In August 2023, my world changed. The doctor’s words hit me like a wave: early-stage Alzheimer’s. Kathryn, my wife, sat beside me, still smiling, her eyes not fully understanding the weight of what had just been said. I nodded, asked questions, and took notes. But inside, I felt like I was drowning.

Alzheimer’s isn’t just about forgetting names or misplacing keys. It’s about time, time slowly slipping away, one memory at a time. But I wasn’t about to let this disease define us. We had a life built on love, shared laughter, and countless memories. That’s the story I wanted to keep telling.

Kathryn and I have always been a team. We still are. She still runs, still laughs, still holds the same spark I fell in love with. But there are moments, when she asks the same question for the third time in an hour, when she forgets something we talked about just a few minutes ago. In those moments, reality sets in. And I won’t lie: it’s terrifying.

So, we made a plan. We built a support system, friends who understand, and a group of husbands like me who meet every month to talk about the challenges of caregiving. Together, we vent, share stories, and remind each other that we’re not alone. We made arrangements for long-term care, discussed finances, and had the difficult conversations with our kids. Facing the future head-on became the only option. Denial just wasn’t on the table.

Today, we’re still walking this road together. Caregiving isn’t just about patience or sacrifice. It’s about love. True, unwavering love. The kind of love that holds on even as memories start to fade. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but there’s one thing I’m certain of: I’ll be there, every step of the way.

When my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, our family faced a difficult journey. The man who had always been our pillar of wisdom and strength was slowly losing his memories, and with each passing day, his world became more unfamiliar. It was heartbreaking to see him struggle to remember my name, yet in rare moments of clarity, he would recognise me with a warm smile. Those brief connections became my greatest source of comfort.

Caregiving was not just about managing his daily needs. It was an emotional test of patience, resilience, and love. There were days when exhaustion took over, especially as his condition worsened. He would grow agitated, confused, and at times, unresponsive to my attempts to soothe him. Balancing his care with my own responsibilities was overwhelming, but I refused to give up.

I sought help by joining a caregiver support group where I found comfort in the shared experiences of others. Attending workshops gave me practical skills to navigate the challenges of Alzheimer's, and I learned the importance of self-care. Taking moments for myself allowed me to be stronger for him.

Despite the struggles, this journey was filled with love and meaning. It taught me that true strength is not just about enduring hardship but also about finding hope in the smallest moments. My grandfather may not always remember me, but I will always remember the love we shared.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was one of the toughest years of my life—not only was I battling illness, but I was also facing personal struggles at the same time.

The treatments were grueling, coming every two weeks, yet life didn’t pause. I pushed through every ounce of pain, holding on for my children and the life I still wanted to live.

I chose not to share my struggles with many friends—not because I didn’t trust them, but because I didn’t want pity or sympathy. At that moment, I just needed space to fight my own battle.

Now, four years later, I am cancer-free. I am healthy. I am busy living the life I once fought so hard to keep. Grateful beyond words!

Throughout this period, I wouldn’t have imagine how I could have pulled through without a cancer insurance! It is indeed like an umbrella that I carried around that kept me dry when I never expect it to rain!

Diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in January 2024, Samuel faced a life-altering journey. Only 35-years-old at the time, he underwent nine months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to treat his blood cancer, while navigating the loss of his job due to company redundancies.

Determined to rebuild his career after treatment, he upskilled himself and connected with Singapore Cancer Society for work reintegration support. He embarked on an intense job search, attending 30 interviews and experienced anxiety over how his illness would be perceived by potential employers. Despite physical and emotional challenges, including the lows of chemotherapy, Samuel emerged stronger.

 This January, he started a new job in human resources and has resumed an active lifestyle, exercising regularly and playing basketball.