Latest update of wed test results ...

Thank GOD, Samuel's CT scan remains clear.
As before, the encologist did not comment on the status of tumour
based on MRI scan, just that it has shrunk further.

Much to our dismay, absolutely no comment on positioning of tumour or
the X-ray result. Therefore, we have to commit these results to GOD
and the surgery proposal to be revealed in next Wed meeting.

She explained that the chemo drugs may wear off its effect by 3rd week
after our 6th chemo on 17/10. Therefore, it is vital that surgery takes place
within this month. Further chemo after this stage is not advisable as the cancer
cells may get used to the chemo drugs and be able to suppress their effects.

Please pray for COMPLETE removal of the tumour without any
complication as encologist explained that any remnant not removable
via surgery may have to be eradicated via radiation.

Prayer requests awaiting Tests and Surgery...

Looking back, we thank GOD for His faithfulness... the fact that we have come this far is a miracle in itself.

This next surgical phase is a major test of our faith... Pray that as a family we will be able to overcome, by using our faith and the authority He has given us to deliver us out of this storm.

We have been reading up on all the possible surgical options pending the result. For those of you who are interested, you may want to find out more from http://sarcomahelp.org/learning_center/ewings_sarcoma.html

Pray for God’s continual protection upon our family in particular Samuel will be fit enough for this coming surgery which according to encologist should be performed within this month.

Pray for favourable result from Wednesday tests. That is CT scan remains clear, MRI scans and Xray will reveal that the tumour has shrunk significantly, dislodging completely from his critical arteries, nerves and veins to render a simple tumour removal surgery.

Pray for COMPLETE removal of the tumour with sufficient additional cuff of normal issue without compromising the functionalities of his leg. We were informed that the removed tumour will also be sent for further biopsy to ascertain how much cancer cells are dead.  Pray for high percentage of this.

Pray that GOD will grant the surgeon wisdom  to perform HIS best option for this reconstructive surgery. In particular, we want to commit the reconstruction of the fractured fibula to HIM. Also GOD will show us CLEARLY the path we should take for this reconstruction surgery. Pray for safe surgery and against infections. Trusting GOD for His healing upon Samuel.  By HIS grace, Samuel will be to get well soon and walk on his own.

Pray that GOD will provide for HIS best for this surgery... we are praying for availability of experienced surgical team and ward A in the orthopaedic  ward.

End of 1st Phase of Chemo - what's next?

The 6th Chemo marks the end of Phase 1 of the Chemo Treatment.

In 3 week's time (16th Nov) will be the appointment to meet with the Orthopedic Surgeon.
This appointment will reveal the followings:

a. the state of the tumour in the right leg (fibula)
b. where and how to remove the tumour via surgery
c. how much of the leg could be saved?(amputation was the initial proposal before chemo started)

As of today, the hardened lump has disappeared on the right leg after the chemos.
But we can still see with the naked eye that the right calf is slightly swollen and bigger than the left.

Xray, CT Scan and MRI will be scheduled in a fortnight's time.

Please pray that God will be gracious and save Samuel's leg.

Amen.

Day 2 & 3 of Treatment

Relatively smooth for the last 2 days.

Sam will start the day with breakfast, have soup for lunch and will avoid food for dinner.
That's because at 8pm is the start of the 2 hrs monster drip called Ifosomide, which causes nausea and vomitting. So Sam decides the best way is to avoid food completely, and sleep by 9pm. Actually, its a pretty good strategy by the boy.

Meanwhile, it will be flushing drips throughout the night till 11am tomorrow, where the final drip of Doxo (4hrs) will begin. After that, it's home sweet home. We surely are looking forward to that.

Cheers.

Day 1 of treatment

We didn't manage to get the A ward that Claire wanted very much. Instead, we are in a 4 bedder B1 ward. There are just 2 occupiers at the moment, Sam and another boy around his age. So it's not so bad after all. Just hoping that the beds don't get filled up in the next few days, so that we can use the space around us. Day 1 treatment started only at 3pm. We have now finished with the Vincristine, Epotopside and Ifosamide. It's flushing time, from now to tomorrow 11am before the administration of the last drug, Doxorubin. That will the completion of the first cycle, which takes a 24 hours. 3 cycles of this same treatment will complete this round of treatment. Samuel is now taking the treatment with stride. He read his story books, watch some TV, played with his PSP, got to computer games and Facebook. He ate a little bit of noodles for dinner, and is taking sufficient liquid. By 9:30pm, he is tired and went to bed after saying a short prayer. Mummy will spend the night with Sam at the hospital.

Preparing for 6th chemo next Mon 17 Oct

Thank you once again for praying for Samuel during his 5th chemo.
I know of a group of friends who prayed fervently for him for 3 hrs!
Thank you for your deep love for Samuel. We had a breakthrough when
Samuel took some meals that time.

Frankly, I was quite disturbed during our stay in B1 ward.
Some concerned friends and family members who visited
the patient opposite us seemed to have a tug of war between religion.
Very disturbing as some of them were 'forcing' the eight year old
 to choose between Jesus and Buddha in order to ursher in the ONE to
help her ! First night, there were prayers up to 11 pm ...
Miraculously through it all, Samuel still experienced a deep sense of
HIS PEACE and he slept through the commotion!

For 6th chemo, please pray for HIS provision for a A Ward.
I had been cooking simple meals for him in the hospital using
the hotpot as he rejects hospital meals. Pray that HE will help
me in Samuel's meal preparation.

Please pray for God's protection upon Samuel as he needed a
blood transfusion last week due to low Hb. Pray that
chemotheraphy will effectively eradicate the cancer cells and
for His protection to spare his good cells and whole being.

Often times, Samuel withdraws into his own room
to do his own things. Pray that we will be able to meet his needs
physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Sam has sore throat in the first weekend back home.
The GCSF jab on friday made him lethargic the following day.
We kept a watchful eye over him.
Thankfully, he recovered and this week, he is back to his usual self

Sunday was particularly nice as we have Ezra (Sam's best friend) at our house.
It brought joy to Sam as they chatted almost endlessly.
The next hospital consultation was planned for Sam & Ezra to be together, so the boys are really looking forward to it.

The massive lump on his right calf surrounding the tumour seemed to have disappeared to the naked eye after 5 rounds of chemo treatment
We don't know the condition of the bone tumour at this moment though.
Has it shrunk, is it still the same as before....?

We will need to wait for the completion of the 6th chemo treatment.
Only then will the orthopedic surgeon examine Sam and decide on the next action
Its pretty frustrating as the doc simply refused to tell us anything. Not even a word of encouragement.
In fact, we got ticked off for arranging a session to meet with the surgeon ahead of schedule.....

Well, MOH certainly trained their doctors well, all with good brains but i wonder why are their hearts and that little element of EQ?

Anyway, we still trust that God will save the leg and the need to amputate will not be necessary.
Please pray along....thanks.