Former Foreign Minister George Yeo and Jennifer Yeo are on their way back to Singapore, after more than six months in Houston, United States.

Jennifer Yeo, who was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive type of nasal cancer called Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma, has recovered.

She had a full checkup on Jan. 29 and 30 and there is no trace anymore of her cancer. However, she has to be under close surveillance especially in the first two years.

Cancer discovered last July

Jennifer Yeo was diagnosed last July, and on the night of her birthday in the second half of July, the Yeos flew to Houston for her to start chemotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Four cycles of chemotherapy

Jennifer Yeo went through four cycles of chemotherapy and 33 sessions of proton beam radiotherapy altogether.

After the second chemotherapy cycle, the tumour virtually disappeared, but it was still necessary to complete the full treatment protocol.

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The Yeo's faith journey

George Yeo said that his family entered the US in July last year under the visa waiver programme which only allowed them to stay for 90 days.

In September, they went to the US Consulate in Mexico City to apply for B1/B2 Visas in order to extend their stay in the US.

While there, they prayed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sept 6.

Back in Houston on Sept 8, which coincidentally was the birthday of the Virgin Mary, Jennifer’s MRI showed the tumour to have melted away.

In his concluding remarks, he said:

"We thank God for His mercy, the Virgin Mary for her intercession and so many relatives, friends and well-wishers for your prayers and support."

And ended with a latin phrase, Ora et labora, which means "pray and labor".

It's also the motto of his alma mater, St Joseph's Institution.

Top photo from George Yeo Facebook