Three years ago, Cheung Tat Ming (張達明) was diagnosed with stage three nasopharyngeal cancer, a cancer that originates in the upper part of the throat behind the nose. He halted all activities and focused on treating his illness for the next nine months. In late 2013, Tat Ming announced his return to the industry and appeared on TVB’s Super Trio Maximus <超級無敵獎門人終極篇> game show. In addition to holding comedy shows and teaching acting classes, Tat Ming also had plans to make a movie with good friends Vincent Kok (谷德昭) and Pang Ho Cheung (彭浩翔). Hoping to resume a normal life soon, Tat Ming decided to make a full comeback in the industry. Worsening Health Though it appeared that Tat Ming’s cancer was cured, recent reports say that Tat Ming is actually not entirely cancer-free; his condition has actually worsened in the last few months. Tat Ming’s weight has dropped from 125 pounds at the beginning of the year to 110 pounds. As a result, Tat Ming indefinitely postponed all of his current projects to recuperate at home. Last month, reporters caught Tat Ming visiting a medical clinic, which specializes in detoxifying cancer patients, in Causeway Bay. While treating his cancer last year, Tat Ming also suffered metal poisoning from chemotherapy. Tat Ming arrived at the clinic alone and stayed for two hours. On his way home, Tat Ming ate at a restaurant, but did not have much appetite and looked rather exhausted. The following day, Tat Ming and his wife, Ho Nim Chi (何念慈), stopped briefly at a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Yau Ma Tei to collect his medicine. An insider revealed that Tat Ming is currently going through both western and traditional Chinese treatments – he would visit a western doctor once a week for detoxification and then visit a traditional Chinese doctor every two days to collect medicine. The source said, “Many people, including his doctors, said it’s not a good idea to take both treatments at the same time, but his illness has worsened, so his wife told him to try everything!” Rush to Earn Money While he was on hiatus, his wife, a clinical psychologist, had to stop work for six months to care for Tat Ming. They also had to take care of their two children, ages 13 and 10. Tight on money, Tat Ming had no choice but to resume work earlier than expected, although he knew he was not quite ready yet. A few days ago, reporters met up with Tat Ming near his home. He admitted that he has been seeking both Chinese and western treatments, but clarified that he has been doing so for the past few years. Asked if he is now free of his cancer, he hesitantly said, “I don’t know. You should ask the doctors.” Tat Ming denied seeing an oncologist, “I’m seeing a doctor for my stomach, numb limbs, and allergies.” Creds: ihktv
