Pre-op Preparation & Parties
say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come… he will come to save you."
Isa 35:4
If truth be told, I teared almost all the way home in Cindy’s car as family members and bosses were informed. I guess it was fear of the impending op. Perhaps it was fear that the tumour could be malignant. Or perhaps it was just the way one should behave when bad news was received.
Once the emotions were under control, the rational mind clicked into place. I knew deep inside that God was in charge and He had allowed for this medical ordeal to take place for His purpose and He will save me. Then I started to calmly write down a list of things that needed to be done.
List outstanding duties and inform appropriate persons. Check.
Inform good friends. Check.
Garner prayer support. Check.
Declutter soulish issues. Check.
Look for insurance documents. Check.
Look for will. Will? Where’s my will?
Go for bone scan. Check.
The bone scan was an interesting experience – I was injected with radioactive tracers and was told not be go near children under 8 for a day. Hmm.... Spiderwoman in the making? Would I glow in the dark? Anyway, curiosity got better of me as I peeped at the report of the bone scan before arriving at James’ clinic - three hotspots in the ribs stared blankly back at me. James was puzzled. He consulted three different radiologists before arriving at the conclusion that the hotspots were likely fractures due to the cough. So the op was finally set for 31 May.
While all these were taking place, the Support Alice Network (SAN) was birthed. Friends and family rallied round in support in the best way they knew how – parties! They really knew how to make my belly happy – I feasted on wasabi prawns, cold crab, sashimi, saba shioyaki, beef rendang, shashlik, dim sum, MOS burger, Carl’s Junior, famous baos and chicken from Toa Payoh … it was truly a celebration of life!
Food for the soul was also not forgotten. Comforting SMSes were received, encouraging phone calls were received and Facebook entries were posted. Heartfelt cries to God the Healer were uttered. Brickers gathered at my apartment on 23 May to stand with my family in prayer. Friends in Israel, America and Australia were mobilized to pray. An entire school led by Pastor Moses in Nagaland, India also prayed for God’s mercy and healing.
Alas, one final step was needed before the op – a bowel cleanout. Unpalatable Fleet was consumed unwillingly under the concerned eyes of Violet on the evening before the op. With a heart focused on God and an empty bowel, I was then truly set for the op.
Isa 35:4
If truth be told, I teared almost all the way home in Cindy’s car as family members and bosses were informed. I guess it was fear of the impending op. Perhaps it was fear that the tumour could be malignant. Or perhaps it was just the way one should behave when bad news was received.
Once the emotions were under control, the rational mind clicked into place. I knew deep inside that God was in charge and He had allowed for this medical ordeal to take place for His purpose and He will save me. Then I started to calmly write down a list of things that needed to be done.
List outstanding duties and inform appropriate persons. Check.
Inform good friends. Check.
Garner prayer support. Check.
Declutter soulish issues. Check.
Look for insurance documents. Check.
Look for will. Will? Where’s my will?
Go for bone scan. Check.
The bone scan was an interesting experience – I was injected with radioactive tracers and was told not be go near children under 8 for a day. Hmm.... Spiderwoman in the making? Would I glow in the dark? Anyway, curiosity got better of me as I peeped at the report of the bone scan before arriving at James’ clinic - three hotspots in the ribs stared blankly back at me. James was puzzled. He consulted three different radiologists before arriving at the conclusion that the hotspots were likely fractures due to the cough. So the op was finally set for 31 May.
While all these were taking place, the Support Alice Network (SAN) was birthed. Friends and family rallied round in support in the best way they knew how – parties! They really knew how to make my belly happy – I feasted on wasabi prawns, cold crab, sashimi, saba shioyaki, beef rendang, shashlik, dim sum, MOS burger, Carl’s Junior, famous baos and chicken from Toa Payoh … it was truly a celebration of life!
Food for the soul was also not forgotten. Comforting SMSes were received, encouraging phone calls were received and Facebook entries were posted. Heartfelt cries to God the Healer were uttered. Brickers gathered at my apartment on 23 May to stand with my family in prayer. Friends in Israel, America and Australia were mobilized to pray. An entire school led by Pastor Moses in Nagaland, India also prayed for God’s mercy and healing.
Alas, one final step was needed before the op – a bowel cleanout. Unpalatable Fleet was consumed unwillingly under the concerned eyes of Violet on the evening before the op. With a heart focused on God and an empty bowel, I was then truly set for the op.
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