Counts Starting To Drop

On 27th Nov 2009,

Her counts are as follows(Normal range in brackets):

Haemoglobin 8.6 (11.5-16.5), White Cells 0.42 (4-11) Platelet 98,000 (150,000-440,000)

Results seems ok, but will begin to drop soon.

This is the week that the counts will drop to very low. Pray that infection free, fever free, diarrhea free( still having it at the moment).

As both the induction & consolidation phase of chemo have finally been behind her, the greatest hurdle now is to find a matching donor.

May the Lord send just one donor for her...

Completed 2nd Round Of Chemo

On 25th Nov 2009,

She has finally completed the consolidation phase of chemo.

This means that she should be receiving the white cells injection, and platelets transfusion(If you have graciously offered your time and platelets, this is the time that the nurses will call).

This time round, her fever has gone done, rashes seems to be reducing, but diarrhea is still as frequent as ever.

Her mood is much better already. Counting down the days to be home again.

Still no news about the bone marrow match from the doctors.

Pray for a match soon, if not she would have to continue to receive chemo treatment till a match is found...

Bad But Better This Time Round

On 22nd Nov 2009,

5th bag of chemo already. Infection seems to come earlier than the last round.

Here we go again...diarrhea, fever, rashes... cocktail of anti-biotics

Rashes has subsided. Fever just stopped. Diarrhea still having 16 too many times, almost broke the last record of 18 times per day.

Still waiting for matching search. Doctors mentioned that if there is a match, she would need to go through one last round of chemo which is 3 to 4 times more potent. Kind of total change of blood in the bone marrow. Analogy of an emptying the glass of water first than pour in new clean water into the glass.

Doctors will start taking the blood counts once completing the 7th bag.

Pray for strength and the spirit to go through...

2nd Cycle of Chemo (Consolidation Phase)

On 18th Nov 2009,

Chemo has been administered again today at about 5pm. This is the 2nd cycle known as the consolidation phase.

Same 7+3 chemo as the first, 7 bags of chemo that runs 24hrs, 3 anthracycline dose through IV.

Still searching for bone marrow matching.

Pray for strength to go through this round, and quickly find a match soon.

Coming Home Today....YEAAAAAA

On 12th Nov 2009,

She is coming home today.... YEAAAAA

Sorry, I was not able to update any news recently, as I was rather down.

Buttttt, when news of her coming home caught me off guard(its a good thing). I have to thoroughly clean the house for her home coming even though it is only for 6 days... before her next consolidation phase of chemo.

Yeaaaaa. Will update you soon... I'll be back

Reasons For Fever, Diarrhea

On 6th Nov 2009,

Results for the CT scan are out!!

The scan shows that her small intestine were inflammed.

The doctors suspected that this was the cause of fever, diarrhea and bloated stomach.

They will administer a different type of anti-biotics.

Pray for wisdom that the doctors is right this time.

Test Againnnn

On 5th Nov 2009,

She reluctantly went for CT scan, because of the requirement to fast. Based on the past, she cannot go without food. When that happens, her tummy will bloat, will have 'wind' and the very uncomfortable feeling that leads to gastric.

The wait can be long, as one of the CT scan machine has broken down.

Finally, it was done. She felt relieved.

Still bloated, but the trauma of tests are over for the day

Results will be out tomorrow...

When Are You Coming Home?

On 4th Nov 2009,

Her counts are as follows(Normal range in brackets):

Haemoglobin 8.1 (11.5-16.5), White Cells 0.09 (4-11) Platelet 19,000 (150,000-440,000)

Still having fever, 'wind' in the stomach. Pray for strength and healing...

It has been almost a month, missed her habits, home cook meals, keeping the home clean but most of all her presence.

Many tells us, it was a good thing that we did not have kids. They maybe right, but this means that our love for each other becomes undivided. When the scripture say that two shall become one, I fully understand now that her agony truly becomes mine. It makes my heart bleeds while seeing her going through the chemo, sponging, and the intense pain.

I have been and will be strong for her, like a knight in shining armour to the rescue. But all I can do now is to pray and standby her really!! Wish I could do more...

Cause Of Fever

On 3rd Nov 2009,

Her counts are as follows(Normal range in brackets):

Haemoglobin 9.1 (11.5-16.5), White Cells 0.17 (4-11) Platelet 19,000 (150,000-440,000)

Had high fever, nurse did sponging on her

4 bags of platelets and continued anti-biotics on her.

Everything she consume, passes out as it is(i.e. food is not digested)

Doctors suspected that the cause of her fever is from her stomach.

She needs lots of rest. Still no visitors as yet.

Thank you for continued prayers...

Hi Everyone

Thank you everybody for your prayers, well wishes and those whom are so forthcoming with donating of platelets.

The past 14 days has been very trying especially the 7 days of concurrent chemo which runs for 24 hours.

The Lord has been very good in watching over me. I would like to share a little of His Glory on what happened during the insertion of the hickman line

God knows that I am very fearful of LA procedures because by hearing the sound of the instruments that will make me aware of the surrounding other that the numbing site.

When I entered the room, usually nothing can be brought in. Anyway, I brought along my mini mp3 which Winston has bought for me. They were so fascinated with the small cube and could store more than 100 songs in it.

The team of doctors seems to be hilarious and somehow they touch on the fact that I am a believer. The doctor actually prayed for smooth and successful the insertion of the hickman line.

I was listening to other songs before it came to the song  "Thank you for the cross Lord". Somehow, it was replayed over again throughout the porcedure.

The Lord reminded me of His crucifixion. Before you know it, I could feel that they are already stitching up and told me its over.

This is one of the many amazing things that God has brought me through these weeks.

While writing this, I had a high fever of 40.7 degrees. Winston stayed with me till early hours as the nurse was sponging to lower the temperature.

Please pray with me for the fever to subside. Whenever having such a temperature, it feels terrible with the chills.

Thank you for your love,

Blessings

Debbie

How To Post..."Letters Of..."(Comments)

Thank you for your "letters of..." which is your well wishes and prayers...

If you like to post but do not have any of the accounts mentioned, please choose Anonymous to post.

Oops. Sorry Sok Liang, accidentally deleted your letters, could you post again

Results Out

On 3rd Nov 2009,

Report came, Blasts(cancer) cells present about 4% and some are "dying off" that looks like of weird shape.

Unable to give further chemo now due to her fever. Doctors are concern as she had many doses of anti-biotics but do not seems to work.

Apart from the above, doctors aim is to find a match soonest possible so as to proceed with the bone marrow transplant.

Another Bone Marrow Aspiration(BMA) will be done on day 30, so as to determine whether it has gone into remission.

Pray for bone marrow match and she need not have to go for another round of chemo anymore...

There is hope... in Christ Jesus

Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA)

Her counts are as follows(Normal range in brackets):

Haemoglobin 7.7 (11.5-16.5), White Cells 0.16 (4-11) Platelet 16,000 (150,000-440,000)

Still having fever, doctors continue find the cause of her fever.

1 Bag of Blood, 2 Bags of Platelets and anti-biotics for her fever.

Thanks be to God for her swift bone marrow procedure. Handled by good skillful doctor.

Waiting for results...

Long Term Help Needed (B+ Platelets)

On 1st Nov 2009,

Now and then, Debbie requires transfusion of platelets. Nurses did advice that a core group of about 10 donors will be good for her. We do not know how long this treatment is going to last, but your generous commitment will be life saving to her.

I appeal to those who are willing and of blood type group B+ to contact me, so that I can co-ordinated the screening.

Please read further for more details...

Precaution To Be Taken

On 1st Nov 2009,

Her counts are as follows(Normal range in brackets):

Haemoglobin 8.8 (11.5-16.5), White Cells 0.16 (4-11) Platelet 29,000 (150,000-440,000)

Yeaaaa, better results compared to yesterday. Thank you for those who have prayed for Debbie.

Doctors wanted to make sure of her condition, ordered a CT scan today.

Had to fast 4 hours before the scan.

Test completed at about 3.00 pm. Having very bad gastric since.

Ohhh lots of things to pray for...

1. Pray that the gastric will stop
2. Pray for fever to subside
3. Pray for Monday's Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA) to be done by a skillful Doctor
4. Pray for her result of the BMA to be good (i.e. without blast(cancer) cells present)

Sister Did Not Match

On 31st Oct 2009,

The cross match results from her sister failed as only 4 out of 6 test were cleared. Therefore Debbie has to look for new bone marrow donor from the international registry, which means she has to wait a little longer for the bone marrow transplant.

We certainly pray for God's timing...

The doctors have started looking for a match under the system which is more stringent. Instead of 6 tests, they have to look for 8 to 10 tests.

The last resort will be the blood cord bank.

Sigh!!

I Think This Is It

On 31st Oct 2009,

Her counts are as follows(Normal range in brackets):

Haemoglobin 9.2 (11.5-16.5), White Cells 0.07 (4-11) Platelet 12,000 (150,000-440,000)

Dangerously low on white cells and platelets.

Still having high fever. On anti-biotics and 4 bags of platelets.

We pray that this is it, time to recover of her condition.

We pray again for Monday's test...