Give thanks 感恩

This was the last dose of oral medication for the final chemotherapy. As the drugs are toxic, the pharmacist had reminded not to handle with hand, but through the plastic cup provided. In case of accidental contact, the hand must be washed thoroughly.
这是最后一剂的化疗口服药。由于毒性强，药剂师再三提醒要用塑胶杯子把药倒进口中，不可用手。不小心弄到的话，要马上彻底把手洗干净。

This is a typical billing for one session of chemo. It does not come cheap. Thankfully the insurance we bought cover the bill. So, it is important to get sufficient coverage in this age of high medical care cost.......
这是每个化疗的账单，价格不菲。感恩的是几年前买的保单可报销。所以在医疗费用高昂的现况下，有足够的保险是非常重要的。。。。

Psalm 136

 ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
            His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
            His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
            His love endures forever.
 ⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
            His love endures forever. 

詩 篇 136

 ¹ 你 们 要 称 谢 耶 和 华 ， 因 他 本 为 善 ； 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 。
 ² 你 们 要 称 谢 万 　 神 之 神 ， 因 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 。
 ³ 你 们 要 称 谢 万 主 之 主 ， 因 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 。
 ⁴ 称 谢 那 独 行 大 奇 事 的 ， 因 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 

Time to look forwards 往前看

(1)
Completing the oral prescription of final round of chemotherapy tomorrow. What a relief. What a blessing.


At this point, trying to summarize the typical side-effects I experienced during the course of chemotherapy:
Dizziness-  starts from day 1, especially when changing from sitting to standing, laying down and standing.
Lethargy - overall tiredness kicks in typical on day 3, would last up to 1 week. Sleep a lot during this period.
Month ulcers - where the soft tissue is under attack. Happens during week 1
Taste buds change - 1st week after chemo, loss of appetite, this wears off after week 1, appetite picks up again
Sole of foot feeling painful - 2nd week after chemo
Numbness on arm and fingers - starts after chemo, lasts up to 1-2 weeks, tingling effects when consuming cold drink/food and the room temperature drops, like under air-con
Nose bleed - happens week 1, couple of times
Diarrhea - happens in week 1
Dryness in month and throat - especially at night
Vomiting - happened once though it is one of the common side-effect among the patients


Week 1 is the difficult period, getting over it is a great relief. I feel almost “invincible” again each time.


Then there are cumulative side-effects after few rounds of chemo:
Hair loss - during first 3 rounds, this stopped after change of some drugs to oral medication
Skin peel-off - especially on the sole of both feet
Skin color change - darkened skin especially on fingers and toes; finger print getting lighter
Pain on the wounds - the drugs caused pus to form on the wounds


As there are many possible combinations of drug that could be used, different patients could react differently, even to the same drugs. I am thankful that the doctors and nurses said I have reacted to them fairly well. The TCM herbs certainly help to alleviate some of these effects as they help to get rid of the toxic faster.


Pastor had given me wise counsel before the chemotherapy started. He advised me not to look out for side-effects and think too much about it....otherwise more likely they would come true. What you think, you are....So I normally do not care too much on these but focus on the healing effect. Just as Pastor R said, "If you are determined to get well, that is half the battle won."


Thank God for His protection and covering during this period. Though the immunity level drops, only once did I have running nose for a couple of days; while each of my family members has had flu especially during the 7-week year end school holiday.


(2)
Went for a follow-up with the colorectal doctor this Tue 30 May. He advised that I should wait for couple of months to have the last operation done. This is due to the effect on a particular strong drug used in chemotherapy, which affects the healing of wounds. Though I was feeling impatient, (that is why patients are called "patients" - because this is the perfect practicing ground for that virtue), he said it is good to do a one-time good operation when all the conditions are right.
Despite that, I managed to get the nurse to fix the next appointment with the surgeon on 18 Jul, instead of early Aug.

Psa 91:1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 
Psa 91:2  I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 
Psa 91:3  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 
Psa 91:4  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 
Psa 91:5  You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 
Psa 91:6  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 
Psa 91:7  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.



诗篇 91:1  住在至高者隐密处的，必住在全能者的荫下。 
Psa 91:2  我要论到耶和华说：他是我的避难所，是我的山寨，是我的神，是我所倚靠的。 
Psa 91:3  他必救你脱离捕鸟人的网罗和毒害的瘟疫。 
Psa 91:4  他必用自己的翎毛遮蔽你；你要投靠在他的翅膀底下；他的诚实是大小的盾牌。 
Psa 91:5  你必不怕黑夜的惊骇，或是白日飞的箭， 
Psa 91:6  也不怕黑夜行的瘟疫，或是午间灭人的毒病。 
Psa 91:7  虽有千人仆倒在你旁边，万人仆倒在你右边，这灾却不得临近你。 
Psa 91:8  你惟亲眼观看，见恶人遭报。 
Psa 91:9  耶和华是我的避难所；你已将至高者当你的居所， 
Psa 91:10  祸患必不临到你，灾害也不挨近你的帐棚。