Chapter 12: Hitting the Odds

There would follow a second operation after the first -dated 17th Feb. That second operation was to remove my right ovary and lymph nodes. The prognosis after the second operation was even more grim for I was found to have clear cell cancer of the ovary.

I was definitely hitting all the odds. The occurence of a young female having clear cell cancer was indeed a rarity. Above it all, I was a pregnant young female. According to Dr Chua, there are only 4 such reported cases in the world. Perhaps more unreported, but nonetheless, rare. Through this 'bizzare' revelation of events since 21st Jan, Daniel and I knew that all this clearly did not happen by chance but that God had allowed all this to happen. In His sovereign plan and will, He has it all charted out.

Did I ask that one million dollar question: Why me, God? You bet I did. There were many unanswered questions. I definitely needed time to understand how a normal person like me, with no family history of cancer could contract an aggressive form of cancer and life seems to change almost immediately.

But I thank God for His grace in time of need - that His grace was sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His working and faithfulness in my life since I was young never at once made me grow angry or disappointed with His choice of path for my life. I did not dare get angry at my God. But it definitely baffled me and brought me down to my knees as I plead with God to give me understanding of His 'strange' path of moving and working. With nothing else to hold on to [not even life and health itself], I could only trust God to carry me through this journey.

God is gracious for He never left me nor forsook me. In His love, He gave me a husband who loved Him with all his heart as well as a husband who is trained in this field of oncology. He gave me a family who could interceed on my behalf. He gave me a people of God who also interceeded on my behalf. He provided us with a domestic helper who loved Him, is a good help and could pray for her Mam. The list goes on and on.

Now I can only trust Him to help me beat the odds.

Our Special Note to Sarah

Dear Sarah,

You have been growing leaps and bounds everyday, by the grace of God. Each time, you never fail to amaze and amuse us. At 10 months, you took your first step in pursuit of your favourite fruit juice and it has since progressed to a stumble, an amble and now, you are semi-running. In recent days, you can even do a dance. Then, came the 11th month when you started blabbering dada, mama, yaya [indiscriminately] and that has since culminated into pretty understandable baby talk, particularly if you want to get something. At 12 months, you seem to understand our requests and when you ignore us, upturn your cute nose and carry on with your play, somehow, we think you know. Just last week, you can nod and shake you head to questions much to our delight. Of course, when we asked if you wanted to sleep and you shook your head, it was only semi-amusing as the night draws to a close. We are particularly glad that you enjoy toddlers class every Sunday and can sit with the older children to listen to Bible stories and follow along in the actions and songs. We thank God for you and truly think you are His special gift to Daddy and Mommy and the rest of our family. May God continue to teach us how to train you in the way of the Lord so that you would come to know Him and love Him too. We love you very much Sarah and give thanks to God always for you.

with much love and kisses,

Daddy & Mommy

19 April - Sarah's Birthday and Thanksgiving Service

The Lord granted us this beautiful chalet, again through an utterance of prayer and withheld the rains on April 19th for us to remember & proclaim His goodness in our lives since the birth of Sarah, her growth as well as leading and protecting the family since Jan. We thank God for the many hands that made this event possible as well as the love and prayers of family and friends that have sustained us during this trying period. Our song for this occassion:

How vast His grace, How great His faithfulness
How deep His love, How rich His mercy
How high His thoughts, How sure His wisdom
And all of these, He gives to me*

*Chorus:
So I will praise Him with every breath
For He has rescued me from certain death
And now this life I live, I live in Him
Oh let His glory shine, while mine grows dim

How just His ways, How good His discipline
How pure His truth, How kind His goodness
How calm His peace, How long His patience
And all of these, He gives to me*

How broad His power, How grand His majesty
How true His reign, How bright His glory
How strong His might, How clear His triumph
And all of these, He gives to me*

Photos of the event and our family and friends - many thanks to Yanhowe:)

Grandma & Grandpa - Shu Shu David & Auntie Chiaochyi & Hannah

Duayi Dawn - Shu Shu Darrell

Uncle Dr Chua - Uncle Waikin & Auntie FongMeng

Seethors & Teos

Malcolm - Charissa & Angelyn

Auntie LaiMoi, Auntie Adeline, Auntie Esther - Mingyong & Weifang

Youths - Erin & Sandra

Darren & WeeBeng - Uncle Moses & Auntie Yinfong

Carina, Sylvia, Elaine, Cheryl - Auntie Sylvia, Kaima, Uncle Kwai Sung, Dr & Mrs Chua

The Teos

The Extended Teos

The Tans & Seethors

The Seethors

Uncle Henry & Duayi & Sarah [after her bath]

The Lams