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SINGAPORE — With 58 people on the waiting list for a liver transplant last year, Mr Sani Tugiman, 49, was not certain if he could survive until it was his turn.
Following a liver cancer diagnosis in 2014, he had waited more than four years for a cadaveric donor liver.
The cancerous tumour had been removed, but his liver had already been irreparably damaged by decades of chronic Hepatitis B, which he acquired at birth.
“My liver was in such a bad shape, I was told I could only live three to five years without a transplant. Every day that I waited was a gamble,” he said.
With no life-saving transplant in sight, Mr Sani had his death all planned out.
“I put together a large bag of items needed for a Muslim funeral, as well as a list of contacts for my next-of-kin to get in touch with after I die. I’ve seen many people who pass on and were not prepared,” he said.
He lucked out in June last year. Just nine days before Hari Raya, Mr Sani’s long wait ended.
He underwent a successful transplant surgery at the National University Hospital (NUH). “The day I had a new liver, I knew I had a new lease of life,” he said.
More at He was all prepared for death. Then, this liver cancer patient lucked out