News Flash!

Dr. Chen, Dad's doctor, said Dad's blood tests are all good.  His MRI, Ultrasound and X-ray are clear.  Dr. Xianghao Piao --- THE Dr. Piao, one of Asia's leading Cancer Nano Microvessel Intervention (CMI) experts, said Dad's cancer cells are diminishing and the tumor is shrinking.  He performed the nano chemo procedure on Dad himself.  

Thank God!

Here's the twist though --- Dad's two other tumors are believed to be tuberculosis. 

Anyway, Loren came to visit.  Her dad is doing better at the other hospital.  That's good news.  Isn't God amazing?

Here's more good news --- we met another patient, just beside our room.  Her name is Chona Dionisio. During the course of our conversation, we learned that she and her husband, Mike Dionisio, are doing this volunteer work introducing FUDA's approach to cancer as a new option for cancer treatment. Their organization is called PVF (Philippine Volunteers for Fuda).  This was spearheaded by Mr. Nestor Bonifacio, one of the well-publicized cancer survivors in the Philippines who received his treatment at the Fuda Cancer Hospital.  Husband and wife tandem are inviting us to be volunteers, too, to help spread the word.  We'll talk to them further about this tomorrow, but if it's helping people, I don't see why not. By the way, PVF is a purely volunteer organization. The hospital is not funding the group's efforts. PVF's members just want to share their experiences, give hope to other cancer patients and tell them that there is an alternative approach to treating cancer. PVF even gives step-by-step instructions on how to get here and avail of the services of the hospital.

L-R:  Chona Dionisio, Nestor Bonifacio, Dr. Rita Lu & Mike Dionisio

Anyway, today is another good day.  Thank you, Lord!


Our bill today: ¥30,937.18 ($4,784.96 total)
Total bill as of today: ¥192,459.12 ($29,767.09)

Back at Fuda

We arrived at Fuda last night. We were with another lung cancer patient who was also fetched by the hospital’s ambulance from the airport. We had a little chit chat and learned that their room was on the 3rd floor. By the way, we’re still on the 6th.

Dad with Mr. Tom

This morning Dad and I finally met our roommates, Mr. Benito Lim and his wife Mary Lim. They’re nice people. They were already sleeping when we came in last night. Like Dad, he also has lung cancer, but his condition has improved a lot since they were here six months ago. They’ll be leaving tomorrow and we’ll have the room all to ourselves. Woohoo!

Dad with Mr. Benito Lim

Anyway, Dad and I were so happy to see our old friends here. Glecie is back for another nano chemo session, and we were able to see Aunt Jo and her husband Wilson before they leave tomorrow. Glecie’s tumor in her colon is completely gone! God is good!

L-R: Josephine So, Wilson So, Dad, Benito Lim and Mary Lim

Later in the afternoon, Dad and Uncle Benito had an acupuncture session together. It was recommended by our friend, Glecie. Surprisingly, Dad was able to walk better after the treatment. It just took 45 minutes.

Dr. Yu inserting needles in Dad's arm

Uncle Benito with needles in his face

I, on the other hand, had a traditional Chinese therapeutic dry massage that put emphasis on pressure points, done by no less than the best, Dr. Yu. My back was aching the night we arrived at Fuda.

Me!

Then, Dr. Yu performed Ventosa on my back to ease my back ache. Ventosa is a massage cupping therapy which uses glasses placed on specific accupoints on your back. This is a technique used to create a vacuum inside the glass which lifts the skin, sucking the air away. By the way, Dr. Yu used bamboo instead of the usual glass.

Let me tell you how I ended up getting a Ventosa. To begin with, I’m scared of getting one, so I never had it back in the Philippines. After Dr. Yu gave me the massage, she said something which I didn’t understand. I knew she said she’ll do something on my back, and I was pretty sure it wasn’t acupuncture because had she said that, I'd say no. So, I was just lying there feeling so comfortable when she came back in and started putting the bamboo cups on my back. I was shocked, but she was so fast that before my senses could tell me it was Ventosa, she’s done putting all those bamboo cups on my back. My mind was telling me, “Tell her to remove them now! It’s painful!”, but really, it wasn’t. It wasn’t painful at all. In fact, I felt great after. Never mind the marks it left. Dr. Yu said they will disappear in a week's time.

Now, this isn't going to be pretty, but here's my back after my Ventosa treatment.

My back

It was a pretty good day today. Thank you, Lord.

Our bill yesterday and today: ¥3,410.31 and ¥353.12, respectively. ($582.13 total)
Total bill as of today: ¥161,521.94 ($24,983.87)

Ready to Go

How time flies.  Dad  and I are leaving for China again tomorrow.  I'm done packing this afternoon and I'm actually ready to go.  I'm emotionally more prepared now than I was the first time.  Anyway,  since I've got nothing else to do, I've decided to watch (again) the Twilight Saga, all three in the series.  

By the way, my rashes are gone.  Thank God!  But it left dry patches on my skin.  Well, I can live with that.  I just need a heavy duty lotion for dry skin and the good news is, I already have one and I'm  bringing it with me to China.

I'll post again when we get there.  Please remember us in your prayers.

TSMSS - While I'm Waiting

I'm sure all of us are waiting... either for something or for someone.  And while we're waiting for our breakthrough to come to pass, what do we do?  How do we wait?

Remember that God's promises are true and He is faithful to fulfill each and every promise He gave us.  We may not see anything yet in the natural, but trust that God is working behind the scenes.  In His perfect time, we will see His promises to us come to pass.

I'm waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am hopeful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it is painful 

But patiently, I will wait 

(*) I will move ahead, bold and confident 

Taking every step in obedience 

While I'm waiting 

I will serve You 

While I'm waiting 

I will worship 

While I'm waiting 

I will not faint 

I'll be running the race 

Even while I wait 

I'm waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am peaceful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it's not easy 

But faithfully, I will wait 

Yes, I will wait 

(Repeat * 2x)

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve you while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Fearless Friday

It's Friday once again. It's a day we commit to praying for our needs and the needs of others. If you have prayer requests, you may leave me a comment here or you can email me. I will be praying for you.

I have a few prayer requests myself.  Please continue to pray for Dad.  I talked to him earlier and he said he still feels weak although his appetite is good.  I know this has everything to do with cancer.  Dad and I are leaving again for China on Monday for his third nano chemo session.  Please pray that Dad will respond well to the treatment as he did the last time.  

I would also like to ask prayers for Mom.  She is also sick.  She is having dialysis three times a week.  This is causing a huge dent in our finances.  Please remember us in prayer.

Thank you.

I'm joining Angie over at Free Spirit Haven for today's Fearless Friday.

Could It Be Because of Age?

I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but then again I have been feeling this way for weeks now.  

I woke up feeling panicky.  I thought it was just me.  Then, when my friend Zenda came by and told me how she was lately and how some of her friends would call her and tell her how they were lately, strangely, we're all in the same boat.  I wonder why?  Could it be because of age?

Did you ever get the feeling of huffing and puffing like you're running after something and something's running after you?

I feel exactly that way.  It's like I have loads of stuff to do and I'm petrified because I don't know how and where to begin.  At the same time, I am overwhelmed with how fast time flies like it's going to outrun me.

Could it really be because I'm pushing 40?

George Carlin's Views on Ageing

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about ageing that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life .... . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony..YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30 ; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens.. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'

May we all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

TSMSS - Run to You

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

ER

I rushed myself to the ER this afternoon because of my rashes.  They're so bad that I needed to be rushed to the hospital. If it was just so-so, I'd sleep it off;  but it was really bad.  It reached my shoulders and upper back and I was red all over.  I felt as if I was burning from inside. I knew it was serious, so I went to the ER.  

They gave me meds through IV.

Ouch!

I felt so woozy after and fell asleep.  

When I'm sick, you can see the veins through my skin.  I still feel sick tonight.  
=(

Home Sweet Home

Dad and I got home yesterday morning.  Woohoo!  I still couldn't get over the fact that I'm finally home.  That trip made me appreciate my country and made me realize something very significant in my life. I'd probably talk about that some other time.

We went straight to Mom and Dad's place.  Mom cooked so we had lunch there.  OMG!  Real Food!!!   Woot!  Over lunch, we told Mom and her twin sister, Aunt Rosalina, all about our experiences in China.  Everybody was laughing about my unfortunate adventures.   *Burp*  That was a good meal! 

Anyway, I got to my own place at around 9 p.m.  Oh how I miss my pad!  Home sweet home. I unpacked my stuff, took a shower and had a massage.  Divine!  I definitely had a good night's sleep after that.

Today, I had my cable fixed, paid some bills, went to the salon, then went to do some grocery shopping to replenish my empty cupboard.  

My friend bought me Nivea Nourishing Body Milk.   Yahoo! Hope this works.  

Whew! I had a full day today.  


Lord, thank you for all the blessings.  You are truly amazing!  All glory to You.

Thankful Thursday

Iris chose a very good topic today --- God's ways.

“'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9

It's hard sometimes when we are faced with the unknown.  We tend to worry too much, doubt and question God.  

This was exactly my dilemma.  Going to China is in my wish list, but never in my dreams did I ever think of staying here for more than a month. I had questions in my head too --- How will I do my work?  How will I pay my bills?  What will happen to me when I get back home?   Etc...

But I thank the Lord that even if I can't see what's ahead, I'm assured that He's already gone ahead of me. He knows where I am now and where He's taking me in this journey.  It may not make any sense now, but His ways and thoughts are higher than mine. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Today, I would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at Fuda Cancer Hospital for taking good care of my Dad. 

 L-R: Nurse Gina, Nancy, Wan, Dad, Penny and Jessica

L-R: Nurse Jessica, Stacey and Sunshine

 Dad with his favorite nurses --- Joy and Sheena

L-R: Dr. Chen, Dr. Long, Dad, Dr. Xing and Dr. Hu.

Giving God all the praises and glory!




What are you thankful for this week? 

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris over at Grace Alone.

Day 32: One Day to Go

I've packed our stuff already and we're more than half way done.  I'm really excited to go home.

This afternoon, Aunt Alice (from room 617) went with me to Vangard Mall to buy lotion or cream for my uber-dry skin. I couldn't find the lotion I was looking for --- Nivea Body Smooth Sensation for Dry Skin so I asked a sales lady to help me out.  Well, as usual, she couldn't understand me.  I thought, "Oh boy, here we go again."

I ended up buying these:

Baby Olive Oil???

Oh well, as long as it helps smoothen my scaly skin and...

I didn't know what this was.  

The lady there who spoke broken English said it's for the red marks/spots I got.  Well, she sounded like she knew what my red spots were (they're rashes by the way), so okay, I got one bottle.  Later on I learned it's for mosquito bites.  Sheesh...

Before heading back to Fuda, I saw these gigantic green chili peppers.  From where I came from these chili peppers are thin and small.

Anyway,  Dad ate a lot today, but was feeling a bit woozy.  He was definitely in a pretty good mood.  Hmm... Maybe he's just as excited as I am on going home.



Our bill  today: ¥722.91 ($111.22)

Total bill as of today: ¥155,966.01 ($23,995.37)

Day 31: Needles Out

Today is Dad's last day of infusion.  Needles out!  Woot!!!

Nurse Wan removing the needle on Dad's right hand then on Dad's left hand next.

Three nights to go and we're outta here.  Woot Woot!  

Did a little work earlier.  Dad and I are watching The Net on Star Movies then I will be downloading a few songs later by Chicane and Emma Hewitt.  

By the way, another reason why I can't wait to go back home is that I will have need to go see my dermatologist for my bad case of dry skin rashes.  Arghhhh!!!  Not one of the lotions I brought with me worked.  Frustrating!!!

It's bad.  I know...

Anyhow, I'll go back to watching The Net for now.  See you around!



Our bill yesterday and today: ¥1,069.68 and 965.77, respectively ($313.09 total)
Total bill as of today: ¥155,243.10 ($23,879.49)

Five Days to Go!

This is one lazy Sunday morning.  I wish I'm back home.  I'm not in the mood for anything right now and worst is  my patience is very low to non existent.  So to refrain fire from blazing out of my mouth, I zip my lips. 

Chet left early this morning for Singapore.  I can't wait for June 10 when it's going to be our turn to go home.  Five days to go!

Anyway, Dad's chemo infusions (two small bags) today were moved tomorrow because Dad's wbc count is low again.  The doctor said that's normally the side effect of the Nano chemo and the follow up chemo infusions being administered to cancer patients.  

Lychee

Chet bought these Lychee fruits yesterday.  According to Wikipedia, nine lychee fruits, on average, would meet an adult’s daily recommended Vitamin C requirement.   Perfect!



Our bill yesterday and today: ¥30,249.56 and 1,433.00, respectively ($4,871.51 total)
Total bill as of today: ¥153,207.65 ($23,557.21)

Day 27: Dad’s Second Chemo Session

Today is Dad’s second Nano chemo session. Everything went well. Thank God! He didn’t lose his appetite. In fact, he ate quite a lot today. His infusions started today and will go on until Monday. He will then be observed for any reaction his body might have, like allergies and if there are none, then we’re both set to go home on June 10. Woohoo!!!

Anyhow, I weighed myself this afternoon and my gosh! My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. I gained a total of 10 pounds since I got here. Ha!

Here are some of the food I’ve been munching on since this morning:

Plums

Black seedless grapes

Tea leaf eggs

Oh yeah, Dad and I are drinking infusions made from these bitter herbs.

The one on the right is Dad's; the one on the left is mine.

Our bill yesterday and today: ¥382.70 and 323.18, respectively ($108.93 total)
Total bill as of today: ¥121,525.09 ($18,644.88)

Day 25: Chet's here!

Chet flew in from Singapore this morning. He'll be with us 'til Sunday.  We had lunch at the hospital with Dad.

In the lobby with Dad while waiting for a cab

My brother, Chet, and Dad

Me and Dad

Dad needed some fresh air, so we took Dad out for dinner. We went to Lihua Congee House located at 903 Renmin Beilu, Yuexiu District (inside Liuhua Park), Guangzhou.

Lihua Congee House

Inside the restaurant

The place served fresh fish. They kept the fish in a small fishpond. Customers choose the fish they'd like to have for dinner and the resto's waiters will take it out of the fishpond and cook it for them.

The fishpond

We ordered vegies with tofu and mushrooms, beef with tofu and congee. The congee was really good! We even took some out for dad's breakfast tomorrow.

Vegies with tofu and mushrooms

Beef with tofu (I know... the photo's not too appealing)

Anyway, I bought speakers for my laptop so Dad can watch movies tomorrow. He wanted to watch "Seven Hills of Rome" featuring Mario Lanza, his favorite actor. I, on the other hand, would love to listen to my music with something other than my earphones.  Remember what happened last Sunday? 

Tomorrow, Dad will have some blood tests to prepare for his chemo on Friday.

Our bill today: ¥936.52 ($144.52)
Total bill as of today: ¥120,819.21 ($18,535.95)