Merry Christmas to You and Your Family 聖誕平安

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isiah 9:6
因有一嬰孩為我們而生；有一子賜給我們。政權必擔在他的肩頭上；他名稱為奇妙策士、全能的神、永在的父、和平的君。以賽亞書9:6

  
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 
就生了頭胎的兒子，用布包起來，放在馬槽裡，因為客店裡沒有地方。路2：6-7

This thousands years old message still rings anew and stirs up such an emotion whenever it is read. You know what, this family of four is going to the Sunday service tomorrow like we always did before Eileen became sick! No one will be left at home alone this time.
這個作古幾千年的信息，每每聽來仍是叫人耳目一新，十分親切。告訴大家，明天我們全家人要一起上教會，這可是藹玲生病後的第一次！不再把她留在家裡。


At Reuben's request, we went out first time as a family for a dinner in the nearby "Italian" restaurant to celebrate Christmas. On this Christmas evening, Hsinchu sky is drizzled with rain and temperature hovers at teen, yet we feel great and joyous.
應老大的要求，今晚我們一家人第一次一道外出到附近的“意大利”餐廳吃晚餐慶祝聖誕佳節。新竹的夜晚飄著雨，氣溫徘徊在攝氏十來度，我們一家人確是十分歡喜。

Wed. (Dec. 23rd) was a long day at hospital like always, yet we came home with great relief when all the reports gave Eileen a clean bill. First it was Dr. Chiu, Eileen's lung doctor. Nothing from her chest CT scan caused alarm and we won't see him until next March. After four month target medication treatment, now she is released to a three month follow up routine like that of her brain situation; then it was Dr. Hsu, her brain surgeon. It was very nice to see him again as if we went to see an old friend and we believed he felt the same way. With his characteristic not-rushed manner and soft spoken tone, he went through Eileen's brain MRI and full body PET scan in details and told us the good news of her brain scar healing well and nothing to worry about her PET reading. We went home exhausted yet happy, very happy.

週三 （十二月二十三日）像往常一樣，我們在醫院耗了一整天，能帶著藹玲的健康報告回家，又怎能不釋懷。先是胸腔內科的邱醫師，胸腔電腦斷層掃描報告無甚異常，我們下次見他是三個月後的回診。經過四個月的標靶藥物治療，藹玲的肺部治療像她腦部的一樣進入到季度性的跟踪檢查；下午去見腦外科的許秉權大夫，我們像是見到一位老朋友，相信他也有同感。一如他過往不徐不緩的態度，溫和地向我們就藹玲的大腦核磁共振和全身正子掃描結果詳細的解說，告訴我們藹玲大腦內的疤痕癒合良好，身上其他器官皆無異常。一天下來身體雖是疲憊，心情卻是好生愉快。

Compared to the above, what we just went through domestically appeared to be a minor annoyance and inconvenience. Eileen together with our maid and the agency went to Hsinchu's labor department to settle the dispute we had with our maid Monday. Who basically quit us barely after two months coming to live with us. Please save me the trouble not to get in the details of this not so pleasant experience. We need a replacement helper and this could take another month or two. Six days passed. So far, Eileen and the boys are working very hard to keep this house in order while Michael is trying to locate a temp. one to alleviate the situation since he is out of the town on the weekdays.  
較之家裡近來發生的事就顯得沒有那麼惱人心煩。週一為處理與印傭的糾紛，藹玲隨我們的仲介和印傭走了一趟勞工處。我們的印傭因不適應，僅僅做了兩個月就離職了。在這裡我也不必就這一段不太愉快的經歷說長道短。目前要覓下一位幫手又得耗去一兩個月的時間。六天過去了，藹玲和孩子們努力地把持著不讓這個家亂了套，永強另一面四下里張羅著找個臨時替代。他週一到五都不在家，家裡實在需要個幫手。

"When the riding horse dies, the rider walks" says Cantonese. Eileen had to run up and down this five story town house few times a day to run the chores herself now. She resolved to suite her own strength and maintained about a stop-and-go pace to carry on the daily routine. The silver lining about this incident is that Eileen and the boys realized how much easier and comfortable their lives were when the maid was with us. This is the first week without a maid.
廣東人常說，“馬死落地行。” 藹玲勉強着一日幾上幾下地跑家務活兒。她也只能量著體力做做停停。這一來讓她和孩子正真體會到有個人在家裡幫忙那日子太舒服了，這才是沒了幫傭的第一個星期。

Until next time, friends and beloved ones, may the spirit of Christmas be with each one of you and your family throughout the holidays and the new year of 2011.
在紀念主耶穌誕生的日子，祝大家佳節愉快，新的一年滿有從神而來的平安。各位至愛親朋，下次再會嘍。

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

在至高之處榮耀歸與神！在地上平安歸與他所喜悅的人！路2：14

Birthday Girl 女壽星

Fifty years ago, an infant girl was born to Hoa family...
五十年前，郝姓的一對夫婦家裡添了個女嬰...


Reuben won't talk to her last night because mother and son have certain dispute. The mother feels sad.
因為一些爭執，昨晚回家老大第一次不理媽媽，媽媽好傷心。
Our maid wants to leave while she doesn't think we're the right employer. This drives Eileen nuts.
家中新請的幫傭鬧著要換顧主，女主人想到就要抓狂。
Our birthday girl has been in a pursuit to get Michael a good medical insurance coverage since the sky is about to befall upon this family if a misfortune happens to him. She is really concerned about Michael's health
自從出院回家，精神漸漸恢復，她就沒停過四處張羅為永強選醫療保險。天有不測風雲，家中這根支柱萬一倒下來的話。


Lots of headache and worry, right? Not everyday is about walking in Lavender Cottage.
真是千頭萬緒，生活裡不是每天都在逛“薰衣草花園”。


"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost...Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear...So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be disheartened God is over all..." Doesn't the lyric of this hymn sound familiar? Well, we're reminded to come to Him in time of distress and, as a matter of the fact, anytime .
“當你遇見苦難如同大波浪，當你憂愁喪膽幾乎要絕望...當你掛念世事如同挑重擔，當你背負十架覺得苦難堪...每逢遭遇靈戰不論大或小，主手統治一切你不要懼怕...“ 在教會裡待久了這歌詞聽來一定很熟悉。的確如此，或遭遇不順，其實在各種環境下，我們都當常常來親近神。


We went to had a chest CT and PET scans yesterday, and are about to meet doctors next Wed. Will keep you all posted after doctors' visits.
昨天到醫院照胸部電腦斷層和全身正子掃描，下週三看醫生聽結果。稍候再向大家報告。

Thank You Letter

來信摘要：感謝函 受理單位：院長信箱承辦單位 回覆日期：2010-11-23 11:12:55 處理情形：永強先生，您好：


感謝您的來函，表達對本院神經外科潘宏基醫師、許秉權醫師、癌病中心藍耿立醫師、胸腔外科謝致政醫師、胸腔部邱昭華醫師及173、161病房護理人員之肯定及讚賞，本院深以有此“視病猶親”之同仁為榮，已將您的鼓勵轉知相關單位予以表揚，並刊登於〝本院脈動〞電子刊物，作為同仁模範。我們將因您的鼓勵而益加奮勉，為病患作更好的服務。
另有關您提醒本院停車場收費機語音內容不妥之建議，本院將納入檢討改進之參考，敬請繼續愛護本院並請不吝指教。
耑此順頌
台安


台北榮民總醫院 敬啟

---

上述有關您的來函處理情形，歡迎點選滿意度調查表回應您的評價，謝謝！
滿意度調查 來信內容：尊敬的台北榮民總醫院林院長芳郁博士：


I write this letter with great gratitude about the treatment my wife, 郝藹玲 Eileen H. Wong received from your esteemed institute recently.


1. In early April, she was found with lung cancer with brain metastasis and transferred from 新竹馬偕醫院
2. She first underwent a craniotomy in late April
3. A brain radiation, soon afterwards
4. Then a lobectomy of her left lower lobe and radical lymph node dissection in early June
5. Started taking Iressa in July as her first line treatment and this remains current


Drs. 潘宏基, 許秉權, 藍耿立, 謝致政, 邱昭華 (in the order from which treatment received), the nurses and caregivers from wards 中正 173 and 161 and a whole batch of other medical professionals, caregivers and administrators of different department that we encountered left us with an experience that so profound and indelible. Your esteemed institute is indeed worthy the name, the Best in Taiwan and more to it, the quality of treatment and patient care, and the advancement of medical skill, technology and facilities are equal to those of the best in the US if not better, yet only at a small fraction of hospital bill in the US would cost us; therefore we say overall treatment my wife received is far superior. That puts your hospital ahead most of those in US in our judgment. No wonder President Obama is in a dire need to reform the health care system of US.


Moreover, we are here to commend Dr. 許秉權 who went beyond and above what is expected of a fine medical doctor


1. A comforter - He first quelled our anxiety and desperation when my wife was admitted to his ward. “Cancer” was a word so very foreign to us and a potential of high grade brain tumor seemed a synonym of “Death” to us at first,
2. A magician and executioner - He assured us of his credential and would do his utmost to afford my wife the best treatment the hospital and he could provide; and most of all, he did what he said
3. A listener and counselor - Besides giving my wife a battery of scan and test to prepare her for an ultra delicate surgical procedure, hence a successful surgery, he always made himself available explaining to us in details; after awhile we felt rather he and us tackling the tumor problem as one team
4. An advocator - When pathological result indicated the tumor was a brain metastasis after her craniotomy, he ordered tests, scans and other procedures to trace the origin of the tumor and recommended immediate lobectomy once confirmed the location being in her lung
5. A cheerleader - He constantly rallied us to fight on and not to give in or up where survivability improves when the strong-will-to-live prevails


He now becomes “Our Doctor”, a beloved and respected one after about a month or so under his care. He truly exemplifies the finest medical professional and caregiver this modern world defines. He works our brains and hearts besides ones’ illness. We look forward to meeting him every three months on our regular follow up visit as we understand this fight is far from over. But having him on our side, this rapport of trust and camaraderie favorably add good fighting chance for us. All and all, we can’t thank you enough for training up and giving us such a wonderful doctor and gentleman.


Gratefully and respectfully yours,


Michael Wong


p.s. A minor issue about what displays at toll booth of the hospital underground parking garage, it says “Thank you, please leave.” after one pays the parking fee. We believe it means to say, “Thank you. Please drive safe” or “Thank you. Have a nice day.” One could simply leave out the “please leave” part, lest someone miscues it for an unintended contemptuous expression.

Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林

I was not sure what hit her brain today when I asked if she would go out with me just for my sake and she obliged without an ounce of hesitation.

不知甚麼緣故她突然想通了，當筆者以“陪我出門走走”為藉口邀她時，竟然得到她爽快地回應。

Anyway, we packed and hustled out the door in less than 10 min. lest she changed her mind.

唯恐她改變注意，三下兩下收拾了東西，不到十分鐘地時間我們便出了門。

A less than 30 km drive, off we went and climbed.
三十公里不到的路程，先是平路，不久就爬坡上山。

Lavender Cottage  www.lavendercottage.com.tw A beautifully manicured courtyard on a sloppy incline nestled up at the mid level of the mountain ridges. Upon entering the place, one was met with variety of plants dotted with flowers of many colors neatly lined up on the path. And the air was filled with flowing fragrance of lavender. Green was everywhere, near and afar. Fresh breeze and mountain mist made one’s mind tingling awakening and sensory crispy clean. The whole place was sprinkled with purple.

這地方叫“薰衣草森林”，藏在半山腰中，躺在一片斜坡上，一個坐落有次的精緻小花園。踏入園中，開滿各式花朵的盆景沿路整齊地擺放著，空氣裡飄著薰衣草的芬芳，遠山近地草木蔥茸。清爽的微風和山嵐叫人耳目一新，為之興奮，紫色的花和物點綴了四周。

That must pumped up not just mine, but also, most of all, Eileen’s dopamine in her brain. Like Alice in the Wonderland, she trod through all parts of the garden high and low. That was quite an exercise equating ascending and descending our five story townhome few times, more to this, on much steep staircases in many of its wooded paths.

不止本人，藹玲更有其事，一陣一陣的愉悅感讓人有點飄了起來。她像是掉進仙境的愛麗斯，上上下下地踏遍園子的每個角落。算一算幾乎是家裡五層樓梯幾上幾下，又條林道的坡度遠比家中的陡。

This excursion cost about $15 per head including a sit-down lunch. Sitting on top of the property, its center piece was a three level Scottish cottage like building. Its white walls accentuated by dark brown trims and big window panels on all sides made its façade rather modern looking without a trace of ostentation. The building simply blended in well with its surroundings. Sitting on the top level where the floor was spacious and mountain and garden view were from different directions, we enjoyed our meals immensely. That was worth the trip!

門票加午餐花了千百來塊錢。一座三層樓高，看似蘇格蘭洋房的建築坐落在坡頂，其乃園子的中心。白牆黑邊，面面被玻璃窗包裹的外表透著現代氣息，與周圍的環境融為一體，不俗卻雅致。坐在頂層寬敞的樓面享用午餐 ，遠山近園的景致四面八方目不暇給，實在令人陶醉，值回標價。

On the way home, reflecting on the experience I probed her on why her jumping on my invitation of this field trip so ready. Readily she gave me the answer. The couple hundreds yard “long” walk to visit Daphne’s dad who was stricken with leukemia, after finishing up our own visit with Dr. Chiu at Taipei Veterans General Hospital the other day made her walking out of her own valley of the shadow of death.

回家途中，筆者不禁好奇地追問女主角今天刮的甚麼風讓她如此爽快赴約。她三言兩語高興地回答說，是前天在榮總看完邱昭華大夫的門診後‘長途跋涉’前往探視倩芬師母患白血病的老父親後讓她走出自己的死蔭幽谷。

As a matter of the fact, She realized that she was fit to walk long and didn’t collapse as she was anxiously anticipating. She had carried on a stigma, “I-am-too-sick-to-have-a-long-walk” since last surgery. She wasn't gasping for air after all, by which she was emboldened and relieved.

自肺切除手術後，她一直活在“自己元氣大傷無法長距離行動“的恐懼中，事實上那趟路程並沒有像自己耽心的攤在半路上，一路走下來上氣和下氣接得好好地，叫她如釋重負又壯了膽。

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28a)

“我們曉得萬事互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處”羅馬書八：二十八上

An emphatic amen. Another day this is!

阿門！這一天還真不賴。

She Is Doing Good 她又活過來了

Recently, the boys told us what happened in their school. One evening the school cafeteria was about to close while Reuben and Chuck were still finishing up their dinner there, back when Eileen was not doing too well. The woman who ran the cafeteria struck up a conversation with them. When she found out why they lingered at her cafeteria late was because their dad was out of town working while their mom was rehabilitating from cancer. She took pity on them, gave them free food and did this again and again.

最近兩個孩子告訴我們在學校發生的事。那是不久前藹玲的身體還在折騰的日子，兩兄弟晚餐時到學校的餐廳覓食，就要打烊了，餐廳的老闆娘過來跟他們搭訕，了解到家裡的狀況時，心生同情，此後常常給兩兄弟加餐。

Bless her heart for her kindness. This family encounters all sorts of kindnesses. Daily, one is reminded to count his blessings when misfortune strikes.

實在是謝謝她的好心腸。這些日子每每得人恩惠，在逆境時人當常常數算神的恩典。

Well, October brings relief about temperature and humidity. We can finally turn off the air conditioning and gone is the repressive summer heat.

中秋過後，天氣漸涼。總算可以關掉冷氣，告別了悶熱的夏天。

No news is good news. We went to see Dr. Chiu today and there is nothing alarming about her lung CT scan result. All seem normal.

目前藹玲的狀況無恙。昨天去見了邱昭華大夫（胸腔內科），藹玲兩週前照的胸腔電腦斷層掃描結果正常，可以安心。

Eileen, we will stop calling her “patient” from now on, is more of herself now. She regains her appetite. She complains often about how the food tastes dry now. “They don’t taste as good.” I hear this again and again. But don’t be fooled by this casual comment of her. She still finishes a large portion of a plate of deep fried lotus root slice minced with ground pork while salivating the food and mumbling, “Oh, they don’t taste as good!” at the same time. Go figure.

藹玲恢復得不錯，從現在開始可以不用叫她“病人”了。她的胃口也回來了，“這東西吃起來沒有以前的味道。”成了她的口頭禪，常常抱怨食物在口中顯得乾乾的。不過也不必對她的抱怨太過認真，上星期一盤“炸蓮藕夾肉”超過一半是她清掉的，還一邊不時大塊剁姬，一邊對筆者一本正經的說，“喔，這不如過去好吃。”儼然一幅食饕的口氣，叫人不知信她那樣才好。

The other day, Michael bought home few Italian dishes - pizzas, salad, chicken penne and dessert. One should see her putting on this jolly grin, following the boys to the dinning room, and munching on all food except Tiramisu while Michael kept on reminding the boys to let mommy have her pick as if she was the baby of us all. To tell the truth, the boys were little taken aback. Chuck for one in particular, when was the last time he ceased the privilege being the baby of this household, now he had to share his favorite dish – chicken penne with Mommy and the worst was Mommy kept on asking for more and more of his favorite chicken penne.

週末，筆者外買了一堆義大利食物，比薩，沙拉，通心粉炒雞丁，甜點。真正認識我們的人可以想像她一副因食物興奮的神情，跟著筆者和孩子圍上餐桌，除了甜點，每樣東西都不錯過。為此，筆者需要不時地提醒兩個孩子，讓媽媽挑她喜歡的食物。媽媽成了家中的老么，老實說， 兩個孩子多少有些錯厄，老二尤其。從來都是媽媽讓他，叫他把自己那份通心粉炒雞丁讓出來分給大家，真有點心不甘情不願，最叫他受不了的是媽媽還沒完沒了向他討通心粉炒雞丁。

Everybody learned to share at the dinner table that night and the meal could not taste better. As for Eileen, the food makes her whole and my dear wife is back to herself again, almost.

那一餐大家都吃得好開心，因為爭食搶吃，食物顯得格外美味。至於藹玲，食物讓她對生活充滿期待，我的妻子又恢復了生氣。

Honestly speaking, if it wasn’t her strong body build up over the course of these many years, she won’t bounce back as robust as today. For what she may come short on her form and shape, much is made up in her physical strength.  Hence my advise to people so obsessed about the appearance, think it twice before one sheds her or his extra pounds. This weight may come in handy in other time.

老實說，若不是她日積月累的好體質，換成另外一個人也不知需要多久才可以把她的身子調理回來。她的身材也許不夠苗條，體質卻不輸人。所以大家也不必刻意減肥，為那幾磅贅肉過於煩惱，說不定哪天還要靠它渡過難關呢。

Food aside, she starts to involve in boys’ school works. From time to time, one hears her raising up her voice like all overbearing Chinese parents when tutoring Chuck.

食物除外，她已開始介入孩子的功課，像所有過於操心子女的中國人家長，我們家中不時又可以聽到三娘教子時高兩個八度的嗓門。

There was a time she had this creepy numbness sensation running from her left fingers through the whole length of her arm up to her left shoulder. Doctors can’t figure out why and she has to live with it for the time being. Good thing about this numbness is it doesn’t happen too often. Last time was in July. This however is a stern reminder that we’re fine but nevertheless, not out of the woods yet.

最近，一陣痲痹的感覺從左手五個指尖開始，一直穿過手臂傳送到左肩，約有十五分之久，大夫們也說不出個所以然，一時還真沒轍。好在這種事情不常發生，上一次是七月的事。不管怎麼說，這事情提醒我們大難似乎過去，卻仍不可大意。

Until then, Shalom! Our beloved friends and families.

報告到此，祝各位至愛親朋平安！

On the Right Path 一天天好起來

Our patient is getting better everyday. She has been bathing herself last two weeks. She starts to run small chores herself, like paying bills and even writes one or two emails, very limited though. Lately, she even writes a shopping list while Michael goes shopping at local fresh market. She then gives instructions to Juanny, our helper to cook for the boys.
病人一天天好起來, 過去兩週來她每天自己沐浴，開始處理簡單事物，如付賬單，偶爾也能寫一兩封電郵。最近還列個菜單，讓筆者到菜市場提籃小買，她再教華妮煮給兩個孩子。


She took her 1st post surgery lung CT scan Wed. (Sept. 16) and we should be notified by Dr. Chiu's office soon should there be any abnormality or we won't see him until early Oct.
週三到醫院照了胸部的 CT Scan，這是術後第一次。邱大夫告訴我們若是結果有異常，他會第一時間通知我們，否則下次回診要到十月初了。


Wanting to get back to her normal life soon cause' the drug does give her certain headache, she tells Dr. Chiu that she intends to take Irressa for 4 months, not 6 months or a year. Dr. Chiu is fine with that, which means she will stop Iressa in Mid November.
標靶藥似乎會引起頭痛，從四月到現在折騰了五個月，她期待能回復正常生活。當邱大夫跟她商量服藥療程時，即不需一年，半年也太久，她毫不猶豫地說四個月就夠了，邱大夫並無異議。這樣一來我們到十一月中就會停藥了。


Thank you all who continue to follow her status and remember us in ones praying vigil. 
謝謝大家一直沒有間斷的關心和代禱。

Good progress 近來不錯

Our helper got sick this week and she took some days off to see doctor and rest. Michael was pulling his hair when first hearing this request. Well, today is second day she is not with us and we're hopeful she will be back comes tomorrow, cause Michael needs fly to Hong Kong Monday.
我們的幫佣華妮上週末從彰化回來，結果感冒了，昨天請假回家，看醫生，順便休息。永強一開始的反應是擔心家裡會亂成一團糟，今天是第二天，希望她明天週日可以病愈返回，否則永強週一一早沒法去香港上班。

Well, in all things God works for the good of those who love him, the silver lining is that we're learning to be more independent of ourselves. Eileen for one has taken up bathing herself while trying to keep a distance from our helper, hence the germs.

神叫萬事互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處。華妮這一生病，為免傳染而保持距離，反而讓藹玲學習獨立起來，她可以洗澡自理了。

All in all, Michael is amazed to discover how much a progress Eileen has been made so far. She starts to crave for food she used to indulge and asks for bites from our plates even though she won't be able to munching with hearty appetite like she used to. The stomach pill does the wonder while she no longer complains about tummy upset. Ensure mixed with grind oats power remains her staple diet. We don't hear her coughing any more. One should see how we used to carry a plastic basin, a container to collect her used tissue papers, with us to the bedroom to rest for the night. That basin was part of her peripheral where ever she went. This has become a past tense. That is a great feat to anyone who has been her caregiver of last few months. She has been in good spirit most of the time and hardly complains about the predicament being home bound for so long. After all, she is quite a nerdy person. If it were to an outgoing one like Michael, he for sure would go berserk should he being confined indoor for this long.
這一陣子下來，不留意間藹玲已有了長足的進步。她又漸漸恢復了過往貪吃的樣子，向我們討盤中的食物，雖然暫時還無法如過去那樣大口海量。看來胃藥果然有效，沒有聽到胃不適時的呻吟。每天還是“安素”拌燕麥奶粉為主食。咳嗽也沒了。過去一段日子形影不離用來嘔吐，盛擦唾液紙巾的塑膠盤子，也改做泡腳的用途。想到過去幾個月的折騰，目前的景況實在叫人欣慰。她心情看來不錯，也不因為長時間關在家裡，顯得按耐不住。她的個性本來就有些“宅”。換作是筆者，早就發瘋了。

New school year starts this week and she is able to see the boys leaving in the morning couple of times. Maternal instinct urges her to come in. 
本週孩子們開始了新學年，作為母親的她，好幾次早上爬起來，嘮嘮叨叨地送孩子出門。她在努力回復扮演媽媽的角色。

Well, we're not out of the woods yet. This Irressa does bring some minor inconveniences. Her skin is getting rough, think about sandpaper and rashes or acnes are all over her body. Scratching her back becomes Michael's routine whenever he is at home. Need to get her a stick with hand shape extension to relief her itches herself when Michael is not around.
只是革命尚未成功，同志還需努力。標靶藥也有它惱人之處。服藥後皮膚很粗糙，全身發疹子，前胸後背養得不得了。祇要永強在身邊，就不斷地要求給她抓背撓癢。看來得給她根抓癢的棍子以備筆者不在之需。

Until then, so long, family and friends, we're truly grateful of your pray vigilance and loving care.
安了，至愛親朋們。謝謝大家不住的代禱和關愛。

Iressa, Iressa 愛蕊莎，愛蕊莎

Two weeks break has come to the end today. It was good and our patient enjoyed it immensely in a form of couch potato. She ate small portion of everything, mostly Ensure though. Coughing is almost gone and no throw-up or diarrhea.

兩週停藥的好日子今天要結束嘍，我們的病人躺在沙發上足足享受了兩週。除了每日“安素”為主，其他食物她也能略略嘗一嘗。咳嗽已漸漸好了，不吐也不拉。

Well, doctor prescribes few stomach medicines to go with Iressa. We're hopeful she won't have the same havoc of last time.

這一次，邱大夫開了兩種胃藥，希望可以避免上次那樣翻天覆地的折騰。

When we met with Dr. Chiu (邱), he even suggested we stop Iressa at all since it gave her such a havoc. According to him, maybe it's not worth the trouble since she underwent two major surgeries and radiation treatment of the brain, and most of all, doctors could not find signs of tumor inside her body with naked eyes for the time being. What a character, Dr. Chiu! He threw the ball at our court instead. Well, now it's our decision rather not the suggestion out his professional insight that we decide to press on to give this Iressa another shot. See how Eileen's body bears it this time.

週三見邱大夫時，他“老人家”甚至還建議我們乾脆把藥停掉算了。按他的說法，藹玲動了兩次大手術加上放射治療，一時間肉眼也找不到癌細胞的蹤影。好個邱大夫，真有你種，居然把球丟給我們！現在反而變成是我們的決定要繼續試藥。接下來就看病人的身體是否接得了招嘍。

She remains a couch potato and won't budge and go out with me to the nearby mountain area smelling the mountain mist and breathing its air.

我們的沙發美人仍然不肯接受邀請前往山上嗅嗅山嵐，呼吸山裡的新鮮空氣。

We'll Take Two Weeks Break 停藥兩週

Dr. Chiu agrees that we stop Iressa for two weeks if it upsets her digestive system so much. She takes X-ray and the image shows her pleural effusion, fluid in her lung cavity is pretty much gone while the lung expands to full up the pocket.
既然五臟六肺都攪得一塌糊塗，胸腔內科的邱大夫也同意停藥兩週。病人照了X光，影像顯示胸腔積水基本已排除，肺葉也擴充開了。


Once out of the hospital, she is a changed person. She eats porridge, even sips tapioca tea from Michael's cup on the way home. She determines to live for the moment and casts her weariness to the wind for the time being.
出了醫院就換了個人樣。回家路上，經過娘家時喝了路邊攤販賣的粥，還吸上幾口珍珠奶茶。暫時忘掉服藥的痛苦，先輕鬆一陣子再說。

She Losts about 10 lbs. within Two Weeks 兩週下來掉了近十磅

We decide to stop the medicine starting Sat. and she has lost about 10 lbs. or 4.5 kg. within a week or two. She would be thrilled to shed this much fat in other time, but it raises concern now. Vomit and diarrhea are getting worse, the former in particular. Rash and fungus infection are minor issues.
週六起我們決定暫時停藥，這一兩週下來她已掉了近四五公斤。若是往常這會是求之不得的好事情，現在的狀況則令人擔心。上吐下瀉一直沒停過，似乎越發嚴重，前者尤其。身上的疹子和真菌感染反而顯得其次了。


The patient is getting weak and her diet is about Ensure mixed with oats milk power only.
病人彌弱，每天只吃“安素”混燕麥植物奶粉的流質。


We're going to see doctor tomorrow (Monday)
我們明天要去看醫生。

July 28th

Today, another visit with Dr. Chiu (邱紹華). Everything seems to be fine except the coughing. It just won't go away. Even though she doesn't cough as much and the tissue wiper consumption is evidently slowing down now whereas just few weeks ago, she used up a whole carton of those fine non-woven tissue easily in a short week. And the bad thing is she has this "ritual" of throwing up everything and less than violent coughing before going to bed every night lately. Dr. Chiu prescribes cough medicine and hope this will take care of it.

We are sent to a dermatologist to check out her feet and hands where fungus infection is evident. Given her current condition, she is susceptible to infection and given lotion and ointment to take care of her skin problem.

She has shed about 10 kgs since coming home. Her hearty appetite slips out of her. At patient's request, we bought a can of protein rich "Ensure" in powder form to fortify her nutrition otherwise she eats rice porridge with minced meat only.

She gets tired easily and her spirit is low. Not in the mood to go out breathing fresh air as of now. She complains I hardly spend time with her...

An Afterthought, Can You Drink the Cup That I Am Going to Drink 事後的聯想

"...Should I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?" John 18:11b
“我父所給我的那杯，我豈可不喝呢？"約十八章十一節


This is the verse of the day from "Streams in the Desert" when I read Eileen while waiting her MRI report from Dr. Hsu Monday morning. My heart skipped, "Wouldn't it be...?" I told her what I thought but stopped there short without saying much. She met my query with silence.
七月十九日（星期一）早晨，在等待許大夫告知核磁共振報告的同時，我與藹玲一起讀“荒漠甘泉”，這是當天的經文。我的心咯噔一下，脫口而出“莫非這是..？” 藹玲轉過頭去，用沈默制止我繼續往下提。


Monday passed in waiting. We even called Dr. Hsu's office, left a message around 6:30 PM and were told he is in the surgery room.
這一天就在等待裡渡過了。傍晚六點半，我們打到許大夫的辦公室，被告知他還在手術室。


I flew to Hong Kong resuming my work next day and nothing happened until about the same time at 6:30 PM, our anxious patient called and asked if I got a call from Dr. Hsu. My day flew by when one buried himself in his work while Eileen waited and waited the whole day. I tried to comfort her by saying Dr. Hsu must be in the surgery room and has have time to call us.
隔天一大早，我飛到香港回公司上班。當一個人埋在事情裡面時，時間在不知不覺中過去了。傍晚六點半，坐立不安了一天的病人忍不住打電話問我是否接到許大夫的電話。我試著安慰她說也許醫生還在手術中，沒有空處理我們的事。


Just about the time, I've done my meeting in Shenzhen and was on my way to cross boarder getting back to Hong Kong, I picked up a familiar voice spoken from my cell phone, it was Dr. Hsu.
在深圳開完會正要過關返港時，手機的另一端傳來了許大夫熟悉的聲音。


"Please, ple-e-e-ease! Dr. Hsu tell me the result, good or bad, please!" I was begging him in my mind and in his characteristic soft and slow speaking tone, Dr. Hsu went "Her RMI image shows there remain scar tissue on the surgical wound about where the tumor was removed. (What does this mean, how bad is the scar tissue, Dr. Hsu? I held my breath and listen on.)
出於急迫，我在心裡不住地催促著他，“是好是壞，拜託，拜託你，快把結果告訴我吧！” 許大夫用他那溫和的聲音慢慢地開講了，“核磁共振影像顯示腦瘤移除的傷口開始結疤。（結疤是好還是壞呢，許大夫？我耐著性子聽下去。）”


"There is no other place that shows sign of alarm."
“大腦其他部位並未發現異常。”


"Would the scar issue have impact about her motor function from here on and how big is the cavity?" I pressed on.
“傷口的疤對於她肢體運動往後會有影響嗎？傷口的空洞有多大？”我追問道。



He answered, "The scare tissue is expected and will stay with her for a long time. It should not have postmortem adverse effect. The cavity left from her surgical wound is rather small when the brain tissue fills up the space after the tumor removal. One should be alarmed only when her four limbs go limping while intermittent numbness should not be too much a concern."
他緩緩地答道，“ 傷口結疤是正常的，而且這個疤可能會一輩子留在那裡，但不會影響她的運動神經。傷口的空洞很小，大部分都被腦組織填上了。間歇性手腳的麻痺應該不會是大問題，若是四肢無力就要格外注意了。”



"Let's keep monitor her progress and check her up in another three months." he continued. 
“繼續觀察她的進展，三個月後再進行一次檢查，”他補充道。


I took it this is a good sign or so far so good and very relieved. I then called our patient-desperate-in-waiting and retold her my conversation with Dr. Hsu. At the end, I asked her to prepare to get up early in the morning, I mean very early when I will bring her out to the wooded park in our area. Her voice came back lively.
這麼聽來是不錯的結果，起碼目前為止是這樣的，我心裡的石頭掉了下來。於是立刻致電給那位等得快要憔悴了的病人，然後一五一十地把我和許大夫的對話轉述給她。末了，我提醒病人每天早早休息，待我回家時，再一大早帶她到林子裡走走，呼吸新鮮空氣。她此時的聲音又活了過來。



It dawned on me the whole way back through Hong Kong riding on a bus, and I turned and tossed in the middle of the night last night until early in the morning that we're simply too feeble a vessel to make into a noble article of His desire and He cuts us some slack with an easier path. How would we handle the situation if the outcome was otherwise when a verse popped up in my mind afresh, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
坐在公車返港的一路上，甚至回到家裡睡在床上，半夜裡朦朦朧朧直到天明，我長時間不自主地返想，我們實在是很卑微的器皿，以至於神給我們一條出路。若是另外的結果我們又會如何面對，腦子裡就有一段經節跑了出來，“你們所遇見的試探，無非是人所能受的。神是信實的，必不叫你們受試探過於所能受的；在受試探的時候，總要給你們開一條出路，叫你們能忍受得住。”林前十章十三節


We just turned yet another page of our ordeal. What unfolds next we don't know, but are reminded to walk daily with Him.
我們在這件事上又走了一步，下一回如何沒人知道，卻有聲音提醒道要常常來親近神。  

She Is Fine 病人目前還好

Dear All Those Caring Families and Friend

關心我們的親友們

Hospital visit - We left home right after 6:00 early in the morning and didn't make it home after 9:30 PM yesterday. Long day it was and our patient broke in pieces on the way back inside the car, guess the patience's physical strength was way stretched over. Let me not to go there, you don't want to hear the graphic details.

昨天來回醫院花了超過十二個小時的時辰，回家路上病人終於撐不住了，連咳帶吐折騰了一路。

The lesson learned is that we won't see more than one doctor in one visit next time, otherwise the toll of waiting in between on the hard bench was too much for our frail patient not to mention one needs to endure the merciless sweltering heat of Summer day.

幾次下來學了個教訓，每次只能看一個醫生。坐著硬板凳一等就是幾小時，炎炎暑夏自然不用提。

All seems well with our patient except rashes everywhere on her bosom, back, feet, chin and more. Doctor says this is just the beginning. Itching. She has moderate degree of diarrhea, which is normal with Iressa.

病人前胸後背，腳上，下巴都是紅疹子，醫生說這才是開始而已，疹子會越發越多。最近開始拉肚子，據說身體適應了標靶藥 Iressa，會漸漸恢復正常。

We're going to take a MRI this Sat. and Dr. Hsu (許秉權) will read the result next Monday the earliest. This is Eileen's first MRI, three months after brain surgery. Many "what ifs" bubble in our brains. Anxiety built up is for sure. Please remember us in your prayer.

開腦手術快三個月了，週六下午要去照核磁共振。許大夫最早會在下週一通知我們結果。不知會是甚麼樣的情況，難免會緊張一番。請在禱告裡紀念我們。

As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be 日子如何，力量也必如何

Last Wed. Dr. 邱紹華 gave us a whole week to deliberate to go chemo or target medicine treatment. It wasn't too difficult to come to the decision with target medicine - Iressa when we saw him today at his office.
上星期三邱醫師給我們一個星期的時間決定用傳統的化療或是用最新的標靶治療方式，我們決定用標靶治療的方式。


Our patient will forsake the hell of chemo for the time being and take an easier and supposely better efficacy path. A follow up visit with Dr. 邱 is in 2 weeks, mid of July. Initially, we'll take this a 4 months course and see how it goes.
看完邱醫師的門診後，藹玲已經開始服用標靶治療的藥物，
可以在家中服用藥物，兩週後再去看門診，追蹤觀察，在七月中旬。基本上這個療程需要4個月。到時後再看狀況決定是否需要更多的時間。


Prepare to see Eileen with lots of ACNEs or pimples when I show you her picture next time. This household will soon add one "teenager" girl in addition to the two teenager boys. The side effective of Iressa, so we are told.
下一次將藹玲的照片放在部落格時，會多了很多青春痘。這間房子將會多了一個青春痘美少女，敬請期待！


Pleural effusion remains while our patient gets weary and frigthful at mentioning about being hospitalized again to drain the fluid. Dr. 謝治政 goes easy on her this time cause' he doesn't think the fluid in the chest cavity left from the lung incision is so critical and life threatening. We're hopeful that soon our patient will expand her remaining left lung to fill up the space so as to squeez out the fluid.
這次看診時，胸腔積水並未改善太多，藹玲不願做引流的手術，
謝醫生認為目前狀況並沒有生命危險，所以不一定要做引流的手術，希望藹玲左邊剩餘的肺部可以很快發揮功能，取代被切除的肺部功能，將剩下的積水排出。
Coughing remains and not yet able to swallow her own saliva down rather wipe it out with baby wiper. She consumes 40 boxes of baby wiper paper (more than 6,000 sheets) in a week. Michael has to place a special order for another 120 boxes to be delivered soon.
目前咳嗽的狀況仍然有，藹玲無法將口水吞嚥下去，而是用嬰兒專用紙巾擦除。一週大約要消耗掉40盒紙巾（超過6000張）。
永強已經額外再訂購120盒紙巾了。


She makes progress in snail pace. Sometimes we both get anxious and wonder when one sees the light at the other end of this tunnel of recovery.
藹玲的復原緩慢但持續進步中。有時候永強和藹玲會對復原這漫長的道路有些擔心，何時才能看到那盡頭的亮光呢，請持續以禱告記念。

A Snapshot with Her Hero 她心目中的英雄

What happens to Our Patient Lately... 藹玲近來如何?

Eileen came home for almost two weeks and we went to meet with Dr. 邱，Encologist (胸腔內科)，Dr. 謝 Lung Surgeon (胸腔外科)，Dr. 許, Brain Surgeon (腦神經外科) this past Wed. (June 23rd).

禮拜三，花了一整天的時間看了三位大夫的門診，分別是胸腔內科邱大夫，胸腔外科謝大夫，腦神經外科許大夫。

With the exception of pleural effusion (胸腔積水), she seems to be well on her recovery. For the pleural effusion, Dr. 謝 prescribes deep breathing excersice to expand the lung and Furosemide, Lasix, a drug to expell the fluid. We're prayful that the fluid is cleared by the time we see Dr. 謝 again next Wed. (Jun. 30th). Otherwise, our patient will be admitted to the hospital again to drain the excessive fluid. That sounds very dreary when she has already undergone two major surgeries.

除了胸腔有積水讓人擔心之外，各位都認為藹玲的恢復狀態不錯。至於胸腔積水，謝大夫除了開利尿藥外加囑咐用深呼吸擴張肺葉把積水擠出去。 若無見效，下週謝大夫也許要讓病患再住進醫院進行插管引流。兩次大手術下來，病人早已是談院變色。

Tumor EGFR DNA sequencing comes back confirming mutation. That means she has good chance responding to target medicine treatment (標靶藥物治療), such as Iressa or Tarceva whereas she can skip the morbid torture of chemotherapy. Other than low white blood cell count and many other horrible side effects, the major side effect we hear is acne or pimples. Well, our patient has yet to come out the shadow of two major surgeries and decide if she wants。

基因突變結果肯定藹玲用標靶藥物治療會有效，這樣大可免去化療的身心恐怖和折磨。聽說標靶藥物治療的最主要反應是長青春痘，遠較化療的白血球降低和其他一系列可怕的副作用來得輕。只是我們的病患目前還在兩次大手術的陰影裡，一時還無法決定是要化療還是用標靶藥物。

Where all about this mental stage are stemming from the influcence of Chinese medical belief that the patient's body is too weak to handle anything else now when just survived trauma events of multiple surgery and her energy (氣) is in such a low ebb. We'll see comes next Wed. when we meet Dr. 邱 again.

無非是受中醫理論的影響，兩次大手術下來人的體質太虛，氣傷得太重，病人懷疑不論是化療還是用標靶藥物，自己是否吃得消。下週三，見到邱大夫再決定吧。

During the lung surgery, certain size of tube was inserted through her throat and that somehow hurted her larynx. She has yet to recover with lots of coughing.

切肺時插管，多少傷了喉嚨，目前咳嗽不斷。

Porridge with fish meat and ground beef is her major diet now.

目前靠的是鱸魚和碎牛肉燉粥，維持體力和營養。

Lot changes taking places in her body here and there to adapt. Our patient needs lots of encouragement to be lifted up...

這段時間因放射治療的副作用仍在作怪和兩次手術的療傷，病人蠻辛苦的，請大家在禱告裡紀念她的軟弱。

We're out of Here！ 出院啦！

Dr. Hsieh stops by and tells us that once the drainage tube is unplugged, she can be discharged at anytime. We'll leave the hospital either tomorrow or Sat. There are some family logistic to take care of.

謝大夫來看過，只要胸腔的管子拔掉，病人隨時都可以出院了。待把家中的兩老安排一下，我們大抵明後天就回家了。

The pathological biopsy confirms that lung tumor is the primary one. What a relief!

病理切片確定肺部的腫瘤是原發性的。又一塊石頭落地了。

We'll come back in about two weeks to see Dr. Hsieh as a follow-up and Dr. Chui, an oncologist who will decide if the patient needs chemotherapy or not and if yes, how.

回家兩週後，我們再回來見謝大夫做跟進；同時也看胸腔內科-邱大夫的門診，由他來決定，是否做化療，怎麼做。

Again, thank you for keeping us in your praying vigil and reaching out to us with all sort of helps. May God richly blesses you.

再一次感謝大家用禱告的托住和給予我們一家各式各樣的幫助。求主耶穌用他奇妙的方式親自報答、祝福各位。

Will keep you posted.

Shalom!

平安，下次再會！