21st October 2006
Dad arrived safely. When I called mum the next day after she heard about the two tumors, she sounded okay. It was a very eventful night because dad was having a cold and he head to fly the next morning. I didn't know how best to tell him and just then Uncle Lawrence phoned. He spoke to dad and sort of told him what was to be expected. All the grandchildren were in the house that evening for dinner and so we all thronged around the phone and called China. Mum cheered up when she heard the voices of the children. I am so thankful we have six noisy kids in the house for once.

Dad slept with a light dinner that night and he couged every hour on the hour. I slept at two trying to tidy up the house and checking and double checking things. Dad is very fussy so he likes things tip top. I also happened to look into the drawers in mum's bedroom and found some cassettes. I thought it would be a good idea to give her. So i took a cassette and loaded the recorder and heard mum's singing. I burst into tears on hearing her. But dad was sleeping soundly in the other room. Mum is tone deaf. She is this way because she is deaf in one ear. But she loves to sing and loves to hear me sing. I used to sing at home with her and we will learn songs together. Any way, i packed the a few cassettes and also burn a CD for my brother.

I was online working with the trainee teachers who were asking me about work. A few of them encouraged me online. One even sent me a song "God will make a way, when there seems to be no way. He moves in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me." It was so timely because that night, I had to be strong. I didn't want to because I am so so exhausted. But the song allowed me to give myself the permission to rest.

The following two days, mum's spirit bounced back. In fact the next day, Friday, mum told me she is not giving up. Today, she added that her fever can go up to 40 degrees. Now the fever is totally gone. Her urine is now clear and there is no more jaundice. But one thing is for sure, the flu bug is still in her. The doctors in china did a good job in holding it down. She will be going to the radiography department for positioning of the radiation. This time it may be 12 times. They wanted to eradicate the problem. We still have the bile duct problem to contend with. Mum's appetite returned this Saturday morning. She laughed so hard while we chatted about what was going on with dad over there.

I am now at Rebecca's house for dinner. Mum specifically instructed that I should stay there over night and not be alone. I told her, at my age, I can look after myself. She laughed. But I am only here for dinner and after that home to clean up.

Friday afternoon has been a great one. I was home early . My godson has volunteered to clean up my messy room. Joshua came with Shaun and together they rearranged my library. They have started a project I stopped since mum took ill suddenly. I am so touched that they would be willing to help me clean up my mess and they are coming back again. I am very glad I know these young men. I am also grateful to my editor who visited me and told me to return to church. She said i should do it because it is for my good. If I am not fed, i cannot feed my mother. So true. I am going to church tomorrow morning. Thereafter going to Malaysia to buy the medication i so badly need.

Life is really challenging these days. But with God, the journey is more bearable. I heard worst scenarios of cancer patients. There was an ex student of mine whose good friend just delivered a baby and found she has breast cancer. After operation, the doctors found the cancers are now in th lymph nodes.

I wrote mum a letter on Thursday night. I told her to be thankful for each new day. To be reminded constantly the Jesus paid it all and only He can heal. I asked her to cry out to the Lord. Shout unto the mountains and call out to him for help. The cry that only she can make from within her and raising her eyes to see help come.

This journey is one in which mum leads us in our faith and we in turn encourages her with ours.

Please continue to pray that her blood count will go up and that she has appetite. That her appetite will be maintained. As the world moves on and rolls over, as one life is born and another demise, may we all know ultimately God is in control.

Take care and have a great holiday