POSITIVELY OPTIMISTIC

UPDATE - APRIL 2010

2010-04-28T15:12:00.001+08:00

Praise the Lord! Edward is well.

Edward went for his routine PETscan on Friday. Today, he collected the results. He also did the usual blood tests. PETscan shows complete remission and blood test is good. Doc is very pleased and so are all of us. The next checkup is on 6th October 2010. Thank you all for all your prayers and support. God bless.

HAPPY UPDATE

2009-09-11T21:04:00.003+08:00

Edward has completed all his chemo + radiation sessions. He has also completed his National Service obligations and is now back to being a civilian - for those unfamiliar with Singapore's policy on National Service, check this out.

Edward will be entering University next year and till then, with God's grace, love and support of his family, and friends too, Edward is free of all encumberances which in simple terms means he can relax, take it easy and just enjoy his good health!

Cheers and God Bless everyone who has stopped by this blog and in your own way channelled positive vibes, prayers and good wishes to Edward and his family!

A CHANCE MEETING

2009-07-19T10:45:00.004+08:00

Last weekend I was doing a spot of shopping at the mall and I caught a glimpse of someone that I thought looked like Edward. I increased my pace and got behind this strapping young man and hesitated before tapping him on the back. Even when he turned around to face me I was still unsure - "is this Edward?" - and then I saw the smile, the unmistakable cheeky grin and that confirmed it for me! Amazing is all I can say. My son last saw Edward when they were both very young and when he joined us and I told him who Edward was he was equally amazed. Later he told me that he couldn't believe that it was the same person that I had not long ago mentioned, was struck with a medical hurdle.

Edward was shopping for clothes as none of his current trousers fit =D Visions of the incredible hulk come to mind. But its all good! He is happy and to quote my son "very positive" and I also believe its all thru' the wonderful love of his family and friends and prayers from all of you and last but definitely not least, God's amazing grace.

Here is an update from Charlotte:

Dear Family and very good friends,

Thank you for your continuing prayers for Edward. He is well and has put on weight.(This is something he has to watch)

He has completed 5 days of radiation therapy. The whole process of the actual radiation takes about 2 minutes 5 seconds, thereabouts.( I think this is the only place in the hospital where we don't have to wait - haha!) So far so good. Aparently, he will begin to feel the beginning effects of radiation maybe by week 2 or week 2 and a half. The whole course of the radiation therapy lasts 3 weeks (5 weekdays, weekends no treatment) or 15 days.

Take care and God bless.

Love,

Charl

And our prayers continue.

2009-06-26T15:19:00.004+08:00

An update from Charlotte, Edward's Mum:

Thank you for praying for Edward during the chemo treatment. Sorry for the long silence. Cycle 4b of chemo was completed 2 weeks ago - no more chemo after that.

He still has radiation therapy to go for from Jul 13 to Jul 31. Yesterday, we went for the usual checkup, all blood tests are normal and the Doctor said that Edward had responded well to treatment (after cycle 2), no more active lymphoma cells. At that time Dr. Lim had called it 'Technical' Remission but today the doc we saw said it can be said that Edward is in Complete remission ( We have only the Lord to thank and Praise). This is indeed very happy and good news for Edward and for all of us. I just wanted to update you as I have been tardy in sending out email for the past month.

Would appreciate your continuing prayers for Edward as he goes through Radiation therapy and then for the future, that remission stays complete.

Take care and God bless.

Really good news that has to be shared amongst all of you who have faithfully prayed during the journey of this family. Thank you and your ongoing prayers are most welcome.

CYCLE 4A - 7 Down....1 to go!

2009-05-31T18:50:00.003+08:00

Hi everyone,

This is not going to be a long story.....

Could not give you an earlier update because for this cycle, 4a, Edward met up with his doc on friday morn after blood test and then went for chemo in the afternoon of the same day.

Anyway, the blood test result was very good and the doc was really so pleased. I've not seen him looking this satisfied before. After that appointment , Edward did the chemo 4a for that day. This leaves him just one last session 4b of chemo. Hard to believe...... how time has gone by and yet it does not seem that time has really gone by. Edward is well and everything is ok. Praise God. Will keep you all updated as usual. Once again thanks for your prayers. Take care and God bless.

Love,
Charlotte

The above is an email excerpt from Edwards' mum, Charlotte.

Fantastic news!

2009-05-18T08:12:00.002+08:00

CYCLE 3B......as you read this, Edward is probably having his sixth dose this morning.... May 18 2009.

6 down....2 to go. Still a little winding but not such a long road anymore.

Keep on praying as we cheer the family along. Your love and support has been much appreciated.

2009-04-30T09:10:00.001+08:00

In view of the good results at the review yesterday, April 29, 2009, Cycle 3A of chemotherapy will commence today...........Still very much in our thoughts and prayers.

2009-04-29T17:58:00.003+08:00

Good news must always be shared. Today was Edward's review with the doctor where all test results would have come back and the doctor would brief the family on the progress/prognosis todate. He is at the half way mark where his treatment is concerned.

With God's grace, continuous prayer and love and support of family and friends........Edward is now in a technical remission. The family thanks you for all your prayers and support.

As Edward continues down the road that is now not so long or winding we will still continue with our prayers and support.

CYCLE 2B APRIL 16 2009

2009-04-16T10:05:00.003+08:00

Today Edward goes for another round of Chemo in Cycle 2. Here's an excerpt of an email his mother sent to update us on the progress so far..........

Yesterday we went to National Cancer Centre with Edward to see his doc. They did the usual blood test. The White blood cell count is within acceptable limits. So we have the green light to continue with chemo today at 12.30 pm.

Great news! Our thoughts and prayers with Edward today.

We remain cautiously confident even though the doctor has declared that in his opinion the 'invaders' have been wiped out and his scheduled PET scan next week will turn up negative......meaning no more cancer cells! Please continue with your prayers for Edward and anyone else who is battling an illness of some sort.

2009-04-01T18:43:00.003+08:00

Today's blood test, review etc., went well. Edward is on the right track, per his doctor and should continue with whatever it is he's been doing with regards to his food/lifestyle. Way to go young man! Great news.

Tomorrow is the start of Cycle 2 for his chemotherapy.

2009-03-31T22:38:00.001+08:00

No news in this instance is good news. Everything going according to plan.

2009-03-18T13:21:00.000+08:00

Today, is the second session of chemo, completing Cycle 1. Pre-therapy review was good and hopefully today's session is as event free as session 1.

It’s the “prayer offered in faith” that works. Not just wishful prayers for healing, but the prayer of faith.

HODGKINS LYMPHOMA

2009-03-16T16:57:00.001+08:00

What is Hodgkins Lymphoma?
Hodgkins Lymphoma (HL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system - the network of lymph glands and channels which occurs throughout the body. This collects lymph - fluid that bathes all the body cells. The lymphatic system is also a very important part of the immune system which keeps the body free of infection. This is mainly achieved by the cells within the lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues. These are called lymphocytes and, like other blood cells are produced within the bone marrow. Lymphocytes can be classified into sub-groups according to their function the main groups are B-cells and T-cells. Different types of lymphocytes produce antibodies and directly destroy some infecting organisms, especially viruses. Tumours of the lymphatic tissues are known as lymphomas.

There are two main types of lymphoma, Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL), and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). The defining feature of Hodgkins Lymphoma is the presence of a distinctive abnormal lymphocyte called a Reed-Sternberg cell. Hodgkins Lymphoma has a very high cure rate, especially in younger patients diagnosed with early stage disease. In this group the cure rate may approach 100%.

2009-03-16T16:24:00.000+08:00

With this upload I will give a short introduction to a wonderful story that is still unfolding and which has taught me so much in so many different ways.

The young son of a very dear friend was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma.
This young man is the picture of health, a fulltime National Serviceman with about a year or so to go before his ORD. No signs that anything was wrong.

At this point, I'll only give the basics and will embark on the fine details when everyone and everything is ready.

When we all hear the big C (cancer) word, chaos takes reign in our minds. I was as devastated as the family as I have a young son born exactly 2 years earlier so its all very close to the heart. I tried to be calm, rational and positive but I cried after I got off the phone and started reading up anything and everything I could get my hands on with regards to the topic Lymphoma. In the midst of all this, we prayed. We prayed when he had the biopsy done, prayed during the CT scan, bone marrow extraction..........just prayed, and our prayers were answered in that this is a very treatable, curable form of cancer. However, nothing is to be taken for granted because as my friend, the mother of this boy remarked "God is a giver". Inasmuch as He gives, He can also take away. Those words will ring forever in my ears. She is a pillar of strength. Unwavering in her faith and confidence in God. Reassuring and comforting others whilst we should be the ones reassuring her. I am connected to this mother and child thru' her sister-in-law, who is the sister of her husband. She and I are childhood friends. I am moved by their tenacity, love, trust in God and their overall cohesiveness as a family unit. In this short space of time since the diagnosis and the ongoing treatment, they continue to share their love and friendship, carrying on with their lives, not wanting their little bump in the road to affect anyone's life and urging and reassuring everyone that life goes on.

I had a chance meeting with this young man today. The absolute picture of normalcy, cheerful, witty and a little chubbilicious, which to me is an excellent sign that he's eating well and not adversely affected by his chemotherapy. If I didn't know better I'd say there's absolutely nothing out of the ordinary where this young man is concerned. A small little cloud hovering over me almost immediately drifted away. Really and truly there is a God!