One more month of Chemotherapy

Dear all,
On march 21st I saw Dr William Hwang for my medical review. He has further intersified the treatment of my cytotoxic drugs this time apart from the double dosage of the Thalidomide.

So far the effects are bearable. Surprisingly, the cytotoxic drugs do not give me much problem in terms of nausea and vomitting though the Thalidomide cause some sleepiness, constipation and a little numbness in my toes and fingers. But as long as there are no cramps it is fine. Otherwise I need to stop the medications immediately as the drugs work by blocking blood supply to the cells - cancerous as well as normal ones. Thus the sleepiness and numbness.

Please pray for the most unbearble one - the steroids. Had my first dose this morning. As I pen these words, the hiccups have come - but every 9 seconds.It usually builds up as the days go by. Altogether, there are 4 doses in a row with 40mg each time - a relatively high dosage used in conbination with the cytotoxic drugs and the thalidomide.

The last round was really torturing. It lasted for almost 9 days with the hiccups recurring every 2 seconds non- stop. It was difficult physically and emotionally. I wished I didn't have to go thru the suffering. There were times I wished God would spare me and let me go in peace. As much as I tried to hang on and asked God to 'lead me to the higher ground that is higher than I"(psm 61:2b) - a verse given by a brother I treasure very dearly, I must admit I did not have the strength to hang on. Neither could I function day and night, let alone being able to sleep. I felt very dizzy the whole day, yet unable to rest. I felt so helpless and useless. Though I know that God will see me thru, honestly, I prayed like Jesus at the garden of Gathsamane - that God may remove the suffering if possible. But God didn't. In fact, that round of hiccups was the longest in all the cycles. Though God did not remove the suffering, I am thankful He gave me the strength to pull thru. Wouldn't have climbed 'the rock that is higher than I' if not for His grace and strength. And your prayers that moved His heart and mine to motivate me to hang on. Thankyou for your care and prayers. Please continue to pray for us. We are very touched to know that some of you even fasted for me. The doctor advised me against doing that. I told him that God is so good - He got others to fast on my behalf while I can still eat so much due to the side effects of the steroids/dexathazone that caused me to put on weight.

In 2 weeks time I will see the doctor again for my next review. Then in a month's time/18 Apr , I will see him again for a final review where a bone marrow aspiration and a full myeloma study will be done. Then it looks like he hospitalise me to do a harvest of my own stem cells but will probably have me go for the donor=transplant(Allogenic Bone marrow Transplant from a donor).

To end, I like to share with you what I read in Joshua 3 where God told the Israelites to prepare to cross Jordan by consecrating themselves.

In Scripture, the Jordan River often represents death, which is why both Jesus and John the Baptist were baptized there. It reminds me about the symbol of baptism – dying and being risen with Jesus.

The last bout of struggle with the side effects almost made me feel like giving up. Like it’s better to go, than to go on suffering in every way. But as I read Joshua 3, I was reminded about Jordan. In order to cross onto the promised land, I need to cross the River Jordon. I need to die to myself again in order to 'see the Lord do amazing things' (Joshua 3:5). Then the Lord brought me to John 12:24: “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Last week God gave me Jer 31:3-4. He said, “I will build you up and you will be rebuilt, for I have loved you with an everlasting love and loving kindness.”

Indeed, His words are life – I felt God has just given me a new lease of life to live and live for Him again – no matter how long He’s giving to me. The important thing is to live for Him – even in my suffering. Indeed, we can trust God – even in suffering – even in cancer.

Thx for reading and for your love once again.

You may find this update and previous ones at http//:www.prayfordavid.blogspot.com

Intensifying the treatment

Hi,

Today's blood test showed David's Hb at 12.2. Thank God he is coping well. This is the 2nd round of the additional chemo David is going thru. Dr William Hwang deemed it necessary to intensify the treatment after the result from his last bone marrow test.

The last round (2 weeks ago) of intensified treatment was quite unbearable for David. He was drowsy most of the time and was extremely tired but could not sleep. His hiccups were alot worse, occuring almost every 2 seconds. The whole effect lasted for about 8 to 9 days. When the effect worn off, he felt such relief it was as though he was given a new lease of life. Amazingly David experienced a new sense of hope and strength, the Lord has indeed lifted up his spirit. We know God has been merciful and had heard our prayers.

Thanks esp to Mike, David's youngest brother and his friends for fasting and praying for David last week.

As David is starting another cycle of treatment this week, really covet your prayers for him to have renewed strength to bear all discomfort and distress. Pray that He would be spared of the hiccups altogether. Also, pray against numbness and cramp with the double dosage of thalidomide.

"Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him."
- Psalm 28:6,7

Praise the Lord!
Whee Ling