Day 3 of 2nd chemo treatment

We have Just finished the treatment for the day (10pm). Now is the flushing session (for the next 14 hours) where sodium chloride solution will be dripped into the body to flush out the waste. Sam took the treatment extremely well today. No vomiting. But he also ate very little ( small pack of cornflake, a banana and a pear). The mere mention of food will make him want to puke. He feels weak, obviously, after more than 2 days of avoiding solid food.

The school's vice principals and his form teacher from St Hilda visited him in the late afternoon (only at the door). They brought along many get well cards and notes written by Sam's classmates. Sam was smiling broadly when he read the cards. Really treasure the big smile on his face.

He is sleeping now, and so is Claire. It has been a tiring and emotionally draining 3 days at the hospital. Tomorrow we will continue with the last phase of the chemo treatment. The last drug will be applied around 12pm. There is a good possibility that we can go home tomorrow evening, after the full 72 hours of treatment . We are all looking forward to go home tomorrow. Praise the Lord.

Day 2 of Chemotherapy treatment

The most feared chemotherapy drug, ifosfamide (which is notorious for the nausea and vomitting effects on Samuel), has been applied. Sam slept thru the later part of the 2 hour drip, without vomitting. Praise the Lord. He is now sound asleep, and we pray that it will be a sound sleep all the way to the next morning.

We are now half way thru the 72 hours treatment. Today, Sam's spirit is a little low, that he has become quiet and a little bit withdrawn. Not his usual chatty behavior. He took some biscuits for breakfast, and then refused to take any solid food for lunch and dinner, except for an apple and a kiwi fruit. However, he cooperated with lots of fluid intake, mainly water and some soup.

We pray that the chemotherapy drugs will take their effects to kill all the cancel cells in Sam's body. We continue to believe that God has already healed the boy, and that this treatment process is a journey of faith and trust in the Lord.

Day 1 of 2nd chemotherapy treatment

We are very early This morning at KK Hospital for the blood check. Thank GOD that Samuel's neutrophil level (WBC) is at 1.03, which is above the minimum level of 1. Sam is allowed to proceed with the chemotherapy treatment, otherwise, we will be send home to wait for another week.

The treatment started pretty late, around 4pm, as the pharmacy seemed to be overcrowded in dispensing with the chemotherapy drugs.
At this time of posting, we are 3/4 way thru Day1 dosage. Samuel has vomitted once, which is much better than our first experience. During the first treatment, Sam has already vomitted 5 times by this stage, so praise the Lord. The drugs is causing Sam to be very drowsy, and he has fallen asleep.

We pray that Sam will be able to rest well in the midst of the treatment. It will be a full 72 hours (3days treatment). Praise God that he only vomitted once so far, and that he will be able to hold up against the vomitting and nausea in the next 3 days.

Prayer requests for Samuel 2nd chemo (26/7 TUE – 29/7 FRI)

Thanksgiving



Thank GOD that we have finally managed to establish the skype account to

Sunday School yesterday so that Sam can continue to enjoy sunday school

Thanks to Suzanne and her team. May God continue to shower this blessing

for Sam to worship HIM.





Thank GOD for showing us HIS love through brothers and sisters who have

showered their love sarcrificially and making this journey more bearable ...

and may many others(non-believers) see HIM at work too ...





Prayer requests for Samuel





For GOD to grant Derrick, Claire and Samuel the peace which HE alone can

provide. Pray for Derrick and Claire to stay calm with Samuel and help us see

hospitalization from Samuel's point of view (eg he told us he cannot bear

the 45 min in the MRI laying still). Help us to anticipate and quell his fears

(nausea and vomitting). Lead us all to health care workers that will also

love and respect Samuel. Pray for unity, respect for each other, love, peace N joy!




Pray that the chemo to have positive effect in the shrinking of the tumour

and removal of the 2 spots in Samuel's lungs. He has been coughing on

and off. Please plead with GOD together with us to clear these spots.

Pray for HIS protection and complete healing.




For God's mercy and miracle that we need not have to go through so many

rounds of chemo to shrink the tumour. Was told by a Pastor Joshua

(his son had osteosacroma another kind of bone cancer) , that after 3rd

chemo, his son was ready for surgery to remove the tumor.

Today, he is back in school ... Praise God.





Samuel's treatment is

a) 6 mth of chemo to shrink the tumour

b) surgery to remove the tumour

c) 8 mth of chemo/radiotherapy to eradicate all remaining cancer cell


For GOD to encourage us to trust and have faith in HIM, draw strength

from HIS word. For myself(Claire), I am claiming Isaiah 40:11 this week.

I do struggle with caregiving and cooking(in particular food - fully cooked??)

For Samuel, he is lost in his world (computers , PSP, TV and books),

may HE guide us to help him to draw strength from the KING's word too.

Incidentally, Samuel wants to invite everyone who support us to enjoy a big

feast with him once he recovers!

For God's provision for a Class A so that both Derrick and Claire can be with Samuel.

Homefront

Caleb will be able to adjust to staying full-time with the LIMs again and be

more independent

Lelia our new helper(very new) will be able to cook for herself and take care of our home

White Blood Cells are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials.

Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell, comprising about 50% - 70% of all white blood cells.

The measure of a normal person's WBC is between 12.5 - 15.0, and Neutrophils between 1.5 - 8.5.

Samuel had his blood check done yesterday back at the hospital and his readings for WBC = 0.99 and Neutrophils = 0.15

We need to be very concious of his personal hygiene as well as the surrounding environment. The boy has a habit of putting his fingers into his mouth, and dislike washing his hands and frequently.

Absolutely no visitors at this stage, so do forgive.

Next tuesday, 26th Jul, 9am is the scheduled re-admission for the 2nd round of chemo.

Meanwhile, we pray that Sam will not succumb to any virus or bacterial infections because of low immunity.

Some pictures for your viewing.....

Sam having computer time this morning.
Saw his thinning hairs?













A picture of his chemo treatment in the hospital.
The chemo drugs are continuously dripped into his body intravenously.












Sam's best friend Ezra visiting to cheer him up before the start of the chemo treatment.



























Can you see the obvious "lump" in his right calf? That is the location of the tumour. We pray that GOD will cause it to wither and die, and that Sam will be completely healed from this disease. Amen.

Dropping Hair and Great Appetite

Samuel has developed a great appetite for food over the last two days. Has been asking for food barely an hour after eating his meals...honestly, its so nice to see him eat....

Another thing that we observed is that he is dropping hair. But he still refused to have his hair cut or shaved.

When we inspected the location of the "lump" on his right leg, we can see that it has physically shrunk, compared with its' initial size. Even Caleb exclaimed that the lump has become smaller. Perhaps its the chemo drug doing its work. Praise the Lord. We pray that the Lord will continue to make it wither and die eventually.

1st week home ... after chemo

Latest update

For Samuel

- thank god that samuel's soft bone marrow test was clear.

This is vital as doctors need to extract his bone marrow
as 'backup' for emergency.
pray for god's protection and healing


- latest blood test indicates Samuel's immunity has plunged
significantly.

pray for all at home to adhere to hygiene standards especially the children
Visitors to be understanding as to why we need to turn them away


- thank god samuel has slowly regained his confidence, started eating and
interaction with people However, spent too much time on computer,tv
and sometimes behaves like a 'king'

pray that we as parents can truly meet all his needs and teach him godly ways.
need His grace and wisdom as we struggle to keep Sam's spirit up and not turn
him to become a spolit brat.


For the family
- to draw closer to God as a family to face the challenges ahead.
Pray that GOD will strengthen our inner man and faith to be victorious in HIM.


- Thank God that Derrick can work from him from this quarter but pray that
God to provide a way out regarding his need to travel and protect his position


- Thank God for support and guidance from a few families of kids in remission,
relatives and friends. Pray that Claire will take up the role of main caregiver well.


- Thank God for our neighbour the Lims who take care of Caleb like a family
member when we are not available. Plan to counsel him with details of
Samuel's illness to prepare him better for lifestyle changes eg
no more bed 'rugby' with sam and 'cheek-to-cheek' sharing with sam

pray that he will be able to understand and cooperate

Once again, thanks for your partnership with us in walking this Journey.
May our Good Lord be magnified through it all !

Prayer Items after 1st Course of Chemotherapy

Urgent prayer request for 12/6/2011 - Pray for Derrick

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pray for protection, healing  and rest as he has some gastric discomfort and fever.

    Thank God for help provided by sister Wai Yee to accompany us for the appointments

Pray for the Family

      --------------------------

       - May the Glory of our LORD be lifted up in this ordeal and  

       pray for our faith not to faltered... may HIS strength be magnified in our weaknesses

        - God 's word and promises will not returned to HIM void.

Pray for God to lift up Samuel.

      ----------------------------------------

    * For healing and wholeness.  For God to touch him with His healing hands and restore Samuel to total health.

      For God to completely remove cancerous cells from his right calf and his lungs(unknown ducts).

  

  * Pray for positive result from his soft bone tissue test (just done last monday, yet to know results

    * That sickness and infirmity will have no place or power in his life 

    * Cover Samuel with the blood of the Lamb from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet, protecting Samuel's

      body from cancer and infections.  

  

    * Bind all negative thoughts, anxiety, despair, anger and rejection and loose peace and joy.

       Now, he is always on computer and tv.

       Has become very lethargic and demanding. eg take 1 hr to drink 1 cup of water  ( Matthew 18:18 )

     * For God to remove the nauseous feeling and to bring Samuel's appetite back to normal.

     * For God to place in Samuel a desire to drink plenty of fluid and to eat healthy food and to maintain proper bodily hygiene
     * Pray for a close, happy, loving and fulfilling relationship between Samuel and his parents and siblings. May there always
       be good communication between them and may any unforgiveness have no root in their hearts. Help him to love, value,
       appreciate and respect his parents so that the God-ordained tie between them cannot be broken.   Give him a heart of
       forgiveness and reconciliation.

    *  For God to send ('right') saints to minister to Samuel.

       During his downtime, he rejects meeting/talking to his own brother Caleb and best friend Erza.

    *  For Samuel to be open to suggestions, advice, etc from parents, doctors, nurses, other cancer survivors, social workers, CCF volunteers, etc.

    * Give Dr Tan Ah Moy  wisdom and full knowledge to treat Samuel in the most effective way

     * Give Dr Mathew Cheng wisdom to perform the surgery.

       

Pray for protection against infection/complications as this will still down the above treatments. 

The family appreciates concerns from friends. However , please refrain from calling or visiting the family , so as to give the family privacy and peace. This would also  reduce Samuel's  risk  of infection.  We would update this blog as often as we can to keep the information the most up to date.

Samuel 1st Treatment

Hi friends,

Samuel would be admitted tomorrow (03 July 11) afternoon to prepare for a minor surgery for porta cap insertion and extraction of soft bone for biopsy. The chemotherapy starts on Tuesday.

Please support us with prayer on the following :

1. God's presence , unity and peace.
2. Perfect health for all in the family.
3. God's protection for Samuel. Pray against infection and side effects of the tratment (immunity slowsdown 10-15 days later)
4. Readiness in the homefront for Sam's return 5 days later
5. Caleb would be able to adjust in the Lim family.
6. Relatives to be able to stand in the gap to supervise domestic helper.
7. The domestic helper training and adjustment to the family to be smooth and well. Pray that she can be submissive and be teacheable.
8. God's wisdom on the operations team and the oncology team. Pray for good coordination.

The family appreciates concerns from friends. However , please refrain from calling or visiting the family , so as to give the family privacy and peace. This would also  reduce Samuel's  risk  of infection.  We would update this blog as often as we can to keep the information the most up to date.