One Year Later

Last year this time I posted in my blog, a day out on the beach with a couple. This couple spent their wedding anniversary day, bringing me (and Paul) for a picnic at the Changi Beach. They prepared food and drinks and brought along beach chairs and mat. Then, I was in my wheelchair. It was one of my earliest outings. I was still weak and not steady on my feet, needing the wheelchair whenever I go out. I could eat very little and could not taste much.

A year has now past. We meet again and this time we celebrated their wedding anniversary in a very nice Chinese restaurant. We shared a lovely dinner together with much joy in our hearts. This time I ate as heartily as everyone; finished and "tasted" every morsel of food. Deep down we are truly thankful to the LORD for restoring me to reasonable good health and our friendship has grown. It is so very wonderful to have many friends who are willing to walk my journey alongside with me, sharing my ups and downs.

My sincere prayers for our LORD's blessings on this couple, their marriage and their love for one another; and together they will fervently serve the LORD with all their hearts; their children and children's children will be blessed by their faithfulness. Psalm 103:17,18

Loyal and Faithful Helpers

We are very thankful for the provision of two loyal and faithful helpers in our household. Lorena worked for us close to 10 years and Tutik, 6.5 years. Lorena left us on Friday 26th September to return to Philippines. Lorena is responsible, hardworking and diligent throughout all these years. She is very capable in preparing meals and taken much initiative to cook interesting and new dishes. We are sad to see her go. During the time when I had to depend on Tutik to attend to my personal health needs, Lorena managed to handle all the household work on her own. We now have a new helper, her name is Maryatun.

Dexa 20mg Superwoman

It is true. When I was on Dexa last week and this week, I really felt like Superwoman. I took Dexa for 3 days in a week cycle for two weeks. From the first day I was full of energy and clear-minded. I had a "full" day started in the morning to read and write a short article and continued reading till afternoon. Rested at 4pm and could attentively listened to a 45min preaching on CD. Wow, that is a good day for me. I could concentrate on what I want to do. The next day I was still going strong and went for lunch with my friends. Unlike other times, I usually leave to return home earlier around 2pm, but this time I was holding up very well and stayed on to chat till 4.30pm. What a long and fruitful day.

We had very good conversations. With these friends I can openly share my deepest feelings, doubts and concerns. We talked about being willing to step out of our "comfort zone", GOD puts "stops" in our lives and His "stops" are just as important as His "gos", how well should we end in our life journeys, the dangers of complacency, being intentional and purposeful with our times rather than being "accidental heroes" in GOD's kingdom. Serious talks! Dexa got me all charged up and energized!

But Dexa also has its negatives - sleeplessness - I had to take some sleep aid to get rest in the nights. The combination of Dexa and Revlimid resulted in low WBC and I caught a dreadful infection the next couple of days. It was rather scary. But antibiotic, Ciprobay immediately controlled the infection and I was back on my feet. I did feel rather faitgued by the episode but thankful that I recovered. So the next cycle will see me having highs and lows. That is the effect of Dexa on me. Though I think I am reacting far better now than the first time I took Dexa in May last year.
We will see if these two doses of Dexa has helped with the M band when I go in for test on Monday. :-)

Be strong and courageous

This is not going to be easy...to have to tell you that the M-band has gone up. It went to 9.5 and a re-test a week later showed it at 10.4. Sad. But then all the other readings are good! Immunity readings are normal, bone healing is present. Dr.Teoh is not recommending that I start on Velcade until he is convinced that there are other indicators to show that the disease is progressing. For now, I have to go back to oral Dexa for 3 days in a week and after 2 weeks, I will go for blood test. For the coming 2 weeks the plan is Zometa (already infused yesterday), twice weekly Revlimid and three times Dexa. I think I can manage this, by GOD's grace. And we will pray and beseech Him to restore and strengthen me and reduce the tumour burden and that I do not experience any bone event before the next medical.

End of September I will do bloodtest and early October, if needed (if M band is still high), go for MRI, bone marrow aspirations on both hips. Dr Teoh is very careful and does not want to start Velcade unless he is absolutely sure the treatment is needed - concern that the effect may cause the good immunity readings to reverse. Physically I am "looking" good, my backaches are not that severe. But then again I am surely afraid for the body to feel the pain before medical treatment is started to control and prevent bone events.

We will trust the LORD and seek His wisdom to commence treatment at the right time. May His favour be upon us, His righteous right hand to uphold us.
Dear friends and loved ones, I am not discouraged. GOD is sovereign, He will give me the grace to go on and face what is ahead of me. Be strong and courageous with me. There is much to be cheerful about.

"Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord." - Psalm 118:19