Fresh grad who died after heart op just wanted to have a normal life
He had just graduated from university in July, and was looking forward to a bright future for himself and his family.
But Mr Patrick Hon's congenital heart condition was always weighing on his mind.
Although the 24-year-old had been living with the condition all his life, he had recently been experiencing bouts of breathlessness, and was worried his career would be affected.
With a job offer from a government agency, Mr Hon wanted to go for heart surgery to correct his condition.
Unfortunately, he died on Sept 4, two days after the operation, which had led to complications.
His parents spoke to The New Paper from their five-room flat in Pasir Ris last Tuesday night,saying their son was a hardworking and responsible man with many hopes for his future.
Mr Hon, who had graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Merit, was an outstanding student and avid grassroots volunteer.
His father, 55-year-old technician Hon Chee Wah told TNP in Mandarin: "He wanted to find a job quickly and support our family because I'm the sole breadwinner of the family."
The Hons have a younger daughter, Cynthia, who is 19.
The senior Mr Hon said: "We were worried about the operation but he was determined. He wanted to live a normal life and excel in his career."
He added that his son did not reveal how much the surgery would cost so that they wouldn't be worried, but had assured them that he would be applying for financial aid and would pay for the surgery in instalments after getting a job.
LAST WORDS
Mr Hon also recalled his son's last words over the phone on Sept 2 before entering the operating theatre at the Singapore General Hospital.
"He told me, 'What will be, will be. If it happens, it will happen.' Even at that time, he was trying to reassure me."
Although Mr Hon tried to live as normal a life as possible, he was not able to participate in sports like his friends, and was assigned to be a clerk in National Service.
His father said: "We knew only that the surgery would be a major one. But Patrick told me that he would have to go for the surgery eventually if he wanted to lead a normal life."
When he was a two-week-old baby, Mr Hon had gone through minor heart surgery. This happened again when he was nine, though it never completely cured his condition.
Just before going into the theatre on Sept 2, the young man had said on Facebook: "Waiting to enter the operating theatre soon... bringing with me all the well wishes from my friends and family... see you all really soon."
Towards the end of the 15-hour operation, Mr Hon suffered excessive blood loss, said his father.
He was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for two days, but never regained consciousness.
Eventually his family made the decision to pull the plug.
His mother, housewife Tiew Lee Fong, 49, recalled: "We were hoping for a miracle but his body had turned black and swollen. He was totally unresponsive.
"It was a difficult decision for us but it was a relief for him. The doctors have done what they could for him."
His parents said that Mr Hon had wanted to go for heart surgery for a long time.
He initially had plans to go for the surgery after completing National Service three years ago but was hit with a serious viral infection which landed him in the ICU for two weeks.
Madam Tiew said: "He had a strong fighting spirit and pulled through that time. Although he had a heart condition, he had always been strong. He didn't want to make a fuss and would face all his problems with a positive attitude."
"He told me, 'What will be, will be. If it happens, it will happen.' Even at that time, he was trying to reassure me."
- Mr Patrick Hon's father Hon Chee Wah
Much love shown for a life fully lived
Mr Patrick Hon's life was short but it was lived to the fullest, said his parents.
Hundreds of people turned up at his wake on Sept 5 and 6, including Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is the Hons' Member of Parliament.
DPM Teo had even posted a condolence message on his own Facebook page.
"Farewell to our young friend Patrick," he wrote, "He led a life that's full, living not just for himself but for others. May your loved ones be comforted by the happines that you brought to so many others."
Mr Hon had been an active grassroots volunteer and was part of the People's Association Youth Executive Council (YEC).
His parents also recalled how Mr Hon had always been a model student, scoring 267 for his PSLE and distinctions for his O and A levels.
The Mathematics student recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Merit. His father, Mr Hon Chee Wah, said: "When he was born, the doctor told us to be prepared that he might not live past his first birthday."
Since news of Mr Hon's death broke, there has been an outpouring of grief on his Facebook page from those whose lives he had touched.
His primary school friend, Ms Lois Goh, 24, recalled how Mr Hon had missed school for his heart surgery when he was nine.
Despite having missed an entire month of classes, Mr Hon had fared better than Ms Goh in the science finals, which Ms Goh was upset about. They eventually patched things up.
"Sure, you had a hole in your heart but to me, your heart was whole and full of love," Ms Goh wrote.
Mr Hon's younger sister, Cynthia, 19, promised to continue his legacy.
She wrote: "Don't worry bro... I'll continue from where you left off, which is graduating from university and joining YEC and continue to contribute to the community.
"I'll also take your place of taking care of mum and dad so you don't have to worry too much."
FOUR HEART DEFECTS
Mr Patrick Hon suffered from a complex cyanotic congenital heart disease, which results in low blood oxygen level.
According to his medical report, he had four heart defects:
- Dextrocardia - a rare condition where the heart is in the right side of the chest, instead of the left.
- Pulmonary atresia - a solid sheet of tissue forms where the valve opening should be and the pulmonary artery is therefore not connected to the heart. As a result, deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart cannot go to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
- Ventricular septal defect - a hole in the wall between the lower heart chambers; and
- Atrial septal defect - a hole in the wall between the two upper heart chambers.
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