Charlie sits listlessly outside the doctor’s office, his mind trying to understand the gravity of the news Dr. Yeo gave him earlier.

The chemotherapy sessions had not performed as they had expected, and now the cancer had spread to his lungs.

7 months’ worth of sessions and medication had already left Charlie’s family with a staggering 6-digit medical bill.

The frequent visits to the hospital had affected Charlie’s performance at work, and after the first 4 months, they had no choice but to let him go.

While a portion of the hospitalization treatments had been covered by Charlie’s personal hospitalization plan, these medical costs were not the only financial concerns that Charlie’s family had to grapple with.

Charlie’s layoff meant that there was nothing to replace the income that supported his family’s financial objectives and obligations.

The family’s joint account savings were dipping lower and lower, and now they were left with the hanging concern of not being able to provide for Bobby’s university education.

“Worrying about all this money isn’t helping with my recovery,” sighed Charlie.

Charlie regretted not having taken more action to get coverage against critical illnesses. He firmly thought that the life and hospitalization plans he had bought from his cousin were enough.

“If sick and go to the hospital, I can get covered for. If die, then my family get money for. Should be enough.”

Charlie wished he could go back in time and throttle his younger self for not considering the non-medical financial burdens - liabilities that would still happen while he was alive and no death claims could be made.

Oh, hindsight is always 20/20.