Imran: I was a very active person, because I played futsal, cycling, go hiking. So I didn’t expect that I will get this disease.

Imran: Hi Rina, how are you?  I’m good.

Imran: The moment of the poking, the part is a bit scary.

Imran was diagnosed with kidney failure in October 2020

Imran: If you ask me, honestly I cannot accept the situation. I remember when the doctor told me that I’m at stage 5 and (left with only) 4% (function) for both kidneys, I asked the doctor to do a re-test. I even said “Doctor, maybe your lab got problem or something, right?” It is something like someone you loved actually passed away.

He has to rush to the dialysis centre after work

3 times a week for 4 hours each time  

Imran: You saved a lot for more than 10 to 20 years right? When you fall sick, the money just goes like that.

Imran: Bye, take care.

Imran’s wife, Annuraini Adam: Usually after he ended dialysis, he will be a bit weak. So I worried that, you know, on the way back, (although) I know it is a short distance away but I feel safer if I come and fetch him on my own.

43-year-old Imran is married with two kids

Contracting kidney failure poses more than just physical challenges for him

Imran: I did some research and they said that the people there with this kind of disease right, can live for about 5 to 10 years. When I read about it, I felt really anxious. If I die right, then what will happen to my children, what will happen to my wife, how’s the family going. Some more I am the sole breadwinner then how will life go on. So this thinking kept running (in my mind).

Imran: I work in IT and marcomm. Previously I was a very workaholic person. So now, I need to slow down a little bit because I feel tired easily.  

Imran: Actually I need to take about nine medications. I have thyroid cancer, so I need to take the Levothyroxine medication. You can see from here, this is the cut where they removed the cancer cell.

After being diagnosed with kidney failure, it was later discovered that Imran also has health issues in other parts of his body including his brain, eyes, heart, and nerve cord.

Imran: I have about 8 conditions. There is a spot (of) stroke on the right side of the brain. Then my heart pumps only 20%. The doctor also informed me that 20% of the heart pump can lead to sudden death. 

Imran’s wife, Annuraini Adam: I am worried for his mental health because I know how the condition is going to affect his daily life. He was a very jovial person, very outgoing. I worry more on his quality of life, about things that he was able to do before and not able to do now.

Imran: Before I fell sick, actually I like to do work in the family together, clean the house, especially cooking. Some more can move around faster, right? Compare now, very slow like tortoise.

Imran: To accept the fact in that situation was actually very hard, really hard. As a father, as a husband, it’s my responsibility to take care of the family. Family actually is my positive circle of life. The one that always motivates me, the one who really supports me.

Imran’s wife, Annuraini Adam: Before he was diagnosed, he was about 115kg.

Imran: 115kg, 135kg.

Imran’s wife, Annuraini Adam: He was big. I made him this apron. I called him my Chef Pumpkin because he was round back then.

Imran: I always have in mind that always tap on your strength, not in your weakness. If you have a problem, don’t (get) stuck, don’t stagnant on that place, think of something else that can make you joyful. So what else you can do, you try to have that choice. For me like I cook with my family, I start write my own blogging, I share in social media.

Imran: Didn’t bathe for two days. Wow.

Imran’s daughter, Iffah Faiqah: To me, my father is like superman. Whenever I’m in my room, I feel down, he will always check up on me and ask me if I’m ok.  

Imran’s son, Aiman Awadullah: I learnt from my father that we have to be patient, no matter the circumstances and always love family and put family as number one.

Imran: On weekends, we usually cycle. Now I can’t cycle, but I have my Harley- Davidson, my scooter. So I ride my scooter while they cycle or walk. I try my best to spend more time with them.

Imran: Go a bit higher. Go.

Imran: Actually I’m looking forward to have a kidney transplant. To get a second chance of life.

Imran’s wife, Annuraini Adam: So after discussion, I told him that if I am fit and if I am compatible, I’m willing to donate one of my kidneys to him. It is just like our wedding vows, you know, we said that we promised to love and cherish each other in sickness and in health, right? So I think this is one of it.

As the thyroid cancer cells have not been completely removed, Imran's kidney transplant plan has to be put on hold

Imran: I think during my dialysis also, in the first year. Tzu Chi helped me with the dialysis payment. Previously actually I was from the private (dialysis centre) before being transferred to NKF. So I really want to thank Tzu Chi for this help.

Imran: There is always time to heal. But at least you take a step for you to make the move. We ourselves need to create our own joy of life. You know you are sick, you know you are ill, but you can still breathe, you are still alive. And I always said that “always tap on your strength and don’t tap on your weakness”.