On the 7th Day of Christmas

Ending the old year and beginning the new ... SK has the radio and tv on for the countdown.

On the 6th Day of Christmas

No news is good news ...

Continue to pray for a "wet" mouth for SK.
Continue to pray for her to eat and drink well.
Continue to pray for her to rest and sleep well, not too much.

Continue to pray for our walk with GOD ...

On the 5th Day of Christmas

Getting better and better and better ... well enough to read through own blog.

Yes, praises and thanks to GOD! That SK goes safely over another little bump in her life.

On the 4th Day of Christmas

Getting better ...

On the 3rd Day of Christmas

SK will continue medication and monitor.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas

Yesterday, SK began to experience shivers and sweats. This time she really thought she caught the flu virus. She even threw up twice.

Oh no! Today SK got worse. ENT appointment was off.

SK called Dr Melvin Chua who also thought she had flu and asked her to see her GP for medication. In the afternoon, she dragged herself to see the GP. The GP said her throat was very red and badly inflammed, and advised her to see her oncologist immediately.

Uh oh. SK called MC who advised her to come down to see him. MC said he was surprised her mouth dryness did not seem to be getting better and prescribed medication for her tongue, throat and stomach. He wasn't sure why she got the shivers and sweats, and why her mouth was getting drier. He said if she still didn't recover, he would refer her to a gastroenterologist.

Thank God for Ai Min, she took SK home. In this kind of cold, wet and floody weather, words cannot express the gratitude for this thoughtful act of kindness.

BTW, the ENT appointment has been rescheduled to Wed 10 Jan 2007, 9.10am.

Christmas Day

Ooops, may have caught the flu bug from church ... not feeling too well.

SK started feeling weak yesterday after coming back from church. And today, she started feeling feverish. She also felt nauseous and threw up later in the evening. She suspects that she has caught a flu virus. But with no cough, runny nose or sore throat. How strange.

SK has an ENT appointment at SGH 12.10pm tomorrow with Dr Bala. Will try to keep the appointment.

No news is good news

Everything is going smoothly. SK is beginning to get out, work and resume life as usual. So far so good. Praise God!

And Christmas is coming, yay!

Another week gone by

SK is recovering well, praises to God.

A small gathering in thanksgiving to God will be held on Saturday 6 January 2007. This day/date is finally confirmed.

It has been a most blessed time of "shopping" for SK. She found a good supplier for her Novasource, which will deliver to her home, if she orders a certain minimum amount.

A visit to the dentist

SK saw dental surgeon Dr Lum yesterday afternoon. Hmmm, it was not a very fruitful visit, he did not do much. He tried to "repair" one tooth but the pain seemed to worsen so he stopped work on it.

Seems like SK's jaw bones have been weakened and have been badly affected by radiation. Some of her teeth are loose but extraction is out of the question. Because of the weakened jaw bones and lack of saliva in her mouth, SK's teeth do not have the strength to bite food, and it may take another 2 months for her teeth to regain strength. She also has to wait till her jaw bones are healed before she can go for further dental treatment.

Please pray that the Lord will heal her jaw bones & help her teeth to regain the strength so that she can eat solid food again ... Thai, Japanese, Penang food ...

SK's mum returned to Singapore on Wednesday with SK's niece and nephew. SK's brother arrived from BP today. He will return to BP with the two children tomorrow.

Outing, Meeting

On Tuesday, SK went out all by herself to SGH to get some medicine. She survived it although it was tiring.

Yesterday, a few friends visited her to help discuss the parT. Booking for the venue was made for Friday 5 Jan 2007 instead. SK's mum returned to Singapore with a few other family members yesterday. Her mum as away for the weekend.

Reflection 3 by SK : To God be the glory!

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Some of you have written to ask how I am. Thanks for your love & concern. Indeed I have so much to praise the Lord for my recovery.

I completed my 7 weeks of radiotherapy (RT) on 30 Oct 2006. I must say it had been the most difficult & painful journey in my life. I was hospitalised twice for a period of some 2 weeks. I was not spared any of the side-effects of RT either. I developed dry mouth, painful ulcers, thick phlegmy saliva, burned neck, some hair loss, weight loss, toothache & blocked nose. I had nausea & constipation, & vomited a lot. I couldn’t drink or eat through the mouth & had to be on tube-feeding. I couldn’t talk for weeks due to the pain & phlegm in my mouth. All in all, it had been a most agonising experience, one which I will never forget for a long time.

Some friends told me I was so strong & courageous. But I was not. Many times when the going got tough, I pleaded with the Lord to take away the pain & suffering. Many times when I felt so weak, helpless, hopeless, discouraged, frustrated & depressed, I wanted to give up the treatment as it was taking a heavy toll on me. But God’s Word came to me, “My grace is sufficient for you.” I am thankful to God for providing me His grace & strength to endure the pain & suffering. I may not understand what is happening to me but I know God has a purpose in allowing the suffering. It’s now 5 weeks since the end of my RT. God’s healing is slowly but surely taking place. God has been teaching me all this while to be patient & to wait upon Him to heal me in His way & in His time.

God has been faithful & good, & has never left me to struggle on my own. Right from the time I discovered I had nose cancer, God had sent many angels to provide for my needs in practical ways. It would not have been possible for me to cope with my illness without support from family & friends. I was overwhelmed by God’s love in action as He sent His angels to minister to my needs. My mum & sister came from Malaysia & the States respectively to look after me. My church discipleship group & friends rallied around me. My greatest support came from my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class. These angels took turns to drive me to the hospital for my daily treatment. They cooked & delivered food to my home. They sponsored my liquid food & other needs. They came to sing & fellowship with me. Twice when I had to rush to the hospital immediately, they became my “ambulance” & stayed with me throughout the ordeal. And when I was warded in the hospital, they looked after me & mum. It’s amazing how God worked through these angels to assure me He is Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides.

To all these angels who had sacrificed their time to minister to me, thank you for journeying with me through my illness. You have truly made a difference in my life.

I’m also thankful to God for the many saints around the world (particularly from Malaysia, Australia & the States) who faithfully uphold me in prayers. To these angels from overseas (many of whom I do not even know personally) who had taken the time to pray, phone or email me, thank you for your encouragement. I’m so thankful to the Lord that His love has drawn us together as one body of Christ. Through my illness, I’ve experienced the beauty of Christian love.

How is my condition now? Last Monday (27 Nov), my oncologist did a nasendoscopy on me & told me there seemed to be no sign of tumour left. I praise the Lord for this good news. But he added that I would need to go for an MRI test in January to confirm if the tumour has completely disappeared.

And how am I now? I now feel so much better physically, although I am not able to eat solid food yet as my mouth is still not completely healed.

Please continue to join me in praising the Lord for His goodness & faithfulness & pray that God will heal me completely in His time. As I trust my life in God’s sovereign hands, I look forward with renewed strength & hope to a new life & relationship with my Creator God who “is the strength of my heart & my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).

Shalom,
sockkim
sms : 9107-0036

So what did the doctors say?

SK went for her check-up on Monday. All seems well, she is getting better and putting on weight. The doctors are very happy with her progress. Nose - she has to clean it 2-3 times a day. Pain in the mouth - she has to check with the dentist about this. Thrush is going off. Food / Drink - she has to continue taking 3 packets of Novasource a day for another 6 months, she has to try to eat and drink (other foods) more. SK has already started eating oats. And her sense of taste is back.

At the home front, SK is working hard - cooking and cleaning.

ParT date is set for Saturday 6 Jan 2007. Please mark your new calendars.

Praise God for SK's recovery !!!

Ouch !!

Ulcers have not gone off yet. Still giving pain.

Tongue and inner lips have developed white spots (thrush).

Looking ahead

SK is almost back as usual, to her routines.

Yesterday, SK had two visitors, Elder Lim and his wife, from Batu Pahat. They stayed overnight at her place and they will be going home today. Looking ahead, SK will make a trip home (to Batu Pahat) for Christmas if she is well enough.

For now, SK is so thankful to the Lord for her healing - Her phlegm miraculously disappeared last Friday. Now she has normal, plain saliva again. Do continue to pray for patience to wait upon the Lord to heal her ulcers, in His way and in His time. Currently, her mouth is still in pain. At night, her left ear seems to have some slight on-off pain.

Please note : Next check-up with the oncologist is on Monday 27 Nov at 11am.

Please also note, meals for SK's mum next week (27 Nov-1 Dec) will be discontinued.

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!

Three weeks after RT

SK is back on her feet. Last weekend she did some housecleaning. And good thing too because Ah Guat and Siew Hoon visited her (with dinner).

Great news! SK's phlegm has gone. Watch out, she can talk! There is still some pain from the remaining ulcers which have yet to go off. Otherwise SK is feeling much better.

Please note change: Check-up with the oncologist is on Monday 27 Nov at 11am.

Please also note, meals for SK's mum this week (20-24 Nov)
Mon : Lunch and dinner - Margaret
Tue : Lunch - Lee Peng, Dinner -CFen
Wed : Lunch - Lee Peng
Fri : Lunch and dinner - Margaret

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS !!!

Dietician says ...

SK saw the dietician this morning. She drew up a daily meal program as a guide to ensure SK maintains her 48kg weight.

Hmmm ... today was a different machine, SK weighed 46.5kg only.

Ideally, SK should be taking a minimum of 2.5 pkts Novasource together with other food like oats, porridge with fish/meat/eggs, fruits or NutriSoy soybean milk to give her the necessary nutrients & calories per day.

For the time being, as it is too troublesome to prepare food for just one person, SK will stick to drinking 3 pkts of Novasource a day.

By the way, does anyone know how to use the nasal pump correctly or is there someone who has used it before?

TGIF 17 Nov

Always giving praises and thanks to GOD ---
Although there is still some pain from the ulcers, there has been some improvement. SK's phlegm is much less and her nose is not as stuffed as before. She can also TALK more now.
Yay!
Heh heh, beware!

Please note, next check-up with the oncologist is on Tuesday 21 Nov at 9.30am.

Please also note, meals for SK's mum next week (20-24 Nov)
Mon : Lunch and dinner - Margaret
Tue : Lunch - Lee Peng
Wed : Lunch - Lee Peng
Fri : Lunch and dinner - Margaret

THANK YOU !!!

Wonderful Wednesday

SK has an appointment with the Dietician this Friday 17 Nov at 10am in SGH Block 3 Clinic L. Thanks to God for CFen, she will take SK to the hospital.

Thanks to God also, that yesterday, SK managed to drink 3 packets of Novasource. This is the minimum required amount which gives her 1500 calories of energy. Please continue to PRAY for SK to be able to drink well. How wonderful, LP prepared steamed tofu and taohuay. It was soft so SK could sawllow it and so SK had something extra to eat.

Praises to God. SK's weight has gone up to 47.1kg.

Feeding tube finally removed

SK could not handle the stuck nose anymore. Breathing was getting too difficult.

Thank God for Ai Min. She surprised SK's mum, brought lunch over for her this afternoon. Then she took SK to SGH. SK's feeding tube was removed. Her nose is clear now. She does not need to see the doctor again tomorrow.

Weekend

Yesterday, SK did not go to SGH after all. She is not ready to remove the feeding tube yet, will wait a while more.

Praises to God for this time of recuperation. Slow but steady.

Thanks to God that SK's Novasource supply has been replenished and that her mum's long term visa has been approved.

Next check-up is on Tuesday 14 Nov.

Please note, meals for SK's mum next week (13-17 Nov)
Tue : Lunch - Lee Peng
Thur : Lunch - Lee Peng

Wed Mid-week

SK went for her check-up with Dr Chua yesterday. There has been some improvement, some weight gain. The doctor advised SK to continue her Novasource feeds. If possible, to take more. She also has to "exercise" her mouth, gargle her mouth, keep it moist, sip water and talk.

The doctor asked SK to see him again this Fri, to remove the feeding tube. SK is encouraged to drink Novasource and water (mouth, not tube). Do PRAY for SK confidence, strength and courage to do this. She prefers to get the tube removed at a later date, not so soon.

SK cannot sleep well due to her blocked nose. The doctor has prescribed her the entsol pump to clean the nasal passage-way. This can be done after the feeding tube has been removed.

PRAISES to GOD for SK's recuperation !!!

Please note, meals for SK's mum this week (6-10 Nov)
Tue : Lunch - Lee Peng
Wed : Lunch and dinner - Ai Fong
Thur : Lunch - Lee Peng
Fri : Lunch and dinner - Chuay Fen
Sat : Dinner - Ah Guat

Still the same

Give praises and thanks to God for this time of healing. Remember, the final RT was not too long ago, just last week.

SK is still the same, feeding through the tube as her ulcers are still painful. This will continue for approximately another one or two weeks.

The par-T has to be pushed back again, SK wants to be off the tube, able to enjoy eating and drinking with us at the part-T.

2 Nov

Praise God our Great Physician, for this time of healing ...

We continue to pray for SK a speedy recovery, for all the pain, ulcers and phlegmy saliva to go off, so she can eat, drink and talk. Please pray also for SK to sleep well, no blockage but to have a clear nose, clear throat and clear breathing.

We also lift SK's mum up. We pray for her strength and stamina, as she looks after SK full-time.

We thank God for LK and SC who helped with lunch and dinner for SK's mum today. Tomorrow, AF will bring lunch and dinner over. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Resting ...

SK is still feeding via the tube. On Monday, she weighed in at 45.9kg. PRAY for SK to regain her weight.

Thanks to LP for providing SK's mum lunch today.

For those of you who can help by bringing lunch or dinner to SK's mum, please let PS know [Click on Email Manager, under Links, on the right column of this blog]. So far, LP has offered to do Tues lunch and Wed lunch. Thank you.

Chapter 3 begins

Now that RT is over ,,, we continue to PRAY for recuperation, recovery, renewal and restoration. Yet never forgetting to PRAISE and THANK GOD for everything.

Last RT today, yay yippee hooray !!!

At long last, final RT session today.

Thank God for seeing SK through it all.

PS and CG accompanied SK for her RT. Meanwhile, CF and KH entered SK's home to decorate it for SK's home-coming. Many friends also joined in for this special ocassion. Even God had a part to play to keep this event secret from SK. SK did not check her email over the weekend. If she had, she would have found out all about it and it wouldn't have been a surprise.

SK is most thankful to God for the joyous time of worshipping GOD in prayer and singing.

Part Two - The End

BSF Leaders’ Sharing – 28 Oct 2006

16 Aug 2006 was the darkest day of my life. It was the day I learned I had nose cancer. I was dazed. I couldn’t believe it. How could it be? Haven’t I already lost one sister thru cancer? Haven’t I made every effort to read every available book on cancer & nutrition, & followed what the books say? Haven’t I been careful about my diet & avoided food that is said to cause cancer? How then could I have cancer? It just didn’t make sense to me. I couldn’t sleep the whole night. I felt so alone & lonely. I was on my knees, crying out my heart to the Lord. I did not question God “Why me?” I prayed, “Lord, what am I going to do? How am I going to walk through this unknown journey? I’m afraid. I’m scared. I do not know what to do but my eyes are on You. I do not understand what is happening to me. But Lord, I know You have a purpose and I will trust You all the way.” That night, the Lord led me to Psalm 73:26 : “My flesh & my heart may fail, but God is the Strength of my heart & my Portion forever.” That verse brought me comfort as I was assured that the battle belonged to God & He would guide me through this journey.

It all started as an innocent ringing tone in my left ear after 2 weeks of swimming lesson. The ringing tone later developed into ear blockage & I lost some hearing in my left ear. Little did I expect the problem to turn out to be so serious, a malignant tumour behind my nose. Thus began the 2-month journey in my battle against cancer. The 33-sessions of radiotherapy (RT) treatment began on 12 Sep, & as at today, I have one last session to go on Mon. As I have nose cancer, the RT is focused on my face & neck, resulting in side effects such as dry mouth, mouth ulcers, thick phlegmy saliva, all of which make eating, drinking & talking difficult. As the ulcers became more painful & unbearable, I could not eat & drink & began to lose weight. I had to be put on the feeding tube to enable me to eat & drink. The pain fromthe ulcers & phlegmy saliva grew more intense with each passing week. Many times I cried to the Lord to take away the pain & suffering but for some unknown reason, the Lord wanted me to go through the pain & suffering of cancer. He said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” The journey was so tough & difficult that there were times I felt like giving up. I was hospitalised twice as the side effects of RT took a heavy toll on me. But through each ordeal, I could sense the presence & testify the goodness of the Lord. He never let me suffer more than what I could bear.

Initially, I had a lot of concerns when I learned that I had to come for RT treatment every weekday for 7 weeks. How am I going to SGH for treatment everyday? Who is going to look after me? But God never deserts His children. I was soon overwhelmed by God’s loving & timely provisions. He sent many angels to minister to my needs. God enabled my 75-year-old mum to come from Msia to look after me full-time. Ai Fong initiated a “Milk Fund” to sponsor my Enercal diet. My co-CL, became my personal manager who coordinated all my needs for prayers, transport, food & supplies. She even initiated a personal blog to provide daily updates on my condition. Many angels came forward to drive me to SGH for treatment, cooked for me, brought me my daily supplies, stayed & looked after me when I was warded in the hospital & even took care of my mum when I was warded. I experienced true Christian love in action. These Godsend angels selflessly sacrificed their time & energy to minister to my needs in various ways. I’m thankful to God for all His provision.

I have a lot more to share but time does not permit me to go on. There are just too many miracles to mention in this short sharing. Although I do not yet know the outcome of my RT treatment, I know that my life is in God’s sovereign hands & I will trust Him all the way. There have been many trials in my life but this has been the most challenging one. But through it all, I have experienced God’s goodness & faithfulness. With God behind me & His arms beneath me, I know God will enable me to face whatever lies ahead of me. I pray that I will be restored totally (RT) by January to be able to come back to BSF, after having been away for the last one month. See you all in January 2007!

Last October Weekend

At last RT sessions are coming to an end. The final RT will be on Monday 30 Oct. PS and Cyndi will accompany SK to SGH. We should be back at SK's home about 9.30am.

RT-32, just 1 more

Thanks to Sarah for taking SK to SGH again. RT-32 today. Just 1 last RT to go. Please PRAY for a smooth weekend of rest and recuperation.

The final RT session will be next Monday ... do PRAY also that the CA cells would be totally destroyed, that SK will recover and be restored.

RT-31, 2 more to go

Thanks to Sarah for taking SK to SGH. RT-31 today. As the doctor said, side effects will get progressively worse. Please continue to PRAY :
- for comfort from pain from ulcers and boils; for pain relief in her mouth, tongue and throat.
- that the thick phlegmy saliva will not thicken further, will not choke SK.
- for SK to receive sufficient nutrition from Novasource, at least 3 packs a day.
- that SK's meal will hold down; she will not throw up (feeding through tube).
- for SK not to be constipated.
- that SK will experience God's loving hands holding her and God's presence surrounding her.

SK's mum went for her medical tests. Waiting for results now. Do PRAY that the results will be good, so that application for her long term visa will be smooth, will be granted.

RT-30

Thank you CF and CG for accompanying SK to hospital for her RT this morning.

And for yesterday, Hari Raya holiday ... thank you KH for picking SK's mum from home to go to the hospital although there was some hiccup with the car "key". Thank you also for sending both SK and her mum home later. SK was discharged from SGH yesterday afternoon.

4 more RTs to go

SK went for her RT this afternoon. After a long wait, she saw Dr Melvin Chua. He checked on her pain and the medication. He is happy with SK's weight, considering her second hospital stay and her meagre intake. SK still has some constipation.

SK may be discharged tomorrow. Can only confirm this after the ward doctor sees her tomorrow morning.

Countdown - 7 days

SK is still in hospital. RT-29 has been scheduled at 3.30pm. Tomorrow is a public holiday, so no RT.

Just one more week to go. The last few RTs scheduled are - RT-30 Wed, RT-31 Thu, RT-32 Fri and RT-33 next Mon.

BTW, Par T date will be pushed back a week to give SK more time to recover. Par T date is Saturday 18 Nov.

5 more RTs

Today
8.23am SK is not sure if she will be discharged today. She seems too dehydrated, the doctor wants to put her on a drip.
10.36am Doctor didn't ask SK to be discharged. She will be put on the drip soon, when the nurses are not too busy.
5.31pm SK is sleeping soundly now. She cannot eat the hospital food. She was drinking the high calorie drink since lunch time until an hour ago. She couldn't drink because her mouth was too painful. SK drinks after taking muccaine (3 times a day), the medicine to numb her throat.
5.51pm Nurse taking temp with ear thermometer 37.5, retake with normal thermometer 36.8
7.14pm Feeding tube was just inserted. Another ordeal. The nurse gave SK Prosure.

Please note: SK is warded at SGH Block 4 Level 8 (Ward 48) Room 20 Bed 6


Yesterday
8.30am RT-27.
2.55pm SK will go for her RT-28 at 4pm. PRAY that her body will be strong to take it. PRAY not to have any unbearable side effects.
4pm RT-28.
Kim and Diana (cooked steamed egg) took SK's mum to SGH. Ai Min brought lunch - mashed cauliflower carrot soup. Ai Fong bought more Novasource and Prosure (complete meal replacement drink). Sarah took SK's mum home.

RT-26 and 7 more to go

Thursday was a day of adventure.
2.30am The MO managed to remove some very hard stool. The nurse will administer fleet enema later to help SK clear soft stool still inside.
7.45am SK managed to pass motion.
9.05am SK went for x-ray to make sure all is clear.
11.05am SK went for RT-26.
4.28pm SK is taking a shower after which she will move to another room.
5.29pm SK is now in SGH Block 4 Level 8 Ward 48 Room 20 Bed 6.

Thanks to Annie and Cyndi who took SK's mum to hospital. Annie also drove her mum home later in the morning. Poi Leng stayed by SK's side practically the whole day.

Tomorrow, Kim and Diana will take SK's mum to visit SK in the morning. SK will take RT-27 at 8.30am and RT-28 at 4.45pm. PS will take SK's mum home later in the evening.

SK will only be discharged from SGH on Saturday morning.

PLEASE PRAY PRAY PRAY : For healing in the mouth, throat and tongue. For healing from stomach cramps and constipation. For pain relief. For the ability to eat and drink without throwing up. For physical and spiritual strength.

THANK YOU !!

RT-26 due today

Waiting for more news about SK ...
RT-26 is due this morning. Annie will drive SK's mum to the hospital with Cyndi.

Yesterday, RT-25 went on as usual. Even more chaotah now, with ulcers in the mouth, throat and tongue. Very, very painful. Eating was such a difficult task. Confirmed that RT will be on twice this Friday, at 8.30am (Kim) and at 4.45pm (PS).

Quick summary of what happened last night:
7.15pm SK had to go to the doctor, she had v v bad constipation. She was given the enema.
9.15pm Sarah visits, only to find SK still in pain.
9.30pm Sarah takes SK to SGH A+E.
10.24pm Doctor is attending to SK.
11.21pm SK is on the drip. She is sleeping in the observation ward now, still waiting for motion to be passed. Poi Leng also at SGH.
12mn SK admitted, Ward 48 Room 9 Bed 1, temporarily in B1 until there is a vacancy in B2.

RT-25

Today was the usual, getting more and more chaotah. New ulcers visited SK's mouth, throat and tongue.

Phew! 8 more to go !!!

It is confirmed. This Fri, SK will have two RTs, at 8.30am and 4.45pm. Drivers, Kim and PS, please take note.

Isa 40:28-31 Eagles and Renewal

The lifespan of an eagle is about 70 years. However, in order to live this long, it must make the toughest decision at 40. At 40, its beak is too long and curvy that it reaches its chest. Its wings, full of long, thickened feathers are too heavy for easy flying. Their claws will start to age, losing their effectiveness and making it hard for them to catch prey.

The eagle is left with 2 choices - do nothing and await its death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.

It first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities. Then it begins what is called the molting process. It knocks its beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed. When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and wait quietly for new ones to be fully grown. When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all its feathers, one by one. Five months later, when its new feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and would be able to live for the next 30 years.

In life, as an individual, in a ministry, even in an organization, sometimes we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go old ways, old habits, old lives. For as long as we are prepared to surrender to God our old baggage - past glory or shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero before God, with an empty cup mentality, God will be able to help us rediscover our potential and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.

There is another interesting feature of this molting process. During these four to five months, the eagle cannot hunt for food. Other eagles would drop food to this molting eagle. Invariably it is not the young eagles that drop the food. These are the eagles that have gone through the molting process themselves.

RT-24

Last night, thick phlegmy saliva came back again. It tastes "salty" and it "stinks" ... a couple of new and painful ulcers also appeared. Please PRAY against these unfavourable side effects.

Looks like the oncologist is in a hurry to get all 33 RTs done by Mon 30 Oct. Since this Sat is a holiday and he does not want the RT to be pushed back to Tues 31 Oct, he has asked for the make-up RT to be done on Fri 20 Oct instead. Which means, this Friday, SK may just have to go through double RT, one at 8am and one at 3pm. To be confirmed if this is possible.

Anyway, today SK did RT-24, another 9 more to go.

RT-23

Haiyah, this Sat is Deepavali, no RT. So ... 15 days till the end of RT, last RT day is Tuesday 31 Oct. Another way of counting, just 10 more RTs to go. Yippee!

After 23 rounds of RT what do you expect? Besides getting chaotah in the mouth and throat, besides all the dizziness, giddiness and nausea, taste buds have finally gone hay-wire. Ears can hear better, although there is still a slight ringing sound.

After the last RT, get ready to Par-T tentative date 11.11.

Weekend

Over the weekend, SK has been feeling a little giddy from time to time. Before meals, she takes her medicine which has been quite helpful. For Saturday dinner, she managed to eat mee suah and an half-boiled egg. Even ate AM's special dessert. Praise God that she could hold all of it down. She can take soft food that can be swallowed easily.

Starting tomorrow, RT is back to the 8.40am schedule.
Drivers for this coming week - Mon till Sat - PS, Angie, Chuay Fen, Annie, Kim, Poi Leng. Thank you, ladies!

Thank the Lord for all His providence!

RT-22

Yong Foon brought SK's mum to hospital.
9.00am RT-22 was scheduled.

Poi Leng helped with the discharge and the return home.
3.24pm Home at last and resting.

Ai Min made a special dessert - low sugar beancurd barley agar agar.

Please continue to pray that SK will be able to eat, drink and rest well. Pray also for comfort and relief from pain in the mouth and throat. Pray against phlegm, dizziness and nausea. Thank you for being partners in prayer.

11 RTs more to go.

RT-21

RT-21 was scheduled for 9.30am. SK was wheeled to Blk 2 and back.

Kim and Cyndi picked SK's mum to SGH, while Sarah took her mum out to dinner and sent her home, too.

At first the doctor wanted to discharge SK from the hospital. But SK was still not strong enough. Besides, she also has another RT session the next day. So she will be discharged tomorrow, Saturday. The physiotherapist and social worker also came to see her. Ai Fong brought chawan moshi for SK's lunch and she finished it all up, yay! Yummy! SK had another round of chawan moshi for dinner, too. Yummy, yummy!

Praise God for the food that SK can eat.

12 more to go.

Thursday update

1.35pm Praise the Lord, so far so good! SK taking kuay tiaw soup now. PRAY that she can finish her meal and hold it down well.
5.03pm After all this time in the hospital (since Sat) SK finally could pass some motion.
8.03pm SK managed to finish half her baby food dinner, plus some taohuay that YF bought. Not bad (good), SK is doing very well.
9.34pm Please PRAY for a phlegm-less sleep and another day of eating well, no more vomitting.

SK has RT-20 scheduled for 10.30am.
Please PRAY that her food and drink will hold down well, that she will be nourished, that she will regain her strength. PRAY for comfort and relief, the pain in her mouth and throat can be most unbearable. PRAY for SK to be encouraged.

9.22am Poi Leng reporting live from SGH - Praise God, SK managed to finish the whole bowl of oats and an half-boiled egg. Now sipping milo.
10.39am Annie reporting - Praise God, SK was able to eat her breakfast today. She slept well last night. She seems much better and she is very alert.
10.53am Poi Leng reporting again - SK just wheeled in for her RT.

Last minute change - SK's mum followed Shuli to the airport this morning. Shuli's friend will take SK's mum to the hospital after seeing Shuli off. After work, Yong Foon will take SK's mum home tonight.

RT - 13 more to go

THANK YOU for praying.

RT - 13 left

RT has been scheduled for 10.30am.

Annie and Cyndi will take SK's mum to hospital, 10am. Yong Foon will take SK's mum home, 7.30pm. SK's sister is leaving this afternoon on the 1.55pm flight.

RT - 13 more to go.

RT back on again

Mon and Tue, SK was not strong enough, so RT was off. She is supposed to make up for it, over the coming Saturday (14 Oct) and the following Saturday (21 Oct).

Today SK resumed her RT. It was scheduled for 12pm, but after a 45-min wait her turn finally came.

RT - 14 more to go.

Still no RT

Today was SK's worst day in hospital yet. She threw up a lot, a result of the morphine. The morphine also made her giddy and drowsy.

SK was wheeled over to Blk 2 by trolley for her RT (scheduled at 3pm) but Dr Wee cancelled the RT because of her condition. SK is not well enough. But he said, that the RT must go on this Saturday and the next to make up for the delay.

So the morphine has been stopped, it has been too strong for her.

Please PRAY that SK will be able to eat without throwing up, that her strength will build up quickly.

For those who wish, please visit during visiting hours. About 12nn-2pm and 5-8pm. Block 4 Level 8 (Ward 48) Room 22 Bed 4 (be careful, there are 2 room 22s).

It is still 15 more RT sessions to go ...

RT put on hold

Praises to God, last night (Monday) SK finally drank a cup of milo, her first drink after 5 days (of fasting). Her sticky phlegm has also lessened.

Supposed to have 15 more RTs. SK will not be going for her RT today again. The doctor is still monitoring her BP and temperature. She is still on IV antibiotics and morphine. The oncologist will check on her this morning.

15 more RTs

SK is still in hospital. This morning she did not go for her usual RT session. No RT means her last day of RT will be pushed back. Instead, she remained in her ward/bed. The doctor wants to monitor her BP and temperature, hourly. For her pain, she is on morphine.

Please continue to pray for her mouth and throat - for healing, for pain relief. Pray that God will strengthen her physically and spiritually.

Weekend

Twenty-three days left till the end of RT.

Uh oh, bad news, SK vomitted until her feeding tube was dislodged. She had to make an urgent trip to the hospital.

Update - SK has been warded in SGH, feeding through IV.

Praying that God will sustain and lift SK up in His love and comfort, praying that her vomitting will stop ... Rosalind
In weakness, let Your strength be seen and felt. May SK also sense Your loving Presence and be encouraged ... Angig

Friday and RT-18

Eighteen down, fifteen more to go ... twenty-four days till the end of RT.

After RT this morning, SK went to see Dr M Chua again. He prescribed a stronger dose of anti-vomitting and some diarrhoea medication. Please pray that the medicines will be effective, that SK will be able to hold her "food" down.

Father, we commit SK's "frail" body into Your healing hands ... strengthen her over this weekend in readiness for the coming RT sessions

Night Update

SK was very sick today, in bed all day long. She threw up everything and her body feels very hot.

Please pray for strength and quick recovery, even while the RT treatment goes on. That her body will not be further weakened by the RT. Tomorrow is the last RT for this week. After that, Sat and Sun, she takes a break from RT.

Please pray SK will not throw up anymore, for her stomach to be strong, to be able to hold down her liquid intake.

Please pray that SK's breathing will not be affected by the bad haze.

Praises and Thanks to our Father in heaven.

Half, at last

Seventeen down, sixteen more to go ... twenty-five days till the end of RT.

Thanks to God, we have arrived at the mid-way point of the RT. Please uphold SK in prayer. We continue to pray for SK strength and stamina, relief from pain, peace and understanding, comfort, love and compassion from God.

For a little cheer -
A certain little girl, when asked her name, would reply, "I'm Mr. Sugarbrown's daughter." Her mother told her this was wrong, she must say, "I'm Jane Sugarbrown." The Vicar spoke to her in Sunday School, and said, "Aren't you Mr. Sugarbrown's daughter?" She replied, "I thought I was, but mother says I'm not."

RT - 16

Sixteen down, seventeen more to go ... twenty-six days till the end of RT.

We give thanks to God for LP. She lovingly makes special juices and special delivery to SK on Mon, Wed and Fri. Faith in action, all glory and honour to God!

RT - 15

Fifteen down, eighteen more to go ... twenty-seven days till the end of RT.

Today the RT machine broke down ... so everything started late and ended late.

Please pray for pain relief.

Please pray that SK will be comforted, encouraged and uplifted during this difficult time.

Oct 2

Fourteen down, nineteen more to go ... twenty-eight days till the end of RT.

Please pray for relief from the pain in SK's tongue, mouth and throat. The medication manages the pain somewhat but SK still suffers effects of giddiness and nausea. New challenges seem to crop up. Now her mouth is continuously producing thick phlegmy saliva. It is so sticky that it is difficult to swallow it. It makes talking very difficult, too.

Please pray for SK to be able to go through this time of trial and testing ...

New Month ...

We thank God for a new day and a new month. It is now October. Twenty-nine days till the end of RT.

We thank God that SK can now "drink" through her feeding tube.

SK's tongue, mouth and throat are still painful. She takes medication to manage the pain but suffers effects of giddiness and nausea.

Thank you to this week's line up of drivers - PL, SC, CF, YF and PS.

Enercal - Bee Lee's version

Dear Sock Kim,

Drink in your blessings, drink of the living water, drink your

e for Every blessing in Christ
n for Nearness of God in trials
e for Each loved one waiting to see the Hand of God
r for Redemption to abundant life
c for Call upon His Name
a for Absence of fear
l for Love, Life and Leaning on the Rock

A surprise trip to SGH

SK was in bad shape this morning. She had to get re-shaped at the hospital.

Well done, Dr Chua. He inserted a feeding tube. This will enable SK to maintain her nutrient intake with ease. Which also means steady weight maintenance and good immunity. Which also also means no more pain and torture while eating, drinking, swallowing and talking and no more output. Yippee!

Thank you each and everyone one of you, for praying for SK, for the doctor's wisdom to provide SK the best advice and treatment, the most beneficial. We continue to pray for relief from any discomfort. We continue to pray for a strong sense of God's comfort and presence.

Stay home Saturday

Thirty days till the end of RT ...

It has not been any better since treatment started. More symptoms are being experienced - headache, dizziness, nausea, pain. Medication has been prescribed.

BUT the ear seems to be hearing better. Thank God !!!

TGIF and RT- 13

Thirteen down, twenty more to go ... thirty-one days till the end of RT.

Drinking is a longsuffering and painstaking activity now. Eating is out of the question. Talking is also getting to be difficult. Please continue to PRAY for SK as each day seems to get progressively more difficult.

Thank you for praying ...

RT - 12

Twelve down, twenty-one more to go ... thirty-two days till the end of RT.

Thank you to HT that RT time is back at 8.40am, morning RT seems better. SK can take a proper rest in the afternoons.

RT - 11

Eleven down, twenty-two more to go ... thirty-three days till the end of RT.

Despite the ulcers and painful mouth and throat, let us persevere and PRAY, that SK can continue to take God's love potion to maintain her strength, immunity and health.

The Angig Contest

SK is getting very xian of the word enercal ... can all of you think of new names to encourage SK to drink her annakel. If possible, everyday, it would have a new name!

Time to get creative, friends!

Please put in Comments.

Driver Alert

We are encountering some changes in RT times. Today, SK was informed that tomorrow's RT will be pushed back to 2pm. We are not sure if RT times will be given on a day to day basis from now on. But if this is going to be the case, then all drivers would need to be alerted of the appointment time only the day before. Will let you know ...

RT - 10

Ten down, twenty-three more to go ... thirty-four days till the end of RT.

The journey ahead seems long and ardous. Please PRAY for SK to be able to eat and drink with more ease. Meal times have become a slow and painful process because of the ulcers. Please PRAY that the dragon tail leaf drink will sooth and even heal the ulcers.

This evening SK has her BSF class meeting. Please PRAY for strength, for her to be able to teach well despite her bad ear and painful mouth. How real it is for SK to live the lesson out, that suffering in God's will produces fruit, obeying God sometimes results in unjust suffering and suffering for God produces perseverance, character and hope.

RT - 9

Nine down, twenty-four more to go ... thirty-five days till the end of RT.

Thank God for providing drivers PS, AG, CF, AK and KH for this week. Tried and tested, must leave SK's place by 8am.

Sunny Sunday

Thank God for a new day, it is now thirty-six days till the end of RT.

Yesterday, SK went for her usual early morning BSF meeting. It is amazing, such an encouragement to all of us, that she completed and handed in her registration card for 2007. Today, SK stayed home to rest.

Thanks to her BSF friends that she could bring home with her special home-made chicken soup and dragon tail drink, to boost her strength and contain the ulcers that are beginning to show up.
The combination of having headache, nausea and painful ulcers, makes a simple and enjoyable activity of eating or drinking most difficult. Please pray that SK will be able to drink her Enercal. If she can still eat, she will supplement her diet with 4 cups of Enercal a day. If eating is simply not possible, then 8 cups of Enercal a day.

Do pray that the Lord will help SK to ENJOY drinking Enercal everyday, that she will not develop any aversion, any funny smell. But that it will be fragrant, it will be a delightful taste to her mouth.

THANK YOU for all your prayers ... much, much appreciated.

TGIF and Resting ...

Thirty-eight days till the end of RT.

The cancer and its treatment is taking a toll

--- on Mum. She is 75. She is up from 6am till midnight, doing the general house-cleaning, preparing meals and boiling drinks although her legs, her knees are not good. She goes back to Batu Pahat to check on Dad frequently, too. She is very tired. Please pray for her strength (physical, emotional and spiritual) and good health.

--- on SK and her weight. She has physical changes to cope with. There is dryness in the mouth and throat, ulcers are coming out, dryness of the "burnt" skin. She is tired, having headaches and nausea, for most part of the day.

Mum has lost her cooking skills over the years that she has not been cooking. Her meals are usually the same and rather bland, such that the food seems to have a funny taste. Knowing that it is important to maintain constant weight, eating seems such a frustrating task. Worse still, food looks unappetising and nauseating.

Before and when RT just started, SK put on 2 kg. But over the past few days, she is beginning to lose weight. Please pray for SK's good and strong health. She cannot afford to be weak, to get low immunity, to get sick. Please pray ...

RT - 8

Eight down, twenty-five more to go ... thirty-nine days till the end of RT.

We thank the Lord for today, the last day for RT this week. Tomorrow SK has a break from RT as the IMRT machine will be going through some maintenance work.

Headache every afternoon. Followed by nausea. This seems to be the pattern now. Please pray for SK to be able to go through this difficult and uncomfortable time.

RT - 7

Seven down, twenty-six more to go ... forty days till the end of RT.

Last day of RT has been pushed back to Mon 30 Oct.

Headache, headache, everyday headache, in the afternoon. Don't know why ... please pray for the headache to go away.

RT - 6

We praise God, SK had her weekly meeting with Dr Wee this morning so she could clarify a few things with him.

(1) The “fluish and weak body” is due to the RT. He said, a few hours after RT, she may feel this way. It is flu-like but not flu. All she needs is, to lie down, rest and the feeling will go off by itself. No need to take flu medication.
(2) The funny smell and nausea that SK is beginning to experience is normal. He prescribed medication for nausea.
(3) The migraine attack is simply a headache, not from RT, but from other causes. Most likely the specs.
(4) The “Stage 2” mentioned on 5 Sep was determined based on the MRI report. He asked SK to focus on getting well.
(5) Dr Melvin Chua, further prescribed (a) Biotene mouthwash spray (b) Nystatin

We thank God, the Radiographer informed SK, the IMRT machine needs to go for maintenance this Friday (22 Sep). Meaning no RT this Friday, so the RT schedule will be pushed back one day. Last RT will be on Monday 30 Oct.

We praise God again, SK's weight is still holding up. Do pray for even more weight gain.

We thank God again, that tonight, SK was teaching Homiletics at BSF. How wonderful, still serving God ever so faithfully. Do pray for her safety as she gets home about 11pm.

RT - 5

Praises and Thanks to God ~

This morning’s session went well, it started punctually, ended at 8.23am and SK was home by 9am. The mask is so tight, suffocating and uncomfortable. After taking it off, after getting up from lying down position ... she looked dazed and felt tipsy, I mean dizzy.

Quite an adventurous day. SK left home about 11.30am to go to work. Next stop, the Immigration Office to apply for her Mum's long term pass. Surprise, surprise, it was so easy. After about an hour's wait and less than five minutes with the officer, all done. Mum has been given 3 years, up to Dec 2009, according to the expiry date of the passport. Will be ready, can collect tomorrow. After that, she met someone before going home. She got home about 4pm.

And all this time, she was feeling “fluish” and weak. It was scary, she thought she might pengsan along the way. SK chin phai see.
Lesson learnt : Should not venture out alone, espesially to public places.

Starting our second week

Five down, twenty-eight more to go ... and thirty-nine days till the end of RT.

We are travelling along this unknown journey with you, SK. Knowing that God has prepared the way is such a great comfort.

So sit back and enjoy this -
An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him "How do you expect to get into Heaven?" The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until God says, 'For Heaven's sake, Peter, come in or stay out!'"

Wonderful Weekend

Praise God, SK has this two day break from RT. Counting down, it is forty days till the end of RT.

After BSF LM yesterday, SK made egg croissant for breakfast for mum, sis and herself, then took a nap as she felt a bit flu-ish. Rest of the day was a rojak of chicken rice, relax time, steamed ubi kueh and house cleaning time. In between was the bad left ear, the dry mouth and the lesser and thicker saliva.

For now, eating and drinking are the hardest activities. [Ha ha, BL and Homiletics are chicken feed!] Believe it or not - water, barley, fungus drink, chrysanthemum tea - now have a funny "smell" such that it makes SK want to throw up. She is very good at it, she uses the merlion technique. Her mouth is getting xian of the same food and drink. So she has been drinking honey and miso soup to quench her dry mouth.
(Thank you, CF)

Tomorrow is the beginning of the second week of RT. Monday's RT starts at 8am. Thereafter till the last RT, it is 8.40am.
(Thank you, HT)

Drivers, please pick up SK at least 45 minutes before appointment time. Thank you for your driving ministry. By doing this, you are helping SK to get all the rest she needs ... she really appreciates what you are doing.
(Thank you, AG, AK, CF, ES, KH, LY, PL, SC, SH, SW, WY, YF)

All in all, we THANK our LORD !!! AMEN !!!

Report from SK

Oh no, cold/flu virus attacking again ??

Thursday night was a rather sleepless night. So after RT this morning, SK had to ZZZZZzzzzz a while. It was raining, so the weather was nice and cool. However, SK woke up feeling a bit tired and weak, somewhat like last week. Please PRAY against getting sick.

BSF LM tomorrow, must finish up prep quick. SK's koh-lidder will do the demo for Closing Activity. Must be brave, we have visitors.

RT - 4 and TGIF

Four down, twenty-nine more to go ... and forty-two days till the end of RT. Thank the LORD these numbers keep getting more encouraging and favourable all the time.

Today is Friday, the last of RT for the week. SK does not need to go to the hospital over the weekends. A short 2 day break from RT.

THANKS to all our helpers this week - Angie, Chuay Fen, Poi Leng, Ruby, Cyndi, PS, Edith, Geok Hong, Mary, Shuli and SK's mum and ALL our VIPS who are PRAYING along.

Give thanks ...

RT - 3

Three down, thirty more to go ... and forty-three days till the end of RT.

Patience, dear friends, much patience.
And prayer, dear friends, much prayer.
For now, we will try to keep the excitement down. The shouts of joy, the praises, the thanksgiving, will certainly build up to a grand celebration on Friday 27 Oct.

6.23pm Hmmm ... migraine again, not sure what's the cause - is it because of the specs? This morning, dry mouth was surprisingly better, but now getting dry again. SK is still learning to take afternoon naps.

RT - 2

Two down, thirty-one more to go. This morning's RT was really quick. All over in half an hour, we thank God.

Still can taste food, we thank God. Throat feels very dry, we thank God. No sore throat, we thank God. Lesser saliva, we thank God. No ulcers, we thank God.

Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thes 5:17-18

As usual

After RT yesterday evening, SK was back to work as usual - teaching her Level 3 students at BSF last night and getting home about 11pm. Back home, it must have been a moment of excitement for SK, to meet her sister who had just arrived from LA earlier in the afternoon.

This morning, we THANK GOD yet again ... as requested, SK's RT has been scheduled for 9am. And for Thursday and Friday, she will be patient number one, at 8am. This will cut down waiting time.

God be glorified ...

First RT completed

Spoke to Radiation Therapist first. Then the doctor called SK into his room. Then SK finally walked into RT Clinic 5 at 4pm and walked out of it at 4.35pm. We can all heave a sigh of relief ... one down, thirty-two more to go.

Now on, SK has to use moisturising shampoo and bath soap. No make-up. And for mouth works, she has to use special toothpaste, super soft toothbrush, mouth gel and mouthwash.

Keep an eye on SK - praying unceasingly, believingly. THANK YOU.

Reflection 2 by SK : The God of the Impossible

Dear Prayer Warriors,

The day has finally arrived. Today (12 Sep) is the first day of my 33-days of radiation therapy (RT). As I walk through this journey into the unknown with God as my Guide, I would like to share with you something about radiation so that you can pray alongside me for the next 33 RT sessions & beyond.

Radiation therapy or Radiotherapy (RT) is the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells or to destroy their ability to grow or multiply. RT can stop cancer cells from growing & spreading; in some cases, it can control or slow down the growth & spread of cancer cells or even shrink the size of the cancer tumour. RT is known to affect all cells, good or bad. However, generally, cancer cells are more sensitive to radiation damage than normal cells. RT is usually given on an outpatient basis, 5 days a week, for several weeks depending on the cancer.

The common side effects of RT are fatigue, skin changes and/or loss of appetite. For nose cancers, RT will affect the head & neck areas. The side effects will be :
mouth & throat - dry mouth, mouth ulcers, sore throat, lesser saliva resulting in difficulty in swallowing food, loss of taste
skin & ears - redness of skin, esp on the neck
dental - possible tooth decay (tooth extraction cannot be carried out during & after RT period)
hair loss - possible hair loss but only to the area that is treated
weight loss - possible to lose weight during RT (could lose 1 kg a week in some cases)
low immunity - because of low white blood count, can get easily infected with cold, flu & other viruses
long-term after effects of RT - some of the above problems may persist even after RT eg dry mouth, loss of taste, dental. Other effects include the possibility of secondary cancers (after 10 years?) due to the high radiation exposure (30 min per RT session)

Please PRAY with me over the next 33 RT sessions :
(1) "Lord, please protect every healthy cell, tissue and organ from the RT. Let the RT destroy only the cancer cells.”
(2) that the side effects and after effects of RT will not affect me adversely during and after RT, that is, I will eat, rest well and have a good appetite. I will not be tired, I will not lose weight, I will not have problems swallowing, I will not lose my voice, I will not lose hair, I will not suffer from toothache or tooth decay. I will be protected from cold/flu viruses and if I do suffer any of these symptoms, that God will give me His grace to go through them and recover.
(3) that the RT will be successfully administered, that God will guide the Radiation Oncologist, Therapists and all the other backroom medical staff to administer the radiation correctly, accurately and appropriately.

Our God is the God of the Impossible, the God who has said, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself has said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26). "If You can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23).

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (2 Cor 1:3-4)

Grace be with all of you,
sockkim

A new chapter begins

THANK YOU, LORD, that SK has made it this far. RT starts today, finally, at long last.

Even right now, we PRAY for healing, recovery. We PRAY for extermination of the nose tumour. We PRAY for success of the RT and victory over the cancer.

For now, we PRAY she keeps her strength up by eating well and drinking a lot (of milk). We PRAY that her salivary glands and taste buds will continue to function despite the RT. We PRAY for big appetite and deep hunger for food (spiritual food, too).

Yes, we pray, we pray, we pray,
and GOD will make a way ...

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

RT begins tomorrow

Today marks the end of the first part of SK's journey - comprising a whole lot of tests, scans, eating, drinking, tears, fears, joy, relief - all in praises and thankfulness to God, in preparation for RT. THANK YOU, LORD !!!

For those who will be driving or accompanying SK, please take note that RT will take at least an hour each session - RT 30 min, waiting 30 min, etc. Thank you, friends, for ministering to SK in this manner.

This morning's visit to ENT was equally matched - there were 4 of them and 4 of us in the consultation room. Dr Christopher Goh was happy to announce the FNA results - benign. He also said that, there may not be a need for surgery since the nodule was in the region of the RT. Such great news! Praises to God!

After an early lunch of "shark" lor mee, SK returned to office. She is the salt among her colleagues. And in God's perfect time, all SK's dental work was able to be completed this afternoon. Praises to God again!

Do pray for a good night's rest, as tomorrow, we start on a new journey.

Part One - The End

Countdown to RT - 2 days

Continue to PRAY as God hears our petition for quick and complete healing, full recovery from flu for SK.

This morning, SK (ponteng, oops) did not attend church. She really needed to rest as much as possible.

Mon 11 Sep 10.40am ENT - FNA report (still have to go)
Mon 11 Sep 3.15pm Dr Lum - crowning
Tue 12 Sep 3.00pm Meet Dr Wee, Start IMRT
Wed 13 Sep IMRT (time to be confirmed on Tue)
Thu 14 Sep IMRT
Fri 15 Sep IMRT

Reflection 1 by SK : The Lord is Good

Dear Prayer Warriors

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness & love.

Most of you already know that I was diagnosed with nose cancer 3 weeks ago. To complicate matters, last Sunday (3 Sep 2006), I discovered a lump on the left side of my throat. This was confirmed on Tuesday (5 Sep) during my review meeting with oncologist Dr Wee. The MRI report showed a nodule on the left thyroid. Dr Wee arranged for an immediate FNAB (Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy) to determine if the nodule was malignant or benign.

The next few days were filled with much anxiety. I was afraid that this new discovery could delay my radiotherapy (RT) which was scheduled to start on 12 Sep. Why? Because if the thyroid nodule is found to be malignant, surgery would have to be done first to remove the nodule before RT on the nose could begin. And to cut the long story short, my anxiety turned to joy when the FNAB result confirmed on Friday (8 Sep) that the thyroid nodule was benign. Surgery to remove the thyroid nodule could wait until the 33 RT sessions are completed in Oct.

Thank you for rallying behind me in prayer as I battle against cancer in the Lord’s strength.

But most of all, I want to give praises to God Almighty :

“You are my God, and I will give You thanks;
You are my God, and I will exalt You.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever.”
(Psalm 118:28-29)

Shalom,
sockkim

Prayers, prayers, much needed prayers

Oh dear, oh dear, SK is down with FLU.

Let's all PRAY for very, very super quick recovery. RT is starting in three days. She cannot afford to be weakened at this time. Please PRAY, PRAY PRAY.

Do take note, that if you are unwell, you would have to keep a safe distance from SK. If you happen to get sick when you are on duty (driver, accompanying her at the hospital, etc) do let her Manager know (9388 7266), so she can get a replacement to cover your duties. Thank you for your co-operation, dear friends.

Please keep praying for SK --- THANK YOU !!

Countdown to RT - 3 days

Thank the LORD !!

Attended BSF LM this morning. Actually planned to get a haircut after that, but was informed by Radiation Therapist yesterday not to.

Please pray for:
(1) EAR - getting blocked, feeling a lot of discomfort. Pray for good ear, good hearing and healing.
(2) FLU - may be coming down with some virus or other. Pray for strength, good health, strong immunities.

Thank the LORD !!

Confirmed RT starts next Tuesday

Praise God! Thank God! Hallelujah!

We were at the hospital this afternoon for Verification Planning Simulation. This went smoothly. But before that, the Radiation Therapist explained in great detail - how, what to expect, what to do - when RT starts. It was very informative and most reassuring.

Since we were already there and we couldn't wait for Monday to get FNA results, we asked about it today. FNA results - BENIGN. Hooray! Yippee! Yay! God answered our prayers. We celebrated over dinner. Even more yummy, yummy home-cooked food, fruits and ice-cream. Thank you.
Note: FNA - please refer to Review with Dr Wee, posted on Tue 5 Sep.

Gentle reminder : If you are not well, please don't come too close to SK. Would really appreciate it if you would keep a distance. Thank you.

Next week - please note change in time.
Mon 11 Sep 10.40am ENT - FNA report (still have to go)
Mon 11 Sep 3.15pm Dr Lum - crowning
Tue 12 Sep 3.00pm Meet Dr Wee, Start IMRT
Wed 13 Sep IMRT (time to be confirmed on Tue)
Thu 14 Sep IMRT
Fri 15 Sep IMRT

Thank you everyone for your powerful prayer ministry, for your partnership in prayer.

TGIF

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24

IN HIS HANDS by Betsy Purser Patten

We know not what tomorrow brings although we plan ahead
For only God alone can know the pathway we must tread.
We cannot know the future not one minute nor one hour
Each circumstance that we must face lay only in His power.
It's vital that we live by faith from minute unto minute
And trusting that each step we take He's walking with us in it.
We cannot see the future nor the trials we must face
But in all things, God promised us sufficiency of grace.
This alone should give us hope whatever be our plans
In knowing that our future lies in His sweet, loving hands.

Jeremiah 29 the plans for you

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD ...

God has a plan for your life. He brought you into this world to fulfill that plan. It is the best plan that anyone could ever make for you. It is a plan that will bring Him the greatest glory and you the greatest good. From the beginning of this calendar year until its end, God is working out His plan.

As you follow God's plan for your life, you do so by faith. It is important to remember that He is the Guide and you are the follower. He does not need to bring you into His planning room as a consultant to help Him decide what is best for your life. God has called you to trust Him and to take the next step of obedience according to His will. God has said, "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 NKJV

Here are some ways that God is working out His plan:

He is your Shepherd—He is leading you.
He is your Provider—He is taking care of you.
He is your Strength—He is enabling you.
He is your Counselor—He is speaking to you.
He is your Shield—He is protecting you.
He is your Comfort—He is encouraging you.
He is your Father—He is blessing you.

By Roy Lessin, Co-Founder, DaySpring Cards

Another yummy, scrummy lunch with Wee Tsan & Fook Choon, who will be returning to Shanghai this Sunday. Thank you.

Giving mum a treat

Mum has been my prayer and pillar of support. So today we are taking her out for MAKAN, hooray! Thank you, Linda.
Now we know, SK enjoys Japanese food. We went to Hanabi's, ordered 5 sets - beef, cod fish, eel, pork cutlet and prawn! Drool, drool ...

May God's Angels Keep You

May God's angels greet you every morning,
And guide you throughout the night,
May they comfort all your sorrows,
And help you win the fight.
May they keep watch over your soul,
And show you God's perfect way,
May they guard you while you're sleeping,
And see you through your day.
May they calm your every fear,
And hear you when you shout,
May they show you bright new hopes,
And still your every doubt.

Review with Dr Wee

Thank you Lord for a such great day, nice, cool weather. Thank you Lord for a wonderful lunch, Penang Food Buffet at King's. Yum yum. Thank you, Sally.

Dr Wee said MRI showed a lump (mass) on the left side of the thyroid. Immediately referred to ENT. Met a doctor called, you wouldn't believe his name - Dr Jason Gabriel Rocky! Also examined by ENT HOD Dr Christopher Goh. Did a FNA (fine needle aspiration - biopsy). The results will be out next Monday.

So another hospital visit on Monday 11 Sep 11am. If benign (90-95%) RT will go ahead as planned. If not, thyroid surgery, RT will be rescheduled.

PRAY PLEASE PRAY !!!

Akan datang ---
Fri 8 Sep 2.30pm Final Review, Verification Planning Simulation
Mon 11 Sep 11am ENT - FNA report
Mon 11 Sep 2pm Dr Lum - crowning
Tue 12 Sep 3.30pm Meet Dr Wee, Start IMRT

Isaiah said ...

This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17

Thank the LORD, FoSK for this week:
Tues - Lee Lian, Linda, PS, Sally
Fri - Siew Hwa, Edith, Linda, Ruby, PS

THANK GOD for His blessings.

This afternoon, Dr Lum did a crown for SK. Will do another one next Monday.

Psalm 81:10

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

New discovery, lump on left side of throat. We pray, we ask God to give SK peace, courage, calm, rest ... against all fears. Will check with Dr Wee on Tuesday.

To tsk tsk

We ask the Lord to bless you
As we pray for you each day
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way
His love is always with you
His promises are true
And when you give Him all your cares
We know He will see you through
So when the road you're traveling on
Seems difficult at best
Just remember we're here praying
And God will do the rest

from : PS & the BSF gang

Say "aahhh"

THANK the LORD, dental treatment went well this afternoon. Dr Lum took 2 hours to do 1 root canal and 1 crown. Another round of dental work next Monday.

Prayer + Updates

UPDATE - Wed 30 Aug
SK went to see Dr Lum, dentist at IOI Bldg this morning. Started root canal treatment immediately. THANK the LORD that he can schedule SK in for two more visits.

UPDATE - Tue 29 Aug
SK went to see Dr Chew, dentist in Mt E this morning. Found crack in tooth, needs to do root canal treatment within these few days, quite urgent. Already made tentative appointment with another dentist, for Wed (tomorrrow) morning 10.30am - Please PRAY for God's guidance, make decisions, who, which dentist, when, as early as possible ...

PRAYER - Mon 28 Aug

1 Thess 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1. THANK the LORD that Ai Min found her way to pick up Sock Kim.
2. PRAISES to GOD that all the tests are finally completed. CT Simulation Scan today was a bit painful, took a longer time than expected.
3. Please continue to PRAY for Sock Kim's EAR. It is 80-90% blocked. Cannot hear, painful, uncomfortable. PRAY that the Excel Millennium special cactus nectar will help in the healing of SK's ear. Main ingredients - cactus, contains thousands of phytochemicals. Millennium provides nourishment, inhibit cancer growth, for immune systems that have been destroyed.
4. Please PRAY for tooth/mouth pain. Extraction of one tooth (lower molar) was done last Monday. Pain felt beside and on top of the extracted tooth. Will be going back to see the dentist Dr Chew, Mt Elizabeth, tomorrow morning.
5. Please continue to PRAY for good appetite. Doctors emphasize taking Ensure or Enercal Milk everyday.
6. Please PRAY for quick approval for application of mother's long-term pass.
7. Not forgetting to THANK GOD for the milk money, so generously and cheerfully given.

Mon 21 Aug 9.30am First consultation with Oncologist, Dr Joseph Wee. 4pm First visit to Dentist Dr Bruce Chew
Tue 22 Aug 3.30pm Ultrasound Scan
Thu 24 Aug 9am MRI Scan
Fri 25 Aug 11.30 Shell + Tattoo
Mon 28 Aug 2.30pm CT Simulation Scan - internal imaging (scan) to pinpoint exact location of treatment
Tue 29 Aug 10.30am Re visit dentist Dr Chew
Wed 30 Aug 10.30am First visit to dentist Dr Lum Yew Meng, root canal treatment
Thu 31 Aug 3pm Second visit to dentist Dr Lum, root canal treatment and crown
Mon 4 Sep 2pm Third visit to dentist Dr Lum, final dental check-up
Tue 5 Sep 10am Review with Dr Wee - review all test results and reports
Fri 8 Sep 2.30pm Final Review of Treatment Plan
Tue 12 Sep 3.30pm Start 1st day IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy). Meet Dr Wee. RT all weekdays, 12 Sep till 27 Oct

THANK YOU for your partnership in prayer.