4th Feb - At 8:30 am, Daniel and myself, my mother-in-law and father-in-law made our way KK for the operation. My mom and dad were to arrive later after putting Sarah in Daniel's auntie's charge. After the paperwork and pre-op preparations, we spent a large portion of our waiting time praying and reading psalms. Many were there to pray that day, Pastor, my sister, Sis Eileen, Auntie Maggie, Auntie Joy and Uncle Kwai Sang and my family.
As I proceeded to the ultrasound room, to the operating theatre, I literally felt so covered and protected in my Father's arms through the prayers of His people - there was no fear. Of course, there was sadness all round for everyone around me. Before being wheeled into the theatre, I spent some wonderful time with Daniel, remembering how the Lord has given us so much time together - from the time we started dating in 1992 to our present year in 2008. 16 years of a wonderful and godly companion. We ask God to give us more by His mercy. Daniel wrote me a love letter that day [haha... something that he has not done for a pretty long time] - filled with his love and God's words to accompany me in that operating theatre. I held it tightly in my hand and stuffed it under my pillow for fear that they would throw it away.
The next few hours during the operation was painless for me as I went under GA. But for my family and all those praying for me outside the theatre, it was a difficult time. The preliminary results of the operation - yolk sac tumor, a form of germ cell cancer. Below is the post operation email sent out by my hubby in verbatim.
Dearest Praying Friends,
You have all become very precious to us through this trial, and I hope the Lord will draw all of us closer to Him and to each other in the following weeks, months and years to come. Fellowship in the word and prayer as we have done and you all have done for us is heaven on earth that we have experienced. I earnestly yearn for this to carry on forever. Through these, God fills us with His love and His presence and we feed on His goodness.
Brethren, God has heard us and answered our prayers according to His will. As more unfolds, we hope to see the picture even more clearly and give Him great praise and glory. I long to see His answers to these prayers. For now, the prayings and seeking of God continues for us, and I ask you will continue to join us in doing so. From experience, I know that this takes effort from your busy schedules and can be exhausting, so please accept our deepest gratitude for your love to us. We love to share our lives with you and hope that you will be pleased to share in our joys and our sadness, our blessings and sometimes our adversity.
Here is a brief update of the situation:
The surgery went well and smooth as planned, with the Right ovarian cyst, tumor and fallopian tube removed clean and sucessfully by a kind and caring Prof. From what he could see, the tumor was well contained and there was no apparent disease elsewhere in the pelvis or abdominal cavity. The frozen section showed a cancerous cell type called- yolk sac tumor, a form of germ cell cancer. Because such a cell type is very responsive to chemotherapy and has good cure rates, that was all the surgery neccessary and it did not proceed to more removal of organs- for that I am extremely thankful to God. Joann remains well and is resting in the High Dependency ward for the next 2 days. We appreciate if visitors come perhaps on Thurs onwards (only if free!) Here is the medical situation for your understanding in prayers and supplications:
1) The next 48 hrs is critical for stabilisation of the womb and baby. ie risk of miscarriage is highest these 2 days.
2) The final histology will give us a sure picture of the stage and cell type of the cancer, so as to decide on what other treatment is needed. itll probably take 2-3 days
3) A decision has to be made regarding the type of chemotherapy to administer for optimal cure of disease, and care of baby
4) Chemotherapy if indicated (likely will be) should commence next week.
Spiritually, we know that God is the giver of life and works all things together for good. As we have handed over all these to Him, we ask that He will honour His name and preserve the lives of both His children. The permutations of possibilities can be baffling, but we pray the Great Physician will sort it out. Also, we pray the final histology will be favorable just as the frozen section was.
Further to these, I will just like to share with you that this cancer is very rare, and for it to occur with pregnancy is even rarer. Plus for it to occur in my wife who has had perfect health and no family history, and to the wife of a training oncologist makes it more than just a coincidence. And for this to happen to God's children who have given their lives to Him makes it clearly NOT a mistake. I do not know what God has planned, but this must be part of His plan for our lives, so we continue to present our heart's petitions to Him. Im sure some will have questions on how this thing arose etc and so on but honestly I think that it is beyond logical answer. Lets look to the Lord.
Brethren, pls uphold us before God in the days to come as these things unfold, that once again our trust would be upon Him first, rather than on facts and figures. Thank you all so much for bearing our burdens, and God willing, I really hope to be able to share our joys with you, as well as to bear your burdens if there are any in time to come just as you have for us.
Love in Christ, Daniel, Joann and Sarah (who is doing just fine)
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