Weather the Storm

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 2^nd 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.

I am very happy to inform that the latest blood test results show that the tumor marker has become normal again, the CEA reading was 1.3 (safe level is <5). It was 10 when tested at the 1st hospital. Praise God for His special healing!

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 1^st 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,

     for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?

詩 篇 106 ¹ 你 们 要 赞 美 耶 和 华 ！ 要 称 谢 耶 和 华 ， 因 他 本 为 善 ； 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 ！ ² 谁 能 传 说 耶 和 华 的 大 能 ？ 谁 能 表 明 他 一 切 的 美 德 ？

Win another battle

Went for review with the colorectal surgeon on Apr 4. He checked the blood test results and found tumor marker to be high. He recommended a CT scan to be performed. The queue at the hospital was long, though I managed to brought the scan forward, I could only see the surgeon again early May.

It was somewhat disturbing. The way home from hospital was bright and sunny. I admired the scenery along the road and tried t make light of the situation.

At the nudging of my sis-in-law, we decided to see another oncologist at a private hospital. He quickly arranged to a consultation on the eve of Good Friday. His immediately arranged for PET scan, a more accurate form of scan on Monday Apr 9.

I have been praying hard and earnestly these few days. There was anxiety in the beginning, through the pray sessions, the peace came into my heart. I was given word from the Lord:

On Good Friday - Psa 107:20  He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 20  他发命医治他们，救他们脱离死亡 (Most amazingly the same verse were sent by a dear sis and colleagues to me 2 days later)


Sat - Ps 75:3Psa 75:3  The earth and all its people are melting away; I hold up its pillars 3  地和其上的居民都消化了；我曾立了地的柱子
Psa 75:7  But God is the judge.....7  惟有神断定.....(God has the final say....)


Easter Day Psa 71:3  Be a rock of refuge for me, to which I may always go; You have commanded to save me; for You are my Rock and my Fortress. 3  求你作我常住的磐石；你已经命定要救我，因为你是我的岩石，我的山寨。 


Also the Lord showed me Luke 7 - the centurion's servant was healed at His command, and how by compassion He  raised the dead son of the widow.

On Monday the PET scan was performed in the morning. By 5pm, we were back to see the oncologist. Somehow, there was this peace reigning in my heart, as I kept my mind on the verse from Psalm 23: Surely goodness and mercies shall follow me all the days my life......The pastor had taught a day earlier to steady our spirit in God's word.

The doctor located some anomalies at the colorectal area from the scan. Good news is no spread to other area. And the doctor has managed to see some symptom to which a particular drug has proven effective. We agreed to proceed with treatment course and started chemotherapy on the Tues, Apr 10. There would be 2 sessions per month over the next 3 months. Another scan would follow then.

I thank God so far I have been feeling perfectly well after the chemo session. Truly, there is power in the Living Word. And Blessed assurance that I am healed by His stripes (Isa 53:5)!! I am reciting Psa 91:16  With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. 

Give thanks - it is Christmas again

Christmas trees seen everywhere. This photo is one taken in Shenzhen, China. It is the time of the year where the festive mood is in the air.


As the year draws to a close, I reflect on the journey this year. It has been an incredible one, with much gratitude I have come through. Thank God for His many blessings, peace and joy. Thanks to all who have walked with me, helped and prayed for me. I really appreciate your support.


The church I worship in has placed the Miracle Service every Saturday on live broadcast, 7pm Singapore/China time (GMT+8). It is available at:
www.lighthouse.org.sg/tv.html


The pastor had received divine healing from an incurable disease. He has started this healing ministries many years back. 


May you also received blessing from the Almighty. May many hearts be touched, body and soul healed. 


Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas. And a new year filled with hope, faith and joy. 

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 ！