Latest and greatest 进展

Have reviewed with the colorectal doctor mid Oct.  He told me it just took time to get normal with the bowel habit. The overall recovery was good.

I have since traveled a bit for work. It was good to get back to the routine, the adjustment had been fairly smooth.

Reviewed with the oncologist Prof K yesterday. He said the blood test showed that the tumor marker CEA was at 0.8. This was very good result. The condition has been very stable. Liver function indicators were all within normal range. Prof K was very glad to put me to routine monitoring.

Between the 2 doctors, they would see me every 3 months alternatively from now on. Monitoring would be done through the blood test. We cannot thank God enough for His healing promise, everlasting love and unfailing compassion . Thanks all who pray for us. Thanks to my friends, colleagues, church and families for their kind support throughout this period. May God Bless you with peace and health abundantly.

I wrote this as a token of appreciation to the kind oncologist Prof K.  送给宅心仁厚的K教授，感谢他的尽心尽力的医治与帮助

诗篇 131:2  我的心平稳安静，好像断过奶的孩子在他母亲的怀中；我的心在我里面真像断过奶的孩子。 
3  以色列啊，你当仰望耶和华，从今时直到永远！

Psa131： 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever.

Post op 手术后

It has been a month post op. The wound is now completely healed. The assistant surgeon was very certain that there would be infection, due to the pre-existing condition. We prayed otherwise. Indeed we are very thankful that the wound has healed without incidence.

It has been quite a different story adapting to the ileostomy though. The colon, having rested for 11 months, has taken longer time to adjust. Past few weeks has been tough, with need to rush to wash room regularly. This was accompanied by severe abdominal pain. Some time it was up to half a day in the rest room, the pain was so unbearable that  at times I have to resort to painkiller.

Visited the doc yesterday, a new doctor since the surgeon has moved on. He explained about the bacteria at work  after the large intestine just gotten back to function again, and prescribed some medication to reduce bowel irritation. This situation has kept me at home pretty much. Pray and looking forwards to improvement soon.  Pressing on.

James1：2  Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort;
雅各书1：2  我的弟兄们，你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐； 

Op 3 第三个手术

Admitted into hospital last Wed Jul 10 to prepare for my final op. 


The op was originally scheduled to be on Jul 11. On checking the condition of the colon, the doctor found that the lumen where the suture happened during Op 1 has constricted. So the surgeon had to dilate it. It was done using a procedure similar to colonoscopy. The procedure was carried out on Thur and the op had to be postponed pending x-ray results.


Early Fri the x-ray photos were taken, to ensure the suture was intact. Thankfully the results were good. Was pushed to the operating theatre around 10am. The operating theatre was cold as usual. It was bustling with activities to get ready for the op. I was placed on the operating bed under those operating LED lights. General anaesthetic was performed and I was unconscious in no time. By the time I awoke, it was more than 2.5 hours later. I felt pain on the abdomen where the ileostomy was performed. I was back to the ward soon after. Between short span of awakened stages, I was sleeping most of the time due to the effect of the anesthetic. That night seemed to be particular long as I tried to sleep through after the effect wore off somewhat. 


The doctors came by a few times to check over the next few days. The first sign of success was the passing of gas, to which the assistant surgeon was relieved. This happened 2 days later. Then another vital indicator was ability to pass motion. This finally happened during day 3. Never would I imagine passing motion was so important. By then, I was quite eager to return home, I pleaded with the surgeon to discharge me. So another doctor from the team was sent in to check on me on Monday evening. He agreed that I could go home. It was such a relief after spending 5 nights there. 


What was memorable during the hospital stay was the service level of the all the hospital staff. All the doctors, and especially the nurses were superb, they showed high level of professionalism. On top of that, there were very personal care and genuine concerns for the welfare of the patients. They touched my heart with their dedication.


Thank God for a successful op. With this, all the medical procedures are completed.

John 3 

¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

約 翰 福 音 3

 ¹² 我 对 你 们 说 地 上 的 事 ， 你 们 尚 且 不 信 ， 若 说 天 上 的 事 ， 如 何 能 信 呢 ？

Next Op 下一个手术

The X-ray was brought forward to Jul 27 as someone had cancelled appointment. Proceeded to the hospital after fasting. The procedure was called water soluble test. Essentially filling the colon with some fluid, so the x-ray would capture whether the suture was good, to see if there is any leak with the colon.

Doctor's verdict was no issue.

Visited the surgeon, Prof E, yesterday. He said I was on the cured stage, and mentioned that I was a fighter. Some people would have given up, he said. I was not sure about that, but certain that God fought the battle for me. Prof fixed the surgery to be on Aug 11.

Psalm24:8
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

詩 篇 24:8

⁸ 荣 耀 的 王 是 谁 呢 ？ 就 是 有 力 有 能 的 耶 和 华 ， 在 战 场 上 有 能 的 耶 和 华 ！

and the doctors said.....医生如是说。。。。。

Reviewed with the colorectal surgeon, Prof E on Monday. He was back from a long vacation and looked very much refreshed. After examination, he arranged for a X-ray to be done on Aug 4. If the joint in the colon heals well, he would then proceed with the operation.

After going through the reports, he mentioned it wais rare to see such a good progress, given the conditions that I had. He was very happy for me. I could not help but gave thanks to God, so has been seeing through the healing and remains ever so faithful.

This morning I saw the oncologist, Dr K. As usual, he examined me- and said all was well. He asked when the operation would be done. The tumor marker was very low, and thus did not warrant a scan. He would see me again on Nov 1, thereafter every half yearly. This is indeed fantastic news!!

Psa 41:2  the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; 
Psa 41:2  耶和华必保全他，使他存活；他必在地上享福


Lam 3:24  Deep in my heart I say, "The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!" 
Lam 3:24  我心里说：耶和华是我的分，因此，我要仰望他。

God is faithful 信实的上帝

(1)

When I was diagnosed with cancer, there was quite a shock to my family. I have been healthy all this while, so it was like a thunderbolt out of blue clear sky.
Among others, my mother-in-law begun to pray. She said if I recover, she would start believing God. Surely she did keep to her promise, we accompanied her to church last Sunday.
May God strengthens her faith, and keep her.

(2)

Went for review with the liver surgeon last Tuesday. Prof O was as gentle and kind as ever. It was no wonder that he topped the list the outstanding medical professional, gathered from patients' feedback for the hospital's honour list.   After looking through all the reports, he announced that the liver has returned to normal, with all the indicators showing good reading from the blood test.
He mentioned that there would be no need to see again. Praise God, for His wonderful faithfulness and amazing grace!

Lamentation3

 ²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
   therefore I will wait for him.”
 ²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
   to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
   for the salvation of the LORD.

耶 利 米 哀 歌 3 

²² 我 们 不 致 消 灭 ， 是 出 於 耶 和 华 诸 般 的 慈 爱 ； 是 因 他 的 怜 悯 不 致 断 绝 。
 ²³ 每 早 晨 ， 这 都 是 新 的 ； 你 的 诚 实 极 其 广 大 ！
 ²⁴ 我 心 里 说 ： 耶 和 华 是 我 的 分 ， 因 此 ， 我 要 仰 望 他 。
 ²⁵ 凡 等 候 耶 和 华 ， 心 里 寻 求 他 的 ， 耶 和 华 必 施 恩 给 他 。
 ²⁶ 人 仰 望 耶 和 华 ， 静 默 等 候 他 的 救 恩 ， 这 原 是 好 的 。

Staying positive 保持乐观

I went to see the TCM physician again on Tuesday morning.

As usual, there were altogether 3 physicians attending to the tumor patients at the hospital. At the waiting area, all the patients started talking and sharing their experiences. Most of them were at their 60s. Amazingly, almost all of them have very positive attitude towards the disease, accepting the fact, taking it in their strides, never wallowed in self-pity, not complaining.......but just freely their experiences in fighting the cancer, talking about chemo, hair loss, going bald.....There was a lady who had a relapse, however, she remained cheerful and was encouraging another new patient to stay positive and take things easy, what amazing spirit!!

For a cancer patient, probably one of the biggest challenges is to maintain a positive spirit throughout the treatment and post treatment period. As this is usually a long battle, it requires a lot of strength to keep going. I have been  very blessed to be able to draw strength from the Almighty One, with many people supporting me in prayer and other positive actions. Mum, my siblings and some friends have always encouraged me to stay optimistic and take things easy. They are right, mental and spiritual well-being are vital in the fight. So, I seldom looked at the negative aspects and choose to focus on getting better. I figured that I could not get things any better by worrying. But rather trusting God in his all wise and well-meaning plan for me. This has certainly help me to get through the tough time......and counting each day as a blessing.

Proverbs 3

 ¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,but keep my commands in your heart, 

² for they will prolong your life many years
   and bring you peace and prosperity. ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
   bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
   in the sight of God and man.
 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight

箴 言 3

 ¹ 我 儿 ， 不 要 忘 记 我 的 法 则 （ 或 译 ： 指 教 ） ； 你 心 要 谨 守 我 的 诫 命 ；
 ² 因 为 他 必 将 长 久 的 日 子 ， 生 命 的 年 数 与 平 安 ， 加 给 你 。
 ³ 不 可 使 慈 爱 、 诚 实 离 开 你 ， 要 系 在 你 颈 项 上 ， 刻 在 你 心 版 上 。
 ⁴ 这 样 ， 你 必 在 　 神 和 世 人 眼 前 蒙 恩 宠 ， 有 聪 明 。
 ⁵ 你 要 专 心 仰 赖 耶 和 华 ， 不 可 倚 靠 自 己 的 聪 明 ，
 ⁶ 在 你 一 切 所 行 的 事 上 都 要 认 定 他 ， 他 必 指 引 你 的 路 。