RFA

I went for early admission on Aug 21, a day after the Hari Raya holiday. The hospital was efficient, I was in the ward shortly after submitting the registration papers.

I was pushed around 11.30am to the CT scan room where the procedure was to be performed. Light anesthesia was applied around 12noon, the doctor assured me I would be awoke within 1 hr. The radiologist came and explained the procedure, and I signed the paper. He mentioned that from the PET scan there is no tumor, but the procedure would be preventive.

By 12.50pm I was awoke, feeling nausea the few hours after, which  I slept  through most of the time. I felt no pain, though painkiller was given for the next 18 hrs. The procedure involved inserting a needle through the stomach wall into the liver, guided by CT scan. High Frequency electricity was applied to generate heat to burn off any cells/tumors that were undesirable. The night sleep was interrupted with constant monitoring of blood pressure........

The oncologist did his round early the next morning, arriving at the ward at 7.30am. He mentioned all was well. The nurse had earlier removed the gauze measuring around 6" by 6", and replaced with a small plaster. When the oncologist checked the size of the wound, he immediately said get discharged. He mentioned all was well, and encouraged me with the experience of another patient. So I was discharged early. Only after reaching home did I felt some slight pain around the area, which did not bother me too much.

The billing was efficient too, the biz associate came to ask me to sign off the bill before the discharge. It came up to a significant 4-digit sum, to my surprise. I was grateful that this was paid by the insurance policy which I purchased (Integrated Medishield Plan, the premium is paid using CPF fund). Also the chemo sessions did not come cheap, each at a 5-digit sum. Since there have been multiple sessions, the sum quickly added up. I saw how a friend struggled financially when his cancer-stricken wife had to foregone some treatment..... So it is imperative to have sufficient insurance coverage, hopefully there is no need to be used at all .....

Glad to report that the side effects from the recent round of chemo are much reduced. Try to do more exercise to stay fitter. Thank God and praise Him for answering our prayers.......

Psalm 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121:5-8  保护你的是耶和华；耶和华在你右边荫庇你。 

 白日，太阳必不伤你；夜间，月亮必不害你。 

 耶和华要保护你，免受一切的灾害；他要保护你的性命。 

 你出你入，耶和华要保护你，从今时直到永远。 

It is not to be yet

Done blood test and PET scan on Thur Aug 16.

Reviewed the results with the doctor Fri Aug 17. The doctor said the results were excellent. The treatment so far has shown results with improvement beyond his expectations (And we know why). Liver, kidney functions were good. Blood test results were well, with tumor marker of <0.5 (detection level).

To be on the very safe side, the doctor recommended some more chemotherapy to be done. I felt he was keeping the card too close to his chest, perhaps he was concerned with information overload???.....
"How many more cycles, Doc?" I asked.
"Maximum 3 cycles." He replied.

On top of this, he recommended a procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation(RFA); a high frequency electricity using electrode is used to generate heat to kill the tumor on the liver. Though the scan has shown no tumor, the doctor believed that this procedure will help to prevent any possible recurrence. I will be admitted to hospital Tue Aug 21 for the procedure, and be discharged the next day.

So the 7th cycle of chemo started on Fri Aug 17. So my earlier wish on final chemotherapy session was not to be, as yet. Nonetheless, it is on count-down mode. Very thankful that the previous round, the side effects were much reduced. Indeed God has been merciful and faithful! We could praise Him always.

³ 

Psalm 71:3
Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

詩 篇 71

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 。

Onto next step

Finally done the last chemo infusion yesterday.

Reviewed with the doctor last Monday. Again all the blood and urine test results were positive. Kidney, liver functions were well, tumor marker CEA at all time round low of 0.6. Indeed God has been faithful! Praise Him! I was complaining and felt discouraged with the side effects from the 5th cycle. But the results probably was worth that amount of physical suffering.......One good news is that the appetite has improved quite a lot over these few weeks.

The schedule for this round of chemo is as follows:

Mon 30 July 6th cycle of Chemo session I

Wed Hydration, white blood cell(WBC) booster injection
Sat Blood test
Mon 6 Aug Chemo session II
Wed Hydration, WBC booster injection
Fri WBC booster injection
Sun WBC booster injection
Mon 13 Aug Hydration, Red blood cell booster injection

Doctor has asked for another round of full blood test and PET scan on Aug 16. 

On Aug 17 there will be another review with him. Based on the results, he would decide on the next phase of treatment. We pray that God would grant him wisdom in determining the best course of action. Trusting in God based on His promises.

Rom8

³⁷ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.

罗马书 8 

³⁷ 然 而 ， 靠 着 爱 我 们 的 主 ， 在 这 一 切 的 事 上 已 经 得 胜 有 馀 了 。

Thankful

After the 4th cycle of cheomtherapy, I went to see the Chinese TCM physician. She was happy to see the progress based on the examination and the blood test results. She mentioned that everything was under good control. She prescribed with medicine, mainly to boost immunity level to last through the whole chemotherapy sessions.


Reviewed with the oncologist again on this Monday. The doctor examined me and was glad with the latest blood test report done over the weekend. Thank God that all results were fine; including very low/safe tumor marker CEA at 0.7, blood counts, liver and kidney functions are well under control, except a bit low in protein level. We provided some feedback on the side effects, the doctor said: " I know this is tough program, please bear with it...."

After that, proceed with 5th cycle of chemo. The schedule for this cycle is as below, with the aim of minimizing side effects and boosting immunity level:


Mon 9 July Chemo session I
Wed Hydration, white blood cell(WBC) booster injection
Mon 16 July Chemo session II
Wed Hydration, WBC booster injection
Fri WBC booster injection
Sun WBC booster injection
Mon 23 Jul Hydration, Red blood cell booster injection

Except for the booster injection which could be done at home, all other procedures need to be performed at the hospital. We are very grateful that our Uncle has been helping to ferry me to-and-fro for the treatment most of the time.

Over the weekend, a colleague came to visit from faraway land, the presence lifted our spirits. Thanks too for those who uphold us in prayer and other forms of encouragement. We are very blessed to have you, may God Bless you and make His face shines upon you.

Psalm 107

¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

诗篇 107

1“你们要称谢耶和华，因他本为善，他的慈爱永远长存！”

ALL GONE!!

I was happy to complete the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy on Jun 11.


This was followed by a PET scan at the hospital on Jun 15. This was a couple of hours kind of procedure. The actual scan was ~20 min., prior to that radioactive tracer was injected into the vein and muscle relaxant. Then lay still and rested for about 45min to 1 hr before the scan could proceed.


Reviewed the scan and blood test results with the doctor on Jun 18. 


The scan results were perfect. The affected areas during the previous scan 2 months back were all clear now, which means the cancerous cells were ALL GONE. The tumor marker CEA was at 0.8, the lowest recorded so far. A comprehensive blood test was done this round. Other markers like CA19.9,AFP, CA125 and PSA were all within normal range. Indeed thank and praise God for the wonderful results.

The doctor said it was not time to pop open the champagne yet. He said I should carry on with 3 more cycles of chemotherapy, to complete the protocol. It seemed he was giving us information in installation! Nonetheless, we were thankful for what he had done. So 4th cycle of chemo started on Monday Jun 18.


Praying  for stamina to go through the treatment...........

希 伯 來 書 10:23

²³ 也 要 坚 守 我 们 所 承 认 的 指 望 ， 不 至 摇 动 ， 因 为 那 应 许 我 们 的 是 信 实 的 。

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

²³  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Walk by Faith

Went back to see the doctor on last Monday May 14. Reviewed the blood test results. Everything including kidney, liver functions were fine. These indicators showed how well the body system was taking the chemo, as they are the main organs to remove all the toxins.

After 2nd round of chemo, >95% of the side effects encountered during the first round were gone. Thank God indeed for His amazing grace.  Doctor said since the side effects were gone, he would recommend to go for full 3 cycles of chemo as originally planned. He explained that the side effects which was so severe after the 1st cycle, prompted him to request from scan after completing 2 cycles. This was not longer the case, so to be safe it was still better to go for 3 cycles.

What had changed along the way? I believe prayers played utmost important parts. I sensed somehow something had changed. In the spiritual sense, by learning to draw closer to God and trusting Him more, the peace and assurance would overflow me. Though I admitted a lot of time I was still very impatient, God in His infinite mercies had slowly taught me in this area. There were times when faith was tested, I had to constantly remind myself:

2 Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight......

So the Word come in handy in the struggle. It nourishes my soul and the spirit. I have to train myself to rely more on truth spoken rather than all the facts.....as truth supersedes whatever facts. John 8:32
"and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”


During this time, I have a chance to read the book by Kenneth Hagin below (The Basics of Faith)

As a teenager, Kenneth E. Hagin lay paralyzed for many months, seemingly destined to die. His heart cried out for someone to encourage him to believe that he could be healed. But the few people he asked for help only told him to prepare for death.

By the grace of God and young Kenneth's determined study of God's Word, faith finally was quickened in his heart for him to believe for his healing. On August 8, 1934, he was raised off the bed of sickness by the power of God, completely healed and made whole. He lived a long and fruitful life as a preacher.(1917-2003)


He mentioned in his book the step of faith:

1. Have God's Word for what you desire to receive from God. 
2. Believe God's Word. 
3. Consider not the contradictory circumstances. 
4. Give praise to God for the answer. 

Medical facts denied him of a cure, but Kenneth Hagin chose to believe in God's Word. His faith allowed God's power to be manifested in him. He received divine healing. "My faith tapped into the power of God and I was made whole! My paralysis disappeared and my heart condition was healed. Since then I've been going at a hop, skip, and a jump, and I have been preaching the truth of the gospel, including healing, ever since. " Truth superseded facts. Truth set him free!

(A copy of the book in English, pdf file is available at: 

http://www.livingfaithchurch.org.uk/pdf/Faith%20Bible%20Study%20Guide-Hagin.pdf) 

Thankful for the lessons learnt.
Thankful for those who continue to pray and support.
Thankful for those who encourage me.
Thankful to Mum and siblings who always help me to look at the brighter sides, for their love and cares.
Thankful to families who help me in my struggle, your comfort is immeasurable.
Thankful to God who initiates love, forgiveness, and healing.

因信而活，（罗一17）；凭信而立，（林后一24）；因信而行。（林后五7）
Live by Faith (Rom1:17) ; Stand firm by Faith (2Cor1:24) ; walk by Faith (2 Cor5:7)

Wonderful are His Deeds

After resting for a week, proceeded with 2nd cycle of chemotherapy yesterday. Monday was a busy day for the doctor. There was a long queue, I waited for more than 1&1/2 hours before the scheduled time before seeing him.

The blood test report showed that the tumor marker CEA continued to remain low, at a reading of 1.2 (safe level <5). So, instead of the 3 cycles of chemo to do another scan, the doctor said I could do it after completing the 2nd cycle. He believed that "the cancerous cells have been whacked blue and black." What an amazing news! Our hearts were filled with thanksgiving to our God, truly He has done far more, beyond what we asked for.

Ephesians 3:20-21

²⁰ God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us. ²¹ May we see His shining-greatness in the church. May all people in all time honor Christ Jesus. Let it be so.New Life Version (NLV)   神能照著运行在我们心里的大力充充足足的成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。 
Eph 3:21  但愿他在教会中，并在基督耶稣里，得著荣耀，直到世世代代，永永远远。阿们！ 

Lately I have been meditating on the book of John, particularly on what Jesus proclaim Himself to be:

John 14:6
Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one can go to the Father except by Me.  耶稣说: "我就是道路、真理、生命；若不藉著我，没有人能到父那里去。" 

John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  叫人活著的乃是灵，肉体是无益的。我对你们所说的话就是灵，就是生命。 

The more I meditated on these verses, the more I was inviting the spirit to give me Life. Life brings wholeness, health, abundance etc. - all part and parcel of God's wonderful salvation. I believe all these contribute to my speedy recovery. And now I am praying that the same Spirit and Life would enable me to be free of all the side effects from the treatment. And of course, all the prayers that arises from different corner of the world, ascending to the throne of the Most High.

After the 1st cycle of chemo, my hair started to part from my scalp. I found hair on my pillow, room, each time I combed my hair, more hair dropped. I was neat a table one day and picked up something from the floor. Accidentally my head touched the table lightly when I stood up. Next moment, a chunk of hair was on the floor. There and then, I decided to visit a barber and shaved my head. Now, I can compete with my colleague to see who has a shinier bald head.

Psa 121:7  The LORD will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. 
Psa 121:8  He will protect you as you come and go now and forever. 
 耶和华要保护你，免受一切的灾害；他要保护你的性命。
 你出你入，耶和华要保护你，从今时直到永远。