A Light Unto My Path

A Happy New Year to all, especially dear friends and family who have been praying for us. We thank God for you and your prayers, and we thank God for his goodness. Because of His work of healing, Fiona continues to grow stronger everyday.

As per our three-weekly schedule, Fiona was at UMMC yesterday undergoing Chemo #5. This was her second-last cycle. There is just one cycle remaining, and that is scheduled for January 25.

Chemo #5 went very well. By their second attempt, the nurses found a vein that worked and lasted throughout the 3-hour infusion (unlike Chemo #4 where the vein collapsed towards the end of the infusion, leaving a chemo burn covering much of the back of Fiona`s left hand). Up to today, there have been no visible side effects and Fiona remains strong and active. This is something that we still marvel over.

However, prior to the infusion, a discussion with the doctor revealed further details from the previous CT scan. Apparently, the "consolidation" previously visible in the right lung is considered to be mere "fibrous tissue" now, which is wonderful. However, some lesions remain visible in the bones. On the whole, it is an improved picture.

The doctors will be ordering another CT scan after Chemo #6, likely early February. In faith, we pray and claim God`s promises and expect to see that the scan wil be completely clear, and ask that you do the same.

On a day-to-day basis, Fiona is definitely stronger. She goes to work for about 4 half-days now each week, generally leaving in the morning and returning by lunchtime. While she is not quite up to 100%, symptomatically she is so much better as compared to 3 months ago. We give thanks.

Halfway

Earlier this week, Fiona underwent a CT scan to check on her progress and determine if she should continue with her Chemotherapy. (She has had 3 of 6 cycles, so this is effectively a halfway checkpoint.) Prof Yip, who was so good to take time off from her hectic schedule to personally review the scans, said that the consolidation in the right lung looks to be "much improved", and she has no doubts that Fiona should continue with the Chemotherapy.

We rejoice and are in awe before our God at this news, and say Thank You, our mighty and loving Jehovah Rapha, our God who heals!

While the CT scans also showed that the bone damage from before is still there, Prof Yip said that this is only to be expected as bones take a long time to heal. There is no way to know if there are still cancerous cells in the bone without a bone biopsy, but the fact that there is no increased damaged is already a good sign.

Apart from the results of the CT scan, Fiona is also showing visible improvements in many ways. Her bone pains and leg cramps seldom happen, although she does get back aches when tired. The Chemotherapy tires her, and she typically feels exhaustion for a few days after each cycle, but there are no other side effects. For all these mercies, we thank our loving and gracious heavenly Father.

For all of you who have journeyed this far with us, thank you, thank you too. We know that our God has been moving in response to your heartfelt prayers, some of which are coming from around the world. We have been recently reminded that many are praying, and we are so touched and encouraged. We ask you to please continue, and pray too that our God will bless you even as you rely on Him for Fiona`s healing.

Amazed at the Glory of You

As a family, we continue to testify about God`s goodness and faithfulness as Fiona grows in strength and health. We are especially thankful for a smooth Chemo session last thursday. Fiona`s blood test results, while not as good as the last time (no doubt due to the flu she was fighting), were good enough for her to proceed. She experienced some pain during the 3-hour Chemo infusion, but everything else went fine.

Before the infusion started, the nurses questioned Fiona about her post-Chemo side effects, and were thoroughly confused and amazed at the lack of anything significant. "What? No fever? No nausea? Sure or not??" We can only lift our hands and hearts again heavenward and give thanks.

"And I stand here, before you

In wide-opened wonder,

Amazed at the Glory of You."

Looking ahead, the doctors have scheduled a CT scan for December 4 to visually check the progress of the Chemo.

Please pray:

• for quick healing from the flu that still lingers
• against any side effects from now until the next session
• for increase in strength and health for continued complete healing, and for the scan on the 4th to show no signs of the cancer.

God bless you, and thank you for your prayers!

Coming to 3

Thank you all for your prayers! Fiona continues to be generally well in between Chemo sessions. We praise God for his mercies, they are indeed new every morning!
The next chemo session (#3 of 6) will take place tomorrow. Later this morning, we will be taking the usual pre-Chemo trip to the hospital for a blood test which will determine Fiona`s fitness to proceed with tomorrow`s session.

As previously reported, the pain in the back has largely receded, unless brought on by "excessive exuberance" :-). The cramps in the legs still occur occasionally, but less than before.
Above all of this, Fiona`s strength is gradually but surely returning. She is much more mobile now, and even does a few half-days at work each week (as much to keep busy than anything else). Through this, we know that God continues to do His healing work in her and we Give Thanks.

However, there is a cause for some concern with the recent development of flu symptoms. If carried over to after the Chemo session when Fiona`s immunity is low, the bug could cause problems. Please pray for very quick healing.

Pray too for the blood test later today, that it will show that Fiona is ready for tomorrow. By the grace of God, her last blood test results were very good, and we pray for the same results today. For those keeping a close watch, I will post an update tomorrow after the Chemo session. God bless!

A Vast Improvement

"Vast Improvement" and "Great Difference" were the wonderful words we heard from Prof. Liam, the chest specialist, when we visited him last friday. He uttered these words while he compared the x-rays taken 4 weeks ago and the one taken on the day of the visit.

According to Prof Liam, the fluid level in the right lung, while not entirely gone, is now minimal, even after a period of 4 weeks after the last lung tap. In comparison, the fluid had previously accumulated to as much as 1.45 litres only after 10 days between the first and second lung taps. Breathing is also sounding completely normal, evidenced by the trouble-free sleep that Fiona now enjoys every night.

Prof Liam attributed this to the Chemo, but the Oncologist, Dr. Masthura, said that the Chemo only works after 3 to 4 cycles. Again, medical science cannot explain what has happened.
Looking through the eyes of faith, we can only say that our God continues to work miracles in response to all your prayers. Thank you.

The pain in the back and legs which had previously disappeared is back, albeit sporadically. We suspect that the Chemo has something to do with it, but am thankful that it has gone down in intensity and frequency.

Visibly, for those whom we have not seen in a while, Fiona looks so much better.

Please continue to pray, dear friends, brothers and sisters. Please pray for the Chemo to work with no side-effects, for the pain to disappear. In particular, pray for the lungs and bones to be completely healed, and the complete eradication of the cancer. We place our faith in God that the next x-ray in 2 months will show a complete healing in the lungs and bones. We give thanks and praise.