Lessons learnt from a hospitalisation
As I was packing the overnight bag to head to the hospital with Riley, my elder girl, a few thoughts ran through my mind: “Thank goodness I trusted her instincts. But who should I get to fetch Rowan from school later? . Will he sleep okay tonight? Should I postpone my upcoming appointments? Will Riley be discharged before I fly for my company’s incentive trip?”
(note: my husband’s overseas at the moment)
Handling a medical situation is really never easy, even one that is just a few days long. And now that I have settled the admission process and am waiting for Riley to wake up from her surgery, I am just reviewing this morning’s events and the three lessons I learned.
- Trusting intuition, especially from children:
Riley refused the medication that I offered her this morning and asked to see a doctor instead. I had doubts that it was necessary as she is a very cautious girl with high self-preservation instincts, and I thought that she could be overreacting. However, I didn’t want to brush her opinion off and decided to bring her to the GP (she specifically asked for this over a teleconsultation).
After the physical check, the GP advised us to head to the hospital as he suspects appendicitis. When we confirmed it after the ultrasound, the surgeon told me “It’s great you were sharp and noticed it early”.
But I didn’t.
I merely wanted to respect Riley’s assessment of her health – and I am glad I did. It pays to heed the instincts of our children, even when it challenges our own judgment. - Always choose your (and your family’s) well-being over work
As I was preparing for the hospital admission, conflicting thoughts about the upcoming appointments clouded my mind. Should I attend the appointments and leave Riley alone in the hospital for a couple of hours, or should I change it to a zoom meeting instead?
The thoughts were stressful but fleeting. I knew that I would not have the time nor energy to work because I would have to be the main caregiver. Work will have to wait. The priority is her health & well-being (and my sanity). - Gratitude and empathy for others: In the grand scheme of medical crises, our situation was relatively minor, and for that, I’m grateful. However, it still reminds me of the immense stress and challenges faced by families dealing with more severe medical conditions. It also prompted reflection on the things I have taken for granted – our support systems, financial stability, and easy access to healthcare. It’s a sobering realization that reminds me of the importance of empathy and compassion for those enduring more significant hardships. Those without familial help, those who need to work to keep their job and income, those without insurance or access to healthcare.
Lastly, as a financial planner, I just have to reiterate the importance of medical insurance & critical illness insurance.
Medical insurance to cover for the bills so that medical expenses will not become a source of stress. Critical Illness Insurance that pays a lump sum in the event of more serious conditions – this will give you the freedom to always choose family over work.
That’s all folks. Thank you for reading (the writing helped the minutes pass faster while she was in the OT).
Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek unbiased financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Published By:
Lim Zhiwen Yvonne
I believe that “Worrying is not planning and Hope is not a good strategy”, and that the purpose of Financial Planning is to allow us to lead fulfilling lives while being financially wise.
As such, my role as a Certified Financial Planner CFP® is to help my clients build those sound financial strategies and design action plans that put them on track to their financial goals so that they can live the best possible life for themselves.
This is done via a systematic approach of ongoing cash flow management & asset allocation, as well as investment management, estate planning, and tax optimization.
I also ascertain that I stay up-to-date with industry trends and policies changes to ensure that my clients benefit from the latest strategies and opportunities available.
Over the years, I have developed a specialty in comprehensive financial planning for busy legal professionals & educators. I also particularly like assisting working mothers & young families to achieve their long term financial goals. Working with one of the largest financial advisory (FA) firm in Singapore also frees me from product pressures and allows me to only recommend solutions that suit my client’s needs. And client’s interest, is always the core of my FA business.
Being a wealth planner is my dream career and this is what I hope to do for a long time.
Other than financial planning & investment, I love to travel, read, bake and I am an adrenaline enthusiast. I am most looking forward to the day my children join me on my adventures.
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