Day 457 Singapore April 16, 2008 22.07 hrs

Today we had the results of a bone scan, CT scan and blood test that Nicole had on April 14 and 15.

She had these tests done earlier than planned as she was suffering from pain in one of her right ribs. As she previously had a tumor in the 7th right rib, Dr Karmen Wong recommended these tests.

The tests show that there are still cancer cells in her blood with the tumor markers indicating an increase:

April 15 March 27

CA 19.9 72.2 60.2 up by 12.0 or 20%

CA 125 44.5 26.1 up by 18.4 or 70%

The CT scan reveals the presence of small nodules in the right lung. These nodules were not seen on the CT scan done in June 2007.

The good news: the liver is clear except the cyst that was present before.

Dr Karmen Wong is of opinion that there is no urgent need for any treatment. She recommends a follow up test on May 16, four weeks from now.

Nicole said to me that "mo figure fine vine pitit" when we got the news from Dr Karmen Wong.  Yes, I was not expecting this set back so soon after Nicole's surgery. Fortunately Nicole has the spirit to live and as she said to me: "I am not fighting cancer, I am fighting for life". Well we have decided to live fully whatever time we have together. These results are a reminder that we cannot waste time. Living each precious second becomes of utmost importance.

We know that God is with us and that we are surrounded by very loving and supportive family members, relatives and friends. 

Our immediate goal is to attend the wedding of Nicole's nephew in Mauritius in July. 

Just one day at a time! 

Day 447 Singapore April 6, 2008 - 21.16hrs

Today is seven weeks and one day since Nicole had her surgery. I thought that it is timely to have our picture taken. This picture was taken this morning at the American Club. We usually go there for lunch every Sunday after mass.

We try to live every moment in the now. Every little pain that she feels triggers fear that the cancel cells are developing tumors. It is not easy to overcome these fears, particularly for Nicole.
Today at mass, we read about the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. This is a special one to me. Jesus being with us all the time, yet we do not recognize Him in our life. It is only when He breaks the break that the disciples recognize Him. He has been with both Nicole and me during this last year.

Another day. Praise the Lord.

Day 439 Singapore March 29, 2008 - 9.42 hrs

Nicole is feeling better and better daily. She went for a swim yesterday. A first after her surgery.

She has a blood test done on March 27 and the results are encouraging:

March 27 March 5 change Ref Range

CA19.9  60.2 58.1 +2.1 or +3.6% <39.0

CA125 26.1 41.8 -15.7 or -37.5% <35

This is indeed a positive development. We are meeting with Dr. Karmen Wong on Monday to discuss these results.

Nicole also met her surgeon, Dr. S.S. Ngoi who is satisfied with her recovery and has encouraged her to resume a normal life  with more physical activities. Thus Nicole started swimming.

With Nicole's physical conditions improving, both Greg and I have started to resume work. We went out for a few meetings. It has been such a long time since we went to the business district. There are so many new buildings! 

LIfe is beautiful. Let us give praise to God and thank for this gift of life.

Day 433 Singapore March 23rd, 2008 - 21.14hrs

Easter- Christ is risen.

Nicole went to mass today. It is Easter for us. This is the first time that she attended mass since a long time. It was a real joy for me to have her accompany Greg and me to mass today.

Nicole is feeling better, with her pains diminishing. She has started doing cooking which is to our delight.

I lost all her email address as I wiped out her address book while I reformatted her laptop.

So please send her a message by email so that she gets your email address. Thanks.

Pascal and Nathalie visited us. It was a joy to see them.

Another day ends. Praise to God.   

Day 425 Singapore March 15, 2008 -21.04 hrs

Today is exactly four weeks since Nicole had surgery. It has not been easy for Nicole who has been experiencing post surgery pains.

We were able to go out briefly - this is the first outing for Nicole since she had surgery. We did some food shopping.

Slowly Nicole appears to be getting better. Dr. Gonzalez has asked her to gradually go back to the program of taking supplements and pancreatic enzymes. Nicole will start by taking 6 capsules of pancreatic enzymes, five times during the day, thus a total of 30 plus 6 at night.

It is indeed so nice to see Nicole being able to move around. It is a great joy for me to see her taking a walk around the apartment building or see her prepare herself a drink. I am amazed that I find myself enjoying these simple acts. Life is beautiful.

Another day ends. We thank God.  

Day 417 Singapore March 7, 2008 - 22.35 hrs

We have the result of Nicole's blood test done on March 5.

Albumin level ok, haemoglobin is almost ok at 11.6 against a minimum of 12.0.

CA 19.9 is 58.1 against <39.0 for normal reading and CA 125 is 41.8 against <35.0 normal.
Both CA markers are above the normal range but lower than previous test readings of 1320 and 275 for CA 19.9 and 125 respectively.

We need to control the amount of cancer cells in the blood. We have decided not to go for
chemo given the amount of toxicity involved against unknown benefits.

Nicole is recovering gradually from the surgery. She is still having post surgery pains. She is gradually starting to eat a little better but not much solid food yet.

We are enjoying every moment when she feels less pain and thank God for His gift of life.
I nearly lost her and God gives her back to us. She was facing death and she is now back alive. We are trying to live fully this new life in the presence of God and being always aware that God is present among us.

Another day ends. Thank you God.

Day 411 Singapore March 1, 2008 - 21.54 hrs

It is exactly two weeks since Nicole had surgery. She is slowly recovering but is experiencing a lot of pain. It is not easy to see her in pain and being unable to do anything to help her have less pain.
Sometimes, I cannot prevent myself from asking "why do we have to have pain and suffering?" I am hoping that Nicole's situation will improve and she will feel less pain.

We are back on our own as Huguette left to return to Mauritius. Having Nicole's family members around has been a big help - both in coping with the day to day daily domestic work and more importantly the moral support. Nicole could find feminine listening ears who could empathize with her.

I am so encouraged by the amount of love that family members, relatives, friends and business associates have given us during Nicole's illness. We are blessed by having so many persons giving us support. We had persons from various religious faith - Christianity, Islam and Hinduism - praying for us. This is a vivid example of the unifying power of religions.

We thank you all and praise God.
Another day ends.