Mom can't eat...

God must have pressed the fast forward button this week, today is already her last day of having induction chemo therapy.  And it must be our prayers, she has be tolerating the medications better than expected.  Thanks for listening God!!!

20121024 Wednesday - Chemo Day 5:  Uncle Simon Tam and family sent us (yes, including us) a big basket with lots of fruits and sweets, even crafty toys for the boys.  Mom and Dad took all they wanted, thanks!!!  (Thanks Danielle and Catherine for dropping it to me, it's heavy!!!)  Mom was still very tired but she's more awake when I got there.  Dad kept saying no to things I brought them but Mom saying the opposite, hahaha.  When I asked why, he said, "I'm just scared that I'll need to peel off the skins of each of the grapes for mommy.", hahaha.  He must be exhausted.  Thanks Daddy - I know the focus is on Mom most of the time but we all know that you are the biggest angel God sent to Mom.  Hang in there you big boy!!!  

Mom's platelets are still very low, she will continue to get transfusion but due to the low platelets, she has a little hematuria (blood in her pee).  She was able to finished a big cup of soup but was sweating a little afterwards cuz' the soup was nice and hot.  The room is actually very warm.  I'll bring them a folding fan next time I visit.  I also brought them some sweet buns (雞尾包) mom was craving, pineapple bread (菠蘿包) dad was craving and the cup noodles just in case.  Plus, a mooncake, hahaha.  Mom is getting weaker and weaker everyday I visit cuz' of the induction chemo but according to Carly, even the good cells are attacked.  That's why she'll be lack of breathe, with low energy, tired and with some other side effects like bleeding, etc.  But those are all expected.

20121025 Thursday - Chemo Day 6: today she's suffering a lot I know, especially in the afternoon when her whole mouth is hurt and bleeding.  She's so in pain that she can't even swallow a thing down and that's why she didn't eat at all today.  The nurse gave her a suction tube, similar to those we use in the dentist, to suck out all her fluids blocking her air way.  It's bloody!  My heart sinks when I see her suffer.  God, please keep it to the minimal.  Dad told me that she's already much better when I arrived at night.  At least she can talk and rest.  It must be hard for Dad I'm sure.  She still tried Auntie Connie's soup even though it was so hard for her to swallow.  She's thinking if we should ask the soup team to stop preparing soup/congee for her until she's better.  I'll confirm with her later today.  Dietitian will access her tomorrow.  Gloria says it can become critical if this lasts for 5 days or more.  She recommended "Ensure" and I'm sure Mom will get the same recommendations.

Her skin is showing some allergic reactions too.  This keeps her from falling asleep.  When Mom is trying to scratch, Dad, the no. 4, automatically sat by her and started touching her gently until she falls asleep.  I don't want to be anyone else's son, only you two!!!  

Look forward to our next Fam Jam

Here are some other facts/updates by Carly, FYI:

• Low hemoglobin - on top of killing the cancer cells, the drugs are strong enough to kill the normal bone marrow. The blood counts will continue to be VERY low but this will be treated by transfusion and it's an expected side effect.  
• Lung issue part 1 - tests came back all negative, which means no fungal pneumonia, thank God!
• Lung issue part 2 - more tests will be done to check her blood vessels connecting the lungs to make sure that she does not have pulmonary hypertension (increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs).  Please add this to your prayer items.
• Kidney issues - her kidney is not behaving very well due to the drugs and/or from her not having enough fluid.  We don't want fluids in her lung but at the same time we want to have fluids in her kidney/body.  God, please give Mom's body the right balance.
• AML treatment plan - after this round of chemo, another bone marrow biopsy will be done on Day 28-30.  If she responded well, she'll likely to move ahead with a transplant.  If not, she'll require more chemo.  

Fian will help looking for more information from the doctors in HK for the transplant.  Pray that God will give her a perfect match.  Pray that Mom's suffer is minimal.  Pray that her blood pressure in the lung arteries are normal.  Pray that God gives Mom's body the right balance and she'll respond well to this round of chemo.  

Pray also that God can use us through this little hurdle to show His love to ppl around us.

I'm so proud of Dad when I was a little boy cuz' he always donate blood regularly.  One leukemia patient actually needs a lot.  Thanks if you are one of the donors!!!

The second Motto Mom gives me in my life...

施比受更為有福

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35)