21st Dec 2009 ( Monday)
Dr Lim is on leave for one week and a Dr Thng from the heart centre came to follow up on the fainting spell as all blood tests, ECG and physical examination seem to indicate that LG is ok. The discharge process took a longer time because of the co-ordination of next chemo and heart scan. So after they sorted out the dates, I believe we should be ready for home.
At 245 pm , two chaps came to check on the visitor's stickers-- perhaps someone has complained or they could have read my blog and decided to take action????
Just to update my readers, Mr Coughing Tan "duan qi" on the 12th Dec 2009- two days after we were discharged. I think he had lung cancer. The last I saw him he was quite strong walking around with no shirt has he felt warm all the time and even had an extra fan brought in in our air-conditioned ward!---The cliche" life is short" is very real in a cancer ward.
The take-aways from the 3rd cycle of chemo are we have befriended patients from Bed 2 and Bed 4. We are just like comrades in the same ship, all of us have only one goal and that is complete remission then a cure. Please God have mercy on these 2 young men ( both in their early twenties) and grant the doctors and nurses wisodm to do your customised work and may they come to know you and know that With YOU NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
20th Dec 2009 ( Sunday)
The Joyeux Noel ( French for Merry Xmas) service this morning was competently executed.
The side effects of chemo for LG seem to be loss of hearing and dizziness. The doctors ordered a ECG this morning to check on him as a result of yesterday's fainting spell. We are grateful that LG is able to eat well. At 4 pm LG went to the toilet and again fainted. There was a loud clanging of metal bars being knocked against the wall and I opened the door to see him trying to support himself. It was rather frightening as we needed 4 person to support him. He woke up quickly and we helped him to his bed and changed him. I gave him some warm soup as his lips were rather pale.Please pray for God's strength, protection and comfort to be with LG. The doctor on duty wanted to draw some blood for investigation so I guess Dr Lim may not discharge him tomorrow.
There is a strange phenomena that frequently eludes me. Usually on a weekend, there would be a large group of Malay community camping and sometimes picnicking at the lobby of Ward 48. A quick check around the ward would tell you that the number of Malay patients multiply by 2 visitors per patient remains a mathematical enigma that few could solve. As the checks at the reception counter on the ground floor is rather stringent, I wonder how these folks are able to find their way up under the watchful eyes of the policeman that was stationed downstairs. Though they do not obstruct traffic nor do they make a nuisance of themselves, it is rather worrisome to see such a community congregating at the lobby and eating on the floor. Perhaps the hospital is rather sympathetic as Ward 48 is a cancer ward. Nevertheless secuirty has been compromised!
19th Dec 2009 ( Saturday)
Woke up at 5 am and decided to make some juices for "my patients" in SGH. Dr Lim said LG can be discharged on Monday( 21/12/2009). He is required to turn up on 28/12/2009 for a blood test and to be prepared for admission for 4th cycle of chemo on 7th Jan 2010. We are singing " I'll be home for Christmas". Went off to Bukit Timah to hike with Lay Bin. It was rather uneventful except for a skinny snake that caught LB's attention. It rained halfway and there was no need for me to practise my commands of telling the monkeys to "leave me alone" though I almost believed they understood me when I shouted at them to go away and they actually did! After lunch I went home to boil some soup for "my patients" and prepare for the line dance party at TCC.It has been quite a long while and was worried "my fans " will forget that I exist. See the picture of the cheese cake I made last night. I guess many of them are too busy to appreciate it. Mr Lee F W and William Teo( from Queens Council) visited at 245 pm but I wasnt around to receive the guests-- my apologies.
(b) flare up of the hepatitis B - which can be controlled by drugs
(c) threat of kidney infection
Finally the mass in his thigh bone-- will be controlled with chemo and radiotherapy. He encouraged us to focus on getting cured as statisitcs only helped us to make an informed choice. But we know that our focus is on our Lord the greatest physician of mankind! Pray that the blood of Jesus will cover LG from head to toe and cast out ALL the lymphoma cells {especially those that can disguise itself and deceive the body}.
Maggie delivered some raspberrries and blueberries for Lim Gee. All berries are good for him and so are all our friends. Mrs Singam called to ask how LG is responding to the treatment and we are glad to report that so far there are no side effects yet.
Elder Yoke Fooi ( LG's daily motivator and possibly pillar of strength) is here to pray and give thanks for favourable response to the 3rd cycle of chemo.
Kim Han ( took leave intending to come and donate his blood cells) and Winnie visited. He has to wait for the doctor and the hospital co-ordinator to come out with the schedule for the siblings. Such sense of urgency is very comforting for LG and I as the power of solidarity in the Lim Clan is very much alive.
Another hamper from the Navy?
Perhaps they may decide to impose a quota on the maximum number of hamper an individual is entitled to soon......
Tian Teck and Karen came in the evening but I have already left for home.
17th Dec 2009
Dr Lim is on leave for one week and a Dr Thng from the heart centre came to follow up on the fainting spell as all blood tests, ECG and physical examination seem to indicate that LG is ok. The discharge process took a longer time because of the co-ordination of next chemo and heart scan. So after they sorted out the dates, I believe we should be ready for home.
At 245 pm , two chaps came to check on the visitor's stickers-- perhaps someone has complained or they could have read my blog and decided to take action????
Just to update my readers, Mr Coughing Tan "duan qi" on the 12th Dec 2009- two days after we were discharged. I think he had lung cancer. The last I saw him he was quite strong walking around with no shirt has he felt warm all the time and even had an extra fan brought in in our air-conditioned ward!---The cliche" life is short" is very real in a cancer ward.
The take-aways from the 3rd cycle of chemo are we have befriended patients from Bed 2 and Bed 4. We are just like comrades in the same ship, all of us have only one goal and that is complete remission then a cure. Please God have mercy on these 2 young men ( both in their early twenties) and grant the doctors and nurses wisodm to do your customised work and may they come to know you and know that With YOU NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
I only manage to collect the medicine at 5 pm.The amount of medicine we have to bring back after each hospital stay is mind-boggling. Thank God the list given this time is quite bearable. We reached home just in time to hand the car over to Wilson so that he could fetch Valerie to Samantha's birthday party and of course the welcome reception( like all the household chores done) that any parent would yearn to have is virtually non- existent as they both seem to be terribly busy. Perhaps as parents we have failed to teach them the importance of priortizing and time management. Hopefully both of them will not make the same mistake with our grandchildren.( sounds like a lamentation right?)
20th Dec 2009 ( Sunday)
The side effects of chemo for LG seem to be loss of hearing and dizziness. The doctors ordered a ECG this morning to check on him as a result of yesterday's fainting spell. We are grateful that LG is able to eat well. At 4 pm LG went to the toilet and again fainted. There was a loud clanging of metal bars being knocked against the wall and I opened the door to see him trying to support himself. It was rather frightening as we needed 4 person to support him. He woke up quickly and we helped him to his bed and changed him. I gave him some warm soup as his lips were rather pale.Please pray for God's strength, protection and comfort to be with LG. The doctor on duty wanted to draw some blood for investigation so I guess Dr Lim may not discharge him tomorrow.
There is a strange phenomena that frequently eludes me. Usually on a weekend, there would be a large group of Malay community camping and sometimes picnicking at the lobby of Ward 48. A quick check around the ward would tell you that the number of Malay patients multiply by 2 visitors per patient remains a mathematical enigma that few could solve. As the checks at the reception counter on the ground floor is rather stringent, I wonder how these folks are able to find their way up under the watchful eyes of the policeman that was stationed downstairs. Though they do not obstruct traffic nor do they make a nuisance of themselves, it is rather worrisome to see such a community congregating at the lobby and eating on the floor. Perhaps the hospital is rather sympathetic as Ward 48 is a cancer ward. Nevertheless secuirty has been compromised!
19th Dec 2009 ( Saturday)
Woke up at 5 am and decided to make some juices for "my patients" in SGH. Dr Lim said LG can be discharged on Monday( 21/12/2009). He is required to turn up on 28/12/2009 for a blood test and to be prepared for admission for 4th cycle of chemo on 7th Jan 2010. We are singing " I'll be home for Christmas". Went off to Bukit Timah to hike with Lay Bin. It was rather uneventful except for a skinny snake that caught LB's attention. It rained halfway and there was no need for me to practise my commands of telling the monkeys to "leave me alone" though I almost believed they understood me when I shouted at them to go away and they actually did! After lunch I went home to boil some soup for "my patients" and prepare for the line dance party at TCC.It has been quite a long while and was worried "my fans " will forget that I exist. See the picture of the cheese cake I made last night. I guess many of them are too busy to appreciate it. Mr Lee F W and William Teo( from Queens Council) visited at 245 pm but I wasnt around to receive the guests-- my apologies.I reached SGH about 645 pm and there was high drama in Ward 48 Room 12. Lim Chun ( LG's sister) was there too.Apparently LG fainted! Two of the nurses were changing dressing when one of the tubes fell off and blood squirted out--- not much but enough to make him feel queasy and like a slow-motion picture he went white and slowly slumped onto his bed causing a stir in the ward. Picture shows one of the two nurses ( also one of my favorurite) whose heart missed a few beats when it happened! Of course by the time I arrived they just finished changing the bedsheets and everything was back to normal. Thank God it's only seeing his own blood and not anything serious. Glad that God is in control whether I am there or not! Take heart my dear husband, the cleansing blood of Jesus covers you from head to toe, so do not be alarmed by your own blood!
18th Dec 2009
Dr William Huang came to discuss with us about the allogeneic stem cell transplant( using stem cells from siblings). The chances of a cure is 30%. The chances of a relapse without transplant is 90%. With a transplant the chances of a relapse is 60%. He reiterated to us that lymphoma and leukamia relapse have got nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. The risk of complication in an autologous transplant ( using his own cells) is 3%. However, the risk of an allogeneic stem cell transplant is 30%. There are 3 things to consider for LG's case:
(a) his heart may not be strong enough- ( a concern to the doctors)(b) flare up of the hepatitis B - which can be controlled by drugs
(c) threat of kidney infection
Finally the mass in his thigh bone-- will be controlled with chemo and radiotherapy. He encouraged us to focus on getting cured as statisitcs only helped us to make an informed choice. But we know that our focus is on our Lord the greatest physician of mankind! Pray that the blood of Jesus will cover LG from head to toe and cast out ALL the lymphoma cells {especially those that can disguise itself and deceive the body}.
Elder Yoke Fooi ( LG's daily motivator and possibly pillar of strength) is here to pray and give thanks for favourable response to the 3rd cycle of chemo.
Another hamper from the Navy?
Perhaps they may decide to impose a quota on the maximum number of hamper an individual is entitled to soon......
Tian Teck and Karen came in the evening but I have already left for home.
17th Dec 2009
At 3.30 pm, the hospital staff comprising dorctors, nurses and admin staff bought some Xmas cheer to the ward patients and caregivers. It was really heart-warning to see such a big group of caring people giving their time, talent and energy to strangers. Praise God we are so privileged to be able to hear them sing despite the mask the singing was really good!
A surprise for LG- a fruit basket from Queens MCST- wishing him a speedy recovery.
Joyce came to fetch LG's mother back home and much to my envy she is going to HK this weekend!
16th Dec 2009
Yesterday Phuay Hua (whose maid has gone back for a break) got James to deliver some aloe vera juice for LG as it is supposed to reduce the ulcers that may possibly erupt as a result of the chemo. She will always remember this whenever LG goes for chemo-- very thoughtful of her.
Checked in at 3 pm. It was a breeze. Perhaps because we have become veterans at doing this. The picture shows the friendly and caring Dr Loh checking LG to ensure that he is ready for the 3rd cycle of chemo.
Checked in at 3 pm. It was a breeze. Perhaps because we have become veterans at doing this. The picture shows the friendly and caring Dr Loh checking LG to ensure that he is ready for the 3rd cycle of chemo.
OUR FIRST VISITOR(Lim Shong) -- The mystical bonds of Brotherhood is difficult to describe but it is a 2 -way street which will be put to a test in times of crisis.
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