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 。

Give thanks 感恩

This was the last dose of oral medication for the final chemotherapy. As the drugs are toxic, the pharmacist had reminded not to handle with hand, but through the plastic cup provided. In case of accidental contact, the hand must be washed thoroughly.
这是最后一剂的化疗口服药。由于毒性强，药剂师再三提醒要用塑胶杯子把药倒进口中，不可用手。不小心弄到的话，要马上彻底把手洗干净。

This is a typical billing for one session of chemo. It does not come cheap. Thankfully the insurance we bought cover the bill. So, it is important to get sufficient coverage in this age of high medical care cost.......
这是每个化疗的账单，价格不菲。感恩的是几年前买的保单可报销。所以在医疗费用高昂的现况下，有足够的保险是非常重要的。。。。

Psalm 136

 ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
            His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
            His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
            His love endures forever.
 ⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
            His love endures forever. 

詩 篇 136

 ¹ 你 们 要 称 谢 耶 和 华 ， 因 他 本 为 善 ； 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 。
 ² 你 们 要 称 谢 万 　 神 之 神 ， 因 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 。
 ³ 你 们 要 称 谢 万 主 之 主 ， 因 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 。
 ⁴ 称 谢 那 独 行 大 奇 事 的 ， 因 他 的 慈 爱 永 远 长 存 

Time to look forwards 往前看

(1)
Completing the oral prescription of final round of chemotherapy tomorrow. What a relief. What a blessing.


At this point, trying to summarize the typical side-effects I experienced during the course of chemotherapy:
Dizziness-  starts from day 1, especially when changing from sitting to standing, laying down and standing.
Lethargy - overall tiredness kicks in typical on day 3, would last up to 1 week. Sleep a lot during this period.
Month ulcers - where the soft tissue is under attack. Happens during week 1
Taste buds change - 1st week after chemo, loss of appetite, this wears off after week 1, appetite picks up again
Sole of foot feeling painful - 2nd week after chemo
Numbness on arm and fingers - starts after chemo, lasts up to 1-2 weeks, tingling effects when consuming cold drink/food and the room temperature drops, like under air-con
Nose bleed - happens week 1, couple of times
Diarrhea - happens in week 1
Dryness in month and throat - especially at night
Vomiting - happened once though it is one of the common side-effect among the patients


Week 1 is the difficult period, getting over it is a great relief. I feel almost “invincible” again each time.


Then there are cumulative side-effects after few rounds of chemo:
Hair loss - during first 3 rounds, this stopped after change of some drugs to oral medication
Skin peel-off - especially on the sole of both feet
Skin color change - darkened skin especially on fingers and toes; finger print getting lighter
Pain on the wounds - the drugs caused pus to form on the wounds


As there are many possible combinations of drug that could be used, different patients could react differently, even to the same drugs. I am thankful that the doctors and nurses said I have reacted to them fairly well. The TCM herbs certainly help to alleviate some of these effects as they help to get rid of the toxic faster.


Pastor had given me wise counsel before the chemotherapy started. He advised me not to look out for side-effects and think too much about it....otherwise more likely they would come true. What you think, you are....So I normally do not care too much on these but focus on the healing effect. Just as Pastor R said, "If you are determined to get well, that is half the battle won."


Thank God for His protection and covering during this period. Though the immunity level drops, only once did I have running nose for a couple of days; while each of my family members has had flu especially during the 7-week year end school holiday.


(2)
Went for a follow-up with the colorectal doctor this Tue 30 May. He advised that I should wait for couple of months to have the last operation done. This is due to the effect on a particular strong drug used in chemotherapy, which affects the healing of wounds. Though I was feeling impatient, (that is why patients are called "patients" - because this is the perfect practicing ground for that virtue), he said it is good to do a one-time good operation when all the conditions are right.
Despite that, I managed to get the nurse to fix the next appointment with the surgeon on 18 Jul, instead of early Aug.

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.



诗篇 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。 

Counting Down

(1)
It was a very hot beginning for summer here. Sweeting all over. Haze from the annual burning to commence farming season from the neighboring countries covered the city-state for a couple of days. Fortunately the temperature has dropped and the weather is a lot kinder now. And the haze has gone.

Few weeks ago, a friend brought me to renew my passport in JB. The Immigration officer took no less than 10 trials to get my fingerprint scanned properly. The fingerprint is becoming lighter, a side-effect of chemotherapy. The nurse told me some people's have totally vanished. The fingers has gone through some changes, first oily, with fingerprint fading, then the skin becomes very dry........JB is very near to my house, nowadays I do not frequent it though. Used to travel there for business, liked the sea-side road leading to the factory we visited regularly few years ago. Enjoyed too the food there.


(2)
Yesterday my wife accompanied me to the hospital to begin the last chemotherapy session. It was a great relief to arrive at this stage......Thank God that the side-effects were not so severe compared to many other patients. Blood test, 2hours of infusion, followed by 2 weeks of oral prescription.
Seeing the surgeon in 2 weeks to fix the date for one last operation.

Many thanks to those who keep praying for us. May God Bless you abundantly. Looking forwards to returning to office soon after the op.

^{Ps 30}

² LORD my God, I called to you for help,
   and you healed me.
³ You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
   you spared me from going down to the pit.

詩 篇 30

 ² 耶 和 华 ─ 我 的 　 神 啊 ， 我 曾 呼 求 你 ， 你 医 治 了 我 。
 ³ 耶 和 华 啊 ， 你 曾 把 我 的 灵 魂 从 阴 间 救 上 来 ， 使 我 存 活 ， 不 至 於 下 坑 。