Sunday, January 9, 2011

Happy new year 2011!

"With Christ in the Vessel, we can smile at the storm, as we go sailing home!"

I had this song ringing in my head throughout the 2 weeks of medical leave. Just as I did all that I can humanly, it was a reminder to me to always keep my eyes on Jesus when I am down.

The 2nd week of my leave was terribly filled with pain. I started having bad headaches and neck pulling sensation on my right side on Tuesday. I had blood in stools. I had diarrhea. I ignored the blood in stools, thinking that it was just simply bleeding after the D&C op. I also ignored diarrhea as gynae did prescribe me one dosage of laxative. I just could not ignore the headaches.

When it started, I thought I was having tension headaches. Yet, I wondered - What was I tense about? I wasn't working. Neither am I mulling and crying excessively. Pain got worse on Thursday so I went to see the GP. Medication did not work. Sleeping pill did not work as the pain was greater than the pill. On Friday, thankfully Geo was on leave, I thought that I better run to the hospital to do a scan. Made my way to the bathroom to wash up and bathe.

As I was bathing, (toilets are truly a wonderful place to think!), I felt a prompting from the HS to check with the gynae for side effects of the medication. I got so excited, I bathed quickly and called the gynae. True enough, gynae asked me to stop one medication. I got curious and I went to search the internet for more details. I was appalled to see that I was actually suffering from quite a bit of the side effects.

So, I stopped one med, continued the other med. However, pain still persisted. Next day, called again and then was informed that the 2nd med also had similar side effects. Sigh... I literally let out a sigh when I was on the phone with the nurse.

Anyway, with the whole of Sat without the medication and lots of water to flush it out, Sunday, the pulling pain in the head was still around. To top it off, I develop sores at my tonsil area. So, I decided to seek 2nd opinion and I went to KKH's women's clinic.

It was an interesting finding at KKH. Firstly, my 5-6 sores in the tonsils is not considered bad. (I think if it's whole entire mouth, then it's bad!) Secondly, doc asked me if I take antibiotics before. I told her that I usually reject antibiotics and do not consume unless absolutely necessary like a bad infection. She then said that it's my body's way of reacting to too much antibiotics in my body suddenly. Said also that the medicine given to me was to prevent infection after the D&C. Usually, one week suffice. So, she was also shocked that I was given 2 weeks.

Anyway, looking back, it still has been a good 2 weeks away from work despite the emotional upheaval and physical pain. Through it all, I am thankful for many things.

As I start today with breakfast with Geo today, it dawned upon me that it's during the physical pain that I look to God more. Yes, I prayed when I am emotionally down yet I know that I sought God more during the physical pain. Perhaps, it's only human or it was easier to allow oneself to wallow in sadness? As I look back, I learn to give thanks for the headache (despite it's pain) because that helped me to fix my eyes on Him more.

I know I couldn't have pulled through without God. But, I also know that I wouldn't have pulled through without the companionship of a supportive husband, family and friends. Last week, I had a good problem. I had to arrange all my nights well so that my friends could visit me. I was initially feeling rather dull to meet anyone but I was reminded that these are friends who really stood by me when I am down.

So..... As I began my day today, God placed a word in my heart - Commit. Commit to God my plans. Commit to God my day. Commit to God the promises I said. Commit to God myself. And so.... Today, is the beginning of 2011 for me. I am finally feeling that it's the new year.

Friday, December 31, 2010

It's ok, I am here.

On the eve of Christmas, I started to stain and that's when I knew that something was wrong. Call it a woman's instinct or whatever, something within me just told me that something is wrong. I read extensively over the internet about staining during pregnancy. There were always 2 different sides to things said.

2 days went by and by 26th night, I was worried sick. I made an emergency call to my gynae and she wasn't around in Singapore. Diverted to another her replacement gynae and was so comforted by her voice. She got me to drink something hot and sweet like Milo and also to make an appointment at her clinic the next day. She also advised me to rest really well.

Rest. Rest was probably the one thing I did not have at all. I lay on my bed wide awake, tossing and turning, wondering when will night turn to day. 8 hours seemed like forever. I was so extremely tired. I tossed & turned & tossed & turn. Finally, I made a trip to the toilet and when brown turned red, I knew that it was a miscarriage. Cried my heart out together with Geo, cried till I got myself to sleep... with a request to Geo to turn on some music.

When the clock strike 9:30am, I immediately called the clinic and made the earliest appointment. I was once again comforted by the soothing and very concerned voice of the nurse who picked up my call.

Skipping the details, gynae broke the unfortunate news and sent me to NUH for a second opinion. NUH confirmed the gynae's diagnosis and sent me back to the gynae for my next step of action. At the gynae, I was advised to go through the D&C (aka the Wash which I found out later it's called Dilation & Curettage). For the 2nd time in my life, I went through a general anesthesia. The next thing I knew, Geo was downstairs to pick me up in a cab. I just slept right through the next few hours.

Emotions. I guess like to any other women who have gone through this, the baby is as real as it gets though it's only probably about 6 weeks. It is so real that during the 6 weeks, Geo & I talked about his or her name. We talked about where to put the cot. We talk about what should we do as parents.

It was painful. As much as I know that nothing can be done to stop it, as much as I understand the scientific or logical reasoning that the gynae had shared, it doesn't stop me from feeling the pain of the loss of a child. As I sat at the gynae's the day the news was given to me, I looked around and there sat women who were heavily pregnant or they came out of the gynae's office smiling from ear to ear. And there was I, grumpy, forlorn, saddened.

So many questions ran through my mind. Recovery was quick, I would say. Thankfully, I had booked a 3D2N hotel stay in Singapore to celebrate Geo's birthday. That hotel stay became a timely place for us to just rest and spend time together alone. As if it was all divinely plan, we had initially already set the 2nd day at the hotel to be a spiritual retreat.

Spent about half the day just reading & worshiping God. To be honest, there were no answers as to why the miscarriage took place. There isn't even a specific scientific and logical answer to the miscarriage from the doctor. However, the one thing that I took back from the retreat was that God knows my pain, our pain, our loss. I was comforted by the reminder of the famous Footprints and in that picture, I saw that Jesus was not carrying just one of us on his back. He was carrying both Geo and myself, one on His right and one on His left.

I believe that questions will definitely still continue to ring in my mind. I believe that sadness will linger around a little while longer. However, I am comforted and will take heart that "It's ok.. I am here", says the Lord.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Faith

Posted by San

I remember in 2006, I made my way to Zambia with no money & no approval from parents, I bought air tickets by faith. Money came. Approval came. I went & returned, feeling refreshed.

However, as I look back now, I realized that that level of faith & that amount of prayers is nothing compared to my prayers now.

After being tested positive for a bb, I realized that I have embarked on a journey of faith. It's kinda funny to know that there's a little cell within me yet I can't feel it. I have to trust that 2 test kits.

As I stepped into the gynae's room today, I was filled with excitement. When Dr Lim urged me to the ultrasound machine, she commented "If bb's 6-7 weeks, we might even be able to see the bb.". Each step to the machine felt so exciting. However, when U/S was not able to see the bb, my heart kind of sank for a moment.

As quickly as it sank, I was again encouraged by this soft whisper that the Lord's eyes is upon me, have faith. Faith moves mountains. Faith is the anchor that holds my heart.

And so, the journey of faith continues.. :D

Monday, December 6, 2010

A journey of faith begins II...

Posted by Geo.

Yesh... Am determined to find time, and write down this whole process of knowing that San and me will become parents by this time next year. It is such a GREAT blessing that I want to remember how God is in this whole deal.

On 4th Dec (Sat), we attended a Marriage Enrichment Conference organized by our church. There were pocket of times during the conference when San took out her diary and calculated the days of her menses. After that, she told me, "It has been 42 days and my menses is still not here, hmm... Maybe wait until 60 days before I do the pregnancy test"? She asked... I kind of agreed relunctantly there and then... BUT, there was this tugging in my heart... I believe it is God's voice whispering and telling me,"Why must it be 60 days before San take the preganancy test"?... However I brush the matter aside and continue to concentrate on the conference teaching.

During break time, we mingled with other couples who attended the conference. There was this brother whom we chatted with and he popped this question, "Are we planning for a child"? It was a genuine question, and my answer to him is, "Trying"... But if I may verbalise my thought process then, it probably goes 'If God give us a child, praise God... If not, never mind'... When I 'heard' myself, I was suddenly reminded that San and me are praying for a child. It wasn't just this brother alone. Friends and colleagues around also asked this question, but my answer to them is also the same. God somehow reminded me that when we pray, we got to believe that He will answer. I was kind of ashamed for my own disbelief.

Soon, I turned to San and told her, "Let's just go and buy the test kit and test it out tonight... I will pay"... HAHAaaa... I said that partly because we actually have one test kit at home in Ang Mo Kio. However, we are heading towards Simei after the conference, and staying over too. We can easily wait till the next day before San do the test. BUT, I really wanted to apply faith after this 2 encounters during the conference. Indeed, when we pray and commit the matter to God, we got to act with faith and trust.

Yesh!!!... San is expecting!!!... God answered our prayer... There is this sense of awe, to know that God is 'fearfully and wonderfully making His child' in San's womb. Indeed, a human being is an incredible thing. Far too complex and intricate to have come into being without the guiding hand of a Creator. Amen!!!... :)

Sunday, December 5, 2010

A journey of faith begins...

Posted by San.

There's this deep joy that's overflowing within me. I have received all sorts of blessings from God, in all various forms. Financial, emotional, physical, handphones, PDAs, etc. You name it, I have it.

However, the blessing of knowing that I am carrying a child is beyond words. In all honesty, the last few months were mixed with fear & disappointments. It has almost been a teenage-hood worry to me that I would have great difficulties bearing a child. Where I got these fears - don't ask me. I even was prepared that I even might be adopting.

It seemed almost surreal, almost totally unreal. How could this be happening to me? Wow! A life is within me! Is it for real? God, you sure? God, wow! You are so kind to me! God, you are so nice to me. I am filled with astonishment, excitement, surreal-ness. Each moment, I would be thinking of the little one within me. Each movement I made is made with care.

Just two days ago, I had a little doubt. As I was waiting for my monthly period to arrive, I was tempted to opine "Oh, it's been days and I am tired of waiting for my period to come!" Yet, there was this still small voice beside me whispering - San, I thought you were praying for a child? Where is that faith?

I kept this thought within me and unknowingly, Geo also had his thoughts - which he will blog if he has found the time. Hee.. When we put it together and discussed about it, we decided that we would go and buy the test kit. Honestly, I was reluctant to test, worried that I would be disappointed. Yet, there was this strong feeling pushing me to have faith & trust.

God is good - in good times AND bad times! I am reminded that we have only tried for a child for a mere 8 months. There are couples who have tried 8 years and are still trying. I am only reminded to not take this blessing for granted but in everything I do, to continue to seek God's face, to seek His love, to seek his presence in my life. I am reminded that I am not to gloat. I am reminded to break the news with care.

For now, I have been advised to sleep well, eat normal & pray! =) God, I am ready for the 40 weeks of faith.. May You take over my life & take control of everything.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Getting to know you

The song from King & I - Getting to know you - was probably my theme song this year with regards to my marriage.

It was just beginning of this year that I made a vow to a man - Till death do us part. My life has not been the same since then. Marriage has probably brought the worst and the best out of me.

Living with my in laws was never a difficult thing to do. My greatest adjustment was probably the toilet, having no space to wash my clothes and hang it up. Kitchen habits were very different as well. Thankfully, I do not inspire to be a chef so I steer clear of the kitchen.

I very much appreciate Geo for his patience and often very slow to anger. I ask him ever now and then if I will ever one day see his anger towards me. Shamefully, in these past 10 months, he has definitely experienced my wrath more than me his.

With two different ministries and workload, having time together was quite a feat. Yet, the sweetness of the marriage was when we both try to squeeze time or do something spontaneously. I believe that difficult moments are opportunities when our marriage see growth. Beautiful moments are to help us tide through difficult times.

As we are planning for a kiddo now, we are careful of the pitfalls that may come along the way when a child comes. For one, we might be too tired to spend time with God when a child comes. Or we may lose that intimate moments with one another. Knowledge is so that we can have a better idea of what is to come. Ultimately, the best gift any parent could give their child is really for the parents to love one another. To model to the child what love is. To provide the safety attachment for the child. To allow the child, to be a child.

Yes, I am still gonna sing - Getting to know you, getting to know all about you! Marriage is an everlasting vow that one makes to get to know all about his/her partner. Not only that, their family too. It's a process that I am totally enjoying.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Accommodating and Compromising

It has been a month of marriage life for me. So far, it has been a wonderful experience being married. I thought I just want to jot this good-times-moment down so that when arguments happen, I can look back on the good times that we had.

To be fair, in the entire month, I only had 2 weeks of the real-world, being away for honeymoon for the first 2 weeks. Going away for honeymoon immediately was pretty helpful we felt. It helped us adjust to living together as a couple first (before I started staying with Geo's parents). It gave us ample time to talk about some standards and values we share. Although it was a little surreal (living in hotel and away from homeland), it was a pretty fruitful experience.

In the 2 weeks, I found that my in-laws love language is Acts of Service. They love by serving. They hardly talk, although I found a few good occasion to chat. Last week while cooking together with my father in law, I spoke of preserved beancurd (tao-lu) and how much I love it with porridge and how much I love porridge. Next day, my mother in law, in her silent ways, cooked porridge for me. My parents in law wakes up very early daily and will prepare breakfast.

I constant remind myself that as much as I have to adjust to living with my husband and in-laws, I cannot cannot forget that my in-laws are also adjusting to living with me. Compromising and accommodating is something so crucial. Now, I eat more healthily because of a value my other half and his parents hold - breakfast every morning. Usually, I don't have my breakfast (because I always wake up just in time for a bath and off to work I go). Now, I learn to wake up earlier because my PIL has already prepared breakfast for us.

I thank God for in-laws who allow me into their lives (to cook, to do household chores, to enter their room) yet still respect my private space whenever I need to.

Living with Geo has been amazing. He has such great capacity to tolerate and accommodate to my nonsense. Between us, I am the more picky one.
Our differences can be quite vast when it comes to living, honestly. He is the can-live-with-things & careless type of guy. I am the need-things-to-be-in-their-proper-place & prim-and-proper type of girl. I need things to be organized. It may be messy but I still need organization. Last week, we had a short cold war triggered by a missing bedsheet (laugh! but yes, missing bedsheet!). Prior to that, there were little occurrences of misplacement. Finally the missing bedsheet blew me off and I decided not to talk. After 30 mins (or so), I decided to talk things out. Thankfully, Geo's a very good listener and very open to accommodating and learning my way of living so we had a good talk.

Well, this is but just one month. I am enjoying every minute of it. Let's see how things go when work starts for me next Monday. :)