GHKL neurosurgery department changes so often, and I also recall seeing some doctors remaining where they are for years. The system in government hospitals are a lot more different and possibly complicated than we thought it is.
I’m not trying to argue about anything over here, but this is something that we ought to think about. I doubt that the low pay is the only reason why doctors prefer to privatise. If you have any clues, by all means, please share with us.
um… yvonne,
should we just close the comments and stop paying heed to the apathetic one.
empire23: you are entitled to your free speech, and that is kewl. Sometimes it is good to step out and look at yourself because no matter how intellectual you want to portray yourself to be, everyone here sees it as you being a jackass. Don’t worry about saving Yvonne, try saving yourself first. It is not too late for you! If you know what is good for you, then stop posting and start reflecting on what is ‘charity’ and what ‘true charity’ should be.
As for Yvonne. She is a child of God and she can accomplish anything. This is her journey in life, and at the moment it may seem riddled with setbacks but then again no one knows what the future will hold. What may seem as bad is really the beginning of good, but we can’t see it as yet. This too shall pass.
About NEP and medical services, I am of the opinion that because of the NEP, our hospitals and medical facilities have been able to reach out to more people. The Government spends a lot of money on improving medical facilities and building new ones. Last year was a hospital year. We had 4 major hospitals completing costing 1/2 a billion ringgit each.
What we lack is human resources for these facilities. That is probably why the NEP failed in some ways. Malaysia suffered a braindrain and continues to do so. We can’t fault the doctors for not coming back, they are probably going well in whatever positions they are in abroad.
But as a third world country, Malaysia is doing quite well in taking care of its people. It isn’t a developed country yet, but our healthcare is definitely top notch when placed next to all our neighbours besides Singapore and Brunei.
gawd…there’s too many comments in here for me to say even a single word!!
but seriously…empire23, sometimes donating money is not everything. yea…money is important n seein’ from yvonne’s level, i’ll say its really important. but u’ll have to realised that even if u donate a million dollars…the moral support for a person is way more important. a person that gives up hope would die even though u give the best treatment found…the will power is not there to survive.
i’m not a person that donates…n i’ll be frank bout that. this though doesn’t meant i dont care bout what’s happenin’ around me. because i do not have the cash, i’m using my free time teachin’ kids that do not even know language…
oh yea…stop my crapping now!!
neways…Yvonne, i’ve known u for a few years of my life. n remembered the time when u just got diagnosed??? how ally n I was scared…u’re not alone n will NEVER be alone.
i’m really sure u’ll get through this stage. remember what the fortune teller said??? u’ll get married…u’ll have kids….! don’t give up hope…u’ve hold on to this for so long…just hold on a little longer. god’s lookin’ at u…ur aunt’s lookin’ at u…they wont want someone who give up that fast.
take care alright. if there’s anything, just drop me a line, will get back to u ASAP. love ya gal *hugz n kissez*
Clearly, the Scriptures reveal that God is able and willing to heal the sickness of His people. “I am the Lord who heals you.� But what happens when sickness continues and healing does not come? God is able to keep us brave when not blithe, aware of His presence even though not abounding with vitality. God does not always heal, and no matter how we may rationalize this fact, we must see there is an element of mystery about the subject of healing. No one knew or has ever been more conscious of the problem of why God does not always deliver us from our afflictions than God’s servant Job. He asked numerous questions of the Almighty but none of them, in fact, was answered. Instead God gave Job something better – a richer and deeper sense of His presence.
Healing may not come, but God’s strength always does…�He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.� And yet more strength…�So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you…�
Dear Yvonne and Rebecca, God may not give you clear answers as to your plight, and whether you will be healed or not. But He will, if you let Him, give you a richer awareness of Himself. Nothing can be more wonderful than that.
Be encouraged, and never lose hope. Take good care, and God bless!
no, donating money is never the absolute answer, so is donating good will and sympathy, good bollicks it’ll do for your sick friend, what we need is concious effort, i believe God doesn’t change the fate of man, lest he tries, there is no diseases that God has not provided for, it’s my belief that effort, not words, change things, to me true charity is sincere effort, i hate it when people bleat charity, yet no raise a finger to do jack, who is the hypocrite here, me? Because if i donate a million dollars and said F U to that person, it doesn’t matter, her illness is cured, my words can do no harm, but my efforts can help. Who is more apethetic here, people who do nothing? or people who put out effort?
On the point of the NEP, Yes obviously the brain drain has taken it’s toll, seriously, i’ve contemplated leaving this place, but i realized i’d be no better than a coward if i didn’t better my lot, that’s the mentality people should have, to put in effort to instigate change, we can’t expect the government to change, but we can, maybe that’s the subconcious point of contention, our mindsets.
empire23 Yes, you are right. Charity doesn’t come without effort. That’s why Yvonne is standing up and admitting her illness to the world. If you have an incurable illness that disfigures you badly because tumours keep growing in your brain, spine, and anywhere else in your body, will you still have the strength to face the world?
Will you be able to pen down your countless surgeries and lay out all the facts about this illness into a book, to spread awareness, just like Yvonne is doing?
In the midst of battling with a rare genetic disorder, will you still have the energy to join events like blogathon to raise money for charity?
With multiple disabilities and about 20 tumours all over your body waiting to be removed, will you still care to appear on TV to talk about your illness to educate the public? Are you willing to use yourself as an example, go under the limelight and ditch dignity, to make a difference in this world?
Just because she is an individual, does not mean she doesn’t need our help. If she gets to maintain her hearing, Yvonne will able to speak about her illness to billiuons of people out there. If her mobility is not affected, she’ll be able to personally help other people in need.
On the other hand, if she’s deaf, she will be dependant on other people to help carry out tasks for her. Her awareness campaigns will become a big challenge.
Empire23, what you fail to see is the outcome of a single charity. Let’s make a comparison. Donating to Yvonne who will reach out to thousands of people suffering in Malaysia, or to a thousand people who might not bother contrributing to society? I’m not saying that we shouldn’t bother donating to such charities, but people like Yvonne requires our attention as well.
Is asking donations for surgery, not a way to helping herself? She could just live in denial, let the tumour eat out her brains and die. Is that what you’re saying? How can she help other people, when she can’t even help herself? Obviously, she needs to maintain her abilities before making a difference in this world.
Maybe it’s just me, i can’t think of 1 person. But you do put up a few good points in the light of so, maybe your words may change me for the better, maybe not, but i’ll certainly keep them in mind. But i’ve seen countless replies, but that paypal meter is still at zero, apathy hides itself in kind words, just like how that man on the road died, because even though everyone gave their sympathies, none took the effort. It’s many fronts i fight on, but people don’t realize that the way words are projected doesn’t matter it’s the points they hold. I’m angered at many facts, simple ones, like how politics got into this, or the fact that have we forgotten them and even maybe the morality compassion, well i do thank you for not bringing out the GTFO rhetoric and was patient in turn. But still, i’m a pragmatist, and my philosophy is so as unfortunate to most as it may seem.
whats the use of donating if u’re not donating with ur own heart n sincerity?? so what if its cure?? do u think it’ll make the world a happier place with an attitude like that??? do u even think god will appreciate a person like that???
in moral..or even in agama (tasawwur islam that’s it)…we learn to help one another sincerely. not by force…
though..yea its ur money n u use it to donate to others..but doesnt make u a person if u do it just to cure people n that’s it. if u want to do something..do something deep from within the heart…not from money only….it doesn’t mean everything!
Hi Yvonne, sorry to hear about what is happening and am even more sorry that you have to listen to all this argument about one simple issue. Will pray for you continuously. Have faith and be sure of your friends and community to come around when you are in need.
Regarding this issue, the answer is simple. Yvonne is asking for help, whether you donate or not, is your own choice. However, the fact that she has asked for help means that she has done her part, our part is to answer the call for help in whatever means possible, may it be monetary, physical or spiritual. When you consider things such as other people dying overseas, whether AIDS or wars or famines, you are not looking at the person who is directly in front of you needing help. If you see a sick dying person in front of you needing help, asking directly towards you with sincerity for help, would you stand there, think about the other people overseas before you kick him/her away and donate the money elsewhere ? Where is the humanity in that? Wouldn’t you give the money to the person who is asking for it, in front of you right now?
Regarding the choice? My pick is simple, Yvonne. Not because I don’t care about the thousands of people, but because I know one thing, Yvonne is the one in front of me now, asking for help and I won’t step aside and give what help I can elsewhere when someone in front of me is needing it. Besides that, Yvonne is reaching out not only to those with NF, but also to those who do not have NF to raise awareness. We know about AIDS, we know about Wars and Famines, but what many people, including us before we read this blog do not know is NF. To cure or prevent a disease we need to first know about it and people like Yvonne is the kind that would begin that realization among our society.
Please leave me and what I said out of this discussion but that is all I really want or need to say. Yvonne, hope you get well soon, do not let this small boundary stop you, remember that you have friends around you and even in places you have never been before. I will continuously pray for your well being and also for funding. God Bless.
Just shut that dude fucking up. don’t need a pest lurking here.
i think everyone needs to stop adding fuel. those of you who mean well, take a deep breath instead of typing another what you perceive as blistering comeback.
there is an obvious disagreement blowing OUT OF CONTROL here and nothing you say will change the other’s mind.
yvonne, i’m sorry to hear of the situation you’re in. do consider other options, ie hospitals, as was earlier suggested. you don’t have to choose those, but at least give yourself the benefit of having done the necessary homework.
[...] spot @ D-DAY- No free surgery for meReta @ Bilateral Acoustic Neuroma and NF2Reta @ D-DAY- No free surgery for meKyels @ Bilateral Acoustic Neuroma and NF2Sh@dow @ D-DAY- No free surgery for medJcarmen @ D-DAY- No free surgery for meempire23 @ D-DAY- No free surgery for me [...]
[...] I just found this out about a old friend - Yvonne Foong, who has Neurofibromatosis Type II (look, I didn’t refer for spelling while typing!), and as a result is losing rather rapidly her hearing. This is so heartbreaking, I’m actually fighting back my tears. St. Vincent Medical Centre is unable to cover the cost of my surgery this time because they’re under a new leadership and facing some financial issues. However, the surgery counselor was able to get me a package of US$28,600 for surgery fees and 6 day of hospital stay. But I’ll never be able to raise such an enormous amount. Our Malaysian Ringgit is still so weak! I’m seriously doomed. RM108,000+ for 20 years of my hearing! [...]
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