.........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。 

Again Give Thanks

The radiation therapy was completed on Nov 30. Each Friday during the treatment period, I had a review with the radiology doctor. By the 4th week, he mentioned that by then most patients would have burning sensation when urinating, or had blood in the urine, diarrhea and so on. Thank God all these side effects did not manifest. I only have tanned/darkened skin around the pelvic area where the radiation was targeted. When the doctor saw me on completion of radiation therapy, he examined me and said there was some skin tear on the backside. He assured me that everything should return to normal after 2 weeks. He said with the completion of the RT, I could enjoy my Christmas!

Each time I underwent the RT, in the tunnel of the machine, I would recite and meditate upon two of my favorite psalms, Ps 23 and 91. 

Psa 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Psa 23:2  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 

Psa 23:3  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Psa 23:4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

Psa 23:5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

Psa 23:1  （大卫的诗。）耶和华是我的牧者，我必不至缺乏。 

Psa 23:2  他使我躺卧在青草地上，领我在可安歇的水边。 

Psa 23:3  他使我的灵魂苏醒，为自己的名引导我走义路。 

Psa 23:4  我虽然行过死荫的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因为你与我同在；你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。 

Psa 23:5  在我敌人面前，你为我摆设筵席；你用油膏了我的头，使我的福杯满溢。 

Psa 23:6  我一生一世必有恩惠慈爱随著我；我且要住在耶和华的殿中，直到永远。 

Psa 91:1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

Psa 91:2  I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 

Psa 91:3  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 

Psa 91:4  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 

Psa 91:5  You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 

Psa 91:6  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 

Psa 91:7  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 

Psa 91:8  You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 

Psa 91:9  Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- 

Psa 91:10  no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 

Psa 91:11  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 

Psa 91:12  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 

Psa 91:13  You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 

Psa 91:14  "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 

Psa 91:15  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 

Psa 91:16  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." 

Psa 91:1  住在至高者隐密处的，必住在全能者的荫下。 

Psa 91:2  我要论到耶和华说：他是我的避难所，是我的山寨，是我的神，是我所倚靠的。 

Psa 91:3  他必救你脱离捕鸟人的网罗和毒害的瘟疫。 

Psa 91:4  他必用自己的翎毛遮蔽你；你要投靠在他的翅膀底下；他的诚实是大小的盾牌。 

Psa 91:5  你必不怕黑夜的惊骇，或是白日飞的箭， 

Psa 91:6  也不怕黑夜行的瘟疫，或是午间灭人的毒病。 

Psa 91:7  虽有千人仆倒在你旁边，万人仆倒在你右边，这灾却不得临近你。 

Psa 91:8  你惟亲眼观看，见恶人遭报。 

Psa 91:9  耶和华是我的避难所；你已将至高者当你的居所， 

Psa 91:10  祸患必不临到你，灾害也不挨近你的帐棚。 

Psa 91:11  因他要为你吩咐他的使者，在你行的一切道路上保护你。 

Psa 91:12  他们要用手托著你，免得你的脚碰在石头上。 

Psa 91:13  你要踹在狮子和虺蛇的身上，践踏少壮狮子和大蛇。 

Psa 91:14  神说：因为他专心爱我，我就要搭救他；因为他知道我的名，我要把他安置在高处。 

Psa 91:15  他若求告我，我就应允他；他在急难中，我要与他同在；我要搭救他，使他尊贵。 

Psa 91:16  我要使他足享长寿，将我的救恩显明给他。 

I thank God for these comforting words, as I meditating upon them while going through the treatment, they gave me strength and peace. They took away my cares and all worries as I lay down there in the radiation machine each time.

Yesterday afternoon met with the oncologist. Blood and urine samples were taken early in the morning. After he reviewed the results, he said everything was good. Tumor markers CEA, CA125 and CA19,9 were good. He then examined me. I asked when the last chemo drug could be stopped. He recommended to have another PET scan done to decide. The scan was scheduled to be on Jan 4. Next review with the oncologist would be on Jan 7. He would then decide when to stop the drug. He said pray for good results......Yesterday the drug was prescribed for another 4 weeks, the pump which dispensed the drug would be changed every Monday at the hospital. This particular drug gives minimum side effects, other than carrying the pump, there is no much inconvenience.

I am grateful that this challenging journey would soon be over. Reflecting upon the promise of the Lord when this started, I thank Him and friends and family for taking care of me. It is difficult to put the feeling in words. Your prayers, visits, messages have helped me coping thus far. I am very appreciative of all your kindness. Like my hair that has slowly grow back, it feels like a new life. May you too experience newness as you do kind deeds and send kind gesture each time. May God Bless you, have a great Christmas!

The nurse did not believe the reading when I took the weight at the hospital on Monday, so she asked me to weigh the second time. "You are fat!" she declared after confirming - she was the same nurse that took my weight 3 weeks back.  I had put on than 3 kg during this period.

Thereafter, reviewed with the oncologist on the same day. The blood and urine test reports were good, except for protein which was slightly low. So the doctor ordered infusion of albumin while changing the pump for the chemo drug. This drug, he said, would be carried on for as long as he deemed fit.

Meantime, continuing with the radiation therapy. The machine was down last Monday and Tuesday. The technical staff explained that it was one of the rare occurrences.  Normally it should resume within 1 day. So make up sessions were arranged over last Saturday and Sunday. Met with the radiology doctor last and this Friday for weekly review. He examined me and explained that bloating and tiredness were expected, I just need to take naps whenever I felt tired. However, very thankfully, these conditions had improved over time. I felt that the strength had came back.  Dryness of mouth and throat had set in more recently. So far, completed 17 sessions of radiation therapy.

Looking forwards to the completion of treatment. Thereafter another PET scan would be performed around middle of next month. Thanks all for the support, wishing everyone good holiday during this festive season. May God Bless you.

Psa 31:7  I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, 
Psa 31:8  and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.  

Psa 31:7  我要为你的慈爱高兴欢喜；因为你见过我的困苦，知道我心中的艰难。 
Psa 31:8  你未曾把我交在仇敌手里；你使我的脚站在宽阔之处。 

The Next Phase

"Mister, you have dropped 3 kg over the past 2 and half weeks, that is a lot!" the nurse exclaimed after taking my weight Wed Oct 17. That was due to the side effects after the 9th cycle of chemotherapy. I was feeling really lethargic, the diarrhea further reducing the appetite. Took a lot of rest, and slept much more too. Then the pimples which showed up during the past few cycles on the face were all over my head. They  bring much discomfort especially when I lay down.

A PET scan was done earlier on Oct 16. Reviewed with the oncologist on Oct 17. He examined the blood and urine test reports, and said they were excellent. The PET scan results showed some anomalies over the liver area, after further check with the radiology doctor who performed the RFA, he thought it could be due to that procedure. Another scan will be done in 2 months' time. Meantime, there is no cause for concerns.  One of the chemo drug would however, still be administered for as long as possible, this had proven to be helpful in the radiation therapy. This is dispensed through a pump, which is connected to the catheter line 24/7.  I could also move away from the high protein diet taken during the chemo treatment period. The oncologist said the toughest period was over, I should feel very happy. Thanks to God for seeing me through this trying period, and grateful to many who send prayer heavenwards.

Thur Oct 18, I was at the hospital again for the preparation of radiation therapy. A CT scan was done, with all the necessary markers done on the body. A newer form of radiation therapy called tomotherapy would be used for the next 5-6 weeks, for 27 sessions. The first session was done on Oct 23. The procedure lasted about 15 minutes. Basically I laid down on the radiation machine, a scan was done, then the nurses would make some necessary adjustment, then proceed with radiation. There was no sensation whatsoever. Before I realized it, the whole process was completed.

So the appetite has return to normal, I could eat well again. Pray that there is minimal or no side effects from the radiation therapy.......Trusting in God the Almighty for He is good all the time, His loving kindness and mercies cease not!



1Pe 2:24  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 
彼得前书 2:24  他被挂在木头上，亲身担当了我们的罪，使我们既然在罪上死，就得以在义上活。因他受的鞭伤，你们便得了医治。 

Coping with side effects

Some friend asked me about the side effects arising from chemotherapy, mainly as reference to help someone they know.

Below is a record of what I experienced, and some ways I cope. Depending on the drugs used, there could be various side effects, and individuals would react differently too.

- Chemotherapy drugs originated from chemical warfare, which someone also found some therapeutic effects and adapted the toxins for cancer treatment. So drink lot of fluid to help the key organs (kidney and liver) to get rid of the toxin. Water, barley drink, chrysanthemum tea, green tea, green bean soup etc are some recommended fluid. Typically 2-3 liters per day. If the urine passed is yellowish, that means insufficient fluid is taken.

- Low white & red blood cell: reducing immunity level: avoid those who sneeze or having flu. Avoid crowd.  Get blood booster from the oncologist during those days the blood counts dive.

White blood cell booster syringe

- Fever: Take medication, if body temperature exceeds 38deg C, take prescribed antibiotics, or see the doctor.

- Taste buds change, causing lose in appetite:  a fellow patient told me to put some hard candy in the mouth during chemo infusion, this proves to be useful in minimizing the taste change

- Low in protein: Take lots of meat and other proteins during chemo treatment period

- Diarrhea: Drink lots of water to re hydrate  Some food could help in easing the diarrhea, like boiled rice,  tapioca, banana, peanut butter......isotonic drink like H2O, 100Plus and porridge water would help. Avoid milk, coffee, high fiber food till conditions improve

- Fatigue: Take lot of rest. Sleep

- Dry skin:  Moisturize.

- Skin peels, on fingers, legs, and feet: Get prescribed medicine from oncologist.

- Fungus growth on tongue:  Get prescribed medicine from oncologist.

- Nose bleeding: Squeeze the nose to prevent flow to help in blood clot.

- Skin pigmentation especially on fingers, toes, and bottom of the soles. This should fade away after chemo.

- Hair drop: Shave.

- Dryness in throat and mouth: Drink water regularly. For mouth wash, use salt water to gargle, avoid using alcohol-based mouth wash

- Mouth ulcers, sores: use pain relief gel like "bonjela"....

- Numbness on fingers, lips : -

There are other side effect like change in voice especially the first few days the chemo infusion was done, difficulty in sleeping the first day of the chemo infusion etc.....
.So my strategy is not to look out for side effects, but inform the oncologist if any arises. He would make necessary remedies.

Also, on the other front, to help get over the side effects:

+ Keep faith in God, have a strong 'dose' of prayer and praise.

+ Keep positive attitude. 1Peter5:7 Casting  all the cares upon the Lord, for He cares for me. Philippians 4: ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

+ Support from family, friends and colleagues

+ Exercise if the body allows.

+ See a good TCM physician. TCM is able to moderate some of the side effects. Inform the oncologist about taking TCM too.

以 賽 亞 書 40:28-31 Chinese Union Version (Simplified) (CUVS) 28 你 岂 不 曾 知 道 麽 ？ 你 岂 不 曾 听 见 麽 ？ 永 在 的 神 耶 和 华 ， 创 造 地 极 的 主 ， 并 不 疲 乏 ， 也 不 困 倦 ； 他 的 智 慧 无 法 测 度 。 29 疲 乏 的 ， 他 赐 能 力 ； 软 弱 的 ， 他 加 力 量 。 30 就 是 少 年 人 也 要 疲 乏 困 倦 ； 强 壮 的 也 必 全 然 跌 倒 。 31 但 那 等 候 耶 和 华 的 必 从 新 得 力 。 他 们 必 如 鹰 展 翅 上 腾 ； 他 们 奔 跑 却 不 困 倦 ， 行 走 却 不 疲 乏 。 Isaiah 40:28-31 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.