S'porean puts country before health
Sixty-three-year-old bridge player Tan Yoke Lan had one of the toughest decisions ever to make before the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia - to take a gamble and postpone her chemotherapy treatment for her breast cancer or stay in Singapore and start treatment immediately.
Her doctor at the National University Hospital was not exactly pleased when she decided to take the risk instead and said it’s not clear if the postponement will have an impact on her overall condition.
But that hasn’t deterred the grandmother of six.
“I had to take part in the SEA Games because I was already committed to my bridge partner and the team. It wouldn’t have been nice to do otherwise,” said Tan in an interview with Yahoo! Singapore.
She’s already undergone an operation and will be heading straight to the hospital for chemotherapy the day after she returns to Singapore on 23 November.
"My husband and family have been very supportive of my decision. My daughter was not happy at first but later on she was OK with it,” said Tan.
Her love affair with the game started in the early 1980s when she followed her husband to a job posting in Taiwan. A friend introduced her to bridge and she’s never looked back since.
“I loved it immediately. Bridge isn’t all about yourself. You have to understand others as well,” said Tan.
She started playing bridge competitively in the early 1990s and has travelled all over the world from China to Portugal, taking part in numerous tournaments.
Having already overcome her opponents and winning gold at the SEA Games, Singaporeans will no doubt be hoping for another clear and sound victory for Tan– over her disease.
