Joshua back with family

Last night, my wife and I were both happy and sad to see Joshua "re-uniting" with his family, as Jonathan are able to return home to rest after spending the last 4 weeks in and out of the hospital. It was great to see the four cousins playing together and especially to see Jonathan being himself smiling and enjoying playing. It was great to see him reunited with his family as they drove off from our house. We can almost sense the happiness as you look into his eyes as he walked into the car.

The sad thing would be the thoughts that he would have to leave his family again when Jon returns to the hospital for more treatment. We can only take each step as it comes, cherishing the rich moments of being together. We pray that he will understand and will find the courage to be strong - God has, after all, named him Joshua.

Jonathan smiling

I saw Jonathan smiled for the first time in what seemed to be a long long time since he smiled. And His mother, Joanne, was even more fortunate to see him smiled an ever bigger smile and even managed to captured it on camera. If I can feel the smile warming my heart, I can imagine the kind of healing it brings to his mum and dad.

The simple ways God chooses to bless us are always the best and most often taken for granted.

Jonathan Update 11 July 2006

Dear praying partners,

The second session of chemo has completed. There is a mild fever which the doctor said is a little worrying. And blood pressure is still high. Do pray that the pressure would stablise. The blood pressure reading might not be accurate as everytime the nurse takes the blood pressure Jonathan will be struggling and crying. Generally, Jonathan is well though he is not as alert as last week as the chemo is taking it's effect. These few days he will be under observation. He is still eating and has been in better moods the past few days.

If there is no major complication, Jonathan would be discharged either Thursday or Friday unless the doctor decides that he goes on a dose of antibiotic for the fever.

The doctor came to check and advise that he will do a through check of Jonathan condition in about 10 days time to see if the tumor is operable. If the doctor decides that Jonathan is ready for surgery, then arrangement will be made for Jonathan to transfer to University Hospital as the facilities there are better and the surgeons there are more experienced in handling these cases.

Do continue to pray for speedy recovery. Joshua is still staying with Michael and Celia. Do pray for Joshua as he is beginning to miss home with requests to go home emerging more frequently. The initial enthusiasm of playing with his cousins are beginning to wear off.

Also, please pray for favorable working arrangements between Lawrence, Joanne and their respective employers.

Prayers

Jamie said her first prayer several weeks ago - a simple "Jesus, thank you, Amen" ...

And

this week, I hear Joshua said his first prayer where he thank God for helping his brother Jonathan and prayed that he wil lcontinue to help Jonathan well again. 5 full complete sentences including praying in Jesus' name...

After weeks of praying with the children before bed, it was so nice to hear them saying their own prayers - Johua, Jeremy and Jamie...

Sometimes, to our embarassment, when we with our tired minds and bodies, just slumped in to bed to sleep...piercing the darkness, will come a request for prayer.... followed by a chorus of "Jesus" and "Amen" from Jamie....

Let us continue to pray and remember to talk to God...

Joshua Chang

A few days back, as I was taking my nephew Joshua (brother of Jonathan) to school, he asked me, "When we pray to Jesus, does he come down from heaven to help people?"

Well, as I tried to find the right words to explain in a way that he can understand, he continued to ask, "How can Jesus help my baby Jonathan?".

I said, "Jesus is everywhere around us, but we cant see him", pointing to the tree shrubs beside the cars that were moving to the breeze, and explained further that we can feel Jesus around us but we can't see him - like the wind.

He confidently replied, "Yes I know - sometimes, Jesus comes into my brains and talk to me and help me also..."

amused, I asked him, "how Jesus looks like....Who is more handsome? Jesus or your daddy?". He promptly replied "My daddy!"

Precious moments to pass on Jesus.....

Jonathan 7 July

Dear Prayer Partners,

Praise the Lord that Jonathan appetite has improved. He is eating well the past 2 days. Do continue to pray that he will continue to eat well and drink water readily.

The doctors have examined him and have given the green light for Jonathan to commence the second session of chemo. This is scheduled to commence today (7 July 2006) for about 72 hours. Do pray for Jonathan as he goes through this second session of chemo treatment. Pray that he will respond well to the chemo treatment and that the chemo will do the work of reducing the cancer cells. Pray for God's healing hands to be upon Jonathan.

Do uphold Lawrence, Joanne and Joshua in prayer as well. Pray for the strength from the Lord as they go through this difficult period.

Jonathan 1 July Update

UPDATE:

We have received some great news. Today tests have shown that cancer cells have reduced! Also, haemoglobin and platelet have increased significantly!

The doctor thinks that Jon is responding well to the chemo following the positive results. Praise GOD!

Continue to pray for his recovery and 2nd chemo session

Jonathan 30 June Update

Dear Friends,

Thank you for praying for Jonathan.

Here is some more update from today's checkup with the doctor:

1. Today's checkup revealed that his haemoglobin and platelet count is very low and needed blood and platelet transfusion. This was done today and we want to thank those who volunteered. THANK YOU.
2. He also has a fungal infection in the throat due to tube and the lack of drinking water.
3. He also has ulcers in the mouth
4. He does not want to eat at all and he also refuses oral liquid, medicine and food - so all food, medicine and water has to be fed through feeding tube.
5. He is readmitted back into the hospital for treatment and observation. Need to be there for a week.
   
6. He still has fever and high blood pressure.
7. His mood isnt too good either and is very traumatised by the treatment so far.
8. He is also begining to shed hair
   
9. He doesn't like visitors, doctors and nurses....
10. Continue to pray for Lawrence's father who is undergoing treatment for tumor in the bladder.
11. Next Chemo session = 10 July.