In happier times: Chef Wan kissing his mum Noraini during her birthday celebration in October last year. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Chef Wan has been moving hearts by sharing the chronicles of his days spent with his mother, Noraini Abdullah, as he accompanies her on what appears to be the final stages of her life’s journey.
In a series of poignant Instagram posts over the past week, the 65-year-old celebrity chef has been penning his thoughts and moments from the hospital where she lies in a coma.
Chef Wan, whose real name is Redzuawan Ismail, had previously shared that his mother had been suffering from cancer and Alzheimer’s for some time.
“Mum today still remained in a coma after 10 days of being hospitalised.
“Doctor said she is 90 years old and has remained very healthy with no other diseases like diabetes, heart issues or high blood pressure that has weakened her vital organs over so many years, unlike other patients.
“She discovered her cancer only in the last few years.
“So, she is a very strong lady with good internal vital organs that will take time to shut down one by one. Thus, the long wait for her to leave.
“There are a lot of people her age also experiencing a similar situation, according to the doctor,” he posted yesterday.
In another post last Sunday, he described how waiting for a loved one to pass away was the most painful feeling he had ever experienced.
“Waiting for your loved one’s soul to pass away is the most painful feeling.
“As days go by, it’s even harder watching my mum becoming so frail until she is all skin and bones.
“I see this in a lot of cancer patients towards the end. Only time will tell,” said Chef Wan, adding that he is finding pockets of solace in the fact that he had given his mother the best medical attention.
“There is nothing more I or the medical team can do to reverse all this.
“Furthermore, my mom has been blessed with such a long life and with me to take her all over the world,” he said.
The doctors, who noticed how he had not slept for an extended period, advised him to get some rest.
He has also been posting recent and past photos and videos of his mother.
Recent ones included photos of family members surrounding Noraini’s hospital bed, of nurses caring for her, as well as pictures of Chef Wan with her.
He also dedicated a post to Noraini, where he posted a picture of her in her 20s with her best friend.
He wrote how her mother had grown up in a wealthy Peranakan family and went to a good school before meeting Chef Wan’s late father, who was a lance corporal in the Singapore Air Force.
In many of his posts, Chef Wan also thanked the staff at the private hospital where his mother was warded for providing excellent care.
“They are so attentive, gentle and respectful to the patients.
“What sacrifice and challenges that they each must endure, and that respect always goes back to this well-trained medical staff.”
On Jan 6, he was informed by his mother’s doctor that her heartbeat was slowing down and getting irregular.
He said the hospital had reduced her food and liquid intake while monitoring her heart closely.
Knowing that she did not have much time left, Chef Wan refused to leave her bedside while also taking the opportunity to tell her how much she means to him.
“I whispered to her ear, ‘Ma if you are ready, please go. I will be here to look after our family. You have been the best mother anyone could wish for. Together we went through so much in life. Emak pergi ya (Mom, you can let go). You will go to a very peaceful and special place’,” he wrote.
