Eric and I had a frightening experience today.
No, not car accidents, near miss, or seen ghost. But accompanying our Canberra friend from old church to see the brain specialist. She, at age 25, is recently diagnosed with brain tumour.
So I picked up a desperate SMS on Saturday from Hongyan early in the morning. A call later, realised that she is coming to Sydney the next day, which was yesterday, for an appointment to see a brain specialist on Monday (aka today). She knew that I had worked with cancer patients in my pervious job, so she'd like me to be there to help her translate any medical information she may not be familiar with. And so we went, with Eric of course.
We picked her up early in the morning from her friends's place and brave the peak hour traffic to the hospital. During the journey, she had an episode of seizure.
Then during the consultation, she had an episode again, right in front of the specialist.
The doctor described her tumour as of the brain coverings, not of the brain itself. It is however though, growing into the brain, squashing the brain along the way as it grows. Like pushing a tennis ball into a tub of ice cream. The tumour is BIG. 5 cm in diameter. Imagine it's almost the size of the fist!
What is more frightening, was that the seizures were caused by the tumour squashing onto the brain. And today alone, it was as frequent as every hourly. Prior to that, was 2 weeks ago. So something was not really right. Initially after the specialist appointment, her friends were to drive her back to Canberra. So Eric n I drop her to meet up with her friends at a food court. We help her buy some lunch and said our good byes n all.....
However, 2 hrs later, her friend called, saying that they are still at the food court, waiting for the ambulance to come over. Hongyan's seizures were worst and her fever had peaked. They were unsure if she is fit for the long journey to Canberra.
So, the paramedics took her to the hospital to make sure her fever n seizures were well controlled. And instead of heading back to Canberra, she is to stay over in the hospital tonight, and maybe even possible of having the surgery to remove the tumour here in Sydney.
Please pray that she will continue to remain trusted in God and our Lord Jesus. Pray for peace n strength for her to go through these alone in a foreign place. Pray that her mum's visa to come here to visit n take care of her will be granted soon. Her family were far away (inner Mongolia) and very worried. Her mum had flew to Beijing awaiting the granting of visa.
Pray for the doctors, for the wisdom and knowledge, to do the best they can for Hongyan.
Pray that she will find calm in knowing that many people are praying for her, both in Sydney and Canberra. And lastly, pray that we as her only few friends here can help her as much as possible to make her feel comforted and loved.
I thank God for his perfect timing and plans for the various people/events/situations that happen. And we lift up all this into your hands for you are in control.
Kcan
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