the Behemoth and the Leviathan

Recently, I completed the study of JOB (with a group of ladies) and I was quite fascinated and enthralled by the last few chapters. As I read and thought on it. I could not help but associate it with myeloma.

There are such creatures created by GOD that terrify and tyrannize. The Behemoth is a creature of immense strength and power in his belly, with tail that sways like cedar and bones like tubes of bronze. He feeds on grass, living among the lotuses and his shadow concealed by reeds in the marsh, with wild animals playing nearby. This seemingly quiet and docile creature is unperturbed by the raging river and secure though Jordan surges at him.

The fearsome Leviathan with such hide that harpoons cannot spear, any hope of subduing him is futile and the sight of him is overpowering.  What is this creature? His back has rows of shields, his formidable teeth ringed the mouth, his breath are like snorting flashes and sparks of fire, and his eyes like rays of (red) dawn. His chest is hard as rock, such that iron he treats as straw and bronze like rotten wood. His undersides are jagged potsherds and when he rises, others retreats; he threshes about and churns the sea like a boiling cauldron.  Nothing on earth is his equal and he is a creature without fear. What is this terrible creature? He is dangerous and treacherous.

What purpose does these creatures serve, the Behemoth and the Leviathan, except to terrify and to destroy? Why did GOD even create them? Yes, GOD is their Maker. He can approach them with his sword … He gives them life, He can take away from them. “Everything under heaven belongs to me” Job 41:11

Are there behemoths and leviathans in our lives - terrifying and fearful situations? These two creatures pointed out GOD’s challenge to Job - to recognize and remember GOD’s omnipotence, He is the Maker and He is in control. The behemoths and the leviathans represent threats in our lives that appear unstoppable, unbeatable and unassailable. Indeed our defenses are weak and worthless. But nothing is beyond GOD. He is able to tame, subdue and work out everything for our good (Rom 8:28). While He allows behemoths and leviathans in our lives, He exercises control and there is a limit as to what they can do. Book of Job tells us that everything - suffering, pain, sickness, injustice and including evil - is part of GOD’s total picture.

God’s favor and blessings does not guarantee a trouble-free or pain-free life. Sufferings and pain can bring about a special closeness to our Maker; it can bring about a quantum leap in our spiritual awakening and understanding. Our part is to receive the gift of faith and to continue to trust Him. To believe, even when and especially when we do not see and understand.

Medical update

It is timely to give another medical update. Visits to NUH Dr. C is now at 2 monthly intervals. Since November 2012, Revlimid at 10 mg has been stopped and dexa been reduced from 3x4mg to 2x 4mg per week. The BIG question is what is the M-band readings. The readings of December 2012 and February 2013 are those without Revlimid.
Feb 2012  3.43 g/L
May 2012 3.63
July 2012  2.33
Aug 2012  3.5
Sep 2012   3.0
Oct 2012   3.7
Dec2012   3.5
Feb 2013  4.0
At this level, Dr. C is not concerned and is happy to keep me off myeloma drugs for the time being. This is to allow my immune system to build up on its own. WBC, RBC, HGB, PLT are all within normal range. Liver and kidney functions are normal. Thankfully after stopping Revlimid, WBC is able to come back up and ALT (liver function) normalised, it was on the high side. This shows that the bone marrow factory is working well and has resumed good function. It is probably the right decision to hold off medication and see if M-band would stay the same. My blood pressure had been going up but with the pause in medication, it appears to have improved.

In the meantime, I have asked to start on curcumin, there is no objection and Dr. C is willing to monitor with full blood count after 2 weeks.
I expect I should be feeling physically stronger. (Revlimid was the drug that gives me the most fatigue)
So ....in four weeks time I am going off for a 2 weeks holiday. Doctor said "Keep well and stay well!"
Thank GOD for everything!

6th CNY

This is my 6th CNY, Chinese Lunar New Year. For me, I will celebrate all special occasions with gladness in my heart just because I am able to. As the year passes,  by God's grace, I am able to do more and more. Therefore I am happy to enjoy the season with its cultural's nuances as best as I know how. There are some practices that I may have forgotten or overlooked. But I shall try to preserve some traditions.

I most certainly dread going to Chinatown during this time of the year. I have read and heard enough of the crowd of people thronging the stalls specially set up along Smith and Temple Street. But yesterday, we boldly attempted to make a visit. We parked along Mosque Street, which is two streets away from the center of activities. The purpose is to get all the ingredients to cook the traditional "Jai Choy" - a vegetarian dish eaten by Cantonese Chinese on the first day of the lunar New Year. 

8 ingredients - Jai Choy 

 For this traditional recipe there should be 8 ingredients - 8 being an auspicious number for the Chinese. These are Shiitake mushrooms, dried knotted lily bulbs, dried oysters, black fungus, black moss, vermicelli, beancurd sticks and red dates. I am sure each of them are spoken to represent something fortuitous. Most of the dried items, except for the black moss and vermicelli should be soaked in water overnight. It is important to cook it with "Nam Yee" which is red fremented bean curd - this gives the dish that special taste and a pungent flavor like strong cheese.

large portion of cooked Jai Choy

We decided to cook a large portion so that we can freeze some for later. Just finished cooking it and having it tomorrow - the first day of the lunar new year. Can't wait to have it with piping hot steamed rice!

plum blossom

At a recent walk to the Botanic Gardens, we saw lovely arrangements of plum blossom, specially imported for this season. Such delicate pink petals, some already fallen to the ground.