Gratitude Moments #4
February 17, 2009
The original treatment plan was that I would go through four cycles of bio-chemo treatments, and have a surgery to remove the shrunk tumors, and then have two more cycles of treatments. After the second cycle of in-patient treatment, I did my routine lab work before the third cycle.
I met with the Melanoma doctor and the surgeon. During the meeting, the doctors reviewed the lab result with me. There was minor bad news but major good news. The lab work showed 20 categories in hematology. Five categories were low. Blood count was 7.9 with the normal range being 11.5 – 15.0. The lab work also showed 22 categories in chemistry with 4 being low. In addition, I had been running a temperature as high as 102.4 ever since I came home from the hospital on February 1, 2009 (more than two weeks). I survived on Tylenol.
For the low blood count, I needed 2 units of blood transfusion within the following two weeks (1 unit = I pint or 450 ml). Rich in iron food was my diet but didn’t help fast enough to boost up my blood count. My temperature was caused by some kind of infection that my body couldn’t fight off. Antibiotic was prescribed to take care of that. With low blood count and temperature, I was so weak that I felt there was no life left in me. I knew that I had to be strong to go through the treatment. There was not enough blood to keep my body warm, so I bundled up and walked every day back and forth in the neighborhood. My neighbors couldn’t recognize me.
This was my prayer: “God, you gave me clear indications of which direction to go as far as treatment options. I listened and followed your direction. You took my hand and I followed you to near-death with no doubt because your direction was so clear. You’re the God of miracles and I believe in miracles. Now if it is your will, please carry me back to life.”
Now back to the meeting, the doctors also reviewed CT scan done on February 13. It showed encouraging improvement. The tumors in the lymph nodes had shrunk and were contained, so the cancer cells did not spread. As a result, instead of having two more cycles of bio-chemo, the doctor now could have surgery to remove the shrunk tumors. After the surgery, I could rest longer before the final two cycles of bi-chemo. Altogether, I only needed 4 cycles instead of 6 cycles of bio-chemo! What great news!
When I heard the doctor’s plan for me, even though I didn’t have too much energy, I almost jumped up to thank them, but I knew that it was God’s Healing Power.
After the meeting, I was given a longer time to rest, got blood transfusion, tried to get rid of the temperature. The schedule of surgery would depend on my progress.
My family and friends continue to pray, bring food, send me cards and emails. I was wrapped around with love, friendship, and prayer support to keep me going this dark journey.
To be continued……
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God’s Healing Power, yes belief and faith are what bring about miracles. I am so pleased your story has a happy ending and your family can learn from your experience
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Thank you so much for reading! We’re grateful for God’s healing power!
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Oh, that powerful prayer of yours……Love it!!!
Stay strong, for His mercies are new every morning.
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How true! That is my encouragement – His mercies are new every morning! Thank you for reading and you kind comment!!
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I cling on His promises to help me with my mom’s battle with cancer. You can read about it by clicking here -https://wordpress.com/stats/insights/theanointedbride.wordpress.com
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Thank you very much! I’ll read it this afternoon!!
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Your blog is well named Miriam. You are an inspiration.😊
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Thank you, just like your name for your blog. Oh I read part of your book, not quite done yet. It’s very interesting. I love the beginning part when you talked about you dad dating…
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Glad you are enjoying it Miriam. A review on Amazon would be awesome. 😊
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I’ll do it for sure!!! 🙂 I love what I’ve read so far!!!
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Thank you so much.
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You’re welcome. It’ll be a while. I started (converted) my new business as of 01.01.2017. Have some work to do!
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Faith is the biggest healer. Please have faith in Him and follow His directions. Prayers, best wishes and hugs. Wishing you a speedy recovery and want to hear from you soon. Take care.
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Thank you so very much! I will!
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Your story is a witness to God’s faithfulness. Thank you for sharing this, I feel blessed and also glad to know you are well. I pray for better days ahead for you this year. God bless you!
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I’m overwhelmed with all the readers who gave me encouraging feedbacks. I still have the swelling leg to deal with on a day to day bases. But life is precious. God is good. Thank you for your comments.
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Praying everything goes well. God bless
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Thank you so much. I still have to deal with the side effect on a day to day bases. But I’m grateful for life!
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I’m so glad you’re “ok” now.
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Thank you. I have to do some cleaning up of my journal. It’s good that I had a chance to do it and pass on my story to my kid and grandkids!
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Good idea!
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