tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91325801701485645522024-03-14T00:53:50.026+08:00doristeo'sblogdoristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-27726445692457182622010-05-12T23:51:00.005+08:002010-11-08T15:16:26.410+08:002nd Anniversary ++I just found this in my draft box... Been starting things and not finishing *sigh* must do better.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"It's just been over 2 years since the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It seems like a long time ago...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Although there are daily reminders, e.g. daily medication, tightness in the right chest, shoulder and arm because of the surgery and skin dryness in the same area due to radiation, life is pretty much back to normal. I still have to go for 4 monthly blood tests and checkups and annual scans. I am thankful for good health generally."</span><br /><br />Time for an update.<br /><br />It's now 2 1/2 years since my diagnosis with 3rd stage breast cancer and 2 years since the end of my treatment. Yes, the reminders listed above are still there and I am still thankful for good health.<br /><br />There are and will always be some annoyances & irritations, limitations & challenges, inconveniences and discomfort that come but they are part of life and living.<br /><br />I was reminded yesterday as I nagged and complained at the children that it is good to be alive. The fact that I still have children to nag means there is still work for me to do and that is why God is still preserving my life. I ought to be rejoicing!<br /><br />Studying the book of John this year in BSF has really been a blessing. To understand His glorious majesty and greatness and therefore to also understand the magnitude of His condescension just fills my heart with love for Him. Truly I can lov<img class="gl_quote" border="0" alt="Blockquote" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" />e Him because He first loved me. Praying to persevere in believing, following, obeying, loving, trusting, depending on and remaining in him moment by moment, breath by breath, heartbeat by heartbeat.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><div class="result-text-style-normal"><span style="color:#009900;"><span class="woj"><blockquote><p><span style="color:#009900;"><span class="woj">Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.</span> <span class="woj">Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5</span> - Jesus</span></p></blockquote></span></span></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-43960534320909332902009-07-14T09:49:00.004+08:002009-07-14T10:32:20.616+08:00Update<div align="center" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SlvkrMS91BI/AAAAAAAAAW8/kS8u4z4DqPI/s1600-h/image-upload-192-746948.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SlvkrMS91BI/AAAAAAAAAW8/kS8u4z4DqPI/s320/image-upload-192-746948.jpg" /></a> </div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">It's been 3 months since I blogged. A big "Thank you!" to all who continue to check the blog, ask after me and pray for my family and me.<br /><br />Sorry I have been busy, lazy and had not too much to update. I've now "graduated" to 3-monthly doctors visits rather than 3-weekly. Apart from my daily dose of anti-hormonal drug all my cancer treatment is completed.<br /><br />As you can see from the unflattering photo - taken with mobile phone in my study area - my hair has grown. I think this is the length of hair I had throughout childhood. The hair grew back curly... but I am thankful for my crowning glory.<br /><br />I am thankful that my health has been very good. I have been eating well - evident from the double chin. Right now nursing a cold and cough... despite all the precautions I take *sigh*.<br /><br />Reuben's travelling again - last week to Japan and this week to Australia. The children are all keeping well, 3rd week back at school after 4 weeks of school vacation. I'm back to the swing of things and daily routines<br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God foryou in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18</strong></span></blockquote></strong></span></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-16261355504163073012009-04-14T23:06:00.004+08:002009-04-14T23:32:33.506+08:00Testimony at ARPCI was privileged to share my testimony (below) at our Easter Service last Sunday, 12 April 2009.<br /><br />Presents... you usually cannot judge the gift by the wrapping. Some gifts are so beautifully packaged but the contents are a let down. Other times the packaging looks decidedly unpromising but the content turns out to be just the thing I wanted/needed/could use.<br /><br />Last year I received an Unexpected Gift in Unusual Wrapping.<br /><br />On Friday 26 April 2008, I was diagnosed to have Stage III breast cancer. It means that the breast cancer cells had spread from the breast into my lymph nodes but thankfully not into any of my organs.<br /><br />It was just a week before, on Saturday, that I went to see my GP Dr Neo about a firm, irregular-shaped lump in my right breast. Her first question after examining me was, “Why did you wait so long before coming?” “Oops! not good news”, I thought but I was optimistic that it would be okay. The following Tuesday I went to see Dr Yap, a breast surgeon who sent me for ultrasound, mammogram and did a biopsy (took a sample of the lump for investigation).<br /><br />All through the week, I was praying and getting friends and family to pray and hoping that it would not be cancer but just a harmless lump of fat or scar tissue. Reuben and I went to the surgeon’s clinic on Friday to hear the results of the biopsy. It <em>was</em> cancer – not the news we wanted. God does not always answer the way I want but He gave me the peace, calm and preparedness to accept the cancer.<br /><br />Dr Karen Yap explained that because the cancer had spread, I would need to see an oncologist to discuss treatment options. Probably I would receive chemotherapy before surgery and then radiation therapy. I remember thinking, and telling her, that it was easier to die than undergo treatment. I was and still am confident that when I die, I will go to heaven where there is no more disease or pain. It’s a definite, secure and certain hope because Jesus promises it to everyone who believes in him and receives him as Lord.<br /><br />Undergoing chemotherapy was different - I had heard many scary stories of how sick you can get - and I don't like feeling sick and weak, I fear pain and discomfort. I am thankful that my chemotherapy regimen was not as bad as I had anticipated.<br /><br />However, I did suffer some pain. There were days when I felt very sick, very weak, and very uncomfortable. There were days when I felt depressed and down about being “limited” and confined by the disease and treatment. The chemotherapy drugs brought on sleepless nights and bad dreams which in turn brought tears and sadness. Remembering my father who died when I was 6+, and whom I still miss dearly, made me cry at the prospect of my children without a mum and husband without a helper.<br /><br />I prayed fervently that the Lord will give me a few more years. God has answered my prayers, all my treatment went well and the latest tests did not detect any cancer in my body. However as every cancer patient knows, the possibility of recurrence is ever present, like a sword suspended over your head.<br /><br />Being a Christian does not guarantee me a life of absolute health, wealth and ease or a life without pain, discomfort, inconvenience. But it gives me the assurance that whatever I go through, God has purposed it for my good.<br /><br />Throughout this cancer experience, I and my family have been blessed. God has given me wonderful gifts and blessing wrapped up in the cancer package:-<br /><ul><li>Facing the prospect of death is sobering – knowing that despite advances in medical technology, death is inevitable. I read of a lady who survived breast cancer for several years, only to be knocked down by a car. I need to be prepared to die at anytime.</li><li>Facing the prospect of death gives new urgency to life – I prayed that God will give me more years and I pray for life in the years, not just a meaningless existence. I want to live a fulfilling life of adventures with God, a life the bible describes as “life that is truly life”. It has prompted me to check that I have not left undone the things that I should do. </li><li>I have grown in my faith in God – I know I need to trust Him in everything and I know He can be trusted with everything. Even if my cancer returns, He is in control and I can depend on Him.</li><li>I have experienced God in a deeper way – know firsthand that He is all I need:</li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;">He is with me everywhere, all the time. There are many places family, loved ones, friends cannot go with me but God can. He hears my groans and cries when no one else is around.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;">He is powerful. There are burdens no one can help carry; pain that none can bear on my behalf or relieve, but God can and He does.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;">He is the God of the impossible. He gives joy in sadness, hope in futility, strength in weakness, peace in chaos, security in danger, calm in storms, comfort in pain and guidance and assurance in confusion.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;">He supplies all my needs</span></li><li>My family has experienced what it means to be in God’s family. We experienced God’s love expressed and demonstrated by fellow Christians. Many prayed for us, visited, fed us, transported us, encouraged us, sent us letters and cards, e-mails. </li></ul><p>So, while I would be hard pressed to think of cancer as a gift, I see it as the wrapping in which all these precious gifts from God came.<br /></p><blockquote></blockquote><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Romans 8: 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.</span><br /></p>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-82605910627013263232009-03-20T22:27:00.002+08:002009-03-20T23:13:58.325+08:00Children's Church BBQTonight our children's church leaders organised a BBQ for the children (pre-school & primary) and their families. We had a good turnout and God gave us wonderful weather - rained in the early evening so everything was cool at 7.30 pm.<br /><br />The teachers worked really hard to cook satays, chicken wings, sausages, otak-otak. We also had beehoon, fried rice and a great assortment of salads, snacks, desserts, drinks courtesy of different families. We had a good time interacting with fellow parents and teachers.<br /><br />Pastor John Wong gave us a short talk on parenting. It was a good reminder that good and godly parenting does not happen by accident. It has to be intentional and deliberate. Some of the points he covered:<br /><ul><li>The world is an increasingly hostile environment for bringing up children, the challenges are great.</li><li>God gives us children as a heritage and a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3);</li><li>Children are created in the image of God, with the capacity to know, relate with and love God;</li><li>The goal of Christian parenting is to raise children through guidance and discipline to faith in Christ so as to glorify Him in every area of life and eventually to pass the faith on to their children;</li><li>Not to neglect our children but to begin training them from young the way of the Lord so they may not depart from it later (Proverbs 22:6);</li><li>To constantly instruct children God's word - speak, explain and relate it to every area of our lives (Deuteronomy 6:4-9);</li><li>To model Christian living for our children - not perfection, but what a relationship with God looks like;</li><li>Not to be overly harsh and strict, frustrating children and provoking them to anger and bitterness (Ephesians 6:4);</li><li>To treat our children with the same measure of grace, tender loving kindness that God extends to us.</li></ul><p>I have to admit that none of the points above are new to me but consistently practicing them is the challenge. Too many things competing for attention and often parenting becomes reduced to nagging children about very functional things like homework, getting off the computer, bedtime etc. </p><p>I loved the early years of my children's life when we cycled, swam, spent lots of time at the park... The days before homework, CCAs, tuition, lessons and competing schedules. The days before they became conversant with MSN, facebook, e-mails etc. I was able to do devotions with each one everynight, read aloud...</p>Perhaps I've become lazy and these "obstacles" are just excuses... I have to pray and make a new start...<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#660000;">Proverbs 14:26</span> </em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. (NIV)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em>In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. (ESV)</em></span></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">If you respect the LORD, you and your children have a strong fortress. (CEV)</span><br /></span><span style="color:#ff6600;">Those who fear the Lord are secure; He will be a refuge for their children. (NLT)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><em>The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children. (The Message)</em></span></strong>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-38918794389449871222009-02-18T23:29:00.007+08:002009-02-19T00:26:03.883+08:00Blood Test & PET ScanI remember Dr Alan Tan (my good friend Carol's husband) telling me to choose an oncologist I like (i.e. good chemistry) because it's a lifelong relationship.<br /><br />Although my chemo is over and surgery and radiotherapy done with, I still go to Dr Karmen Wong on average once every 3 weeks. Still receiving Herceptin by IV drip, final dose in April. After that, will see her at least once every 3 months for regular blood tests to monitor the tumor markers etc.<br /><br />At my last visit in January, I told her about this niggling pain in the right side of my back near the hip joint. Reuben was concerned about it although I thought it could be because I slept in a bad position. Anyway, we decided to bring forward my annual PET from April to February.<br /><br />So it was that last Tuesday (10 Feb 09) I went to Dr Wong's clinic for a blood test and then off to Asia Medic for a CT/PET scan. The whole process for CT/PET scan takes about 3 hours.<br /><br />The steps include:<br />1. changing into the surgical gown, taking a blood glucose test<br />2. drink something that gives contrast to my guts when they take the image<br />3. the Dr puts in a cannula into my vein<br />4. they inject some radioactive glucose into my blood stream<br />5. I lie still for 45-60 minutes<br />6. They put me in the machine for 45 minutes to do the scan.<br /><br />Everything was going well but halfway through the scan the machine broke down! The scan had to be aborted as they could not get it fixed on time. By the time I reached home, it was 3.30 pm - the whole day almost gone! Oh dear, very upsetting! I could not afford to waste another morning in the same week to redo the scan so scheduled for today instead.<br /><br />I went back to Dr Wong's on Wed to review the blood test and also for another Herceptin infusion. The blood report was not very good. The cancer marker (CEA) had gone up from 3.1 in the last blood test to 6.1 in this one (the normal range is below 4.7 ug/L). In addition the serum SGOT and SGPT (liver enzymes) were also raised.<br /><br />That made the PET scan more urgent to see if the cancer had spread elsewhere in the body. The whole family was anxious about it, yet we could do nothing but pray for health, for peace and calm.<br /><br />Today the scan was again delayed by 2.5 hours but thankfully I brought along my bible, bible study material, MP3 player etc for the wait. The study this week included Isaiah 43:1-4 a promise to Israel that God takes care of own beloved children. These words were a great comfort to me as I waited.<br /><br />To compensate for all the delays, the Dr prepared my report within an hour. <span style="color:#cc0000;">I am thankful and happy to inform you that there was no evidence of cancer tumors anywhere in my body.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#009900;"><em><blockquote><em>Isaiah 43:1-4 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.</em></blockquote></em></span>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-74028083430172498242009-02-17T12:51:00.003+08:002009-02-17T23:05:37.929+08:00SailingDuring the 2008 year end school holidays, our 3 older kids Jonathan, Alisha and David attended a 4-day sailing course called "Get Kids Afloat". It was held at the SAF Yatch Club in Sembawang.<br /><br />The aims of the course: 1. To introduce sailing to school going children; 2. To build self-confidence; 3. To promote teamwork; 4. To build self reliance.<br /><br />We were nervous about safety but were assured about the small instructor-student ratio; the children would wear life vests; and their swimming competency assessed before being allowed to sail.<br /><br />We took the kids to Newton MRT station daily where they met cousin Shan and travelled together to Sembawang MRT. A shuttle bus takes them to and from the club. The course was 9-5 with lunch provided. Fees: $210 per child (if I remember correctly) which is great value for money.<br /><br />They were taught how to handle a boat, read wind direction, adjust their sails to "catch" the wind, etc. They also learnt to capsize their own boats and then turn it back upright again. The children enjoyed themselves very much and I think at the end of it enjoyed a sense of achievement.<br /><br />Allowing them to undergo some of these life experiences for themselves is beneficial to their growth as persons and also in their experience of God. Alisha recently recounted her sailing experience in an essay she wrote at school. I asked for her permission to post it here.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">"I could feel the heat of the afternoon sun against my skin. The wind pushed my sail boat further and further from the shores of Singapore. It was during the December holidays. My brothers and I had signed up for a sailing course in Sembawang. It was four days long and started at nine in the morning, ending at five in the evening.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">On our second day, we had to sail solo unlike the day before when we sailed in pairs. Not being a confident sailor, I was constantly afraid of knocking into other boats, capsizing and drowning. Hence, this was a big challenge for me.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">The brisk wind pushed my little boat far from the shore and the buildings in Johor Baru loomed larger and larger. Suddenly, dark grey clouds appeared in the sky, followed by large splotches of rain falling from the clouds above. Strong gusts of wind urged my boat onward. I saw in the distance several brightly coloured pink and blue boats capsizing one by one. I feared I would be next.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Vivid images of me drowning in the vast sea replayed in my mind. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong, but I was drifting away from the group of people I was sailing with. Frantically, I tried to control my boat and head back toward Singapore.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">To add to my worries, the tiller extension of my boat broke. I was on the verge of tears as I tried to keep my boat upright. My boat tipped side to side, threatening to capsize. I cried out to God silently asking for help. Within minutes, I was sailing on course back to where I had started.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">As I was unrigging my sail boat with my brothers, I thought of how quickly God had answered me when I called on him for help. I was reminded that God had control over everything. After this experience, I know I can call and rely on God."</span></em><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;"><blockquote><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Psalm 50:15</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">"... call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me."</span></em></strong><br /></blockquote></span></em></strong>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-82034164974705139372009-02-06T00:26:00.004+08:002009-02-06T23:59:02.589+08:00Frenzy of Activity<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxWttCA_FI/AAAAAAAAAVs/b7yjgDd-dM8/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299706204690381906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxWttCA_FI/AAAAAAAAAVs/b7yjgDd-dM8/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Just discovered this entry in my draft folder, started on 10 January (2 weeks to Chinese New Year)... Since then I've been busy, truly a frenzy of activities and have had no time to blog. </div><br /><div>We usually don't celebrate Chinese New Year in a big way, just a reunion dinner with our extended family (my mum & siblings, sometimes with Reuben's parents if they are visiting). Usually I make some pineapple tarts (I cheat with pineapple jam from Phoon Huat).</div><br /><div>This year, since my sister Lilian and her husband Perry were coming to visit from Seattle, with 18 month old Caitlyn, I thought I'd make a bit more effort. My mum who's been in Seattle since September 08 also came back with them.</div><br /><div>My helper Uswatun and I made pineapple jam (she did most of the shredding, cooking and stirring) - 10 pineapples worth of it! From 8 kg of pineapple pulp and juice and 2 kg of rock sugar, we produced 4 kg of pineapple jam. When you think of it, that was a lot of water which evaporated! I prepared 8 batches of pineapple tart pastry and then I got into a frenzy of baking. </div><div></div><div>In total I made 600 over pineapple tarts (i counted!). Every single pastry lovingly cut, crimped, given a coat of egg wash, filled with jam, topped with tiny pastry stars and then baked. Don't they look pretty?</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxWuZaYDgI/AAAAAAAAAWE/rUbrlqgO9pg/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299706216603717122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxWuZaYDgI/AAAAAAAAAWE/rUbrlqgO9pg/s400/007.JPG" border="0" /></a> Making CNY cookies quietly on my own is actually quite therapeutic. Making it with the children is a bit more chaotic but a fun family activity as you can see. I remember as a child, mixing, rolling, cutting, baking mountains of dough each year with my mum and siblings after school. I thought it would be nice to give my kids that same experience... and try to recreate some of that "CNY atmosphere" for them.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxXnuF_ZFI/AAAAAAAAAWM/kUHRVJC203w/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299707201407902802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxXnuF_ZFI/AAAAAAAAAWM/kUHRVJC203w/s400/008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxWuAYPZbI/AAAAAAAAAV8/tEpRV4AoHhs/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299706209883874738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SYxWuAYPZbI/AAAAAAAAAV8/tEpRV4AoHhs/s400/017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It requires effort, patience and is tiring but I want to create memories for my kids... Of course not just passing on recipes but even more importantly for me, passing on the faith. Helping my kids experience a real and vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ is my topmost priority although often the business of daily living threatens to overwhelm my attempts.<br /></div><div><blockquote><p><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><em>Psalm 78:3-6</em></span></strong> (CEV)<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><em>3 These are things we learned from our ancestors,<br />4 and we will tell them to the next generation.<br />We won't keep secret the glorious deeds<br />and the mighty miracles of the LORD</em></span></strong><br /></span></span><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><em>5God gave his Law to Jacob's descendants, the people of Israel. And he told our ancestors to teach their children,<br />6so that each new generation </em></span></strong></em></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><em><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><em>would know his Law<br />and tell it to the next.</em></span></strong><br /></em></span></strong><br /></p></blockquote><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><em><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><em></em></span></strong></em></span></strong></div></div></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-3601646926863835652009-01-10T00:11:00.013+08:002009-01-10T13:57:55.274+08:00Need to Exercise!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWgi4c-4PtI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/nt_1jknD4qg/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289516115594591954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWgi4c-4PtI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/nt_1jknD4qg/s400/030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I went back to my good friend and gynaecologist Dr Adrian Tan at Thomson Medical Centre for a check up on Monday. The wounds from the laparoscopy have healed really well.<br /><br />However I think I am starting to feel the effects of menopause:-<br /><ul><li>at bedtime, I shiver and have to cover up in the airconditioned room but in the middle of the night I kick off all the covers because I feel uncomfortably warm;</li><li>been waking up at 4.30 am and struggle to get back to sleep;</li><li>my joints seem stiffer - I love to sit on the floor, but it now takes more effort to get up and then a few moments to overcome the stiffness...</li></ul>H/w it's not as bad as people have told me it could be. I've to do some reading about this and then learn to adjust and make the best of it. The silver lining: Adrian says these are temporary.<br /><br />I'm not the exercising type but am making an effort out of necessity. Reuben's been urging me to exercise more. My sister-in-law sent me an article some weeks ago entitled <em>Doctors tell cancer patients: hit the gym. </em>We had an orthopaedic surgeon friend over for dinner Thursday night who told me that exercise was essential for post-menopausal women to keep osteoporosis at bay. <em></em><br /><br />So...I am getting the hint. I am trying to be disciplined, diligent and good. This week I walked 20 mins each on Mon, Wed and Friday morning. Late on Wed evening Janice and I walked 3km+ (9 holes on the golf course) accompanying Reuben and Jonathan as they played golf. I carried my golf bag and clubs but did not play.<br /><br />I was rather reluctant to go when Reuben asked me but at the end of it, I was glad I went. Keppel Club golf course is mature with lots of tall trees which shelter birds like the blue kingfisher. Some holes are very pretty with landscaping featuring streams, colourful shrubs, and flowering plants. So the experience is like walking in the botanic gardens, except for the punishing pace and the undulating terrain. I managed to take a few of photos of Janice at the 15th hole.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWgi7ha_YAI/AAAAAAAAAVg/id27dWPYrVU/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289516168325849090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWgi7ha_YAI/AAAAAAAAAVg/id27dWPYrVU/s400/032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWgi64gRz0I/AAAAAAAAAVY/431CzGUcZ6g/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289516157342175042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWgi64gRz0I/AAAAAAAAAVY/431CzGUcZ6g/s400/031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of it, I was, like the standard ending of school children's composition ending, "tired but happy"! It was an accomplishment for a sedentary person like me! Maybe after a few more rounds like this, I will start to swing the clubs.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"><blockquote><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Psalm 103:22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.</span></strong></blockquote></span></strong>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-64678631668715211782009-01-06T23:04:00.007+08:002009-01-07T22:15:09.816+08:00Scrapbook for Dad<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWSwsN3j2tI/AAAAAAAAAVI/hOrzHnEC_Dc/s1600-h/054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288546136123235026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWSwsN3j2tI/AAAAAAAAAVI/hOrzHnEC_Dc/s400/054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We usually have a hard time getting Reuben a suitable gift for his birthday...<br /><br />This year Alisha set about making a scrapbook for Reuben, filled with photos of herself and her siblings. She had wanted my help but in the end because I was too busy she did it all herself, with some help from Janice.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWStRo_s1xI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Yhu_WQrBIVo/s1600-h/059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288542381013784338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWStRo_s1xI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Yhu_WQrBIVo/s400/059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288542405573455666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWStTEfLrzI/AAAAAAAAAVA/pK_kyLybQfo/s400/062.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWStSRzZO6I/AAAAAAAAAU4/uV-TzOnyx18/s1600-h/061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288542391968021410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWStSRzZO6I/AAAAAAAAAU4/uV-TzOnyx18/s400/061.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWStR6LFEGI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Zd_NYLsQJFo/s1600-h/060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288542385624911970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWStR6LFEGI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Zd_NYLsQJFo/s400/060.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div>I am really proud of Alisha, firstly for her thoughtfulness, secondly for fore-planning since this was not a piece of work that could be done overnight. Also for her creativity since this was made from scratch (i.e. not a store-bought scrap-booking kit).</div><div><br />My kids are growing up so fast!<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong><blockquote><em><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Psalm 127:3-5</strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.<br />Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.<br />Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.</strong></span></em><br /></blockquote></strong></span></em></div></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-45373010326295842382009-01-06T22:39:00.007+08:002009-01-06T23:03:06.518+08:00Gingerbread HouseOne of the activities I love to do with my kids is baking and of late, cake & cookie decorating. On one of our outings to IKEA during the school holidays, we chanced upon a gingerbread house kit sold at the Swedish food market. The gingerbread comes baked in pieces shaped like parts of a house and all we had to do was assemble it.<br /><br />On Christmas eve afternoon, I made some royal icing and left it to Alisha and Janice to assemble the house. They did a pretty good job. On Christmas day itself, just before our lunch guests arrived, the girls set to work decorating it together with their cousins Natasha (5), Felicia (4) and Lucas (3). Too bad we did not manage to capture the process on camera.<br /><br />I think they did a really great job with no adult assistance or intervention. The little ducks and accessories are things I'd saved from numerous store-bought birthday cakes, Christmas logs etc. Next year we might even bake the gingerbread ourselves!<br /><br />The finished product and the aftermath...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWNx6-HKKJI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/EpoS7CGPOBQ/s1600-h/P1020910.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288195645382469778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 357px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWNx6-HKKJI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/EpoS7CGPOBQ/s400/P1020910.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWNx7EGAaII/AAAAAAAAAUY/SFRjFPQUHSE/s1600-h/P1020923.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288195646988249218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SWNx7EGAaII/AAAAAAAAAUY/SFRjFPQUHSE/s400/P1020923.JPG" border="0" /></a>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-30551836202537605162008-12-29T18:10:00.005+08:002008-12-29T18:28:45.809+08:00Growing and Healing<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVikuuQu9AI/AAAAAAAAAT4/YYcKPfqjYnQ/s1600-h/Christmas08+015.JPG"></a>I started chemotherapy early May and the hair on my head steadily fell off until a few straggly bits were left. Then Reuben helped shave me and I was totally botak (bald).<br /><div></div><div><br /></div><div>It's been 4 months since my last chemotherapy on Aug 28,2008. After that last chemo, I lost just about all my eyelashes and eyebrows as well. They've finally grown back and even the hair on my head is now growing steadily. Praise the Lord for making bodies that are amazing in their ability to grow, regenerate.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Yesterday's oopherectomy went well. I was very drowsy from the general anesthetic and was drifting in and out of sleep until about 9 pm when Reuben and Alisha came to take me home. After getting home I just changed into PJ and promptly fell asleep.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Thank you for supporting my family and me in prayer. Today I experienced some soreness and some tiredness but otherwise am very well.</div><div><em><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><blockquote><em><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></em></blockquote>You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.</strong> Psalm 139:13-16 (New Century Version)<br /></div></span></em><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-24374234048208151542008-12-27T12:50:00.003+08:002009-01-06T23:04:07.036+08:00Von Teo FamilyOur church had a Family Christmas Eve service this year and the theme was Eternal Praise. We had participation from different groups in church fom the children to the elderly in our Mandarin ministry.<br /><br />We had testimonies of the way God had answered prayers, given us miracles, our sermon was about how in the midst of chaos, suffering, unanswered questions we can know a God who has put in motion his plan of restoration and will bring it to completion.<br /><br />Our family gave an item, we sang a hymn <em><strong>Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne</strong></em>. You can follow the link below and watch it. The execution was certainly not perfect but we hope you enjoy it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.arpc.net/sermons/2008/christmas/teofamilysong.MP4">http://www.arpc.net/sermons/2008/christmas/teofamilysong.MP4</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em><blockquote><span style="color:#000099;"><em>“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4 (New Living Translation)</em></span><br /></blockquote></em></span>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-88101476924114222862008-12-25T23:04:00.006+08:002008-12-29T18:09:41.475+08:00Christmas LunchToday we had a family Christmas lunch with my brothers Harry, Paul and Paul's family (Ai Vee, Natasha, Felicia, Lucas).<br /><br />We also had the privilege of hosting the Children's Church leaders who've been teaching Alisha, David and Janice this year and a few friends from church<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkhC3IpWI/AAAAAAAAAS0/LCBjg7IjUL0/s1600-h/Christmas08+049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283747675446486370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkhC3IpWI/AAAAAAAAAS0/LCBjg7IjUL0/s200/Christmas08+049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkg74NugI/AAAAAAAAASs/1fpEVWwVPsk/s1600-h/Christmas08+047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283747673571965442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkg74NugI/AAAAAAAAASs/1fpEVWwVPsk/s200/Christmas08+047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkgrnd9XI/AAAAAAAAASk/DAeBCS8j8a0/s1600-h/Christmas08+040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283747669206758770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkgrnd9XI/AAAAAAAAASk/DAeBCS8j8a0/s200/Christmas08+040.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkgWTbflI/AAAAAAAAASc/MaJHVtMxt88/s1600-h/Christmas08+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283747663485566546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 122px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkgWTbflI/AAAAAAAAASc/MaJHVtMxt88/s200/Christmas08+031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkgPji1bI/AAAAAAAAASU/ur6Cu_xlRJI/s1600-h/Christmas08+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283747661674108338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOkgPji1bI/AAAAAAAAASU/ur6Cu_xlRJI/s200/Christmas08+037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We had a yummy spread of sushi, roast beef, Vietnamese salad, prawn salad, scalloped potatoes. My sis-in-law Ai Vee prepared scrumptious Javanese chicken & BBQ ribs. And for dessert, fruits, tiramisu, home made log cake, gingerbread house, red bean soup with mochi.</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOmFThdR2I/AAAAAAAAATM/FZRltRe-wKs/s1600-h/Christmas08+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283749397905885026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOmFThdR2I/AAAAAAAAATM/FZRltRe-wKs/s200/Christmas08+022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOmFChcEWI/AAAAAAAAATE/JkhHzPkyRIc/s1600-h/Christmas08+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283749393342402914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOmFChcEWI/AAAAAAAAATE/JkhHzPkyRIc/s200/Christmas08+018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOmE5rZSnI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Y57sgPL9MT8/s1600-h/Christmas08+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283749390968244850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SVOmE5rZSnI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Y57sgPL9MT8/s200/Christmas08+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>We ate, talked, ate some more, sang carols, played Guesstures... a wonderful time.</div></div></div></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-73596117003756545382008-12-21T16:22:00.012+08:002008-12-23T22:45:47.764+08:00Christmas 2008<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SU4HM0OHC2I/AAAAAAAAAR8/iVSjAADh7_g/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282167329709820770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 338px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SU4HM0OHC2I/AAAAAAAAAR8/iVSjAADh7_g/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" /></a>Reuben and I with Jonathan 13, David 10, Spyke (2human years), Alisha 12 and Janice 8<br /><br /><div>Christmas is just 4 days away...</div><br /><div>Unlike my children who cannot wait for birthdays, Christmas, new year to come because they will be older, I am usually less enthusiastic about them... more work for me to do!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282168487464478290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px; TEXT-ALIGN: right" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SU4IQNMVJlI/AAAAAAAAASE/6gRSOecawmk/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>In fact, I usually feel melancholic at this time of the year. This has happened without fail for the past few years. This melancholic mood will invariably "descend" on me before Chinese New Year, before my birthday and before Christmas. I'm not sure if everyone else past middle-age feels this way about the passing of time, getting older...</div><br /><div>This year I feel differently. Given my cancer diagnosis and treatment since April 2008, turning 44 in October was a very happy milestone for me. Being able to celebrate this Christmas with my family, to see out the year 2008 brings joy to my heart. I think I will no longer feel sad about growing older. Each day, each week, each month, each year is a bonus, a gift... to be received with gratitude and joy.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282168491361596546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SU4IQbtedII/AAAAAAAAASM/umMa6iVQR4U/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" />So to friends and loved ones near and far, I take this opportunity to send Christmas greetings from my home and my family, to you and your families: </div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff00;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">As you celebrate the birth of Jesus,</span> </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">may you have the love, joy, peace and hope </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">that comes from knowing Him as Saviour, Lord and King.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Blessed Christmas!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Luke 2:10-11 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great JOY that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ </span><span style="font-size:100%;">the Lord."</span></span></strong></span></div></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-63163343001299844642008-12-19T22:17:00.002+08:002008-12-19T22:23:43.241+08:00Heartbreaking NewsReceived an e-mail today from my friend Sock Kim, who attends the same church we do. She was diagnosed with nasopharygeal cancer 2 years ago and underwent treatment.<br /><br />Her latest scan shows 3 nodules (tumors) growing in her right lung. She will be going for a major lung surgery on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 to remove them. The surgery is scheduled at 8am & will take about 2-3 hrs.<br /><br />Do join me to pray for this Sock Kim. Her blog <a href="mhtml:%7BCA1E3D1D-F7B7-4733-842C-FAC93D3D1236%7Dmid://00000002/!x-usc:http://www.sockkim.blogspot.com/">www.sockkim.blogspot.com</a> gives details and her prayer requests as follows:<br /><br />Please pray that :<br /><ul><li>the Lord will guide Prof Koong & his medical team as they perform this delicate surgery.</li><li>nothing will go wrong during & after the surgery (eg no infection, stroke or bleeding).</li><li>the surgery will be successful in removing all the affected areas in the right lung. </li><li>there will be no or minimal post-surgery side-effects (eg numbness, pain).</li><li>whatever the result (malignant or benign), the Lord will grant me His strength & peace as I go through yet another trial.</li></ul>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-79797935310283958292008-12-18T10:32:00.000+08:002008-12-18T10:29:42.593+08:00OopherectomyOopherectomy is a new word I learnt this year, it means the surgical removal of ovaries.<br /><br />When Dr KW first spoke to me about hormonal therapy, she asked if we planned to have any more children. I gave an emphatic "No". Reuben and I are outnumbered as it is... haha! Since I'm done with all my child-bearing, I have no issues undergoing hormonal therapy.<br /><br />My cancer is hormone receptor positive - the hormone estrogen in my body turns on and stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. Hormonal therapy (or "anti-estrogen therapy) blocks this stimulation and growth.<br /><br />The drug most commonly in hormonal therapy is tamoxifen. It blocks estrogen receptors on the cells. Another type of drug which is more effective in my type of cancer is the aromatase inhibitor (AI)which lowers estrogen production. Estrogen is normally produced by the ovaries and also by fat cells in the body. AI is only effective in post-menopausal women (when estrogen is no longer produced by the ovaries).<br /><br />So in order for the aromatase inhibitor to work well, i have to become post-menopausal. There are 3 ways to achieve this:<br /><br /><ol><li>taking a drug Zolodex by injection into the abdominal fats every 3 months to suppress the ovaries - expensive option as I will take this for 5 years. Also pointless as after stopping this drug I will be 49 and going into menopause anyway; </li><li>having ovaries "zapped" by radiation to inactivate them - easiest and least invasive but the radiologist says it may not always work; </li><li>taking the ovaries out by surgery - oopherectomy! - most effective option.</li></ol>So I will be having a key-hole surgery the week after Christmas to remove my ovaries. It will be a day surgery. Will post date later.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">1 Thess 5:16-18 Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.</span>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-57352989715528773592008-12-18T10:29:00.002+08:002008-12-18T10:52:38.801+08:00End of RadiotherapyIt's been 10 days since my daily radiotherapy (RT) sessions ended on 9 Dec 08. That was also the day of my appointment with Dr SL. She advised me to be gentle with the skin as some parts of it could break anytime. PTL that has not happened - I joked that I had "thick skin".<br /><br />I saw what RT can do to the skin. There was a man I saw daily undergoing RT on his neck. The skin on his neck had broken and was "raw" and weepy. His daughter applied cream on it after radiation but it looked like the cream would not stick... I can just imagine the agony he was going through.<br /><br />By the last day of therapy the skin on the right side of my chest and under the armpits were red in some parts and very brown in others. The therapists told me that it takes about 2 weeks for the side effects to go away. Right now, the skin is mostly brown, a bit leathery dry, some parts feel a bit more tender & sore but on the whole bearable. Aloe Vera gel is cooling and very helpful and I apply QV cream for the dryness.<br /><br />Thank you for praying.<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#993300;">Psalm 121 A song of ascents.</span></em></strong><br /><em><span style="color:#993300;">1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?<br /> 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. <br /> 3He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;<br /> 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.<br /> 5The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;<br /> 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.<br /> 7The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;<br /> 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore.</span></em>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-72168457994506865862008-12-11T23:54:00.005+08:002008-12-18T09:42:34.739+08:00Homemade Christmas Cards<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SUE5NPFd6_I/AAAAAAAAARc/mrImy296qDY/s1600-h/cards+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278563137805478898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SUE5NPFd6_I/AAAAAAAAARc/mrImy296qDY/s400/cards+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We have not been sending Christmas cards for several years now... just never got organised enough to do so.<br /><br /><div></div><div>This year the children and i decided to make some Christmas cards to send to relatives and friends. The girls were very diligent and the boys contributed some. </div><div></div><div></div><div>It takes quite a bit of time and effort to make these cards - we managed to make only 60 and it took many days but I think it was well worth it. We had lots of fun letting our creative juices flow. The benefits for me: lots of quality time interacting with the kids, seeing their personalities and character come out, learning lessons together.</div><div></div><div></div><div>So to my biased eyes, these are absolutely the most beautiful cards. They were made with love. We are sorry not to be able to send everyone one. </div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-51360612715442634792008-12-10T17:06:00.006+08:002008-12-10T22:56:29.999+08:00ReunionLast Saturday, 6 Dec 08, we had a reunion with a small group of friends at my home. We all hail from Batu Pahat, a small town in Johor. <br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/ST_TXTChR7I/AAAAAAAAARU/e_T_RQOH9kU/s1600-h/DSC_0120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278169685502805938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/ST_TXTChR7I/AAAAAAAAARU/e_T_RQOH9kU/s400/DSC_0120.JPG" border="0" /></a> Back (L to R): Rosie Soh, Linda Khoo, Linda Tan Lai Yin, Tee Ling Ling, Chin Wei Leong</p><p>Front (L to R): Reuben, David Khoo Swee Peng, me, Leslie Lim, Christina Khaw Mei Lin, Diane Teo Lai Yong</p><p>Rosie and Linda Khoo had travelled from Johor Baru, Christina Khaw Mei Lin from Penang and Diane Teo Lai Yong from Subang. The rest of us live in Singapore. Christina and Diane are friends from secondary school, while Ling Ling, Linda Tan, Rosie, Linda Khoo are friends from primary school days. The 3 guys are a year older than us and friends from Sunday School and church Youth group. </p><p>It's wonderful to be able to catch up and see how every one has changed and grown. We chin wagged over coffee, chocolates, <em>ta pow</em> lunch of Katong Laksa and otah. </p><p>In July when Rosie, Linda Khoo and Sue Ping visited me, we had planned this Dec reunion in Singapore. Although not many could make it, it was really fun and noisy. I felt very privileged to have them travel so far to visit me.</p><p> <em><span style="color:#000099;">Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.</span></em> </p><p> </p>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-75894168664268727002008-11-24T22:23:00.003+08:002008-11-24T23:05:29.910+08:00A Step FurtherI just finished reading <em>A Step Further,</em> a book by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes. For those unfamiliar with it, Joni broke her neck in a diving accident when she was 17 and has been a quadriplegic (paralysed from neck down) and confined to a wheelchair for more than 35 years now. I remember reading her autobiography, <em>Joni,</em> as a young teen and being very impressed and touched.<br /><br />In <em>A Step Further,</em> Joni shares her initial frustration and anger with God, the longing and search for physical healing and restoration and then the acceptance, learning to trust God in her condition. There are only 186 pages in the book, pretty easy reading but I took quite a long time - interrupted reading. Here's a short summary:<br /><br />Part 1 autobiographical on the physical, emotional and spiritual struggle of of being quadriplegic;<br />Part 2 learning to trust God in the midst of suffering;<br />Part 3 reconciling the often conflicting advice, instruction, "teachings" that well-meaning Christians gave on healing;<br />Part 4 is called "When the Pieces Don't Fit" - Let God be God<br />Part 5 "When it all Fits Together" - Heaven<br /><br />I found the sharing, insights and illustrations very helpful. Discussion on theological issues are put in simple everyday language - easy to read and digest. She also includes a list of other books on the topic. <strong>A highly recommended read</strong>. Joni's sharing made me think of heaven and long for the day when,<br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><strong><blockquote><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><strong>He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelations 21:4</strong></em></span><br /></strong></em></span><br /></blockquote></strong></em></span><br /></strong></em></span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><em><strong></strong></em></span>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-69759332575181784522008-11-22T14:30:00.002+08:002008-11-22T14:46:32.032+08:00"Troublesome"That's what the daily trip to hospital for radiation therapy is to the elderly lady I met at hospital yesterday. She's a feisty 77 year old and has been treated for stage 3 ovarian cancer by chemotherapy and now being treated for stage 1 breast cancer. She misses her thrice weekly shopping trips.<br /><br />I guess the daily trip to the hospital is a bit "troublesome" but the potential benefits are great so I am counting my blessings. I am thankful to be able to drive myself to and from hospital daily. Many friends have offered to take me but I feel the 8.10am appointment is not so convenient for them. I usually am able to make it home by 9.30 am and have the rest of the day with the kids.<br /><br />Last Monday, we even managed to go to the zoo together with our friends Aileen, Kenneth and their boys Andrew and Aaron. Unfortunately we were rained out by lunch time...<br /><br />Side effects of radiation has been minimal so far, just slight "tanning" and dryness and sometimes itchiness around the site. Apart from that I still have tightness in the right arm and chest area due to scar tissues forming. I have to remember to do my exercises daily to stretch the tissues.doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-43290079352573110012008-11-12T22:33:00.004+08:002008-11-12T23:08:02.077+08:00Long Overdue UpdateOh, it's been a long while since the last entry... Been busy, lazy... the usual excuses.<br /><br />Now that my BSF year has ended, I have a little more time... to catch up with all the other things have been put on a holding pattern.<br /><br />Last Wednesday I went to see Dr Karmen and she greeted me with, "Doris, you're as strong as a bull!" I'd had a blood test taken and bone density test done the day before. The results were excellent - strong bones, no sign of osteoporosis, blood count, haemoglobin levels were all good. The only thing was an elevated level of potassium - she asked me to cut down on eating vegetables and fruit! Hmm... didn't know that eating vegies could be bad for me.<br /><br />I started Radiation Therapy last Monday, 3 Nov 08, at SGH. My cousin's good friend Dr Susan Loong is taking care of me there. I'll be receiving radiotherapy for 5 weeks (25 sessions). The treatment itself takes less than 10 minutes. But the whole exercise takes about 1 hour daily - including travelling time, changing into the gown, waiting for my turn, receiving the radiation, changing out of the gown and travelling home. Once a week I have to see Dr Susan so it will take longer on those days.<br /><br />So far, the only side effect is slightly darker skin (like a tan) although I expect some more side effects as time goes by. My friend Grace S who herself underwent radiotherapy this year gave me 2 tubes of aloe vera gel to apply. It helps to keep the area cool.<br /><br />As my cancer is receptive to hormones, I will be going on hormone therapy (to block the action of hormones in my body) for the next 5 years. I will be taking a drug called Femara (letrozole) and for this drug to work properly, I have to become post-menopausal. Sometime next month we plan for me to have an oopherectomy (removal of ovaries).<br /><br />It's kind of scary as I've heard many stories about the process of menopause - the mood swings, hot flushes etc etc. I know God will give me sufficient grace to go through it... he's promised it in the Bible.<br /><br /><em><blockquote><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9</span></em></blockquote></em>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-69780369134036023062008-10-22T18:06:00.007+08:002008-10-22T18:59:55.302+08:00Surprise!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP8HCFeSb0I/AAAAAAAAAQM/O5kRShDQ-bU/s1600-h/DSC_0082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259930622202376002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP8HCFeSb0I/AAAAAAAAAQM/O5kRShDQ-bU/s200/DSC_0082.JPG" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259929126779066306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP8FrClll8I/AAAAAAAAAQE/Gq3Sti1LFCs/s400/DSC_0077.JPG" border="0" />My regular helpers and prayer supporters from my BSF class. Clockwise from back row - <strong>Alison Chong</strong> who drove Jon to golf lessons and did grocery shopping; <strong>Linda Teo</strong> who gave Alisha Maths tuition; <strong>Goh Say Kiat</strong> who also drove Jon to golf lessons; <strong>Leong Tai Wan</strong> who gave Alisha & David Chinese tuition and drove me to BSF leaders meeting every Monday; <strong>Lee Wui Meng</strong>; <strong>Elaine Tan</strong> who drove me to BSF every Tuesday and also did grocery shopping; <strong>Joyce Moh</strong> and <strong>Vera Chek</strong> who helped in ways too numerous to recount. <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP8DXliQAFI/AAAAAAAAAP0/D_U54lqwuqk/s1600-h/DSC_0082.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP8DX3Bb9MI/AAAAAAAAAP8/YMD-Roi6M30/s1600-h/DSC_0070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259926598233879746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px" height="210" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP8DX3Bb9MI/AAAAAAAAAP8/YMD-Roi6M30/s400/DSC_0070.JPG" width="333" border="0" /></a> They brought food to feed my whole family. We had a scrumptious meal, with much thanksgiving and laughter.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP79fa86t8I/AAAAAAAAAPs/cu9DcITY1OM/s1600-h/DSC_0069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259920131067918274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="265" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP79fa86t8I/AAAAAAAAAPs/cu9DcITY1OM/s400/DSC_0069.JPG" width="340" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP79fB1lgEI/AAAAAAAAAPk/iL0a5cmqf98/s1600-h/DSC_0080.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP79fB1lgEI/AAAAAAAAAPk/iL0a5cmqf98/s1600-h/DSC_0080.JPG"></a></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_93praZbCB88/SP79fB1lgEI/AAAAAAAAAPk/iL0a5cmqf98/s1600-h/DSC_0080.JPG"></a><br /></div></div></div>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-39486347761301810022008-10-18T10:27:00.005+08:002008-10-22T19:03:11.108+08:00Great PhysicianIt'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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <span style="color:#009900;">"I am the Lord who heals you." Ex 15:26</span><br /><br />My sister sent me a card with the following poem...<br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><blockquote><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">The One who made us knows how to mend us.<br />He is the Great Physician -<br />The only One who can heal body, soul, and spirit.<br />His appointment calendar is never too full...<br />His schedule is never too busy...<br />His diagnosis is accurate...<br />His treatment is gentle...<br />His results are wonderful! </span></strong><br /></blockquote></span></strong>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9132580170148564552.post-37948145557881696832008-10-07T22:47:00.003+08:002008-10-07T23:00:38.498+08:00Children's ChoirLast 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.<br /><br />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 <em>Master Builder</em> and <em>Jesus is the King</em>. You can follow this link to watch the video - may take a while to open: <a href="http://www.arpc.net/sermons/2008/25_25/children.mp4">http://www.arpc.net/sermons/2008/25_25/children.mp4</a>.<br /><br />I pray you'll be blessed by the songs.<br /><br /><em><strong><blockquote><em><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">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</span></strong></em></blockquote></strong></em>doristeo'sbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554685459507625686noreply@blogger.com