Amazing Favor

Dad's chemo went well.  He's on his second day of infusion today.  His face got a bit dry though, probably because of the chemo medicine. So, I applied some of my moisturizer on his face.  It worked!

I slept way too late last night, so I got up very late this morning, too. I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Anyway, I was awakened by Dr. Chen's voice talking to Dad.  He informed Dad that somebody with a good heart left a huge amount of money here at the hospital and instructed the president of the hospital to choose Filipino recipients to receive a free ¥15,000 ($2,348.70) worth of Combined Immunotherapy for Cancer (CIC) which normally costs ¥48,000 ($7,515.85).  Dad was chosen as one of the recipients. This CIC will help boost Dad's immune system to fight cancer even after the chemotherapy sessions are over. 

Isn't God totally amazing?  God has been showing us favors ever since we got here last Wednesday.  Praise God!!!

We met new friends.  They were referred here to Fuda by the same man who referred Dad here.  Small world.

Dad with Sarah and Edison

Amjd and Reema's mom gave me this. It's from their country and it is called Fatira. It is bread with white cheese.

They are leaving tomorrow morning, and will be back after two months.

Dad with Amjd (with his new do)

I continue to marvel at how amazing and faithful God is.  Thank you, Lord!

My Salon Adventure

I'm back at Fuda with Dad.  We arrived last night.  Got a nasty sore throat and fever two days before our flight.  Argh!!!  I hate antibiotics!

Anyway, God is soooo good.  The night before our flight, I got an email from the hospital informing me that Dad and I will share a room with another patient because the hospital was fully booked.  I must admit, I was quite disappointed with that because the last time we shared a room and I slept on a bunk bed, I had a back ache and got a bump on my right brow.  Anyhow, I said, "God, please do something about this and give us our own room.  But if You want us to share a room then Your will be done. Just please help me with my attitude."  When we got to the hospital, guess what? The nurse led us to our very own room!  The other patient opted to stay in a hotel, so we got the room all to ourselves.  Woot!  

Isn't God awesome?

This morning, I went out to my usual hang out place and, well, it's too quiet there already.  My new friends went back to their countries a week ago and I was actually there all alone.  Sigh... 

Anyway, I got a digital perm this afternoon from a nearby salon here at the hospital.  I was a bit worried though because the hair stylist spoke only two words of English and those were thank and you.  Yikes! But since my friend Elaine said that they were actually good, I tried my best to keep calm and let them do what they do best.

Here I am trying to get a good shot of myself while the stylist puts white, square sponge thingies in my hair

See, I can't get a straight shot of myself without the phone on my face.  

And, here's the my new hairdo...

My hair stylists - Jin Zhe, Wang Peng & Liu Jie of LFC Salon

Tomorrow, Dad will have his fifth chemo session. Unlike the previous sessions, he will be trying the local chemo treatment. Before doing the chemo, the doctors will do an ultrasound on him to check his current condition. Dad seems to be doing well. If it's any indication, he gained 6 pounds. =)

Happy To Be Home

We got home early this morning, at around 1 a.m.  I felt so sleepy, but my mind was still very much awake.  I miss my friends there already.  

Anyway, I would like to share with you photos of our new friends there.  Mostly from Middle Eastern countries. We wouldn't have met them if it weren't for our trips to Fuda. =)

L-R: Ibrahim (Palestine), Ahmed and Sarhan (Bahrain), Dad

Jamal (Saudi Arabia), Dad and Ahmed 

Dad, Amjd (Saudi Arabia) and Mr. Ng

L-R: Ahmed, Glecie Tan, Dad, Sherlyn and Amjd

Amjd and his sister, Reema.  

My new friend Reema is so good at drawing, conceptualizing... She is so artistic!  She said she wanted to work for the likes of Walt Disney as an animator.  Here's a sample of her sketch...

She said this is her.  She drew this in less than two hours. Click here for more of her drawings. 

Anyway, Dad is getting better... I think... because his lab test results were all good.  His tumor markers were excellent, all within normal range.  Thank God!  All praises to Him.


Our total accumulated bill: ¥233,476.51 ($36,214.75)

Shopping in GZ

Today is Dad's last day of infusion.  Dad is feeling better today, unlike yesterday when he felt woozy the whole day.  Anyway, Sherlyn, Cristina and I went shopping at Shangxiajiu (上下九), a commercial pedestrian street in Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. I bought a couple of maxi dresses and tops and  a couple of belts for my sister.  You can buy cheap clothes there; you just have to choose and dig in to find the nice ones.

Sherlyn and me

We also had Milk Tea from Tea Da Ye. Can't leave China without having Milk Tea.  =)

With Calvin, the owner

We also went to this huge place called Jade Plaza where they sell all kinds of jade stones. We just looked around, we didn't buy anything from here though... too expensive.  Haha!

Jade Plaza

Oh, and we went to another Chinese temple called Hualin Temple (华林寺), also at Shangxiajiu.

Here's something funny we saw on our way to Shangxiajiu. 

Haha!  Umbrella inside an air conditioned bus

Anyway, back at Fuda, our new friends from Oman left to go back to their country. Oman is a country on the eastern border of Saudi Arabia.

Yuseff (white shirt), Kalil (red shirt) and Faris (little boy)

Early this morning, my head accidentally hit the railing of my bunk bed. I now have a small bump on my right brow. I can't see a bruise, but it still hurts a bit.

Today was a pretty exciting day.  Thank you, Lord!

Encouraging Results

Dad had his CT scan yesterday. He had his 4th nano chemo this morning. According to the doctors, the cancer cells are steadily diminishing. The CT scan showed that two-thirds of the cancer cells have disappeared. He seems to be responding well to the treatment. The nano chemo has not affected his appetite. He still eats a lot.

Unlike the previous sessions, he did not develop rashes this time around. Looks like everything's turning out well!

I can't thank God enough for all the blessing he has bestowed me and my family.

I had a pretty boring day. Nothing much to do here. It was raining outside. I couldn't go far. I only went out to buy our food. After that, it was back to the hospital. I spent most of the day playing Angry Birds on my smartphone.

Oh yeah, we're expecting Mr. Ng and his daughter, Shirlyn, tomorrow morning. We will be sharing the room with them.

A Work In Progress

I am really disappointed with myself. I was disappointed with the way I reacted to my frenzied emotions early this afternoon. See, I got into a heated argument, ok… an ugly shouting match with a neighbor friend because of a ridiculous miscommunication which resulted in an awful tangled mess.

What I thought was a harmless and casual conversation turned into a disaster because someone thought that she heard "trash" when what I said was a totally different word. I won't go into any of the details, but what I realized was that that situation brought my doppelganger out of Pandora’s box once again.

I knew that in my younger years, I had a fiery temper. I thought that I managed to tame that temper; I thought that nothing would bring it back… I was wrong. I lost control and said things that I shouldn’t have. I felt sick to my stomach thinking that I was such a disappointment to God. I wish it didn't happen, but it did.

I learned a painful but important lesson today.

I should think first before I act, especially when I am angry. I have to learn to step back and think first before acting on impulse. Above all, I realized that God isn’t finished molding my character. I am still very much a work in progress. 

By the way, I am back at Fuda Hospital with Dad for his fourth nano chemo session. 

Going Home

We're going home tonight!  Woohoo!  I'm almost done packing,  just a few more stuff left and we're all set.

Last night, our roommates arrived --- Shirlyn and her dad.  We had to share our room with another patient because the hospital is packed.  We don't mind room sharing as long as it's with people we know... for security reasons.  The new hospital building, which is a lot bigger, will be ready for service by August this year. In the meantime, we just need to be a little more patient with the current set up in the hospital. 

Anyway, Dad and I together with Shirlyn, her dad, Lolo Manny and Lola Pilar went to Shengxuan Restaurant inside the Royal Riviera Hotel to have lunch.  We did enjoy the food and, of course, each other's company.  Shirlyn and her dad, Mr. Ng, are regulars in this restaurant.

L-R: Shirlyn, Mr. Ng (Shirlyn's dad), Lolo Manny, Lola Pilar, Dad and me

Yum!

Dad with Lolo Manny and Lola Pilar

Mr. Ng, Lola Pilar and Dad all have stage IV lung cancer, but they're all doing a lot better now.  All praises to God!  We'll be back at Fuda last week of July.

Well, it's almost 5 p.m. We have to have an early dinner because we're leaving for the airport by 6 and I have to finish packing.  

Our total accumulated bill: ¥196,641.96 ($30,416.39)

All is Well

Today is Dad's last day of infusion.  Normally, after his nano chemo treatment, there are three days of infusions which include two bags of general chemo meds per day and vitamins.  He is currently sleeping after having eaten dinner.  Tomorrow, Dad will have blood tests to check his wbc.  

All is well.  Thank God!

On another note, at around 5 PM today, I went out to get some lemon juice for Dad and milk tea for myself. Just as I was leaving the store, the plastic bag that had the juice and the milk tea gave way and the bottle of milk tea fell and landed right smack on top of… you guessed it… the toenail that was injured a few months ago! Owwww!!!! That's the second time I hurt that toe.  This is getting to be a really painful habit and I hate it!

Upon reaching the hospital, I checked my toenail, and I was soooo relieved that it wasn't as bad as the last time… just a small hairline. It still  hurt though.. Grrr….

Does anyone sell Crocs with steel toe caps? Hahaha!


Our bill the other day and yesterday: ¥910.00 and ¥965.91, respectively. ($290.14 total)
Total bill as of today: ¥194,335.03 ($30,057.23)

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)

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)