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.

Emm.....finally

The 8th cycle of chemo had brought some more severe side effects, I was feeling real lethargic during the 2nd week of the cycle. It was normally 2 days each for 1st and 2nd weeks to get over the fatigue. This time it dragged on for up to 5 days during the 2nd week. I was spending a lot of time resting and sleeping. Also developed a fever during the 3rd week. It was the first time ever I had this issue. Thankfully with medication and prayers, the fever quickly subsided overnight, even though associated headache lasted few days more. Very grateful, however, that other side effects like diarrhea had greatly reduced. God was good.

Reviewed with the doctor on Monday Oct 1. All indicators from blood and urine tests were well, except for the liver functions. These could be due to the fever and associated medication.

The doctor said finally this is the 9th and final cycle of chemo. Started the chemo this Monday, ending in 3 weeks' time. PET scan will be done towards the end of this cycle. Depending on the results, he would probably activate the next course of treatment, the radiotherapy.

Have some preliminary discussion with the doctor in charge of radiology oncology. He would need to read the previous and latest PET scan reports to recommend a treatment course. Typical treatment would be 33 times, 5 times a week. Looking forwards the completion of all treatment. It has been a long journey. Thanks to all who supports me one way or another. May God Bless you and your family!

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." 


诗篇 91:14-16
  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。 
  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。 
  我要使他足享长寿，将我的救恩显明给他

Soldiering On

Reflecting on the day I first arrived in this new land to pursue higher study many years ago....... Little did I know I would stay here longer than I stayed in home country. It is here that I feel comfortable and at home. It is here that I made friends and set up family. It is here that God found me.....

It was during those undergrad days that a good friend and classmate who persistently encouraged me through Bible verses. He stood out as a helpful guy, compassionate and cheerful, very much exemplifying the characters of God. On quite a few occasions he invited me to church. After rejecting him a few times, I relented and followed him one Sunday. After attending couple of services, I felt my heart stirred quite a bit.  Later I stepped forwards to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

There was a fellowship in the campus which we attended regularly. We learnt and grew together in the knowledge of God. We became good friends who remain faithful after so many years. So I was glad to met up one last week over a simple lunch, a special friend whom I clicked very well since those we first time we met in that fellowship. We had a good time and shared about family, travel, church, missions, health and so on.....Throughout so many years, we can see the hand of God over our lives. Despite many failings on my part, God remains faithful, His loving-kindness never ceases, His mercies never comes to an end.

Last week a team of colleagues also visited. Some sent books to nourish my soul. It was good to catch up. They are all blessings in my life. I thank God for all the colleagues, friends, relatives and families. Indeed they have given me much strength with their support.

As a routine after each chemo cycle of 3 weeks, we met with the doctor on Monday for a review. After usual examination, the doctor said according to the blood and urine test reports, the kidney and liver functions continue to be good, blood counts were alright, tumor marker CEA was good at <0.5. He also confirmed that I would need to go for 9 cycles of chemo.
" I know this is a tough program", he reiterated, "hopefully the reward is well worth it."
"Surely, have faith." I said. It was after I said this that I saw exactly the 2 words - Have Faith - printed on his cup.

Thereafter the 8th chemo cycles started. The past few weeks my appetite continued to improve, over latest 3 weeks, I found myself putting on 2.5kg. I am grateful that the side effects seem to be much reduced now. Praise God for his wonderful answers to our prayers. So soldiering on.......

Psa 37:3  Have faith in the Lord, and do good; be at rest in the land, and go after righteousness. 
Psa 37:4  So will your delight be in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. 
Psa 37:5  Put your life in the hands of the Lord; have faith in him and he will do it. 


诗篇37:3-5  你当倚靠耶和华而行善，住在地上，以他的信实为粮； 
又要以耶和华为乐，他就将你心里所求的赐给你。 
当将你的事交托耶和华，并倚靠他，他就必成全。 

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。