KUCHING: A 61-year-old man suffering from a rare brain disease has been referred by a social worker at Sarawak General Hospital to Hope Place Kuching for special milk supplements.
The patient, Thien Chin Loong, who resides at Taman Bengoh, Mile 10, lives with his wife and four children.
He has endured a harrowing year, being in and out of hospital while fighting for his life.
Thien was diagnosed with schwannomatosis, a rare disease that attacks the nervous system and affects the spine. He has also suffered muscle loss, chronic pain, and frequent body tremors.
In 2023, Thien underwent brain surgery to remove a tumour. Earlier this year, he faced further complications after contracting a lung infection and pneumonia, which led to six months of hospitalisation.
During that time, he slipped into a coma for several months before finally being discharged in June.
Now at home, Thien is conscious but unable to speak and is bedridden. He relies on tube feeding and oxygen support, with special milk supplements taken every three hours as his only source of nutrition. On average, he consumes three cans of the milk per week.
Once an electrical appliance supplier, Thien stopped working 10 years ago due to illness. Two of his younger children are still in school, while his eldest daughter, Yuan, 27, resigned from her job to care for him during his hospital stay.
His son, Pou Enn, 25, is now the sole breadwinner, working as an accounts clerk to support the family.
In the meantime, Hope Place Kuching is extending support by providing him with the required milk supplements.
For enquiries, members of the public may contact Hope Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching at 082-505987 or 013-5672775.
Donations are also welcome and can be channelled to Maybank Account 511289001160, with contributions helping to ease the burden faced by Thien and his family.
