My First Chemo

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So many thoughts are running through my mind. How fast it all seems to be going. From just chest pain, I now have to accept that I am a cancer patient on my first chemo cycle.

Today, my doctors told me that my body has been responding well to the steroids, antibiotics, meds, and red blood cells & platelet transfusions. With each of these quick improvements, I cannot wrap my head around how God has been so good and faithful in the past seven days of my hospitalization — how He gave so much wisdom to the doctors and how He provided and sent people to donate their blood for me. Whenever I pause and think of these, tears well up on my eyes in gratitude to all those who prayed, sent messages, and encouraged me.

With all of these happening in my life, fear has never been more real. Being a Christian is not an exemption to the many trials of life. If not, we are even more challenged to face suffering for the sake of Christ.

Many people have been telling me that they are inspired by my faith on how I approach this disease. Honestly, I am also afraid, but what keeps me going are the promises of God and the opportunity to share this story for His glory!

When I was young, one of the many Bible verses I was taught to memorize was Psalm 23. This is our big family’s favorite Psalm. When the symptoms started and whenever I was fearful, I would recite Psalm 23 in my mind and tearfully receive the promises of God. “The LORD is my Shepherd…Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me…Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

The presence of God drives out fear. The presence of God brings comfort. The presence of God surely brings goodness and mercy, and it will follow me wherever I go and all the days of my life!

Such great and trustworthy promises from the Lord! And so, as I face my first chemo today, I will not fear because God’s presence is with me. He will not leave me.

Friends and family, I pray that you will also experience the presence of God today and the confidence to face any trial by His grace alone. I praise God for your prayers and outpouring care, not only for me but also for my whole family. I am so blessed because of your love. May God bless you a hundredfold!

Soli Deo Gloria!