Surprise!!

My dear friends Joyce and Vera said they would come and visit me on Tuesday, 7 Oct after BSF class. I was home, still recovering from surgery. Joyce said they'd bring some lunch for me. As Joyce is the Class Administrator and Vera the Substitute Teaching Leader of my BSF center, we often meet to discuss the work. I said okay, and did not give it much thought.

I was very surprised when, at 12 pm, a whole bunch of other ladies started turning up at my house! They were throwing me a surprise birthday party and I had not even suspected anything! These are my regular helpers and prayer supporters from my BSF class.

My regular helpers and prayer supporters from my BSF class. Clockwise from back row - Alison Chong who drove Jon to golf lessons and did grocery shopping; Linda Teo who gave Alisha Maths tuition; Goh Say Kiat who also drove Jon to golf lessons; Leong Tai Wan who gave Alisha & David Chinese tuition and drove me to BSF leaders meeting every Monday; Lee Wui Meng; Elaine Tan who drove me to BSF every Tuesday and also did grocery shopping; Joyce Moh and Vera Chek who helped in ways too numerous to recount.

They brought food to feed my whole family. We had a scrumptious meal, with much thanksgiving and laughter.

Great Physician

It's been 4 weeks since the operation and my wound is healing really well. Even the areas on my body which felt "funny" - numb and thick - immediately after surgery are recovering normal sensation again.

During my follow up visit to Dr Karen Yap on 10 Oct I had some fluid aspirated from the operation site. There was only 32ml removed - which Karen says was very good - i.e. minimal.

I also had 2 warts removed (burned off with laser!) by Dr Erik Ang - Karen's husband. It was painless because of the anesthetic but left 2 little craters in my left thumb and index finger. I'm glad my cousin Rachel was with me when the warts were being zapped - she kept talking to me and it took my mind and eye off the procedure. The one time I glanced over, the little crater in my finger made me feel just a teeny bit queasy.

Last Wed 15 Oct I returned to Dr Karmen Wong for follow up and to receive another dose of IV Herceptin (monoclonal antibody). Thankfully it does not have any side effects. We discussed and finally decided that I would go to the National Cancer Centre (NCC) at Singapore National Centre (SGH) for radiotherapy. Cousin Rachel's good friend, Dr Susan Loong, is the Senior Consultant Radiologist there. Karmen Wong was previoiusly from SGH and knows also highly recommended Susan Loong.

Radiotherapy will start in November and go on for 5 weeks, 5 days a week. On Monday I had a CT scan with markings and wires taped to my body - this is for the doctors to plan the treatment. I also received 4 tattoos (just tiny dots) as permanent reference markings to guide the radiologist.

We thank God for his provision of wonderful doctors to take care of me. Even as I receive drugs, surgery, radiation, take my health supplements, tonics, juices, etc, I am reminded that it is God who heals. He is the great Physician. "I am the Lord who heals you." Ex 15:26

My sister sent me a card with the following poem...

The One who made us knows how to mend us.
He is the Great Physician -
The only One who can heal body, soul, and spirit.
His appointment calendar is never too full...
His schedule is never too busy...
His diagnosis is accurate...
His treatment is gentle...
His results are wonderful!

Children's Choir

Last weekend, was our church's commemorative and dedication service. The Lord has grown our church from a seemingly "unpromising" start with 2 groups of 12-16 people in 2 locations, to a community about 1000 strong meeting in 3 services. It was testimony to the Lord's faithfulness. It was also testimony to the journey of faith which takes many unexpected twists and turns.

Our girls, Alisha and Janice, had the privilege of singing in the children's choir under the able leadership of Jessy Oskar and team. The choir sang Master Builder and Jesus is the King. You can follow this link to watch the video - may take a while to open: http://www.arpc.net/sermons/2008/25_25/children.mp4.

I pray you'll be blessed by the songs.

O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. Psalm 8:1-2a

Pathology Report

It's been 10 days since my surgery and the wound is healing well. Apart from some tightness in my right armpit, I have full use of my right arm. Have to be diligent in doing the post-op exercises.

My cousin Rachel Tan's been my chauffeur this week accompanying me to the doctors, treating me to breakfast and morning tea. Rae is a most fun person to hang out with... she's smart, well informed and we have a good laugh all the time.

I went to see Karen Yap on Monday to remove the drainage tube and again today for a follow-up. She did an ultrasound scan of the operation site. The amount of fluid accumulated was not excessive. That's great, i.e. no need to have the fluid aspirated (removed with a syringe).

The even better news is that the pathology report on the breast is out. There is only a 0.7cm diameter tumor left in the tissue. There is no cancerous cell detected in the lymph nodes. The chemotherapy has been effective and killed off practically all the cancer cells. Praise the Lord!

The effects of chemotherapy are wearing out too and I am less prone to fatigue. At least now my legs don't ache from just climbing up one flight of stairs.

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help." You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:10-12