Before the chemotherapy was started, the doctor had advised to
load up protein by eating lot of meat and warned about the possible side
effects. From my previous experience, I was coping quite well with side effects.
But how wrong I was!
What I went through was just unimaginable. The diarrhea was so bad.. I was rushing to the washroom 24-hr non-stop. My stomach was churning, vomit came and went. Fortunately it was just liquid and nothing else, as I had not been consuming much at all Every 2 hourly I took Imodian, which was supposedly very effective to stop the diarrhea. It offered little help.
After few days, I felt too weak and exhausted, we went to see the doctor. Hydration was
done for 3 times over the 5 days, along with the nutrition, protein and other stuff.
When the blood test report came out, the
doctor said the salt (Na, Cl) level was so low that it was like someone in
coma..
The battle did not stopped there, this waged on for 10 days,
The Imodian supply at the pharmacy near our place was cleared out by my dear
wife. She had to travel to another pharmacy to purchase more. Poor her, who woke
up every couple of days to help me record the time medicine was taken. I was
totally grateful that she ｗａｓnot stressed out.
Finally come to a much welcome stop on Sunday, what a huge
relief. Towards the final 2 days, I was able to eat more too.
The 2nd round of chemo was due to start yesterday. My stomach wall was still in pain. After the doctor examined me, he decided to postpone giving me the particular drug that caused diarrhea by a week. It was a wise decision.
Throughout the ordeal, I thank my wife for standing by me. She
was a pillar of strength, the kids have been very helpful. We prayed together
daily for strength and divine protection. Thanks to friends, colleagues and
relatives who prayed for us, supported us in various ways. Some rallied their
churches to pray for us, this really touches my heart.
In the hospital there were many patients from overseas. Many
travelled from Malaysia and Indonesia . We
met a couples in the sixties from Kuching. They usually travelled a day ahead
of chemo and flew back the same day. They have a son-in-law from my hometown.
The couple seemed very serene, taking things in their strides. When I was
undergoing my 1st chemo, I was pleasantly surprised he walked over
to me and offered a prayer. May the Lord bless them. They spent 30-40k RM each
month to seek treatment here. It was not easy. And there are some many like
them. I sympathized with them, especially those more elderly ones. They have
suffered much, and traveling to-and-fro no doubt adds to their burden. So overall, still feel very blessed just to be here.....
106
Psalm 106:1-2 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?
