Testimonies

Many years ago, my husband Mathew was diagnosed to be suffering from 'Trigeminal neuralgia'. This is a rare medical condition whereby abnormal blood vessels press against the nerves. It causes a stabbing or electric-shock-like pain in parts of the face.

The doctors had recommended that he underwent gamma-knife as a solution to this medical condition. However, by choosing gamma-knife, it would also mean that half his face would be permanently numbed as the nerves would be cut. Another alternative to alleviate the pain was to take oral medication, Tegretol. This was a more viable option. Mathew had been on Tegretol, a life-long anti-seizure drug since then. However, it was obvious that Tegretol could not control nor cease the pain, let alone cure it. More often than not, Tegretol served only as an ineffective placebo.

In mid-December 2010, after a series of tests, I received a diagnosis of lung cancer, stage 4. There were lesions in my brain, nodules on my adrenal glands and my lymph nodes were also swollen. The bones of my right shoulder and arm were also infected. The cancer-marker reading was 422 (normal = 0-5). The prognosis was that I had a few months left, without medical intervention or if I did not respond well to it.

In desperation I cried out to the Lord, declaring "Lord, I have faith that You will heal me; honour my faith. But first, increase my measure of faith!!!"

I was rather enthusiastic when I heard about CVCC starting Discipleship Groups (DG). However, after learning about the commitment, I was faced with huge dilemma, as it was set within my most crucial period of this year.

As a final year music student, I was already struggling between meeting deadlines of academic work, practicing at least three to six hours a day for my graduation recital, teaching violin part time, and attending church activities. I asked God, how can I add DG to my hectic schedule?!

As I prayed about this, God assured me that He will make a way for me, and that it was important for me to join DG so that I could experience Him in this crucial season. That was enough to convince me to obey Him, so I joined a DG.

In the year of 2006, my gynecologist found cysts in both sides of my ovaries and diagnosed me with endometriosis. As my condition worsened, I went for an operation in Oct 2006, three months before my wedding. Unfortunately, during a review a few months later, my gynae again found two cysts in both my ovaries. The cysts, one 7cm and the other 8cm, grew rapidly and in April 2008, I went for my second operation.

Immediately after the operation, my gynae encouraged me to get pregnant. She prescribed a fertility drug (clomid) for me to try for three months. Nothing happened so she recommended IVF in October 2008. At first I refused to go for it as my condition was deteriorating. It was even worse than before. Not only did I have menstrual cramps, I also experienced vomiting during my period. I could not go to work at least two days every month due to the vomiting and pains. I could not take any food during that period as well. At its worst, I was sick for up to four days.