Adjustment and Changes

Recently I came across this book by an oncologist Dr Robert Nagourney, based in USA-


It describes his journey as an oncologist having lost loved ones to the disease and his early failures in treating patients. These spurred him to find better ways to treat cancer. Eventually he found how chemotherapy success could be improved through assay on chemosenstitivity, finding out in the lab what drugs could best kills particular cancer cells present in the patient before administering. Discussion on alternative and complementary therapy, examples of successes, patients who inspired him also leads to some interesting discussion on certain food that help reducing chance of tumor developing - raw garlic, dark chocolate and red wine(in moderation). There are references to Michio Kushi, a Japanese who introduces macrobiotics (the Greek term for "Great Life" or "Long Life," first used by Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine) in USA. He and his wife pioneered in the development of macrobiotic education and the introduction of natural foods, holistic healing, and other sustainable ways of life. Michio Kushi's  Macrobiotics is a system that can be used to create extraordinary health, through using both traditional wisdom and modern knowledge to ascertain the underlying causes of an individuals current health challenges, and make adjustments to their food and lifestyle choices that support health improvement. Not simply a “diet”, macrobiotic recognizes the profound effects food, environment, activities, and attitude all have on our body-mind-emotions. (italic info from Kushi's website)

From this book and other literature that I came across, there is some common theme of lifestyle adjustment or change to prevent the disease - on diet, attitude, managing stress etc.... So a time to re-think and realign these areas. There is of course the spiritual dimension that plays critical roles, as evident from many divine healing that I came across.

Latest blood test showed all indicators were well. This was further confirmed by latest PET-scan done on Dec 6,  which showed everything was fine. The doctor said it was the grace of God that saw me through, since the disease was rather advanced. He recommended to proceed with the current treatment for sometime, just "not to rock the boat".

So during this Christmas season, we give thanks to God for His making His promise come true. Thanking Him for healing, protection, provision and being very present help in time of needs. There are numerous blessings and financial provision we receive, a testament to God's faithfulness. Surely He is good, merciful and mighty.

Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and a fulfilling year ahead! This week is a great time to ponder and reflect on the reason for Christmas:

Isaiah 9:6-7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

Matt 1
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us).

以 賽 亞 書 9:6-7

Chinese Union Version (Simplified) (CUVS)

6 因 有 一 婴 孩 为 我 们 而 生 ； 有 一 子 赐 给 我 们 。 政 权 必 担 在 他 的 肩 头 上 ； 他 名 称 为 奇 妙 策 士 、 全 能 的 神 、 永 在 的 父 、 和 平 的 君 。

Mat 1:21  他将要生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫耶稣，因他要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来。」 
Mat 1:22  这一切的事成就是要应验主藉先知所说的话， 

Mat 1:23  说：「必有童女怀孕生子；人要称他的名为以马内利。」（以马内利翻出来就是「神与我们同在」。）

Looking Ahead

Went for the monthly review with the oncologist on Monday Oct 14. The date was brought forward by 1 day due to the a public holiday on Tuesday. Normally there would be bigger crowd pre- and post holiday. So I was pleasantly surprised to be the 2nd on the queue of many patients.

The doctor as usual went through a check, and reviewed the blood and urine test report. These are all good. I thanked God and the doctor for keeping me healthy. To which the doctor replied, "No, thank God only." I managed to get home before noon after treatment, which was quite a luxury.

Nov 11 was another check-up and treatment session again.

We were all happy and grateful that the blood and urine test results turned out to be very good, tumor markers were all in low range. The doctor asked whether there was any issues encountered during the past weeks. Other than pimples on the body, the skin on the face tend to crack with minor bleeding, especially during bathing. I asked the doctor whether the antibodies Erbitux promoted hair growth. He asked whether I grew more hair or it got darker. I said both. He was pretty amused and joked that it was a new discovery. So it was quite a contrast compared to being bald-headed over a year back.

A PET-scan was arranged for early Dec, other than the usual blood and urine tests.

Of late, I have been exercising more. More than half an hour of running in the field, sweating out and getting refreshed. Feeling good and hope to keep the momentum going......

Matthew 6
25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

马太福音 6:25-27  「所以我告诉你们，不要为生命忧虑吃什麽，喝什麽；为身体忧虑穿什麽。生命不胜於饮食吗？身体不胜於衣裳吗？ 

 你们看那天上的飞鸟，也不种，也不收，也不积蓄在仓里，你们的天父尚且养活他。你们不比飞鸟贵重得多吗？ 

 你们那一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢（或作：使身量多加一肘呢）？

Carry On

Tues 9/17 was again the 4-weekly checkup with the oncologist. I was early for the appointment.

After the usual blood pressure and weight check by the nurse, I sat to wait for my turn. It was more than 2-hr wait. The doctor went through the blood test and urine test reports. He said all the functions were well. This was another time that all indicators were in good range. The doctor remarked," How I wish all my patients are like you! " Thank and praise God for His faithfulness.

 So the usual treatment proceeded, the doctor said the course of treatment would be reviewed in December, after another PET scan done.


Php 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Php 4:4  你们要靠主常常喜乐。我再说，你们要喜乐。 
Php 4:5  当叫众人知道你们谦让的心。主已经近了。 
Php 4:6  应当一无挂虑，只要凡事藉著祷告、祈求，和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。 
Php 4:7  神所赐、出人意外的平安必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。

Further Follow up

Tuesday 7/24 was scheduled monthly review with the oncologist. As the blood and urine test reports were good, it was just a brief session. The doctor recommended to continue with the same treatment. The treatment done at the hospital was infusion of Erbitux, which took around 45 minutes.

On Jul 30 I visited the radiology oncologist for the half-year review. Went through the latest blood test and PET-scan reports. The doctor did the check on the colon, all were fine. The next review would be in a year's time.

Another monthly review was done this Tuesday Aug 20. We reviewed the blood and urine test report done over the weekend. It was the 2nd time that all results were black, with everything in the healthy range. Thank God! Looking forwards to ending the treatment soon........

Of late I have been trying to exercise daily, trying to get fitter physically. This is part of the rehabilitation which I am embarking on. Worry not, pray more, perspire more, eat more healthily and rest well!

Psalm 16 (NLT)

1 

Keep me safe, O God,
    for I have come to you for refuge.

2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
    Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3 The godly people in the land
    are my true heroes!
    I take pleasure in them!

5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
    You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
    What a wonderful inheritance!

Psa 16:1  神啊，求你保佑我，因为我投靠你。 

Psa 16:2  我的心哪，你曾对耶和华说：你是我的主；我的好处不在你以外。 

Psa 16:3  论到世上的圣民，他们又美又善，是我最喜悦的。 

Psa 16:5  耶和华是我的产业，是我杯中的分；我所得的，你为我持守。 

Psa 16:6  用绳量给我的地界，坐落在佳美之处；我的产业实在美好。 

.........and thank God!!

On Monday 6/24 I went for blood test and PET-scan at the hospital. The previous scan was done on early Jan.

When we saw the doctor yesterday 6/25, the first thing he did was showing a thumb-up sign He smiled and said: "Very good". The scan showed that the hot spot found on the liver during previous scan was gone. The blood test results were good too. Doctor was very happy with the progress. He recommended to continue with the same treatment for a while more. We thank God for the positive results, having waited quite a while to hear this good news. We rejoice and give thanks, our Lord is ever faithful to His promise!!

There are some side effects from the drugs used, other than swollen fingers and bleeding on the side of the nails, the body is covered with acne-like rashes. Some of the rashes are bleeding slightly. Fortunately most of the time I do not feel itchy. The hot weather of late does cause some discomfort. It has been hazy due to the burning to clear land for agricultural purposes in neighboring country. The haze that blankets the city since a week and half ago has abated a bit, much to everyone's relief. Most of the time we stay indoor just to avoid the heat, the haze that bring high level PM2.5 particulates in the air. The side-effects, as the doctor said, are small price to pay for good health. I totally concur.

Life has resumed more or less to normalcy for a few months now. I am inspired to exercise a bit more by a 88-year old man who insisted on exercising daily. The haze does not come in good time though. Looking forwards to clear and blue sky to work out a bit!


Ps 121 

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

诗篇 121:5  保护你的是耶和华；耶和华在你右边荫庇你。 

121:6  白日，太阳必不伤你；夜间，月亮必不害你。 

121:7  耶和华要保护你，免受一切的灾害；他要保护你的性命。 

121:8  你出你入，耶和华要保护你，从今时直到永远。

A year on

On Tuesday Apr 29, I went to see the oncologist on for regular check-up.

It was a busy day at the clinic, due to a public holiday on the following day. Fortunately we did not wait too long to see the doctor. It was the first time my blood & urine test reports showed all black color, with every indicators in good range. These included 

• Kidney, Liver profiles, 
• Endocrine (Gland) function, 
• Bone.joint profile, 
• Tumor Marker studies, 
• Haematology, 
• Coagulation and Urinalysis. 

The oncologist particularly commented on the tumor marker CEA, which was 3, 0.9 to <0.5 for the 3 latest tests. He attributed it to the use of Erbitux,  which was the inhibitor.

So we continued with the same treatment.

This is a good time to reflect upon the treatment that was started slightly over 1 year back. Extremely grateful to God Almighty for His grace and mercies, He is my fortress and my refuge, under His wings I hide. He grants strength, peace and provision when the going is tough, and when any need arises. 
Thanks to the doctors, nurses, who have shown professionalism and give genuine support. 
Thanks also to family(especially my wife who is also the part-time nurse), relatives, friends & colleagues who are ever ready to lend support and pray for us.
Thanks to the insurer for footing all my medical bills, it has been a big sum. Without all of you, it is impossible to come to this stage.......

Isa 43	1 雅各啊，创造你的耶和华，
	以色列啊，造成你的那位，
	现在如此说：
	你不要害怕！因为我救赎了你。
	我曾提你的名召你，你是属我的。
	2你从水中经过，我必与你同在；
	你趟过江河，水必不漫过你；
	你从火中行过，必不被烧，
	火焰也不着在你身上。 Isa 43But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob,     he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;     I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;     and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,     and the flame shall not consume you.

Follow Up

For the past few months, I have been seeing the oncologist monthly.

The PET scan on early Jan showed hot spot on the liver. So during the meet-up with the doctor on early Feb, he asked me to go for another round of Radio-Frequency Ablation(RFA). Hospitalized on the same day Feb 4, the procedure was performed on the afternoon. General anesthetic was applied. I woke up some 45 minutes later. The after effect of the GA - the nausea feeling - was more pronounced this time. And the pain on the upper stomach area lasted longer than previous round. I was feeling quite lousy for the next few hours, tossing and turning on the bed. 4 hours after the procedure, the nurse gave some pain killer through injection, it relieved much of the pain and I was able to sleep.

Then it was CNY, grateful that I could fly back to hometown and celebrated with my family.

During the routine check-up this month, the blood test report was good. The doctor decided to put back Erbitux, which is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. This in administered intravenously, and takes about 1 hour each session, once every fortnightly. There is no side effect from this, other than having a lot of pimples (so I feel young again:)). The doctor has seen very positive results with this on other patients.



Meantime, I have been attending Miracle Service at the church, or watching it online over the internet(www.lighthouse.org.sg/tv.html, every Saturday at 7pm ; GMT+8). There are cases of miracle healing with advanced stage of cancers among other diseases, it is really amazing to hear of these healing. Even our family doctor also talked about miracle healing during a recent visit. 

This being the colorectal cancer awareness month, it is probably good to have some knowledge of the disease,and cancer in general. Some good practices like:
Take care of our health. 
Have a balanced life. Avoid stress  
Exercise regularly. 
Have regular check-up.
Some of the common symptoms are available on the link below:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cancer_symptoms/article_em.htm#cancer_symptoms_introduction. 
Some doctors advocate that individual needs to know this well, and take early action if there is anything amiss

Also, review our medical insurance. The medical treatment cost could be substantial.  My wish is nobody would need to utilize it. However, always be on the safe side. 

Ps31 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    in your righteousness deliver me!
² Incline your ear to me;
    rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a strong fortress to save me!

³ For you are my rock and my fortress;
    and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

Psa 31:1  （大卫的诗，交与伶长。）耶和华啊，我投靠你；求你使我永不羞愧；凭你的公义搭救我！ 

Psa 31:2  求你侧耳而听，快快救我！作我坚固的磐石，拯救我的保障！ 

Psa 31:3  因为你是我的岩石，我的山寨；所以，求你为你名的缘故引导我，指点我。