Good news! David's blood test result today showed his total white count (i.e. no. of white blood cells) started increasing. The CD34 (stem cell marker) also indicated the presence of stem cells which are very young cells which mature and develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in his blood stream. Thus, the Dr made an urgent call to harvest his stem cells or what is called Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Harvesting. I know all these sounded pretty technical but it is definitely good news.
It is the desired outcome of the recent chemo treatment - to collect healthy stem cells which are free of any malignant cells. These good quality stem cells would then be stored as a backup for the transplant treatment. So, after a few days of harvesting and once the desired amount of stem cells are collected, David can be discharged for a couple of weeks before the stem cell transplant tentatively scheduled at the end of May.
Praise the Lord that David did not succumb to any infections or viruses when his blood count was low!
Praise the Lord that his blood count increases so quickly!
Praise the Lord for answering our prayers!
Praise the Lord for His lovingkindness and great tender mercies!
Thank you for all your prayers! We are very much encouraged by many of you who have been faithfully praying with us since the beginning and also the many more who have joined us subsequently - David's doctors, the potential platelet donors who were recently introduced to our blog, my boss' cell group and Joshua's kindergarten (Joshua said "my whole school prayed for Daddy you know! Not just my class, even the nursery and K2"). It is so wonderful to praise the Lord together for every answered prayer.
Please do continue to pray that many good healthy cells could be collected in the next couple of days. Also for good result in the next BMA. Let us praise the Lord together:
"Praise be to the Lord for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield
my heart trusts in him and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
- Psalm 28:6,7
The joy of the Lord is our strength! May you find strength and hope in the Lord in whatever difficult situation you may face. God bless you!
Rejoicing in Him,
Whee Ling
Friday, April 29, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Awakened by spiritual forces
"Awakened by spiritual forces at work but the Spirit of God is upon me. Gave me words for the church at large. Pray for discernment and protection and revival. Tell more later. Thx." This sms was sent by David at 4:50am 28Apr05.
In his dream last night, David was oppressed by evil presence and he called upon the name of Jesus and in the mighty name of Jesus was binding and casting out dark spiritual forces. He shouted so loudly at 4:00am that he not just woken up his entire ward of 4 other men but had a group of 5 to 6 nurses standing by his bedside when he was suddenly jolted awake. Thereafter he sought the Lord for understanding and discernment by reading the bible and received a message from the Lord.
The message was from Revelation 3. What strike me when he shared about the message was Rev 3:12 "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it...".
To me the call to overcome has great significance. "You are called to be an overcomer" was a thought I had during one of the worship services. A second time was during Dr Brian Bailey's teaching and now being reminded in Revelation 3. May the Holy Spirit grant us understanding and discernment to pray and do in accordance to the will of God our Heavenly Father.
Thank you Lord for your promise in Luke10:19 "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcom all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Yes, may the Lord help David and us to stand firm on the promises of God. God's word has power, it has life and with it we can truly rejoice always in the presence and protection of our Lord, our Savior, in Jesus name. Amen!
God bless,
Whee Ling
In his dream last night, David was oppressed by evil presence and he called upon the name of Jesus and in the mighty name of Jesus was binding and casting out dark spiritual forces. He shouted so loudly at 4:00am that he not just woken up his entire ward of 4 other men but had a group of 5 to 6 nurses standing by his bedside when he was suddenly jolted awake. Thereafter he sought the Lord for understanding and discernment by reading the bible and received a message from the Lord.
The message was from Revelation 3. What strike me when he shared about the message was Rev 3:12 "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it...".
To me the call to overcome has great significance. "You are called to be an overcomer" was a thought I had during one of the worship services. A second time was during Dr Brian Bailey's teaching and now being reminded in Revelation 3. May the Holy Spirit grant us understanding and discernment to pray and do in accordance to the will of God our Heavenly Father.
Thank you Lord for your promise in Luke10:19 "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcom all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Yes, may the Lord help David and us to stand firm on the promises of God. God's word has power, it has life and with it we can truly rejoice always in the presence and protection of our Lord, our Savior, in Jesus name. Amen!
God bless,
Whee Ling
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Blood count starts dropping
For the past couple of days, we were waiting for David's blood count to drop and then pick up again for stem cell collection. He was even given "day leave", whereby he could go home for a few hours and return to the hospital at night. Joshua was so delighted to have Daddy back home and when it was time for Daddy to go back at night, he earnestly asked if David could also apply for "night leave". Too bad it is against the hospital policy. Anyway, we were glad to have spent those moments with him.
Today, David's blood count dropped quite significantly. His platelets count was about 200+ on Monday and now is 60+. Please pray that he does not fall or cut himself. It is important that he does not bleed. Pray for protection from physical harm and also for good night sleep. He had been having disturbing dreams…which he could vaguely remember but one was about looking for Joshua (missing?) and another was someone's funeral… - of which he did not feel good when he woke up. May the Holy Spirit lead us and teach us how to pray.
Will go to the hospital now and will update when have more info. Thanks again for your labour of love!
God bless,
Whee Ling
Today, David's blood count dropped quite significantly. His platelets count was about 200+ on Monday and now is 60+. Please pray that he does not fall or cut himself. It is important that he does not bleed. Pray for protection from physical harm and also for good night sleep. He had been having disturbing dreams…which he could vaguely remember but one was about looking for Joshua (missing?) and another was someone's funeral… - of which he did not feel good when he woke up. May the Holy Spirit lead us and teach us how to pray.
Will go to the hospital now and will update when have more info. Thanks again for your labour of love!
God bless,
Whee Ling
Sunday, April 24, 2005
No more myeloma cells in next BMA please!
Dr Hwang informed David that after having a discussion with a team of doctors concerning David's condition, another Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA) will be done before the transplant. If there are still myeloma cells found in the bone marrow, even if reduced from 5% to 1 or 2%, the recommendation is to first do an autologus transplant (from David's own stem cells) and then a donor transplant.
Oh Lord, have mercy on David and spare him the need to undergo 2 transplants! Every transplant requires a full high dose chemo and radiation. Please I beseech thee to pray and intercede for David that our Lord will grant him complete healing and remove every myeloma cell in his body. May the next BMA (date not confirmed yet) shows 0% plasma cell in his bone marrow as an indicator that complete healing has taken place, in Jesus name I pray. Amen!
Thanks & God bless!
Whee Ling
Oh Lord, have mercy on David and spare him the need to undergo 2 transplants! Every transplant requires a full high dose chemo and radiation. Please I beseech thee to pray and intercede for David that our Lord will grant him complete healing and remove every myeloma cell in his body. May the next BMA (date not confirmed yet) shows 0% plasma cell in his bone marrow as an indicator that complete healing has taken place, in Jesus name I pray. Amen!
Thanks & God bless!
Whee Ling
Friday, April 22, 2005
Platelets donors
Dear all,
Thanks for responding to our appeal for donors. I have gotten about 9 names for AB+ and 11 names for O+ so far. I will contact each of them shortly regarding screening details. Please convey my thanks to those whom you have forwarded my message to. Thanks for praying and for being so willing to help.
Please continue to pray for David. Praise the Lord he has the Central Venous Catheter (a silicon tubing to be inserted into his vein for blood transfusion, stem cell transplant) done successfully today after 2 failed attempts which caused him much pain. The CVC or central line was supposed to be a simple procedure and the doctor had done it for more than 200 times without any problem. She was amazed that David was not upset with her but was still smiling after the ordeal. Eventually, the CVC was done by a radiologist using X-ray to guide the procedure. Though the CVC has finally been inserted, it is lodged near his throat, an extremely awkward position, very uncomfortable. Please pray that he could bear with the discomfort and not be too distressed with it. The thought of having to endure it for a couple of weeks can be quite depressing. May the Lord continue to lift up his spirit as grant him strength and renewed hope everyday.
As for side effects, David experienced a little nausea and vomiting yesterday. The hiccups also started today. 21Apr is day 3 of chemo. According to the doctor, his blood count will start dropping and will be very low in day 6, 7 when his immunity will be very low and prone to infection. Thereafter it will pick up and then his stem cells will be collected on day 11 or 12. May the Lord have mercy on him and protect him from all infections and complications. Our God is able to deliver him!
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Whee Ling Chern
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 11:31 PM
To: Whee Ling Chern
Subject: Platelets donors
Hi all,
David's doctor has advised that we need to gather names of at least 10 potential platelets donors for David. He would need platelet transfusions as his platelets (which are the smallest of the cells in the blood, essential for the clotting of blood) as his platelets would be destroyed after chemotherapy, radiation treatment and stem cell transplant.
Due to the recent high number of dengue fever cases, the blood bank's supply has gone down significantly. Therefore, it is essential to get platelets donation specifically for David. The platelets donated do not go to the blood bank but would be kept with the Haematology Centre. The blood types needed are O+ and AB.
To be eligible for donating platelets, the following criteria have to be met:
between 18 to 55 years old
weigh at least 50kg
did not donate red blood during the last 3 months
do not have a history of diabetes, hypertension and asthma
did not have flu, fever, cough or sore throat in the past one week
did not take antibiotics and flu medication in the past one week
did not travel to India, Nepal and other rural countries within the last 6 months
did not take anti-malaria pills within the last 6 months
have not been exposed to chicken pox in the last 6 months
have good prominent veins on both forearms
willing to spend approx 2 hours during the actual donation process for platelets donation
The donor will have to go for screening whereby blood sample will be taken and tested. The screening fees will be charged to the patient.
How is Platelets donation performed?
A needle is inserted into your vein at the forearm after applying local anaesthetic. Sterile procedure tubings are connected to the needle and blood is drawn from your vein into the blood sparator machine, which will separate the platelets from whole blood. The rest of your blood will be returned to you to avoid further blood loss. The procedure is painless and will take approx 1 to 2 hours to complete. It is very safe because only platelets are removed from the blood. All equipment that comes into direct contact with the blood is disposable, used only once and thrown away.
We need to provide a list of donors to the doctor asap, preferably by end of this week or early next week. As blood group AB is considered rare, please pray and help us find people who are eligible and willing to provide this gift of life. You can sms me or e-mail me the name, contact number and blood type of potential donors.
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
P/S: I had so much problem trying to get this e-mail out. My notebook was giving me problem and the cursor kept moving till I literally bang on it and prayed that God make it work. "No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Amen!"
Thanks for responding to our appeal for donors. I have gotten about 9 names for AB+ and 11 names for O+ so far. I will contact each of them shortly regarding screening details. Please convey my thanks to those whom you have forwarded my message to. Thanks for praying and for being so willing to help.
Please continue to pray for David. Praise the Lord he has the Central Venous Catheter (a silicon tubing to be inserted into his vein for blood transfusion, stem cell transplant) done successfully today after 2 failed attempts which caused him much pain. The CVC or central line was supposed to be a simple procedure and the doctor had done it for more than 200 times without any problem. She was amazed that David was not upset with her but was still smiling after the ordeal. Eventually, the CVC was done by a radiologist using X-ray to guide the procedure. Though the CVC has finally been inserted, it is lodged near his throat, an extremely awkward position, very uncomfortable. Please pray that he could bear with the discomfort and not be too distressed with it. The thought of having to endure it for a couple of weeks can be quite depressing. May the Lord continue to lift up his spirit as grant him strength and renewed hope everyday.
As for side effects, David experienced a little nausea and vomiting yesterday. The hiccups also started today. 21Apr is day 3 of chemo. According to the doctor, his blood count will start dropping and will be very low in day 6, 7 when his immunity will be very low and prone to infection. Thereafter it will pick up and then his stem cells will be collected on day 11 or 12. May the Lord have mercy on him and protect him from all infections and complications. Our God is able to deliver him!
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Whee Ling Chern
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 11:31 PM
To: Whee Ling Chern
Subject: Platelets donors
Hi all,
David's doctor has advised that we need to gather names of at least 10 potential platelets donors for David. He would need platelet transfusions as his platelets (which are the smallest of the cells in the blood, essential for the clotting of blood) as his platelets would be destroyed after chemotherapy, radiation treatment and stem cell transplant.
Due to the recent high number of dengue fever cases, the blood bank's supply has gone down significantly. Therefore, it is essential to get platelets donation specifically for David. The platelets donated do not go to the blood bank but would be kept with the Haematology Centre. The blood types needed are O+ and AB.
To be eligible for donating platelets, the following criteria have to be met:
between 18 to 55 years old
weigh at least 50kg
did not donate red blood during the last 3 months
do not have a history of diabetes, hypertension and asthma
did not have flu, fever, cough or sore throat in the past one week
did not take antibiotics and flu medication in the past one week
did not travel to India, Nepal and other rural countries within the last 6 months
did not take anti-malaria pills within the last 6 months
have not been exposed to chicken pox in the last 6 months
have good prominent veins on both forearms
willing to spend approx 2 hours during the actual donation process for platelets donation
The donor will have to go for screening whereby blood sample will be taken and tested. The screening fees will be charged to the patient.
How is Platelets donation performed?
A needle is inserted into your vein at the forearm after applying local anaesthetic. Sterile procedure tubings are connected to the needle and blood is drawn from your vein into the blood sparator machine, which will separate the platelets from whole blood. The rest of your blood will be returned to you to avoid further blood loss. The procedure is painless and will take approx 1 to 2 hours to complete. It is very safe because only platelets are removed from the blood. All equipment that comes into direct contact with the blood is disposable, used only once and thrown away.
We need to provide a list of donors to the doctor asap, preferably by end of this week or early next week. As blood group AB is considered rare, please pray and help us find people who are eligible and willing to provide this gift of life. You can sms me or e-mail me the name, contact number and blood type of potential donors.
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
P/S: I had so much problem trying to get this e-mail out. My notebook was giving me problem and the cursor kept moving till I literally bang on it and prayed that God make it work. "No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Amen!"
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Devotion time with God
David would be delighted to know that the first thing Joshua missed doing with him was having devotion time with God. On of first night when his daddy was away at the hospital, Joshua said how he wished daddy was with us to have our devotion as a family. I told him we could still do so and that daddy was just a phone call away. So, he called daddy and requested that his daddy lead us in our devotion, i.e. our time worshipping God, reading the bible and praying.
Tonight David called and we did our devotion together using Joshua's 365 daily devotions book called "Quiet Times with God". The bible verses from Apr19 were from:
Numbers 23:22 - "They have the strength of a wild ox" Numbers 23:22" and
2 Corinthians 12:9,10 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness"...Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
We were much encouraged by what we learned and hope it would encourage you too:
God makes His people strong. Everyone who believes in Jesus and loves Jesus is part of God's family, and God's family is strong. All together, we are as strong as wild oxen. Where I am weak, you are strong. Where you are weak, I am strong. And where both of us are weak, someone else in God's family is strong. God makes us strong all together. We are strong because God Himself is with us and He is mighty and powerful. We are weak, but He is strong. So be glad and praise God that He is so mighty.
May God bless us to recognise the strength we can have in Him.
Today, David was supposed to have his Central Venous Catheter inserted to allow the administration of chemo drugs. However, the doctor was unable to set the catheter on either side of his chest, just below the collar bone. The Radiologist will try to set it tomorrow. Please pray that David be strong and that the CVC would be successfully done as painlessly as possible.
By His strength,
Whee Ling
Tonight David called and we did our devotion together using Joshua's 365 daily devotions book called "Quiet Times with God". The bible verses from Apr19 were from:
Numbers 23:22 - "They have the strength of a wild ox" Numbers 23:22" and
2 Corinthians 12:9,10 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness"...Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
We were much encouraged by what we learned and hope it would encourage you too:
God makes His people strong. Everyone who believes in Jesus and loves Jesus is part of God's family, and God's family is strong. All together, we are as strong as wild oxen. Where I am weak, you are strong. Where you are weak, I am strong. And where both of us are weak, someone else in God's family is strong. God makes us strong all together. We are strong because God Himself is with us and He is mighty and powerful. We are weak, but He is strong. So be glad and praise God that He is so mighty.
May God bless us to recognise the strength we can have in Him.
Today, David was supposed to have his Central Venous Catheter inserted to allow the administration of chemo drugs. However, the doctor was unable to set the catheter on either side of his chest, just below the collar bone. The Radiologist will try to set it tomorrow. Please pray that David be strong and that the CVC would be successfully done as painlessly as possible.
By His strength,
Whee Ling
"I miss Daddy."
Our dear Joshua boy whispered "I miss daddy" to me with tears in his eyes on Sunday night while I was preparing him to sleep. I told him "daddy has not gone to the hospital yet. He is at home, in the living room." But Joshua was already preparing himself for the impending though temporary separation from his dear daddy whom he loves so much and who loves him so very much.
Moments before that he had prayed for his daddy asking God to take away all the myeloma cells so that daddy could be well again to play with him.
I know this prayer will not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father whose steadfast love extends to the heavens, whose faithfulness reaches to the skies.
David's chemo would start tomorrow morning. The good news is for this round, his hospital stay may be only about 1 week or shorter if he responds well. Thereafter in early May, his stem cells will be collected. It is only during end May, tentatively 27May, that he would be warded for around 20+ days for high dose chemo, radiotherapy and then the transplant.
So, please continue to pray for David against infections, diseases and side effects. Please also pray for Joshua to be able to cope emotionally. I could only imagine the extend of anxiety his little heart has to manage. Pray that I remain healthy to take care of them.
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
Moments before that he had prayed for his daddy asking God to take away all the myeloma cells so that daddy could be well again to play with him.
I know this prayer will not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father whose steadfast love extends to the heavens, whose faithfulness reaches to the skies.
David's chemo would start tomorrow morning. The good news is for this round, his hospital stay may be only about 1 week or shorter if he responds well. Thereafter in early May, his stem cells will be collected. It is only during end May, tentatively 27May, that he would be warded for around 20+ days for high dose chemo, radiotherapy and then the transplant.
So, please continue to pray for David against infections, diseases and side effects. Please also pray for Joshua to be able to cope emotionally. I could only imagine the extend of anxiety his little heart has to manage. Pray that I remain healthy to take care of them.
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
Saturday, April 16, 2005
God hears and answers prayers
Greetings in the name of the Lord!
Yes, thanks be to God for the great improvement in David's condition - plasma cells down from 19% in Feb to 5%! Also, for making it possible for the stem cell transplant to take place so quickly and for giving not just 1 but 2 possible donors (David's sisters - Angie and Mary). My heartfelt thanks to both of them for their availability and sacrificial love.
I also want to thank all of you for your love,concern and support to our family. Thanks esp for praying for and with us. In addition to what David has shared below regarding the next step of his treatment, please also pray:
1. for the desired effect of the treatment in preparation for the stem cell transplant. The purpose of the chemotherapy is to wipe out all remaining myeloma cells, together with healthy cells and also to create a "bounce off" effect whereby the body would respond to the invasion of toxic drugs by producing more stem cells (according to my understanding - hope I am explaining it correclty in layman's term) which will be collected and stored in case required in future. So, simply pray that good amount of completely healthy stem cells may be collected.
2. against all side effects of the chemo treatment - i.e. possible loss of appepite, loss of hair, nausea, vomitting, fatigue, drowsiness...etc. In fact I believe, if the Lord is willing, He can spare David from all these.
3. protection from VRE - the superbug and all kinds of infections.
4. that his immunity will be miraculously high and the Lord to supernaturally build him up, both spiritually and physically
5. that the Lord will grant us favour to get the subsidy for the stem cell transplant treatment, without which may be around S$82k
6. that we continue to draw strength from the Lord and .... as the Holy Spirit leads. :)
Our GOD is ONE who hears and answers our prayers, Amen?!
Hope you don't mind receiving e-mail from me again (if you rather not - please let me know, its perfectly fine). I think our blog may not be very effective in providing a channel of communication regarding David's updates. Most of the time, we do not receive much comments to our posting but we do receive a few e-mail repsonses to our blog. Guess most people are still quite hesitant to publish their comments and accessing the blog may also pose a problem to some. I would also post this e-mail to the blog in case I may not have the e-mail addresses of some who faithfully check out our blog http://prayfordavid.blogspot.com/.
Blessings and love in the wonderful name of JESUS,
Whee Ling
Yes, thanks be to God for the great improvement in David's condition - plasma cells down from 19% in Feb to 5%! Also, for making it possible for the stem cell transplant to take place so quickly and for giving not just 1 but 2 possible donors (David's sisters - Angie and Mary). My heartfelt thanks to both of them for their availability and sacrificial love.
I also want to thank all of you for your love,concern and support to our family. Thanks esp for praying for and with us. In addition to what David has shared below regarding the next step of his treatment, please also pray:
1. for the desired effect of the treatment in preparation for the stem cell transplant. The purpose of the chemotherapy is to wipe out all remaining myeloma cells, together with healthy cells and also to create a "bounce off" effect whereby the body would respond to the invasion of toxic drugs by producing more stem cells (according to my understanding - hope I am explaining it correclty in layman's term) which will be collected and stored in case required in future. So, simply pray that good amount of completely healthy stem cells may be collected.
2. against all side effects of the chemo treatment - i.e. possible loss of appepite, loss of hair, nausea, vomitting, fatigue, drowsiness...etc. In fact I believe, if the Lord is willing, He can spare David from all these.
3. protection from VRE - the superbug and all kinds of infections.
4. that his immunity will be miraculously high and the Lord to supernaturally build him up, both spiritually and physically
5. that the Lord will grant us favour to get the subsidy for the stem cell transplant treatment, without which may be around S$82k
6. that we continue to draw strength from the Lord and .... as the Holy Spirit leads. :)
Our GOD is ONE who hears and answers our prayers, Amen?!
Hope you don't mind receiving e-mail from me again (if you rather not - please let me know, its perfectly fine). I think our blog may not be very effective in providing a channel of communication regarding David's updates. Most of the time, we do not receive much comments to our posting but we do receive a few e-mail repsonses to our blog. Guess most people are still quite hesitant to publish their comments and accessing the blog may also pose a problem to some. I would also post this e-mail to the blog in case I may not have the e-mail addresses of some who faithfully check out our blog http://prayfordavid.blogspot.com/.
Blessings and love in the wonderful name of JESUS,
Whee Ling
Friday, April 15, 2005
BMA results/Admission on 18/4/2005
Dear all,
Thank you for praying with us and for my condition.
The BMA was done on Monday, 11/4. Dr William Hwang sms-ed me to inform me of the results. The percentage of the cancer cells have decreased from 19% (taken at last BMA) to 5%. As such, he wants me admitted this coming Monday,18/4 for the'tranditional' chemotherapy in SGH. Thereafter, my own stem cells will be collected and harvested on the first week of May before the Allogenic/donor transplant at the end of May. The doctor will select and decide which of my two sisters will be the donor for the transplant. This is his plan at the moment.
Please pray for divine wisdom on the medical team - especially for:
Dr. William Hwang, doctor managing my case. He is a believer as well.
Jing Jing, BMT (Bone marrow transplant co-ordinator).
Thanks for all your support and prayers.
finding delight in the Lord - Psm 112,
david
Thank you for praying with us and for my condition.
The BMA was done on Monday, 11/4. Dr William Hwang sms-ed me to inform me of the results. The percentage of the cancer cells have decreased from 19% (taken at last BMA) to 5%. As such, he wants me admitted this coming Monday,18/4 for the'tranditional' chemotherapy in SGH. Thereafter, my own stem cells will be collected and harvested on the first week of May before the Allogenic/donor transplant at the end of May. The doctor will select and decide which of my two sisters will be the donor for the transplant. This is his plan at the moment.
Please pray for divine wisdom on the medical team - especially for:
Dr. William Hwang, doctor managing my case. He is a believer as well.
Jing Jing, BMT (Bone marrow transplant co-ordinator).
Thanks for all your support and prayers.
finding delight in the Lord - Psm 112,
david
Sunday, April 10, 2005
God's blessings...
Dear all,
Just want to praise God for His continuous blessings upon David. God has so lovingly blessed us by having many of you (who are to us, prayer warriors, intercessors, saints and angels) to minister to us during this journey through the valley of darkness.
Recently, a group of David's friends (from his old Bethesda Katong days some of whom he has known for 20 over years) were led by the Holy Spirit to fast and pray for him. Would like to specially thank sister Annette for rallying prayers support for David. I have gotten her permission to include her e-mail on recent prayer items for David in this blog (see below) so that if any of you should feel led, could join us in prayers to our Merciful Father.
Our heartfelt thanks to many of you who prayed, are praying and will be praying for and with us. We are also thankful to some for their practical means of help such as supplying health supplement known to be good for cancer patients. May the Lord greatly multiply your rewards as you have chosen to bless so generously.
I also want to thank David's brother Roger who has been helping us send Josh to his kindergarten every morning. As a result of this, David was able to have more rest. Before I end, I also want to thank and appreciate my 2 sisters-in-law on being available for the donor screening tests this coming monday in preparation of the stem cell transplant.
Gratefully His,
Whee Ling
***************************************
Hi Whee Ling,
Please do feel free to post my email on the blogsite.
It is only rightful for fellow-Christians to support one another in prayer.
Dong has been dear friend to many people, blessing them over the years.
You are a very supportive wife and patient mother. Feel free to write or call me when you need to as it can be very difficult for caregivers too.
May the Lord bless all of you.
Whee Ling Chern wrote:
Dear Annette,
Thank you so much for fasting and praying for Dong and also in rallying prayer support. It is friends like you that reminds us of His great love that so warm our hearts. :) Would it be alright for me to post your e-mail in our blog so our other friends could also join in to pray for items listed below?
Blessings and love,
Whee Ling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Annette Chong [mailto:nettiechong@yahoo.com.sg]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 10:54 AM
Subject: Prayer/fast for Dong
Dear friends,
We'll be entering our 2nd week of fast/prayer. For those who did not manage to start, it's not too late.
We need to pray that:
1) the cancer cells will continue to drop till it's low enough for the bone marrow transplant to take place. The bone marrow aspiration will be done on 11 Apr. The doctor will then decide on the transplant date. Apparently, it is likely to be within a mth.
2) SGH will be able to quickly eradicate the antibiotic-resistant bacteria currently affecting their wards. Cancer patients are more vulnerable being low in immunity. We need to pray that Dong will not be susceptible to it.
3) The next step of treatment will be for Dong to be admitted for chemotherapy to prepare him for the transplant. There are risks as Dong's immunity will be weakened thru' this. Pray that he will be protected from catching any viruses, infection, etc. He is expected to stay up to 36 days.
4) When the transplant take place, one of Dong's sisters will donate her bone marrow. However, Dong's own cells will be needed as a back-up should his body reject hers. Pray that the transplant will be successful with minimal side effects. Most importantly that his body, will not reject the transplant.
5) Pray that Dong will be able to qualify for subsidies as the difference in cost in huge. Without subsidies, he will need to pay $84000.
As there will be major risks involved in the treatment as well as post-operation, we will really need to cover him with our prayers.
God be with you all and may the Holy Spirit remind us to pray for him even during the busy moments of our day.
Annette
Just want to praise God for His continuous blessings upon David. God has so lovingly blessed us by having many of you (who are to us, prayer warriors, intercessors, saints and angels) to minister to us during this journey through the valley of darkness.
Recently, a group of David's friends (from his old Bethesda Katong days some of whom he has known for 20 over years) were led by the Holy Spirit to fast and pray for him. Would like to specially thank sister Annette for rallying prayers support for David. I have gotten her permission to include her e-mail on recent prayer items for David in this blog (see below) so that if any of you should feel led, could join us in prayers to our Merciful Father.
Our heartfelt thanks to many of you who prayed, are praying and will be praying for and with us. We are also thankful to some for their practical means of help such as supplying health supplement known to be good for cancer patients. May the Lord greatly multiply your rewards as you have chosen to bless so generously.
I also want to thank David's brother Roger who has been helping us send Josh to his kindergarten every morning. As a result of this, David was able to have more rest. Before I end, I also want to thank and appreciate my 2 sisters-in-law on being available for the donor screening tests this coming monday in preparation of the stem cell transplant.
Gratefully His,
Whee Ling
***************************************
Hi Whee Ling,
Please do feel free to post my email on the blogsite.
It is only rightful for fellow-Christians to support one another in prayer.
Dong has been dear friend to many people, blessing them over the years.
You are a very supportive wife and patient mother. Feel free to write or call me when you need to as it can be very difficult for caregivers too.
May the Lord bless all of you.
Whee Ling Chern
Dear Annette,
Thank you so much for fasting and praying for Dong and also in rallying prayer support. It is friends like you that reminds us of His great love that so warm our hearts. :) Would it be alright for me to post your e-mail in our blog so our other friends could also join in to pray for items listed below?
Blessings and love,
Whee Ling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Annette Chong [mailto:nettiechong@yahoo.com.sg]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 10:54 AM
Subject: Prayer/fast for Dong
Dear friends,
We'll be entering our 2nd week of fast/prayer. For those who did not manage to start, it's not too late.
We need to pray that:
1) the cancer cells will continue to drop till it's low enough for the bone marrow transplant to take place. The bone marrow aspiration will be done on 11 Apr. The doctor will then decide on the transplant date. Apparently, it is likely to be within a mth.
2) SGH will be able to quickly eradicate the antibiotic-resistant bacteria currently affecting their wards. Cancer patients are more vulnerable being low in immunity. We need to pray that Dong will not be susceptible to it.
3) The next step of treatment will be for Dong to be admitted for chemotherapy to prepare him for the transplant. There are risks as Dong's immunity will be weakened thru' this. Pray that he will be protected from catching any viruses, infection, etc. He is expected to stay up to 36 days.
4) When the transplant take place, one of Dong's sisters will donate her bone marrow. However, Dong's own cells will be needed as a back-up should his body reject hers. Pray that the transplant will be successful with minimal side effects. Most importantly that his body, will not reject the transplant.
5) Pray that Dong will be able to qualify for subsidies as the difference in cost in huge. Without subsidies, he will need to pay $84000.
As there will be major risks involved in the treatment as well as post-operation, we will really need to cover him with our prayers.
God be with you all and may the Holy Spirit remind us to pray for him even during the busy moments of our day.
Annette
Friday, April 08, 2005
Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA) & Myeloma Studies on 11/4/2005
Dear all,
I am grateful for the concern and care shown by so many of you during my recent struggle with the side effects of the drugs - chiefly the steroids and the cytotoxic drugs that were given to intensify the treatment before I go for the transplant. Many of you have written to encourage our hearts and I appreciate some of you for calling, no matter how brief it was. Above all, I know of some groups that have gathered specially to intercede for us - Whee Ling and I are so touched by all that you all have done for us - by standing in the gap for us. Thankyou so much! Without your prayers, I wouldn't have been able to bear the torture of all that I was going through. And without His grace, I wouldn't have been able to endure every bit of the physical suffering. Frankly, I felt as if I was in deep waters.But His grace helped me overcome though I felt almost overwhelmed.
You know, going thru this especially during the Good Friday week gave me a little glimpse of the pain and suffering that our Lord Jesus went through.I know what I went through is really nothing compared to what He had gone through. It must have been very, very tough and excruciating for Him to walk the way of the cross! And it could have been me (and you). Instead we are free!
Well, come this Monday (11 April 2005), a BMA and full myeloma study will be done to determine the percentage of myeloma cells in my body after all these intensified treatment for the last 2 months. The last BMA/myeloma study done was 19%. It was 35% when first diagnosed.
Looks like Dr William Hwang will schedule me for the Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant very soon after the tests are done. My donors are going to SGH with me on Monday for a full medical screen and a host of other tests, including an interview to determine who will be the best choice.Do pray for wisdom for the doctor and transplant team.
Please pray also for the hospital that the VRE (Vacomycin Resistent Entercocci) superbug that we have all heard and read about will be controlled. It is not airborne but spread thru contact with articles infected.I may be hospitalised for about 36 days. Super long leh!!! By the way, because my immune system is low and will be knocked even lower deliberately during the transplant, I will not be able to receive any visitor at all. But you may email me at daveongke@pacific.net.sg or Whee Ling at wheeling.chern@sas.com. We will furnish you with more details when the dates are fixed for the BMT (bone marrow transplant).
Thanks for standing with us. We are honored to have friends all over and family members in Singapore and KL praying with us.
In Him we live and have our being,
david
I am grateful for the concern and care shown by so many of you during my recent struggle with the side effects of the drugs - chiefly the steroids and the cytotoxic drugs that were given to intensify the treatment before I go for the transplant. Many of you have written to encourage our hearts and I appreciate some of you for calling, no matter how brief it was. Above all, I know of some groups that have gathered specially to intercede for us - Whee Ling and I are so touched by all that you all have done for us - by standing in the gap for us. Thankyou so much! Without your prayers, I wouldn't have been able to bear the torture of all that I was going through. And without His grace, I wouldn't have been able to endure every bit of the physical suffering. Frankly, I felt as if I was in deep waters.But His grace helped me overcome though I felt almost overwhelmed.
You know, going thru this especially during the Good Friday week gave me a little glimpse of the pain and suffering that our Lord Jesus went through.I know what I went through is really nothing compared to what He had gone through. It must have been very, very tough and excruciating for Him to walk the way of the cross! And it could have been me (and you). Instead we are free!
Well, come this Monday (11 April 2005), a BMA and full myeloma study will be done to determine the percentage of myeloma cells in my body after all these intensified treatment for the last 2 months. The last BMA/myeloma study done was 19%. It was 35% when first diagnosed.
Looks like Dr William Hwang will schedule me for the Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant very soon after the tests are done. My donors are going to SGH with me on Monday for a full medical screen and a host of other tests, including an interview to determine who will be the best choice.Do pray for wisdom for the doctor and transplant team.
Please pray also for the hospital that the VRE (Vacomycin Resistent Entercocci) superbug that we have all heard and read about will be controlled. It is not airborne but spread thru contact with articles infected.I may be hospitalised for about 36 days. Super long leh!!! By the way, because my immune system is low and will be knocked even lower deliberately during the transplant, I will not be able to receive any visitor at all. But you may email me at daveongke@pacific.net.sg or Whee Ling at wheeling.chern@sas.com. We will furnish you with more details when the dates are fixed for the BMT (bone marrow transplant).
Thanks for standing with us. We are honored to have friends all over and family members in Singapore and KL praying with us.
In Him we live and have our being,
david
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)