近況和計畫 (3/2/2015)

親愛的家人,

早上靈修, 約翰福音15:9-17 再次地提醒我, 結果子是在弟兄姊妹中間, 是在彼此相愛裡. 過去的18個月, 我和麗方就是這樣活在你們愛的支援下. 【愛人, 接受愛的生活, 才是按照神形象受造的人得享幸福喜樂的生活方式】!  過去的主日, 我在  youth 講道, 有人沒看到我, 因此很關心. 也有各樣的謠言, 有的說我要休假6個月 (聽起來不錯! !) 甚至有人問, 牧師, 你還回來嗎? ?? 每天, 弟兄姊妹有各樣的關心.  有人說- 牧師你要多吃點! 有人說, 牧師, 你要少吃點! 有人說, 你胖了! 同一天, 有人說, 你瘦了! 有人關心血壓, 有人關心血脂, 還有弟兄來陪我運動 ...  我想該給大家報告一下近況和計畫, 以杜絕謠言!

我 還好, 回頭去看沒有甚麼遺憾, 而且看到神藉著麗芳的工作. 理性上接受了麗芳離去的事實, 只剩濃濃的思念!  感情上還在適應. 麗芳的衣物都已打包捐出, 車子也送給需要的姊妹開了! 然而, 這不是為了避免 "睹物思人"!  我住的屋子, 一草一木都是兩人一起添置的, 要將麗芳的影子挪去,是件不可能的任務. 即使賣了房子, 28年同心同行的記憶又怎能打包呢? 既然逃不了, 就不逃了! 追思禮拜上兩張大的照片, 已貼在我的臥室和書房, 將常伴我的日日夜夜!

我已逐漸恢復教會的事奉的步調. 我會先去各小組看看, 然而, 20幾個小組得花個半年吧! (排在後面的小組, 抱歉了!)  要來的主日會講道, 請為我禱告.  我 3/12-4/16 會休假一個月. 我的身體與精神都需要恢復. 除了回台灣看我和麗芳的家人, 我還會進大陸去走走, 在台灣也會四處看看主的工作. 希望回來時, 我能夠重新得力. 麗芳得了公義的冠冕, 我們不能落後太多, 不是嗎?

走前還得報稅, 並處理一些雜事. 想請我吃飯的, 請告訴我! 等我回來, 必定一一赴宴! (一家人就不和你們客氣了!)

麗芳的家人因為安葬的時間短促 (只有一周, 又逢過年), 不能前來. 他們要求我回去在她的老家親戚中, 開個追思聚會.  請為我有靈力為主做見證代禱!

孝棟敬上

休止符 (2/13/2015)

親們,

在麗芳生病的這一年半來, 除了主恩堂的弟兄姊妹, 我知道有許多的人都在為她代禱. 從紐約州到佛羅里達, 從聖地牙哥, 到洛杉磯, 北加州, 德州, 台灣, 大陸, 都有人. 你們的心與禱告, 也隨麗芳的病情而起伏. 謝謝你們了.

我必須承認, 神的劇本不是我所要的. 周一,二,三, 麗芳的各方面都有顯著的改善, 我從沒想到是迴光返照. 昨日, 她一直在沉睡. 今早我進病房, 她還有呼吸. 我怕她熱, 還挪去了一層被蓋. 6:30, 照顧的姊妹發覺麗芳太安靜了, 叫護士來, 已沒有心跳! 早上6:30, 麗芳走完了人生的旅程, 安息主懷. 與最愛她(也是她最愛)的救主同在，不需再受肉體上的痛苦了. 那美好的仗她已經打過了, 當跑的路她已經跑盡了, 所信的道她已經守住了, 從今以後, 有公義的冠冕為她存留!

我如何? 早上我大哭了三次, 將遺體交給醫院及殯儀館處理. 回到家, 看到一草一木, 都有麗芳的蹤跡. 我哭了又哭, 我哭不是難過, 因為她現在與主同在好得無比. 我哭, 是因結髮28年, 我習慣了她在旁邊的日子, 將來有事, 我找誰商量? 過去的一年半, 我更是在神前領受 [照顧她是我最高的優先順序] 的託付. 她是我骨中的骨, 肉中的肉! 我哭, 是因為痛. 二人成為一體, 神拿去了我更好的一半, 祂若不將自己給我, 讓我如何活下去?我哭, 是因著濃濃的不捨與茫然.

在此, 我必須為這部落格譜下休止符! 還好, 不是永別, 而是再見! 那天, 在基督台前, 麗芳會沖著我揮手說- "孝棟, 你怎麼現在才來?" 讓我們等待號角響起時, 再續前曲!

Pastor Donald

Sue's update (2/9/2015): With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!

Dear Family,


Thank you for praying for Sue. I know you are eager to know Sue's most up-to-date situation. Sorry for the delay, for I still only have very little time to rest.

On 2/7, there were 70-80 bothers and sisters visited us in the ICU. By regulation, only 2 visitors are allowed each time, but they were kind enough to allow more than 10 people to surround Sue's bed side each time. They even managed to find a private room for us.

Sue's conditions has been stabilized since then. The ICU doctor acknowledge that their judgments were off. Sue did not have a stroke. They asked me how I would want to treat Sue. I told them:
(1) Continue to feed her with NG tube ( because Sue is still having trouble swallowing).
(2) Train her to regain swallowing ability.
(3) Eventually, remove NG tube and walk out the hospital herself.
The doctors said  those are good goals, but based on their experience, she will not be able to do it.  I told them: "I respect your professional judgment, but I know we will get them done!" What they do not know is our secret weapon, that is our huge network of prayers! The goals are set! They then transferred us out of ICU into a regular room (we are currently in Thornton West Wing  Room #259).

Sue's sodium level (135-145) has exceeded the lower normal range to 136 yesterday (2/8), and even exceeded the upper range 145 to 147 today (2/9). The doctor has stopped the salt pill and Saline fluid and replaced it with pure water.

Sue's mental status has been improved steadily. She was awake most of the day time. She remembers the visitors, and greets them with her unclear voice. Actually, her speaking clarity has been improved greatly.

What to pray?
(1)Pray for Sue's heart: her heart still raced to 190 twice, but it can be controlled with the heart-rate  medicine. Pray for stable heart rates.
(2) Pray for Sue's lung.
(3)Pray for Sue's swallowing ability to recover fully.

We want to walk out the hospital alive to prove that “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” We will walk out UCSD hospital alive and give glory to God!

Pastor Donald

Update (1/19/2015) - 行過水火 (開始服新藥第七天)

你從水中經過，我必與你同在； 你(走昜)過江河，水必不漫過你； 你從火中行過，必不被燒， 火焰也不着在你身上。 (以賽亞書 43:2)

1/13 開始服用新藥CO-1686, 到了第三天 (1/15日晚), 麗芳的疼痛已急遽減輕. 當晚, 她沒有服用任何止痛劑, 一覺到天亮. 從那天直到今天, 麗芳沒有再吃任何止痛劑, 包括Advil. 哈利路亞! 再一次的， 我們經歷神做事的奇妙!

從起初, 神就對麗芳說" 你會走過來, 並且繼續往前." 然而, 回想這一段旅程中, 我們的信心曾經過三次極大的考驗.
【不誤時, 不誤事的神】當2013年9月, 診斷出來是肺癌4期, 我們切切的禱告, 求神讓擴散不要到腦. 結果呢? MRI檢驗出來不只已經到腦, 而且是十分嚴重. 當時, 我們絕望了, 到了腦子, 豈不是等死嗎? 我們不禁問神說- 【你真的知道你在做什麼嗎? 你聽禱告嗎?】可是, 神好像不慌不忙, 像在拉撒路的事上, 他又拖了兩天 (約翰福音 11:6). 然而, 吃了 Tarceva 兩個月後, 再檢驗 , 腦子完全乾淨, 2013年12月一直到今天, 腦子一直是乾淨的. 所有的禱告神都聽了. 神是信實的! 榮耀歸神!

在2013年底, 神就賜下以賽亞書 43:2給麗芳:我們卻不曾想到, 在2014年等著我們 的就是水與火的試煉!
【水的試煉】2014二月, 胸腔積水來勢汹汹, 抽了又回來. 六月中, 麗芳前胸裝了一根引流管. 在家中, 我們自己抽水. 那日子好像沒完沒了般的絕望. 我們不禁再次問神說- 【你真的知道你在做什麼嗎? 你聽禱告嗎?】 可是, 到七月底, 胸腔積水居然奇蹟似的無聲無息的乾了, 至今醫生也沒有好的解釋. 八月中, 在化療前, 引流管被移除了! 水的試煉過去了. 火的試驗接連而來!
【火的試煉】2014年九月開始化療, 11月正式宣告化療失敗. 在其間, 癌細胞在麗芳的骨頭上迅速蔓延, 疼痛如同火燒. 半夜常疼醒. 止痛藥也不太管用, 還有讓麗芳嘔吐的副作用. 在疼痛與虛弱中, 好多次, 麗芳問我- "孝棟, 你覺得我能撐得下去嗎?" 我不太有底氣的給她打氣:"神說能走過來就一定能!" 然後我趕緊下樓, 在神面前哭訴- "夫子, 我們喪命啦, 你不顧嗎?" (馬可 4:38) 然而, 化療的失敗卻讓我們因此符合這新藥實驗的要求. 只是轉眼(三天) 之間, 那種痛不欲生的火的試煉又過去了,一切好像是一場夢.


因著神的信實與你們的代禱, 我們平安走過2014那水與火的試煉. 明天如何? 我們不知道, 但知道祂掌管明天! 過了紅海, 還有許多的挑戰在前方.

- 請為藥持續有效, 且最小副作用禱告.

- 請為麗芳的身體能恢復健康禱告!

過了紅海, 2015, 求神帶我們不停在曠野, 直入迦南!



Donald & Sue

Update (1/12/2015) - 海中乾地

親們,

在以色列人過紅海的前夜, 大東風吹了一夜, 紅海才成為乾地. 然而, 在那一夜的驚恐等待中, 我不知道摩西和以色列人是如何過的?! 這一陣子, 麗芳的情形惡化的蠻快的. 從11月中到如今, 將近兩個月沒有治療性藥物. 她骨頭疼痛的部位及程度都在快速加增. 止痛劑的副作用(頭暈,嘔吐) 也使身體更為虛弱. 昨天, 我倆一起禱告時, 我們向神說- 我們已經沒力氣了, 求神憐憫.
自從12/29 做了活檢 (biopsy) , 一直在等待結果. 1/6 檢驗結果提前出來(原來要10個工作天的), 感謝主, 麗芳的固態腫瘤有他們所要的T790 m 抗藥基因. 但仍需做血液, 心臟等檢驗. 1/8 我們做了系列檢查.今天(1/12)早上, 正式通知我們進入了這個新藥的研究計畫. 這新藥(Clovis 的 CO-1686 ) 是標靶式的服用藥. 明天早上(1/13) 會上 Irvine, 再抽血, 然後服下第一顆藥,兩小時候, 做心臟檢查. 哈利路亞, 一條乾地終於出現在紅海中! 求神給麗芳力量能走過這神為我們在海中開闢的乾地!

謝謝大家與我們一同走過這一個一個的深淵, 低谷. 神是信實的, 我們所受的不會過於我們所能承受的. 你們不離不棄, 在愛中的禱告及各樣的幫助, 我們都銘刻在心. 與你們在主裡相約, 好好愛祂, 趁著有力量的時候服事祂; 等麗芳好起來, 我們再一同在主裡同工!

孝棟/麗芳

Update 1/2/2015

Happy New Year to all of you, our family in the Lord!

2014 had not been an easy year for us. Yet, as we looked back and counted our blessings on the New Year's eve, we are surprised by God's love through all of you. Thank you! Without your supports (prayers and many other practical caring acts), we couldn't have made it.

As you may have known, towards the end of the 2014, Sue has developed drug resistance for the targeting cancer drug Tarceva, and she did not respond well to the chemo treatment either. Thus, we are currently applying for a clinical trial program at U. C. Irvine. The program uses a new targeting drug developing by the Clovis company. Sue's cancer cells need to have a certain genetic structure (T790m mutation) for her to be qualified. She had completed the biopsy on 12/29/14. It will take about 10 business days before we know the results.

Waiting is the most difficult lesson for us to learn; especially when the situation is critically urgent. As I described in my previous update (in Chinese), we are like the ancient Israelites, trapped between the Red Sea and the enemy's army. All we can do is to stretch our hand of faith over the Red Sea, and wait patiently. The rest is all God's work. In those days, HE caused the Great East wind to blow whole night to open the way in the Red Sea. HE caused the pillars of fire (cloud) moved to hinder the enemy's army all night long. So, we are waiting for His mercy!

Despite all the struggles, we did not turn in a blank exam paper in 2014.

We learned that the church is God's since the Central Campus are doing well despite our inadequacies.

We learned to admit our needs and to ask for helps. We learned to receive helps graciously and ask God's blessings for the providers.

We are learning to fight the spiritual battles with prayers, and are still learning!

Donald is also proud to inform you that he received a high score from Sue in serving her in the past year. (What a rewarding experience!)

We are standing firm and waiting to see what God has prepared for us in 2015. We do not know what tomorrow may bring, but we know who holds the future! We covet for your continue prayer supports.



Donald & Sue

Update 12/18/2014 - 大東風之夜

親們,

在以色列人過紅海的前夜, 大東風吹了一夜, 紅海才成為乾地. 然而, 在那一夜的驚恐等待中, 我不知道摩西和以色列人是如何過的?!

紅海邊, 眾多弟兄姊妹與我們同心向海伸杖, 只聽大東風呼呼吹起, 然而前行的路還是泥濘. 昨天, 上去 Irvine 見到了 Dr. Ou. 他的手上有好幾個Clinical Trials.  他也很幫忙的 Order 了緊急的檢驗, 希望在一, 兩周內可以完成採樣(biopsy). 但因為馬上就是聖誕假期, 他也不知會多快. 

麗芳的癌細胞現在主要在骨頭擴散, 每一天的拖延都不好, 而疼痛時好像火在骨頭裡燒. 神曾賜下以賽亞書 43:1-2

雅各啊，創造你的耶和華，以色列啊，造成你的那位， 現在如此說： 你不要害怕！因為我救贖了你。 我曾提你的名召你，你是屬我的。 你從水中經過，我必與你同在； 你(走昜)過江河，水必不漫過你； 你從火中行過，必不被燒，

水的試驗(肺積水), 神信實的帶過了; 如今火的試煉, 還能嗎?

保羅曾說,有時- "連活命的指望都絕了!" (林後1:8) 求神在檢驗的事上給我們通達的道路, 並在這等候的期間, 求神加力剛強, 並那雲柱/火柱挪移, 為我們阻擋癌細胞的繼續擴散! 

Donald & Sue

Update 12/8/2014 - 在紅海邊

親們,

記得以色列人出埃及後來到紅海邊的故事嗎? 前面是大浪翻騰的紅海, 後面是法老的追兵.

現在我們的境遇就像是以色列人當年一樣. 今天見到癌症醫生, 她第一句話就是 "化療無效". 麗芳做了四次化療, 然而PET 掃描發現癌細胞的活動在多處增加, 腎上腺體及肺的腫瘤增長, 多處淋巴感染, 骨頭也多處長出腫瘤 (所以造成麗芳的疼痛). 口服的靶向治療的藥有了抗藥性, 化療又無效, 情形不樂觀.!

但詭異的是我們卻因此有機會可能參與 clinical trials (包括 Clovis 的三代藥. 麗芳經由血液篩檢, 有 T790m mutation. 還須重做 biopsy 證實, 以及 PDL-1 的免疫療法試驗- 還需做biopsy 看是否有那種蛋白). 沒有一個是確定的, 還要做許多檢測. 但又是充滿盼望的!

神的道在海中. 神分開紅海, 以色列人走乾地過去. 求神今日也為我們分開這似乎沒有路的境遇. 神哪, 我們向海伸出信心的杖! 麗芳近日身體極端虛弱也需你們的代禱托住!

Donald & Sue

Update (11/20): Day 3 after the 4th Chemo- Life is tough, but God is good!

Dear Family,

Sue was in a bad shape on 11/16 (Sunday) , the day before the 4th chemo. When I came home from church, I found her lying at the bottom of the stairs, vomited all over. She seemed fainted when she tried to walk up the stairs. Fortunately, she was not hurt in any way. Yet, my heart was aching to see her suffer like that. We asked a Chinese medicine doctor to check on Sue. He concluded that Sue was just too weak. He prescribed a few herb medicines to broil in water. Sue drank and fell asleep immediately. Praise God! She woke up next morning with a very stable condition. The blood work before the chemo also showed acceptable condition. Thus, we completed the chemo treatment smoothly.

What's next? Our doctor said that a latest study showed that chemo + Tarceva (the targeting drug we use) will not make the patient live longer. Thus, she would like to reconsider Sue's treatment plan. We will do a PET scan on 12/4. Then-

If the results is stable, the doctor will stop the chemo and put her back on Tarceva.

If the results is not good, she may stop the Trarceva and put her on other types of chemo or the clinical trial of PD- 1 (the new immune treatment, if Sue's cancer cell has the necessary PD-1 proteinexpression).

Thus, the future treatment plan is totally unknown for now, but Sue is doing pretty good after this chemo.

The doctor has also ordered radiation treatment to address Sue's bone pains. Sue has two tumor lumps: one is around the right side of the cervical vertebrae (top of the spine), which may have caused her neck pain and dizziness. The other is in the left side of scapula (肩胛骨) area, which may have caused her pain on the left shoulder and left upper-arm. There are also some active cancer areas in the pelvis on both sides. We will begin a low dosage radiation treatment for consecutive 5 days (12/1-5) to control the cancer in those areas.


Thus, please pray for (1) God's guidance in the direction of the future treatment. (2) Max effect of radiation in reducing Sue's neck, shoulder, and other bone pains with min side effects.
Despite all these unknowns and new challenges, we are experiencing joy and peace. (Strange, isn't it?) We pray together every night for ourselves and for the other suffering brothers and sisters. We gave thanks for all the prayers, food supplies, advises, financial supports, friendships and gifts we have received. We are not worthy, but we felt so blessed to be in this big family!

May God bless you and your family according to His promise-

... whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40)

Donald & Sue

Day 1 after the 3rd chemo (update on 10/28/2014)

Dear Family,

Sue has gone through the 3rd chemo smoothly. The blood test before the 3rd chemo was OK. The white blood cell count and platelet count are still within the normal range, but the red blood cell count has dropped out of the normal range, although not by too much. Usually, the first week after the chemo will be tough, loaded with side effects plus weakness. We covet for your prayers. Please pray for the maximum effectiveness and minimum side effects.

How effective was the previous two treatments? The CT taken last week shows that the nodules (all are < 5 mm in Sue's case) in the lung areas are stable, a few are even shrinking slightly. The single swollen lymph node has also shrunk from 2 cm to 1.5 cm. The Adriano gland (腎上腺) seems also responded to the treatment and become smaller (Needs to be verified using PET). Thus, the doctor gave a "stable" mark. Thank you Lord!

However, Sue has been experiencing more bone pain in the shoulder and pelvic areas. Doctor will order low dosage local radiations (10 times in 10 days, a few minutes each time) for the pelvic area. We will see how it goes. Although it began as a lung cancer, but looks like bone (bone metastasis) will be the major battle field in the future treatment.

Several brothers and sisters, in our campus and in others campuses, were diagnosed with various cancers in the past month. We pray that they will all experience God in a rich way just like us, but in a better condition without this much sufferings (Acts 26:20- except for these chains). Lord, have mercy on us!

Donald & Sue

Day 7 after the 2nd chemo update (10/13/2014)

親們,

第二次的 chemo(10/6) 後, 由於身體較前次弱, 再加上有點感冒; 嗜睡, 噁心, 胃口不好的情形持續多了兩天. 也有一些新的副作用(口腔潰瘍, 鼻黏膜出血); 這次不是便祕, 而是拉肚子! 總的來說, 情形還算好. 謝謝大家的代禱及關懷! 如今麗芳腿較弱, 無法運動. 醫生建議做復健. 正在聯絡. 還是請為脊柱及腎上腺禱告, 癌細胞的活動在這兩處特別活躍, 求神抑止! 10/23 將作CT 檢查, 看化療的果效. 求神讓化療能有最大果效!

病久了, 最難的保持活潑的鬥志. 最近, 神用中區本月的背誦經文讓麗芳從新得力:

但願使人有盼望的神，因信將諸般的喜樂、平安充滿你們的心，使你們藉著聖靈的能力大有盼望！ (羅馬書 15:13)

是的, 祂是使人有盼望的神! 讓我們把發酸的腿, 下垂的手, 再挺起來!

碰到了風浪, 才知道自己的信心小! 麗芳生病後, 我們有許多的反思. 求神能帶我們走一條信心的道路. 尤其知道會眾中有人也在最近進入各樣的試煉 (工作, 健康等), 求神使我們成為 "受傷的醫治者" (Wounded Healer; Henri Nouwen). 雖然自己仍在掙扎中, 卻能用神所賜的安慰來安慰人!

Donald & Sue

Seven days after the first chemo (9/23/14)

Dear Family, thank you for your prayers. The side effects of the chemo has been manageable.

The nausea symptom was there but was not too bad. Sue could get by through taking level I (there are three levels) anti-nausea pills. It was at day 4 when we realized that Sue had the constipation problem. Fortunately, it was resolved that day. But now it is diarrhea. Sue slept through most of the day 3- day 5 without eating much, and now Some energy began to come back to hertoday.

Although she still cannot eat much now, today she began to bug some sisters to prepare some weird foods for her, like (猪脚，馄饨 。。。). Her taste has become so unpredictable. She may craving for something in the morning and change her mind in the afternoon. (Thank you sisters for spoiling us!)

Currently, Sue's status with the church is "leave without pay". The church has been generously providing insurance to her, which covers most of the major medical spending. Pastor Lam has also granted Donald full flexibility in taking care of Sue. Financially, we are O.K.!

Dizziness still hit a couple of times each day. We learned to battle it with prayers. We can only let go and let God to catch us. Just like Apostle Paul experienced:

8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

By God' grace, we choose hope, we choose to believe.

Please pray for Sue's spine specifically since many of her symptoms associated with the healthiness of her spine!

Donald & Sue

第一次化療 (9/15/14)

親們,

謝謝大家的代禱.麗芳今天下午順利地做完第一次化療, 目前精神還好. 據醫生說, 虛弱的情形會發生在第 2-4 日, 仍需大家代禱. 這次化療是每三周做一次, 做4-6次. 目的是壓住癌細胞的反彈.

今天也與醫生商討了其他的療法. PD-1 自身免疫療法FDA已批准, 但不是用在肺癌. 用在肺癌, 需自費, 且需測是否有PD-1 蛋白 (30% 機率). 而且目前沒有商用公司在做. 醫生答應替我們聯絡安排! 另一個 Clovis clinic trail 也需3-4 周準備. 化療後, 應會知道更清楚有甚麼其他選擇!

醫生目前比較擔心的是癌細胞在脊柱骨髓的活動 (可能是引起暈眩的原因), 請特別為麗芳的脊柱禱告. 這是一場屬靈的爭戰. 然而靠者你們的代禱與耶穌基督之靈的加力, 我們深信終必叫麗芳得救!

Donald & Sue

在化療前夕 (9/13/2014)

親們,

當聽到麗芳要開始化療時, 我們收到很多關心我們的弟兄姊妹質疑的聲音. 因為化療殺癌細胞也破壞自身的免疫系統, 也有很多弟兄姊妹提供各式各樣中西的偏方, 秘方, 土方.

先說說 偏方, 秘方, 土方吧! 首先, 孝棟與麗芳在此感謝所有關心我們的弟兄姊妹. 你們的愛心我們都收到了, 也紀念在天上. 這一年來, 我們收到的偏方, 秘方, 土方不下50種 (包括食物, 飲料, 按摩, 針灸, 中藥, 加熱, 加氧, 處理水). 我們在研究後, 有些我們覺得合適的, 我們都會嘗試. 舉例來說, 最後堅持下來的綜合蔬果汁. 因為姊妹們契而不捨的提供果汁機, 甚至輪流榨汁送來, 我們試了也覺得很好, 就堅持了一整年了! 枸杞紅棗水也是另一個被堅持下來的! 我們也試過 smoothie, 檸檬汁, 但麗芳的胃不適應也就沒做了. 如果你看到一些偏方, 秘方, 土方,仍歡迎你寄給我們. 我們會選適合的試用的!

謝謝弟兄姊妹輪流送菜. 在岑禕姊妹的嚴格把關, 精心調配下, 我們吃的很均衡健康, 又享受了你們各家不同的菜色. 偶而額外送來的蒜泥白肉, 梅菜扣肉, 海南雞飯, 各式小吃, 讓我們也能小小放鬆一下, 享受你們的愛心並懷念健康時的口福! 我們去看了營養師, 她說妳們吃得很均衡健康, 甚至不必補充甚麼蛋白質. 化療後可能胃口比較不好, 調味可以重些. 先打招呼啦!

麗芳目前用的是 TARCEVA, 是屬於靶向治療類, 它要求癌細胞要帶某種基因結構. 這藥只殺癌細胞. TARCEVA在麗芳身上十分有效, 副作用極少 (都是你們的禱告的結果)! 有許多人介紹一些在臨床試驗的新藥, 有的是麗芳沒有那藥所需的基因結構, 有的是麗芳不合他們要求 (大多臨床試驗的新藥都要求要有一公分以上的腫瘤好採樣, 可是麗芳目前身上沒有 1cm 的瘤,都是小顆粒! ) 我們都會與我們的主治大夫討論! 目前最有希望的是 PD-1 免疫療法, 麗芳也不符合他們的臨床試驗要求. 目前 PD-1 在FDA 的快速審核通道, 希望明年上半年可通過. 據說, 療效極好又沒副作用. 我們拭目以待!

目前, 我們尋求後, 覺得化療是合適的選擇. 神可以讓我們免了化療, 也可以在化療中保守麗芳毫髮不傷, 如同但以理的三個朋友, 神既沒有免去他們火窯的試煉, 就賜下火窯中的同在. 當然, 化療並不妨礙我們迫切的禱告, 祂是我們唯一的醫治與保護. 再好的藥, 仍可能無效, 再難的情況, 神能一夜扭轉! 我們謝謝你們的代禱, 過去一年, 是你們的禱告拖著我們, 前面的路, 仍要你們的同行! 在化療前夕, 我們有天上來的平安!


孝棟, 麗芳 (9/13/2014)

9/12/13 Update

Dear Family,

The outcome of the CT/PET scan on 9/9 (past Tues.) showed increasing cancer cell activities all over her body.  Some small nodules in her lung are also growing in size.  Thus, the doctor has ordered chemo to be added to the current targeting treatment (TARCEVA).  Monday will be her first treatment.

Please pray for the effectiveness of the chemo and strengthen Sue's body (she has been feeling weak these days).

Donald

9/4/14 (Part 2)

Dear family,

Just as we thought all is well & calm and we can wait peacefully till mid September for further test, the wave rose again. 

Sue has been feeling dizzy for a while.  Blood test showed no anemia.  During the long weekend, more symptoms occurred- light-headed, fainting darkness, stumbling in walking, double vision, and losing appetite.  The most terrifying thing is- all these symptoms coincident with the symptoms of the brain metastasis (cancer cell in brain).

Although brain MRI one month ago showed no cancer in brain, the doctor won’t take any chance.   She ordered an emergency Brain MRI.  The good news is that MRI results was good- No signs of brain metastasis or stroke.   The bad news is that the doctor still cannot identify the real cause for Sue’s dizziness.

The dizziness is an ongoing one.  Sue has to give up her daily walk.  She is losing appetite (feeling nausea) and having blur vision (thus, she cannot drive). She feels terrible and looks awful in Donald’s eyes. J

This is THE anniversary- One year ago, Sue was diagnosed with cancer. We learned that life is a gift from God daily.  We have received 365 gifts since then. We are learning our faith lessons daily.  We enjoy your prayers (all over the U.S.) and loving cares (food services every other day plus some special orders).

But, we are tired.  We learned that we are not as strong as we thought we are, we learned that we need to depend on Him daily. Sue lost 10 pounds.  She is getting weaker physically, and somewhat depressed emotionally.   Every day, we are facing some new challenges.   We learned to take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings until the disaster has passed. (Psalm 57:1) We cried to God - Lord, when will you deliver us from these constant sufferings?  This is a marathon and we in this race.

More exams are coming. Pet scan will be on 9/9.  It will show how the bone metastasis goes.  Please pray for our spiritual healthiness and Sue’s emotional strength.  Pray that Sue will be protected and get rid of the dizziness symptom.   Pray that the drug resistance will come as late as possible, if ever.

Sue was asking the LORD, “Are you going to heal me and violating the natural laws?” This is what the LORD answered, “Cancer is NOT the natural law, but a violation of the natural law.  Healing is to recover you to be under the natural laws!” May His gracious words be realized on all of us who follows Him!

Donald & Sue

Update (9/4/14)

Dear family,

Sorry that we have not updated our status for more than a month.  The fact is when all is calm; there were not much to report.  When things happened, we were swamped and did not have time to communicate.  Afterwards, we were exhausted and did not have energy to write... I know you will take our excuses graciously.

Sue had serious lung effusion (water accumulation in the chest cavity) at the end of June, and the doctor installed a pipe on her chest, so that we can drain water at home.  After about a month, we noticed that water drained was decreasing steadily, from 400-500 cc every other day to 200, 100.  The interval that we drain water has also being lengthened to 4-5 days a time.   When taking x-ray, and the amount of water left was very minimum.  The doctor want us to keep draining for 10 days and then stop for 2 weeks to see if the water will come back.   On 8/1, we completed every day draining (the water drained dropped tp 10 cc/time at the end) and the waiting period (2 wks).  We then returned for x-ray.  Praise God, the water did not come back.  The chest doctor was happy and considering removing the tube. Yet we are waiting for the results of the exams in September to make the final decision together with the oncology doctor. 

Praise God, this is a miracle.  If you ask people with doctoral background, they will tell you most of the water accumulation case would be getting worse than getting better.  Although the water came like a wave (In the beginning, we drained 2000 cc from her before we installed the tube, and the cavity was still almost full), it had also retreated quietly at God’s command and your prayers in just 2 months (6/30-7/31).   As God has promised in his words given to Sue

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. (Isaiah 43:2)

It was not fun, even painful, in the process, but God has been faithful to be with us through your loving cares and prayers.  Thank you!

Donald & Sue

7/21/14

親愛的家人，

剛從醫院回來，心裏充滿感謝與讚美，第二次的化療仍然沒做成。除了護士搞錯時間，最重要的是和醫生談過後，她也同意可以再等到九月份的PET/CT ，若肺部腫瘤有繼續增大，或肺積水惡化才需立刻化療。以下是CT與MRI的結果，

1. 腦部MRI穩定，沒有腫瘤。感謝神。
2. 肺積水明顯下降，但醫生認為是我們常在家裡抽，所以當然減少。她似乎忘記我前一陣子是因為肺水隔天大量回來，導致有化療的想法。
3. 肺部的原發腫瘤仍然消失，但數個小腫瘤皆有增大傾向，但速度緩慢。
4. 醫生用我肺水癌細胞檢驗基因突變，發覺都沒有可進入她臨床實驗的突變，因此若惡化，目前化療是唯一控制之法。基本上只會4-6次化療，之後繼續服標靶藥，直至FDA核准新的治療方法。

好些家人認為我第一次化療因心跳過快，從化療室被送進急診室，是神的美意。如今第二次又沒作成，必定有更多家人堅信神有美意。我目前能確定的是神免了我兩次，讓我有足夠時間去恢復體力，因為每次抽肺水，都讓我失掉一些養分，使得體力虛弱。而孝棟抽肺水的技術也純熟了，能掌握每次的抽水量。此外，我在這個月與神的關係大有長進，也聽到神對我的期許：'妳要為我開開心心的活著.' 是的，我要為祂，而不是為我自己而活，且要開開心心的活著。化療或不化療不再是我的關切，如何每天為祂而活，且開心的活著是我的標竿。家人們，讓我們同走天路，一起經歷祂的美意。

Sue

7/11/14

親愛的家人,

六月中,  麗芳的肺積水突然急速增加. 醫生因此在右胸裝了引流導管. 醫生懷疑癌細胞已經產生抗藥性. 因此建議開始化療來嘗試減少積水. 然而, 就 在化療之前, 麗芳因為心跳過快 (>150/min) 被送到急診室,  醫療後已無礙 (原因至今不明);  但化療因此沒有進行.  此時, 我們發現肺積水的情形在裝了引流管後,迅速改善. 從隔天抽水, 到昨天的五天抽水. 且份量減少及顏色也不含血色!

 因為肺水情形改善, 化療將暫不進行. 下周將做 MRI 腦部掃描及CT 肺部掃描(因為肺積水減少), 希望對病情有進一步的了解!

在過去幾周, 病情的起伏- 肺積水的來勢汹湧, chemo 的陰影 (做後免疫系統的受影響), 心跳的居高不下, 讓我們也是心情隨之上下!  像門徒一樣的大喊- 夫子, 我們喪命啦, 你不顧嗎? 但轉眼, 一切似乎又平靜下來. 目前我們等候進一步的檢查- 是否藥已產生抗藥性? 若是, 是否有超過 1cm 的腫瘤? (要經過檢驗才可能參加新藥試驗). 腦部是否仍然沒有腫瘤?

前路未明, 有的只是你們的代禱及神恩手的扶持. 神哪! 我們等候你的救恩!

Pastor Donald

6/23/14 update

親愛的家人，

看完醫生後，情況雖不好，心裏卻有平安，知道神的帶領在其中。這是神兒女何等大的恩典。以下是病情現況及代禱事項：

1. 上週一去醫院抽水前，發代禱信給大家。結果抽了2,000 cc, 第二天照了CT, 結果水又回來。如此洶湧的速度，讓醫生不得不下個結論，Tarceva已無法控制肺部癌細胞的擴散，雖然CT 因肺水之故，無法看見腫瘤，醫生決定下週一開始化療。每三週一循環。但Tarceva仍繼續服用。
2. 肺部大量積水仍然要拿出，因此明早我會到醫院裝導管，之後在家自己每天抽。若化療有效，積水會慢慢減少，直至收乾。
3. 請為明天裝導管一切順利以及化療有最大果效，最小副作用禱告。謝謝你們一路的陪伴。

Sue