November 13, 2020
The LORD Is the Defense of My Life
Over the past week, by the grace of the Lord, my physical condition has been very good! Traveling to St. Louis and back twice for all the pre-op tests, it was tough for my wife who drove and accompanied me all this time. Thanks to the Lord! Everything went well. Last Friday, one of the tests showed that there were blood clots on my feet, and the doctor prescribed a daily injection of blood thinner to dissolve the clots. It was such a special experience for me to give a shot to myself.
Yesterday (Thursday 11/12) the doctor called to say that they have set the surgery date for next Tuesday 11/17, thank the Lord! In the past few weeks after chemotherapy, my body has shown problems such as pulmonary edema, blood clots on the feet, and toothache. I thought the operation would be delayed until after Thanksgiving and did not expect that the doctor would schedule the operation soon. Tuesday happens to be six weeks after the chemotherapy, as originally planned! Thanks to the Lord! His hand has been leading me, and I am convicted that God’s hand will continue to be in control and lead me through. Please remember me in your prayers especially for the surgery next Tuesday.
The surgery is so complicated that doctors in Columbia were reluctant to perform it, and referred me to Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Washington University Medical School. Thank the Lord! This hospital has a department specializing in gastric cancer treatment. However, the doctor also said that the surgery is not easy, because this will be two operations going together, not only to remove part of the cancerous stomach, but also to cut off the front part of the cancerous dodecadactylon (the entry to the small intestine) and then reconnect the liver and pancreas back to the dodecadactylon. This truly is a difficult surgery. Columbia doctors said it would take them nine hours to perform. Thank the Lord! St. Louis’s doctors say they can do it in half that time. Thanks be to the Lord! Although this is a huge operation, the Lord’s healing hand is mightier to perform His wonderful work! As David said, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? (Psalm 27:1) Thank the Lord! I need not be afraid when I am in His hands, for He is the defense of my life.
Furthermore, thanks to the Lord that He hears in heaven the prayers of brothers and sisters on earth, and has been accomplishing His victorious will. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for what you have done in prayers for me and may the Lord remember your love!