Second Liver Cancer Operation Experience
I thought that I would put into words what I have gone through in my second Liver Operation, which was done on 17 Feb 00. I read from the Internet that practically all Liver cancer patients died after a year or two. As usual I asked around to get more information about repeat Liver operation. The conclusion I gathered was that in any second operation, it is going to be more complicated and that it is going to be more painful, more stressful and more debilitating. Usually, it is worse than the first operation. My first operation was bad, as I had complication in that I had to be re-admitted to the hospital for 16 more days to find out that I had abscess in my liver and fluid in my lung. I had to use the most powerful drug, Vancomycin, to bring down my fever and infection so I was worried about my second operation. Nevertheless, I was prepared to go through to increase my chance for a cure.
Surprisingly or miraculously, the result of my second operation was relatively easy and less painful than the first operation. I recovered faster and was able to move around earlier. I had an easier time, this time round. How is that so? I can't explain other than to recount what happened before I went for the operation. Leng was concerned for my second operation and she asked me to see the priest for a healing blessing before I go for the operation. Leng asked the priest in the Catholic Church that we have been attending for the last year or so. The priest did not know us but was very kind and performed a healing ceremony for us in his room. He anointed me with holy oil on my hands and forehead and prayed for us to be helped by the Holy Spirit. I take the whole ceremony as a matter of fact, without much thought as to whether it would help me or not but Leng believed very much in it. She felt that it will help me to go through the operation better. The result was that the Holy Spirit did carry me through the operation and also after the operation!!! I was certainly helped along the journey. I cannot explain the result other than recount what we did before the second operation and the subsequent effect it had on me.
While recuperating I had lots of time to reflect and the message this time round was that God is very merciful. How is that so? If we go to Him, He will always forgive us, no matter what. But we have to be sincere to want to change and to turn over a new leaf. If God is not merciful, we will all be condemned to death and to hell as we are all sinners, whether with big or small sins. God never give us up or forsake us. So God sent His beloved Son, Jesus, to show us and to teach us the way to peace and joy and rest.
What did Jesus do? Jesus says "Come, follow Me..." and "Learn from Me..." Learn what?
1) Learn to forgive---"Forgive one another, as I have forgiven you" "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
2) Learn to love---"Love you one another as I have loved you." "If you love Me, you will obey My commandments." "He who does not love Me does not keep My Words." "We know that in all things God works for good with those who love Him."
3) Learn to go the extra mile---"If any one asks you to go one mile, go the extra mile." "If any one strikes you on the left cheek, turn the other cheek also."
What does this mean for our daily living? In our relationship with our friends, relatives, children, parents and spouses, there will come times of crises and disagreements. If we want the relationship to develop and grow, we have to
learn not to fight
learn not to justify
learn not to insist that I am right and you are wrong
learn to do the right thing, but if in doubt do the loving thing.
What this means, is that, we are to be
more forgiving ----less revengeful or punishing
more compassionate ----less malice
more kind ----less hardening of our hearts
more gentle ----less temper, less anger
more tolerance ----less impatience
more humble ----less proud, less arrogant
more giving ----less grabbing or grasping
more generous ----less envy, less grudges
more civil ----less rude or less answering back
Don't people take advantage of us if we do that and go the extra mile? Sure, some will but in the long run, the result will be that we have more peace, joy, happiness and rest for our spirit, our mind and our heart. This is the Good News of Jesus. This is what God wants all of us to learn and to do. Whether we can do this or not, is a constant struggle. We can only succeed with God's help as we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Above was written on 12 March 2000, soon after my 2nd Liver cancer operation.