We recieved the best Christmas present we can hope for when the surgeon told us that the histopathology results were "negative for malignancy" on the removed tumour and the surrounding muscle margin. No atypical cells are seen. They are 100% dead.
We thank the Lord for this very positive result. God's word is very powerful, and we have repeatedly used his word to curse the tumor in Jesus' name. Just as Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered from the roots, the tumor in Sam has withered from its roots.
Sam will now embark on the 3rd phase of the treatment. This phase requires Sam to undergo 8 more rounds of chemo treatment to eradicate remaining cancel cells that may not have been killed earlier. Each treatment will require 3 - 4 days stay in the hospital, with an interval of 3 weeks in between treatments.
We will start the treatment on the coming Monday, 19th Dec and we will be back to KKH.....
Friday, 16 December 2011
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Back home, rehab, cold pads & afo
We are now back home for rehab.
Sam is resting well.
He has to undergo 3 exercises a day, all meant to get him back to walking again.
It's not easy, each exercise meant lots of pain and cold pads are needed to help ease the pain.
He still need painkillers too.
At the moment, he still can't stretch out his right leg completely, and is wheel chair bound.
Below is a picture of the scar left behind on his leg.
It is a long incision in order to remove the tumour.
About 15cm of the fibula, together with surrounding muscles and nerve are also removed.
Sam will need the assistance of an ankle foot orthotics (afo) in order to walk properly.
This device helps him to overcome the foot drop condition.
Today, Sam has his best friend over to our house, and they are happily playing computer games.
Nice to hear laughters in the house....
Sam is resting well.
He has to undergo 3 exercises a day, all meant to get him back to walking again.
It's not easy, each exercise meant lots of pain and cold pads are needed to help ease the pain.
He still need painkillers too.
At the moment, he still can't stretch out his right leg completely, and is wheel chair bound.
Below is a picture of the scar left behind on his leg.
It is a long incision in order to remove the tumour.
About 15cm of the fibula, together with surrounding muscles and nerve are also removed.
Sam will need the assistance of an ankle foot orthotics (afo) in order to walk properly.
This device helps him to overcome the foot drop condition.
Today, Sam has his best friend over to our house, and they are happily playing computer games.
Nice to hear laughters in the house....
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
6 days after surgery
Thank GOD that we could be discharged today. Looking back, we are so grateful to
GOD for HIS unfailing love and faithfulness. We had started the surgery phase with
much apprehension, not knowing what to expect and to do, He saw us through with
strong support from friends and relatives...
- Friends who had helped us seek professional counsel;
- Friends who even booked appointments for us for 2nd opinions;
- Friend who accompanied us to the doctors so as to help us make more
informed decisions;
- Buddy and his mummy who came to our ward at 6.30 am in morning
to accompany us to the operating theatre;
- Godma who came to prepare Sam and prayed with him prior to surgery;
- Cancer survivors' parents shared their experiences with us
(some of whom I had not seen before!);
- CCF social worker who dropped by constantly to prepare Sam;
- Aunties and uncles who dropped by to cheer him;
- Neighbours and buddy that took care of Caleb during our hospital stay,
they even helped us to purchase his new school books and uniform;
- Friends that called constantly to cheer ;
- Aunty, Buddy's mummy, grand uncle and grand aunty who took time
to cooked and delivered home cooked meals for him when he refused
hospital meals;
- Buddy's mummy who run all the errands for us when we had to be in
hospital with Sam.
Indeed, we are so blessed! Thank you!
Latest Report
Sam was so determined to be discharged earlier that he walked quite a long way
with a walking frame to show the Surgeon.
The following is a report by Surgeon :
" Samuel had undergone elective wide Local excision of right proximal fibula
and peroneal nerve on 1st dec.
The operative findings were that of right proximal fibular Ewing's sarcoma
involving the neck and proximal metaphyseal fibular shaft with good response
to chemotherapy, with hardly any macroscopic soft tissue component. Previous
healed biopsy scar seen at the proximal peroneal compartment. The peroneal
nerve is seen to bury into the peroneal muscles at the proximal fibular neck
region. He tolerated the procedure well and is fitted with an ankle foot orthosis. "
Prayer requests
Surgeon informed us that Samuel is not out of the woods yet. Pray for speedy
recovery, healthy diet and positive histology report so that chemotherapy can
start soon.
Due to his physical condition, Samuel resists going out. However, he needs the
sunshine especially to overcome MSRA infection. The physiotherapy exercises
that Sam has to take is quite painful for him. Now, he cannot really straighten
his right leg. However, it is important that he exercises often to alleviate
his footdrop. Otherwise, may suffer 'long-short legs' phenomenon when he walks.
As he is in need of help most of the times, it can be very frustrating for him.
He is experiencing 'funny sensation' which added to his frustration(the doctors
explained that is due to his brain sending signals to the absent peroneal nerve)
He is also very concerned about catching up with his classmates in Primary 6.
We have tried to convince him to defer his studies but this is a non-negotiable
item with him now. We really do not know how to help him get back to his study
as his treatment tentatively ends in May-June next year.
Pray for encouragements for him to overcome all the difficulties he faces and
God will guide us as to how to help him.
Even as we trust in the Lord about His plans for Samuel, pray that HE will
direct our path and persevere.
GOD for HIS unfailing love and faithfulness. We had started the surgery phase with
much apprehension, not knowing what to expect and to do, He saw us through with
strong support from friends and relatives...
- Friends who had helped us seek professional counsel;
- Friends who even booked appointments for us for 2nd opinions;
- Friend who accompanied us to the doctors so as to help us make more
informed decisions;
- Buddy and his mummy who came to our ward at 6.30 am in morning
to accompany us to the operating theatre;
- Godma who came to prepare Sam and prayed with him prior to surgery;
- Cancer survivors' parents shared their experiences with us
(some of whom I had not seen before!);
- CCF social worker who dropped by constantly to prepare Sam;
- Aunties and uncles who dropped by to cheer him;
- Neighbours and buddy that took care of Caleb during our hospital stay,
they even helped us to purchase his new school books and uniform;
- Friends that called constantly to cheer ;
- Aunty, Buddy's mummy, grand uncle and grand aunty who took time
to cooked and delivered home cooked meals for him when he refused
hospital meals;
- Buddy's mummy who run all the errands for us when we had to be in
hospital with Sam.
Indeed, we are so blessed! Thank you!
Latest Report
Sam was so determined to be discharged earlier that he walked quite a long way
with a walking frame to show the Surgeon.
The following is a report by Surgeon :
" Samuel had undergone elective wide Local excision of right proximal fibula
and peroneal nerve on 1st dec.
The operative findings were that of right proximal fibular Ewing's sarcoma
involving the neck and proximal metaphyseal fibular shaft with good response
to chemotherapy, with hardly any macroscopic soft tissue component. Previous
healed biopsy scar seen at the proximal peroneal compartment. The peroneal
nerve is seen to bury into the peroneal muscles at the proximal fibular neck
region. He tolerated the procedure well and is fitted with an ankle foot orthosis. "
Prayer requests
Surgeon informed us that Samuel is not out of the woods yet. Pray for speedy
recovery, healthy diet and positive histology report so that chemotherapy can
start soon.
Due to his physical condition, Samuel resists going out. However, he needs the
sunshine especially to overcome MSRA infection. The physiotherapy exercises
that Sam has to take is quite painful for him. Now, he cannot really straighten
his right leg. However, it is important that he exercises often to alleviate
his footdrop. Otherwise, may suffer 'long-short legs' phenomenon when he walks.
As he is in need of help most of the times, it can be very frustrating for him.
He is experiencing 'funny sensation' which added to his frustration(the doctors
explained that is due to his brain sending signals to the absent peroneal nerve)
He is also very concerned about catching up with his classmates in Primary 6.
We have tried to convince him to defer his studies but this is a non-negotiable
item with him now. We really do not know how to help him get back to his study
as his treatment tentatively ends in May-June next year.
Pray for encouragements for him to overcome all the difficulties he faces and
God will guide us as to how to help him.
Even as we trust in the Lord about His plans for Samuel, pray that HE will
direct our path and persevere.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
3rd day after Surgery
Thank God that today Samuel can go off morphine and is no longer feeling nausea. He is recovering but needs a lot of encouragement to get him to eat especially hospital food.
We are very grateful to GOD for providing us with superb surgical team. The anaesthetist was so assuring, she prayed with us and made Samuel feel so at ease. She even played 'ANGRY BIRD' on the iPad with him before he passed out before the surgery!
It is important that Samuel eat well to recover and to build up before the next chemotherapy in 2-3 weeks time. Surgeon encouraged us that we have only 1 phase left to go. Another 8 rounds of chemotherapy and we should be on the road to recovery.
Please continue to pray against infection especially from superbugs, discomfort, restoration of appetite and speedy healing so that the next phase of rehabilitation can begin.
Tomorrow, the physiotherapist is going to fix 2 splints for him. Pray for thankful, cheerful and courageous hearts to adjust to the changes to lifestyle. Also, tender, loving care from the physiotherapist.
We are believing GOD for a miracle for Samuel. By HIS Grace, Samuel will be healed and be able to walk well soon to the Glory of God!
Friday, 2 December 2011
1st day after surgery
Thank God for providing us with such wonderful friends, doctors.
The operation went smoothly accordingly to plan - it was a wide ressection
about 15-16 cm of his fibula was removed along with part of his peroneal
nerve, muscles and other issues. He is resting back in the room and is
a bit feverish and feeling nausea.
Pray against infection, discomfort and restoration of appetite. Had not eaten
anything yet.
The operation went smoothly accordingly to plan - it was a wide ressection
about 15-16 cm of his fibula was removed along with part of his peroneal
nerve, muscles and other issues. He is resting back in the room and is
a bit feverish and feeling nausea.
Pray against infection, discomfort and restoration of appetite. Had not eaten
anything yet.
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