A fall paralysed me & now I have stage 4 cancer | This Is Us
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2024
- Mel passed away on 31st October 2023. He will be dearly missed by many.
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In 2019, an accident at a concert left 28-year-old Melvin Ong paralysed from the chest down. Recently, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
Up till his diagnosis, Mel was a troubled soul who battled anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. But with the spectre of death now on the horizon, Mel has found a renewed desire and will to live.
And so he resolves to throw one great concert for the road - a tribute to music, a celebration of life, and a big fat finger to going gentle into that good night.
Chapters:
00:00 - One for the Road
00:49 - Band days
02:07 - Dreams of performing again
02:42 - Mel’s accident & paralysis
03:10 - Cancer
04:06 - Giving back to music
05:20 - Revisiting the accident site
06:14 - Final preparations
07:46 - A surprise for Mel
08:06 - Eat Shit and Die
09:22 - Doldrey, Caracal, Sun Eater & Forests
10:32 - “It wasn’t what I expected”
11:28 - 2 weeks post-concert
13:24 - “I don’t wanna die”
16:30 - Dedications to Mel
19:13 - Credits
‘This is Us' is a video series that celebrates people in Singapore who have charted journeys off the beaten path. May our stories inspire you to put your best foot forward, wherever you are and wherever you’re headed.
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First reply
Soldier on brother.. Stage 2/3 nose cancer here myself.. just gotta soldier on and be positive even though im in remission recently. Still, part of me felt empty and helpless at times. Putting on a brave front is hard.
Cancer is brutal and in affecting so many of us doesn't become any less brutal. Illness can make a person feel so alone at times in the sense of being truly lonely and beyond help.
I clicked on this video because it reminded me of something i was thinking when i recently learned that an adorable blind cat had cancer. I don't mean to make some weak anthropomorphic link but the older i get, the less i believe that life resembles anything fair, and i had this response when I thought about this beautiful pet. I almost wish i were religious because maybe that could offer some comfort that we are experiencing the worst of it right now. I personally don't have that comfort and i just felt like it was a punch in the face that this cat could be so sweet and life affirming despite her disability and yet face more hardship which this time couldn't be resolved and how rough that would be for the owner. But i think he might have even said something along the lines of if she had a genetic susceptibility to X in terms of her vision impairment it could also be associated with Y. Not sure if i got that right but making it clear that more than one hardship might be par for the course.
And then this _did_ make me think of human medical conditions and human suffering where a person has overcome one set of extreme odds only to get blindsided by another.
I think maybe people almost tend to want to avoid the subject of terminal cancer because we want to say things that will make a person feel better but feel at a loss as to what to say. That's true of me, it's difficult to express anything directly to Mel because it seems like anything i could say would be not enough.
But how sh1tty is that, when a person most needs human affirmation, maybe the tendency is to fall silent; a lot of people speaking up have a form of cancer. This is something else i brood about, recently i read about the experience of some people who found that once they had been diagnosed with serious illness people "run in the opposite direction", so I'm glad to see this is one thing that doesn't seem to have happened to Mel. 🖤
Also, congratulations on your remission 👊I'm not above anyone else who feels like they don't have the right words to say and it's because you don't want to make reference to scary things while trying to offer encouragement maybe. I know the brutality of cancer having seen it take away one of the closest people to me. And I haven't had it myself but a close friend had it, and there was a period where i had to wait on something being ruled out where my eyes quickly got opened about the possibilities. Doesn't even take long but the education can be distressing to learn about - we are all so mortal and so vulnerable to different forms of cancer.
More and more people do survive cancer but based on the experience of someone else i was close to, medical treatment for people who have survived is an area where more work needs to be done. Because a number of people live with the side effects of treatment that helped save their life. We could do more to improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
Similarly i believe that people should be "empowered" to choose a painless passing away surrounded by loved ones. Give people control where they have control over so little. (Law is different everywhere) This may help people make decisions about how they want to spend the time they are told they'll have and offer some relief about the worst of possibilities. And any other consideration that gives people with a terminal diagnosis more options and less worries understanding that everyone will be different.
I just want to wish you good luck man, to you, to Mel, to anyone reading with cancer or any other health condition affecting their life in a severe way. I wish you relief from suffering, and an ability to find ways to rise above turmoil. There's so much more to this than meets the eye. Any person learning they have a condition like this is also likely going to learn a lot about other people too, and some of that learning is going to be tragic. And the insight that could be associated with it might remain kind of underground. I feel like culturally something needs to open up here about learning what people go through, i think there's a cultural tendency to tune in more to the feel good stories only.
There's something i want to try and explain but i don't really have words for it. It's more of a yearning for medicine to find its way to new means of offering people hope and for our cultural fear of our own mortality to not cause some people to find themselves isolated in their moments of greatest need. I feel like i wish we had something more of an appreciation for what other people learn existentially through unwanted hardship instead of, you know, obsession with TikTok dances and stuff.
Especially when it comes to intersection with creativity. I think some of the most powerful ways we are able to move each other is through a process of catharsis.
Should you or anyone else respond at any point, if I'm quiet, please know ahead of time it won't be because I'm ignoring you. Not able to use this platform normally at the mo.
My heart just goes out to anyone confronting this, and i wish you all relief from suffering and only wish there was a way to provide it. All the prognoses are so different which probably doesn't help on some level, it's a bit labyrinthine. For anyone feeling lost in the labyrinth, hang in there, you know I don't have a magic wand but please don't let anything deceive you into thinking you don't matter as a human being because you've had to stare into an abyss. It's quite the opposite and I hope that culturally we can learn more from you and that medically we can do more for you. In Australia chances of getting skin cancer alone are mind bogglingly high, there's a point where you and us becomes an artificial separation because not too many of us can go through life untouched by these processes. The more open we can be about it with each other, the better. F cancer. Peace.
Wow, in September I had trouble walking and my back was sore so I went to the ER hoping they could give me something to ease the inflammation and pain.. The ER decided to admit me for further testing and I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer later that evening. Hearing his story is like reliving mine all over again. My prayers to you, may you find peace and continue to encourage others along the way🙏❤🕊
Damn i hope u recover from your cancer
@@jhhhh7094 thank you, the best they can do is stop it from spreading or reaching the brain/central nervous system at this point. I'm still dumbfounded considering I just went in for back pain/difficulty walking.
I’m so sorry to hear that, it is absolutely terrifying and heart breaking. Stay strong, all the best
@@lieny thank you, it's devastating to say the least. Thankfully my oncologist was quick to meet me in hospital and didn't give me any other choice but to fight. I have bad days and weeks, but I try not to let my feelings affect others. Praying for others helps a great deal 🙏
Hope you beat the cancer and recover...prayers
Rest in Power Mel ✊🏽❤️
he is a true fighter. the harsh truth is we cant win all fights...but his spirit is admirable. respect.
I can’t even watch this without crying . Such a young beautiful soul . Life is very uncertain. All the best Mel ❤
He is s brave soul and he is not alone.You will see him in this lady taking care of her gifts stall at bukit bintang kl,or selling tissue papers near an escalator at a shopping mall or every where you go and see them by the road side,salute their souls and love them as you can.
I am not crying but tears do drop,not so much for sadness but glad that they are brave to move on.
@@mutualink true but I’m not as strong as you are
@@Anusha910 you will be as strong as you like if you want to.i just went through my diary as far back as 1987.i used to be a very fearful person,so fearful and nervous that I sometimes trembled for no reason.Now as I look back,that was due to negative thoughts and negative energy that I harboured due to bad experience (being bullied,mocked etc as a child).Over the years I learned to overcome them by reading good books,learned from people who were stronger,more positive minded through courses etc.Now you feel I am strong but I started young as insecure,inferiority complexed person.If I am strong now it is because I made up my mind for a better life many years ago.You can if you want to.God bless you.
Mel teaches us to cherish life and appreciate every little thing
The friends and people around him are such nice people.
The spirit of a performer. Awesome. Good Journey Bro!
Bro inspired me to do so much more with my life ! Thanks Mel I hope you get better soon
Amazing man, your strength is a huge source of encouragement ❤
Keep on truckin my guy
💜
I cried when the guy in sky blue shirt cried😢
Is hard to lose a friend/fam member
Band people are the best people. Musicians rally around each other and it's beautiful to watch.
Keeping going man prayers to you
Appreciate life despite what has happened.You are a brave soul and you have blessed me with this message.Thank you and do know that you will be remembered for what you have given back to life.
I just want to share with you,my friend's son had a car accident and he was confined to a wheel chair.He did not give up and today he has built a thriving business online even though he is bound to his wheel chair.
Thank you for sharing your story Mel, may you rest well...
Stay strong my friend.. I hope you get well. May God bless you always..
Life is miracles Love you Mel from Thai fan 🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭
I WILL SAY a prayer for you and your family and friends. U R a BEAUTIFUL SOUL!! I'm indigenous native woman who loves Metallica. 80's rock. Your story touched my ❤️. I'm so sorry for your fall. What a freak accident! I'm humbled by your state of being and you are SO STRONG. YOU'RE A TRUE WARRIOR! SLAY AWAY, MEL!! ❤️ YOUR SPIRIT and soul! God 🙌 BLESS.
Keep on fighting! Jia you!
God bless u, keep trusting, keep believing.
Stay strong! You can fight it! ❤
don't worry Melvin about legacy. Just be yourself and share yourself with the people around you. That's the most important thing to do in this life.
Stay strong Mel
Mel is wonderful as evidenced by his beautiful friends and community.
All the best Mel
Mel you are one of the coolest people i've never met.
WE LOVE YOU MEL
Blessings you truly are a man that cares for your fan. May you find peace in your soul. May you encounter the God who loves you. May divine healing encounter you.
Mel, you are well love and respected from Kuching Sarawak
Without music , life would be meaningless - Mel ✌️💙
He spirit is admirable and inspire me to cherish life❤
All love mel 🖤
There’s so much that can be said. But Mel is the coolest fucking dude I’ve ever seen. Nobody goes harder than Mel. One love King 👑❤️🌎
God bless your soul.🙏👌🌻🌺🌼
He’s a really kind person. Even when he was suffering, he was more positive than me. Rest in peace. You’ve done so much and definitely left a marvelous legacy for others!
Jus rewatched this...rest in peace Mel!😢
God bless u brother
Fuck man, I can't imagine how hard this was. I just hope his friends will continue to let him know how important he is to them and his family continue to help until he breathes his last breath. I suffer from a degenerative nerve disorder and am getting to the age I can't do physical stuff. My biggest fear is dying alone and I've lost most contact with anyone but my parents.
Nvr knew him personally but the last time I watched him on stage with Caracal on the track The Strain, twas an amazing appearance
Rip 🙏 may he rest well
God bless ❤
god bless mel
Though i dunnoe who u r.. i pray that u stay strong always!
RIP, Mel. 😢
One love
MEL 🖤
Rest in peace sir
Rest in peace Mel
Mel, you have amazing friends. Your passion and strength gives me so much hope in life. I promise to never take moments in life for granted. As a musician and fellow bass player, so many memories revolve around music. Its literally what keeps me alive, so i was definitely touched by the words you had to say. I haven’t cried like that in a long time. It felt like you could be a close friend of mine Thank you for your message and for your dedication to your scene. I can feel the energy here on the other side of the world. Be easy Mel, I really hope you find comfort and peace with the time you have here. I hope to meet you on the other side. 🙏🏽
🙏🙏🙏. Rest in peace. It was announced on his Instagram that he passed away.
Mel may god ease your pain bro. Be strong
Be safe and stay safe ❤
Morphine and fentanyl will be what's easing his pain. Not god.
@@antinataliz9633 gods will
@@Sukiyaya470 there is no god. If there is one, he or she is evil. One would have to be blind to not realise this, looking at all the stuff happening in the world. Or simply brainwashed.
@@antinataliz9633 up to you , if have god or don’t. Up to your believe.
@@Sukiyaya470 yes, sorry but I don't believe in supernatural stuff. There is a reason prayers don't work, but medicine do. Science works.
His a good dude - Darren
🖤🖤🖤🖤
louisville, kentucky has the Brown cancer center and they are doing phenominal things with lung cancer...even transplants! you should look it up
❤❤❤
RIP.
RIP MEL
Hi Mel,just c watch a vlog about your accident, and cancer. I had breast cancer 2 years ado, and the chemo did a number 9n me. I wished I had some paper to write lyrics, if you do that, you would have a deeply insightful music that would resonate with your friends. Take care and stay strong.
Hi Carol, please do write, yourself. I just wrote another comment. I haven't had chemo myself but it did a number on a friend of mine who is a survivor. Please forgive me if you respond and I'm quiet as I can't use this platform properly at the moment. I was just trying to articulate things that are hard to find words for and one of those feelings is a wish for a cultural shift. More and more people survive cancer but medicine sometimes has a long way to go in ensuring quality of life for cancer survivors. The power of someone being honest about their condition and the insights (not only the feel good moments) they have developed during the processes they've been through is something i feel like we could all learn from.
But i think there's a lot of fear around cancer, culturally, and not for no reason. The thing is it commonly affects us, and on some level, we don't actually talk about it openly that much, making the honesty at the outset of this piece already quite radical, because you know there's going to be a double whammy of slightly taboo subjects, by which I mean things that may be generally swept under the carpet.
Firstly though i don't think the rest of us are truly separate at the time we don't experience cancer - purely in that statistics show this is an illusion, that statistics show cancer will likely touch us across our lifetime one way or the other. It may be considered "part of life", the same way you can have an accident at any time.
Secondly, i think at the surface level people can also be uncomfortable with prognoses that cannot be beaten with self will or medicine but can only be lived with.
But again, once you plunge below the surface level, people's lives have often been touched and they can recognise it but it's not always something that is acknowledged.
Art is something that can help people get beneath the surface, it can help people having a rough time achieve catharsis and it can also stimulate ideas that can help us reach new epiphanies as individuals, about ourselves, about other people, about life, about humanity, and even the d word for mortality that the AI censor will delete my comment for if i write it.
Your voice matters, please do write.
F cancer. Peace. ✌️🌿
Rip mel
R.I.P.
😢
why am i crying so hard at 9:40 T_T
One for the road
Please allow me to share this "Healing Buddhist Mantra" to you...Tadyatha Alante Alame Sribi Sili Sili Mahasiji Sambobato Svaha..It'll be helpful for you to recite this mindfully in your free time. I mean well & positive outlook. Thank you. Om Mani Padme Hum.
So sad that he have few month to live...
The Path of life.
Don't have kids.
It’s insane how he fell and had an injury and suddenly got stage 4 cancer?!?!
Anything can happen. U can get paralyzed tomorrow. Don't gamble with life, don't have kids.
@@antinataliz9633 prayers for him 🙏🏼
The fall and cancer are separate stories. Now turbo cancer is rampant coz of that thing being put inside people's bodies, it contains sv40. Research.
Awesome be blessed always s s s s s s s
Does his sofubis have a home ? I want to house them !
So many people falling off the stages
unlucky. life has dealt him a bad hand.
Don't have kids. Don't gamble with life.
A fall,and you can't get stage 4 cancer,like straight away.
Top 10 amongus moment
Stay strong😂😂😂
We live once then death leads us to one of 2-places: kingdom of everlasting celebration, peace and joy or kingdom of darkness, torment where the fire not die. If death finds us holy we go to heaven otherwise we go to hell. Let’s repent, be born again now for next hour not promise. I pray this man make peace with Christ since he knows he was dying. You fame, money, education can’t save you only BLOOD of Jesus Christ can cleanse our sin. Repent, call upon Jesus Christ, now, now for tomorrow you maybe dead.
Jesus should have taken on the cancer himself.
These people don’t realize. Satan was a musician in Heaven. Words are powerful. Low vibration lowers one’s energy field and frequency. Listen to 524 hrz! Very healing to our cells.
I pray you find Jesus before you stand before him and give a account of your life.
Death metal music buffs are obsessed with death.
Now that you're reaching the last stage of life, you don't want to die.
There's still time to learn about Jesus, our Savior.
Don't blow it.
The only death metal was Doldrey, check it out
Yeah screw god.
Thats music?
i know this has never happened to you before but i desire to be like you.................
Lung cancer?? Was he smoking too much?
❤❤❤
A fall,and you can't get stage 4 cancer,like straight away.