Escape From Alcatraz SGH

All were holding well since the stem cell transplant last Tuesday. There were slight discomforts which were taken care off by the doctors and nurses. Doc gave him home leave (only abt 6 hours.... hmmmm) on Saturday from 11am till 6pm. He was extremely happy for that break.

On Sunday, the counts all started to fall (the platelets, white bloodcounts and the red blood counts). As of today, 27th November, the white blood counts are 0.15 (normal range is above 4). All these are expected to fall due to the high dosage of chemo given earlier. Now the body's immunity is at the all time low which will slowly pick up.... his mood has also followed suit.

He requests for ideas (Plllleeeeaaaaasssee!!!!!) to kill boredom in an isolated room (keeping in mind the things have to be clean.... he doesn't like snake and ladder or other board games...) (Kev says: "In time to come, I may need an ambulance to transport me to a Mental Health Hospital for Depression!!!") Even resorted in giving a little Ben & Jerry's ice-cream to perk up the spirits!! Keep the creative juices flowing and post as comments... as the wife has currenty exhausted her brain cells.

Please keep my Sanity!!!!!!!! Hellpppp!!!! Buddies.....Family....Whoever!!!!! Help me!!!!! Aaarrrggh!!

quoted by Kevin!

Insights Of The Inside

Here's some pics of what went on during the stem cell transplant. It was a smooth procedure and everybody in the room were in good spirits!

The Arrival of the Frozen Stem Cells. There are 3 bags in total for each stem cell procedure

Thawing a frozen pack of stem cell at body temperature.

The seal is broken and carefully sanitized by an alcohol swap.

Some blood is taken for a precautionary test for any traces of bacteria.

The blood is cultured in these bottles for any traces of bacteria.

The "ribena" coloured blood is finally up for transfusion.

The drips are carefully monitored by the nurses with the doctor on the standby for body reactions to the transplant. A "Y" tubing was used for saline to be flushed in when a bag was depleted to ensure no blood is wasted.

Presenting the emperor receiving his precious cells! The only slight discomfort was a warm sensation and a funny taste of "warm corn ice-cream" in his mouth. The nurses had given him mints prior to the transplant for standby..certainly came in handy! Cheers to them!

The Drive of My Life - by Kevin

Wasagiant blog was created ever since my buddies started asking me about starting a blog about my condition and the progress so that all loved ones would be able keep abreast of the updates. However, being a shy giant and not quite a writer, I asked my wife Linda to take up the editorial role instead. And always being there for me, she never hesitated on taking the task despite of my never-ending list of requests. And time and time again, she never failed me and done an excellent job indeed. So after almost 6 months, I decided to post this (my first one!! hehe) and after given a long thought about it, I came up with this title "The Drive of Life".

When I was first diagnosed with GCT (Germ Cell Tumor), it did not really hit me that hard as I was still in a blurr state of mind, after undergoing all that surgeries and scans in Mount Alvernia. Even then, with the help of family members, friends and relatives, it still did not hit me as hard as everyone tells me that it is curable, there's hope and even giving support by offering financial help, stories of cancer survivors, all kinds of remedies that would help, etc. I really appreciate all the support and care given. However, when the breaking news of "Mr. Yeo, your cancer markers are not falling as we expected.........", "The tumor is not reacting to the chemotherapy treatment.....", Your chances now are only........" strikes, that really hit me hard like Mike Tyson just gave you an uppercut! So hard that I really don't know what's next and even worse, can I really face it this time? Crying was not the only thing on my mind......... giving up was!

All this while, I have always taken a lot of things too carefreely (is there such a word?!) and sometimes for granted. During the first 3 months, I complained about the smallest things and not looking at the bigger picture. The last two months kept me thinking hard, going back the memory lane and creating a mind-collage of the good times and bad times....... and then the future...... is there a future for me? Only God knows. Everyone tells me to 'keep the spirit flying', 'think positive', 'you can surpass this', encouraging words...... well, initially spirits were high until the "breaking news" (you know what I mean) when spirits started to plunge to its all-time lowest point. Then I remembered, my friend Brandon did ask me when I was first warded in SGH, "What are you going to do if you pass this hurdle?" "How do you see life now?" "What can you do to share with others of this experience?"...... Hmmmm....... Does life only seem so important when you were hit by a crisis?

My life had changed the day I was diagnosed with GCT, do I regret it? I will be bluffing if I say no, but I accept it! The last 6-month journey had been truly an experience for me but really a blessed one! Blessed one because I truly discovered the love and touch of Christ. Friends whom really know me, knows that I am not a religious person, not even until last year! (I would not say that I am pious now, but my Faith in GOD and his Son Jesus Christ is increasingly stronger each day!). All this thanks to the Lord, everyone's prayers, guidance from Lynette (my sis in law), Siang (my bro in law), Pastor Jack & Angie and my beloved wife, Linda.

I really would like to put forward this special thanks in this blog to all whom has driven me stronger in fighting this great battle of mine. Firstly, the Lord for all things are only made possible through Him. Secondly, my wife, Linda whom has always been the pillar of strength throughout my life. My family, Dad, Mum and sis for always being there. My parents in-law and siblings-in-law, for their endless care and support. My buddies for their friendship. Relatives and friends for their encouragement and well wishes. The SGH medical team for their care.

Thank you for your prayers and contributions!

I have learned that with faith in the Lord, positive thinking and showered with so much love and blessings from your loved ones, nothing else could be more important in life.

One Down Two More To Go

It was an eye-opener experiencing a well orchestrated treatment!

Every Monday, blood cultures will be taken to screen for bacteria growth and chest x-rays carried out to spot any signs of trouble.

Daily blood tests and weight measurements are taken at 5am for timely reporting for the doctors during their rounds at 8am. His total white counts, red blood counts and platelets counts have to be chartered daily. This medical team does two rounds of ward visits daily for strict follow-ups. The leading doctor of the transplant team is very experienced and meticulous and any discomfort or possible signs of abnormality is taken very seriously.

Feeling of breathlessness is a possible side effect of the chemo. Even so, when there were complaints of breathlessness and coughs, the doc took no chances and ordered a CT scan... a doctor was sent to escort him for the scan (... let him feel like an emperor all the way). A lung specialist was called in and it will be further monitored. With antibiotics and oxygen given along with the doctors working together, there isn't much to worry about.

The nurses check on him very often for any signs of fever, to ensure the blood pressure is normal... they even check how much food he has consumed (the doctors and nurses are always very concerned of his intake and emotional needs). His input and output has to be carefully recorded to avoid fluid retention in the body. In the event where more than 800ml is retained in the body, medication would be given to induce output.

So now it is only waiting for the body to recuperate before the 2nd cycle starts.

Beginning Of The Last Lap

After all the anticipation and apprehension, the first dose of high dosage chemo has finally been administered on the 16th Nov. This is the first day of the estimated 9 weeks ahead (for full details to refer to blog : Simple Mechanics)

The team of doctors and nurses are very supportive and meticulous. We have a speciality nurse who is an expert in wound dressing..a dietitian to lay out a high protein diet..senior staff nurse to guide and manage our expectations during the treatment..numerous doctors constantly monitoring to ensure nothing humanly can go wrong and not forgetting the lady who keeps the room spotless!!!

As the dosage is 10x the original strength, the expected side effects would be more severe and ranges from sore throat to heart palpitations and many more.... Till date his effects are fatigue, faster heart rate and breathlessness as the body is now coping with the drugs and a total of 8L of fluids pumped in his body daily.

Latest updates on the tumor markers, it rose to 700+ and suddenly dropped to 600+. The doctors feel it is an unsual trend. Let us continue in our prayers....

Keeping strong with Faith in our hearts

Taking No Chances

As it always have been, schedules and decisions are always evolving due to different circumstances...

The long haul was scheduled to start on 16th Nov, Fri, with the estimated admission date the day before. However, a trip to the cancer centre for a doctor's visit on 12th Nov, Mon, resulted in an immediate admission. Here's the insight of the inside :-

Chemo drug is fed through a permanent tube previously inserted directly to the vein called a Femoral Line. This line is secured by a butterfly plastic flab which is stitched onto the skin. Sometimes body movements can cause abrasions to the skin which in this case led to broken skin. Taking no chance for any kind of infection to undermine the treatment and the fight of immunity during chemo, the doc ordered the admission which of course left him depressed.

With blood cultures taken and antibiotics drips for 4 days, there is no sign of infection and we are on schedule for the high dose to start finally on the 16th Nov!

We are going to Fight and Win this battle!

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" Ephesians 6:10-11

The Rest Stop

The next 3 weeks were filled with much rest coupled with fun activities with friends and family and of course visits to our dear doctors for monitoring.

Food was on top of the list.... friends came over for assam laksa, family gathering for italian food at al fornos, quick whip up of spicy fried mee siam to tantalise the taste buds, homemade chicken hong-bak that travelled more than 300km to singapore and plenty of soups.

A quick spin to Sentosa's underwater world was a different experience. Not that much to see except for some huge water creatures both alive and presevered. It was still worthwhile as the scenery is certainly different from that of our Sengkang nest!

During this time, he found a new love... online window shopping!!! Virtual retail therapy!

Above The Clouds

The stem cell collection is finally behind us. The road ahead seems bumpy with uncertainties but the finishing line now more visible.

News that the tumor markers, AFP and Beta HCG, are again rising clouds the line of sight with fog. Holding on to our faith and each other and further supported by all, this cloud is quickly dispersed and spirits are quickly back on the positive track.

With 2 more eventful weeks ahead before the stem cell transplant is scheduled, many plans are underway to enjoy these rest weeks to the fullest.... penang laksa party, proposed resort stay at Sentosa, family visit over the long weekend and many more!