My parents have changed their plans, and are going to ShenZhen (close to Hong Kong), instead of Beijing. They will still be going through the same treatments, just at a different hospital. There were many reasons for the change in hospitals but all the other plans remain similar. My parents leave early Wednesday morning still, and will go through a combination of gene therapy and lighter chemotherapy.
A brother from the Portland received gene therapy from this same hospital for his liver cancer last year, and will be returning to the same hospital at the same time my parents are there.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Going to China
In the past couple of weeks, we've been doing tons of research, inquiries, and have gotten lots of help from friends/relatives who have contacted other professionals in the cancer-field. My dad got his first round of chemo last week, and has been having a very difficult time physically - he has already lost 8 pounds the first week. We also found out that my dad does not qualify for the Herceptin treatment. After much research and prayer, my parents have peace and have decided to go to China to get a type of cancer treatment that is not yet practiced in the U.S. - p53 gene therapy.
My parents were deciding among multiple hospitals, and ended up deciding on one just outside of Beijing - thanks to the Kungs who visited the hospital for us earlier this week and spoke to the hospital director about my dad's specific condition, my parents really felt at peace about the treatment process, and the living conditions in the hospital. There is a special wing for foreigners who go for this treatment, with facilities more appropriate for the extended stays.
My parents will leave this coming Wednesday, 6/2, and they will return in two months, in early August. The gene therapy is meant to target the large tumor my dad has near his kidney. He will continue with a lighter dosage of chemotherapy while in China, since his cancer has already spread (gene therapy is more effective on localized cancers, thus he needs to do a combination of gene therapy and chemo).
My parents will have help from the Kungs in getting settled in. Kyun and I plan on joining them for the second month of their stay, but haven't solidified our travel plans yet.
Please keep them in your prayers:
-Before the trip: that my dad's energy and health can recover for a tolerable flight
-Getting settled into the new environment
-Wisdom for doctors/nurses on the treatment plan, and proper administration of the treatments
-Energy, strength, safety preparing for the trip, traveling, and while going thru treatments
My parents were deciding among multiple hospitals, and ended up deciding on one just outside of Beijing - thanks to the Kungs who visited the hospital for us earlier this week and spoke to the hospital director about my dad's specific condition, my parents really felt at peace about the treatment process, and the living conditions in the hospital. There is a special wing for foreigners who go for this treatment, with facilities more appropriate for the extended stays.
My parents will leave this coming Wednesday, 6/2, and they will return in two months, in early August. The gene therapy is meant to target the large tumor my dad has near his kidney. He will continue with a lighter dosage of chemotherapy while in China, since his cancer has already spread (gene therapy is more effective on localized cancers, thus he needs to do a combination of gene therapy and chemo).
My parents will have help from the Kungs in getting settled in. Kyun and I plan on joining them for the second month of their stay, but haven't solidified our travel plans yet.
Please keep them in your prayers:
-Before the trip: that my dad's energy and health can recover for a tolerable flight
-Getting settled into the new environment
-Wisdom for doctors/nurses on the treatment plan, and proper administration of the treatments
-Energy, strength, safety preparing for the trip, traveling, and while going thru treatments
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Malachi Chapters 1 & 2
We’ve always had weekly family meals, but now we spend more time really talking-talking. My dad has been sharing some of his wishes to us, basic things like planning for the times in the future when he may not be around. Some people tell him not to think so much about being gone, and to focus on getting better, but I understand why my dad does it.
1. He’s being realistic (the prognosis isn’t good).
2. My dad does it for us, because he doesn’t want to trouble us after he’s gone.
He wants everything in order, and wants it easy for us to figure out.
It makes sense to prepare appropriately. It’s better to get it all out in the open instead of wasting our family dinner times talking about inconsequential things.
More importantly than just the logistics of preparing for the future, though, my dad has been sharing his spiritual insights with us. We’ve been talking about Malachi the past couple of weeks. It’s hard to summarize what we’ve been discussing in a blog post, but I will try to hit the highlights.
Malachi 1:2 "I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?'
The Israelites were asking God to prove how He has shown His love towards them! They didn’t recognize God’s amazing love for them already. This is the root of the Israelites’ problem. Leading into:
Malachi 1:6 “If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
The Israelites were sacrificing crippled and diseased animals to God (showing that they did NOT love God first and foremost). The priests even allowed this to happen– they were supposed to be the ones guarding and following God’s word, but they did not (follows in Ch. 2). Specifically God calls out that the words they spoke caused others to stumble. They were not being messengers of the Lord.
Malachi 2:16 “I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty.”
God uses the word hate twice – he hates divorce and hates violence of a husband toward his wife. These words are not meant to be followed just as law, but have a deeper meaning to it, as a representation of God desiring to be one with the church. It’s such a profound concept. It’s made very clear throughout the NT also, that He desires to be one with the Church. And this is why he makes such a strong statement against divorce – it isn’t meant to just be kept as a law, but instead there’s a much deeper meaning and reason for God’s words here, giving us insight into His heart's desire.
My dad urged us to read the Bible from the viewpoint of trying to learn more what is in God’s heart, instead of trying to read it like we would any other book, or just as an academic study. We're finishing the rest of Malachi next week.
1. He’s being realistic (the prognosis isn’t good).
2. My dad does it for us, because he doesn’t want to trouble us after he’s gone.
He wants everything in order, and wants it easy for us to figure out.
It makes sense to prepare appropriately. It’s better to get it all out in the open instead of wasting our family dinner times talking about inconsequential things.
More importantly than just the logistics of preparing for the future, though, my dad has been sharing his spiritual insights with us. We’ve been talking about Malachi the past couple of weeks. It’s hard to summarize what we’ve been discussing in a blog post, but I will try to hit the highlights.
Malachi 1:2 "I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?'
The Israelites were asking God to prove how He has shown His love towards them! They didn’t recognize God’s amazing love for them already. This is the root of the Israelites’ problem. Leading into:
Malachi 1:6 “If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
The Israelites were sacrificing crippled and diseased animals to God (showing that they did NOT love God first and foremost). The priests even allowed this to happen– they were supposed to be the ones guarding and following God’s word, but they did not (follows in Ch. 2). Specifically God calls out that the words they spoke caused others to stumble. They were not being messengers of the Lord.
Malachi 2:16 “I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty.”
God uses the word hate twice – he hates divorce and hates violence of a husband toward his wife. These words are not meant to be followed just as law, but have a deeper meaning to it, as a representation of God desiring to be one with the church. It’s such a profound concept. It’s made very clear throughout the NT also, that He desires to be one with the Church. And this is why he makes such a strong statement against divorce – it isn’t meant to just be kept as a law, but instead there’s a much deeper meaning and reason for God’s words here, giving us insight into His heart's desire.
My dad urged us to read the Bible from the viewpoint of trying to learn more what is in God’s heart, instead of trying to read it like we would any other book, or just as an academic study. We're finishing the rest of Malachi next week.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Chemo Old-Timers
My parents are "lao yo tiaos" (loosely translated, old-timers) when it comes to going in for chemo treatments at SCCA. They know the drill, they know which floor to go to next, they know which appointments they can show up a little late to, and they even know the best chairs to sit in on each floor!
We're at SCCA now - my dad is getting his chemo infusions (takes a few hours) while looking at stuff on his ipad (a wonderful bday present from my cousins - he's the hippest guy around!), and my mom is squeezing in a quick nap (she never gets to nap at home).
It's a beautiful day in Seattle, and SCCA has some really nice views from all the waiting rooms.
In the waiting room, reading some funny things people sent in for us to laugh (on the nice, leather, reclining chairs).
My dad is all hooked up and ready to go (the tubes go into his port, in the upper right hand part of his chest).
And we saw Ariam, my dad's nurse from almost 4 years ago!
We're at SCCA now - my dad is getting his chemo infusions (takes a few hours) while looking at stuff on his ipad (a wonderful bday present from my cousins - he's the hippest guy around!), and my mom is squeezing in a quick nap (she never gets to nap at home).
It's a beautiful day in Seattle, and SCCA has some really nice views from all the waiting rooms.
In the waiting room, reading some funny things people sent in for us to laugh (on the nice, leather, reclining chairs).
My dad is all hooked up and ready to go (the tubes go into his port, in the upper right hand part of his chest).
And we saw Ariam, my dad's nurse from almost 4 years ago!
My dad is on the "EOX regimen", which is a combination of drugs commonly used for stomach cancer patients. this time's drugs have some different side effects.
Oxaliplatin: makes you feel very sensitive to anything cold (opening the refrigerator, breathing in cool air, touching anything cooler than room temperature), and causes people to think they can't breathe. This effect may be felt immediately, and is worst the first 4 days.
Epirubicin: may have impact on the heart and other internal organs (will closely monitor this one, as you don't want to cause any permanent damage to these organs). Also causes sores in the mouth.
Xeloda: hand/foot syndrome (my dad had this really bad last time - peeling of the skin, lost all his fingernails and toenails, numbing in the digits)
All of them will potentially cause fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and or vomitting.
His doctor said he will probably feel the worst/most tired 10 days after the infusion. Please pray that the side effects will be minimal for him, and that he will feel minimal discomfort. Also keep my mom in prayers, that she may have strength, and also know when to take a needed break.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
And the Best Laugh Goes To...
Chemo begins tomorrow - my dad has to be at SCCA for blood work by 7am. Chemo infusions are from 9:30am-1:30pm. Thanks in advance for your prayers.
Also, thank you to everyone who provided my dad (and us) with good laughs this past week. He hasn't had a chance to look through all the videos sent in, but has enjoyed many. We'll save some for later this week.
The best laugh might've gone to my mom, though. :)
Mom: How come I can't view the videos at makemacklaugh@gmail.com? I tried typing it in three times!
Dad: Are you sure you're typing it correctly?
Mom: Yes, of course. I double checked my spelling but for some reason the website says it can't find it.
Dad: You must be able to get in. What are you typing?
Mom: http://www.makemacklaugh@gmail.com!
(Dad laughs hysterically)
Also, thank you to everyone who provided my dad (and us) with good laughs this past week. He hasn't had a chance to look through all the videos sent in, but has enjoyed many. We'll save some for later this week.
The best laugh might've gone to my mom, though. :)
Mom: How come I can't view the videos at makemacklaugh@gmail.com? I tried typing it in three times!
Dad: Are you sure you're typing it correctly?
Mom: Yes, of course. I double checked my spelling but for some reason the website says it can't find it.
Dad: You must be able to get in. What are you typing?
Mom: http://www.makemacklaugh@gmail.com!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Help Make Mack Laugh
My mom's trying to make my dad laugh, since "laughter is the best medicine". Like, big, long, cheeks-are-sore, hearty laughs. My mom can somehow fake laugh, and make it sound real. But my dad can't pull it off.
This is where we enlist your help! Yesterday I showed my dad the video of the Fainting Goats (google it if you haven't seen it). But we need more ideas.
Please email us funny videos/pictures/stories at makemacklaugh@gmail.com.
We'll post his favorites next week. Thanks!
This is where we enlist your help! Yesterday I showed my dad the video of the Fainting Goats (google it if you haven't seen it). But we need more ideas.
Please email us funny videos/pictures/stories at makemacklaugh@gmail.com.
We'll post his favorites next week. Thanks!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Port's In Place
Praise the Lord, my dad's port was successfully placed - this will allow doctors/nurses to administer all his chemo drugs, inject CT contrast, and draw blood for lab work in this one place. Hopefully it will be less painful than getting stuck multiple times with a needle. My mom and I are at SCCA waiting for my dad to wake up from his sedation. Dad, still drowsy: "I am warm and comfortable and I just want to sleep through the night here." Too bad we didn't bring a camera today, there were all sorts of pictures we could've taken during pre and post procedure.
My dad's procedure started almost an hour late, so while we were waiting, we looked through all the photos we received today from Phil (great timing!).
My mom wanted to make sure Koko got representation, so here he is (we're sitting on a wooden bench my dad made during his wood carving days):
And of course the family babies, who bring so much energy and laughter to all of us. They've turned our entire family into cooing baby talkers.
My dad's procedure started almost an hour late, so while we were waiting, we looked through all the photos we received today from Phil (great timing!).
My mom wanted to make sure Koko got representation, so here he is (we're sitting on a wooden bench my dad made during his wood carving days):
And of course the family babies, who bring so much energy and laughter to all of us. They've turned our entire family into cooing baby talkers.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day!
My mom apologized once for being sick, and causing us to have to start worrying and taking care of them so early on (since both my parents got sick in their early 50’s). Of course I think she’s absolutely ridiculous to even think that, because we’re not “sacrificing” anything to take care of them, we haven’t even been taking care of them!
People don’t understand how strong my mom is – I wish people had the chance to see her like how we get to at home. She cooks eight-dish meals for our family twice a week. She drives all around on her own to run errands, and often buys groceries for us kids too. She doesn’t pity herself for the stroke she had, but does everything on her own. Even if it takes her a little more time, she won’t ask for help because she doesn’t like to trouble us. She can hike along with us, and doesn’t complain even if it hurts her leg. She strives to work on her arm movement even though it’s difficult, painful, and progress is slow.
She encourages us to love the Lord more, and leads by example at home. She does everything she can to take care of my dad, and her dad, and all of us too. We love you, mom!
People don’t understand how strong my mom is – I wish people had the chance to see her like how we get to at home. She cooks eight-dish meals for our family twice a week. She drives all around on her own to run errands, and often buys groceries for us kids too. She doesn’t pity herself for the stroke she had, but does everything on her own. Even if it takes her a little more time, she won’t ask for help because she doesn’t like to trouble us. She can hike along with us, and doesn’t complain even if it hurts her leg. She strives to work on her arm movement even though it’s difficult, painful, and progress is slow.
She encourages us to love the Lord more, and leads by example at home. She does everything she can to take care of my dad, and her dad, and all of us too. We love you, mom!
Medical Itinerary
When I hear the word "itinerary", I think of my flight or hotel itinerary for a trip to somewhere relaxing or fun. Unfortunately, this week I learned of another way to use this word. SCCA emailed "Mack's Medical Itinerary" - a listing of all the times my dad has to go in for different appointments. The following is his itinerary for this coming week, in preparation for chemo beginning 5/19:
M 5/10: 8:15am Blood draw, 9:30am patient education on port-care
T 5/11: 1:30pm Port prep, 2:30pm Port placement, 3:45pm recovery
F 5/14: 8:00am Heart scan, 9:30am patient education with GI oncologist, 10:30am patient education on chemo and side effects
Please pray especially for my dad's port placement on Tuesday. There is also a chemo drug that the oncologist has proposed which is extremely toxic and damaging to internal organs - my dad is seeking whether or not he should use this drug.
My dad went down to LA this weekend for just two days to see his family. He wanted to talk to his parents before his chemo treatments started up again, since they cannot easily travel. My dad also shared the gospel again with his parents, who are not yet believers. We are grateful that he had the time to make that trip, and also glad that all of his siblings will gather here in Seattle for a couple days in July.
M 5/10: 8:15am Blood draw, 9:30am patient education on port-care
T 5/11: 1:30pm Port prep, 2:30pm Port placement, 3:45pm recovery
F 5/14: 8:00am Heart scan, 9:30am patient education with GI oncologist, 10:30am patient education on chemo and side effects
Please pray especially for my dad's port placement on Tuesday. There is also a chemo drug that the oncologist has proposed which is extremely toxic and damaging to internal organs - my dad is seeking whether or not he should use this drug.
My dad went down to LA this weekend for just two days to see his family. He wanted to talk to his parents before his chemo treatments started up again, since they cannot easily travel. My dad also shared the gospel again with his parents, who are not yet believers. We are grateful that he had the time to make that trip, and also glad that all of his siblings will gather here in Seattle for a couple days in July.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Chemo Begins May 19th
Many appointments and doctor visits were made today, and we found out that my dad's chemo treatments will begin May 19th. Before then, there are all sorts of other things that need to happen, such as getting the port implanted in his chest, doing a heart scan, getting blood work done, and meeting with doctors and nurses to understand his new chemo regimen, along with all the potential side effects he will face.
Please keep my parents in prayers, to have physical and mental strength through all the visits, and new terms being thrown their way. Praise the Lord that I really see them having the spiritual peace that comes from God, which truly surpasses all understanding.
Please keep my parents in prayers, to have physical and mental strength through all the visits, and new terms being thrown their way. Praise the Lord that I really see them having the spiritual peace that comes from God, which truly surpasses all understanding.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Family Photos
A long-time family friend, Phil, helped us take some pictures this past weekend. We had quite a fun photo shoot. Here are just a few:
More Treatment Details
Here are a few more details for those interested. Previously, when my dad did chemo, he took Xeloda, the oral version of a drug called 5FU. It was the most aggressive treatment possible at the time. The current plan is to have a port implanted in his chest, and start getting the 5FU chemo treatments soon.
There is a newer drug out now, Herceptin, which has been shown to help stomach cancer patients. The issue is that it only works for about 20% of stomach cancers, so we have 2 weeks to wait before finding out if Herceptin will work on my dad (tests are being run). Ideally, my dad would like to try Herceptin, since it tends to have less side effects. Also, since it's a new drug he hasn't tried, we hope the results will be better than just using the same drug (Xeloda/5FU) as before.
There is a newer drug out now, Herceptin, which has been shown to help stomach cancer patients. The issue is that it only works for about 20% of stomach cancers, so we have 2 weeks to wait before finding out if Herceptin will work on my dad (tests are being run). Ideally, my dad would like to try Herceptin, since it tends to have less side effects. Also, since it's a new drug he hasn't tried, we hope the results will be better than just using the same drug (Xeloda/5FU) as before.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Treatment Decisions
The results of the PET scan were shared with my parents yesterday. Many lymphnodes "lit up", indicating the cancer has spread to those lymphnodes. The largest mass is still the one near his kidney. Please pray for my dad, as he has to decide in the near future which chemo treatment to do. He got one regimen from an oncologist of 2 months of a new chemo drug followed by radiation, but may try to find out if other local oncologists have different suggestions. This would also mean having to decide which oncologist and hospital to go to for all of his treatments.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Thirty Beautiful Years
Of all the couples I’ve ever met, my parents are the closest example I've found of having a marriage like how the Bible describes it. And I am not biased; I have had people tell me how it is almost sickening that my parents get along so well and love each other so much (I think they were all just jealous). My parents worked together for my entire childhood until I went to college, and then they worked together from home, and then they both got sick, and now spend every day together at home or traveling.
Today is their 30th wedding anniversary. I am thankful that I have my parents as such great role models. Happy Anniversary!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Today is my dad's birthday, and all of us kids wrote poems for him.
Kyun:
Life of Devotion
To God, To Wife, To Children
Great Model for All
Connie:
My dad’s name is Mack,
His mind is sharp as a tack,
He fixes everything himself and is ever so handy,
He started wearing flannel long before it was trendy.
He loves to go fishing,
And also loves gardening,
He picked up woodworking,
And even acupuncturing.
I love, respect, and admire my dad,
I’m sorry I ever made him mad,
He loves the Lord dearly,
And he is my hero, clearly.
Gary:
My da is...
A farmer in the city,
A stargazer when its pretty,
A cyclist and a logger,
but flat-footed, definitely not a jogger.
He's the quiet disciplinarian
with a louder laugh in comparison,
to all the times I was beat.
My da loves me nonetheless, I know its not an easy feat.
My dieh is...
A fisherman and captain,
Even if we run aground in the Key or in the Sound,
a flashlight in the water, Oops there's the ground!
And when I was in a pinch,
by the claw of a crab, that grinch,
My dieh swooped to the rescue, for him, pft, such a cinch.
From that moment on I knew
my dieh would protect me, always,
It's true!
My father is...
A godly, well-respected man
He serves people by his hand
And through walk, not just talk,
A daily lesson is always taught
that more important than self or wealth
is reliance on God, for spiritual health.
So happy birthday to you, my da, dieh, and father.
Piper:
I was a little intimidated by him at first,
because he was so much quieter compared to mom,
and always so calm.
I was worried to offend him by saying anything wrong,
because he seemed so serious,
and I am often delirious.
But today, that is no longer the case.
I now know he likes sweet things like ice cream,
and building a log cabin is his dream
He prefers not having to dress up in formal wear,
comfort and baseball hats are his signature
He is smart and handy,
has drawers of oriental herbs and a garage full of nice tools
He's gone through books and books of sudoku,
is ever so patient as he claps his hands for his granddaughter, and feeds her when she's bawling out-of-control
He is my father-in-law,
a super cool grandfather
a man who is dedicated to the Lord.
We love you! K, C, G, & P
Kyun:
Life of Devotion
To God, To Wife, To Children
Great Model for All
Connie:
My dad’s name is Mack,
His mind is sharp as a tack,
He fixes everything himself and is ever so handy,
He started wearing flannel long before it was trendy.
He loves to go fishing,
And also loves gardening,
He picked up woodworking,
And even acupuncturing.
I love, respect, and admire my dad,
I’m sorry I ever made him mad,
He loves the Lord dearly,
And he is my hero, clearly.
Gary:
My da is...
A farmer in the city,
A stargazer when its pretty,
A cyclist and a logger,
but flat-footed, definitely not a jogger.
He's the quiet disciplinarian
with a louder laugh in comparison,
to all the times I was beat.
My da loves me nonetheless, I know its not an easy feat.
My dieh is...
A fisherman and captain,
Even if we run aground in the Key or in the Sound,
a flashlight in the water, Oops there's the ground!
And when I was in a pinch,
by the claw of a crab, that grinch,
My dieh swooped to the rescue, for him, pft, such a cinch.
From that moment on I knew
my dieh would protect me, always,
It's true!
My father is...
A godly, well-respected man
He serves people by his hand
And through walk, not just talk,
A daily lesson is always taught
that more important than self or wealth
is reliance on God, for spiritual health.
So happy birthday to you, my da, dieh, and father.
Piper:
I was a little intimidated by him at first,
because he was so much quieter compared to mom,
and always so calm.
I was worried to offend him by saying anything wrong,
because he seemed so serious,
and I am often delirious.
But today, that is no longer the case.
I now know he likes sweet things like ice cream,
and building a log cabin is his dream
He prefers not having to dress up in formal wear,
comfort and baseball hats are his signature
He is smart and handy,
has drawers of oriental herbs and a garage full of nice tools
He's gone through books and books of sudoku,
is ever so patient as he claps his hands for his granddaughter, and feeds her when she's bawling out-of-control
He is my father-in-law,
a super cool grandfather
a man who is dedicated to the Lord.
We love you! K, C, G, & P
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