Thur. Aug 25th 2011

Well, blood test all clear. Ct scan clear. Doctor says I look good. I am down 15 pounds. Hope to shed even more. Time to get back to work. Sept. 26- return of the coke dealer. My dr and I chatted about some of the after effects and also my return to work regimen. We also discussed the likelihood of reoccurrence- not that we are expecting that but it was good to know. I also poked my head into chemo ward to say hi to my friend nurse Angie and company. Always good to see them when I am not in he chair with an IV. Ok that's all for now. Anyone have some weight loss ideas. Please share.

His was my devotion today- very fitting


About Our Daily Bread


Bring It On!

August 25, 2011

2 Corinthians 11:22–12:10

Three times I was beaten . . . ; three times I was shipwrecked; . . . in perils . . . , in weariness and toil, . . . in hunger and thirst. —2 Corinthians 11:25-27

A TV program on the History Channel featured the world’s most extreme airports. The one that caught my attention is no longer open, but it is one I had flown into. I agree that Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport was definitely a thrill ride for passengers and surely a challenge for pilots. If you came in from one direction, you had to fly over skyscrapers and then hope the plane stopped before it plunged into the sea. If you came in the other way, it seemed as if you were going to smack into a mountain.

I found it surprising that a pilot who used to take planeloads of people into Kai Tak said, “I miss flying into that airport.” But I think I know what he meant. As a pilot, he relished the challenge. He had a confidence based on his ability and his reliance on those who guided him into the airport.

Too often, we run from challenges. Yet the people we love to read about in the Bible are impressive because they battled challenges. Consider Paul. With the confidence of God’s help, he faced troubles head-on—and conquered them. Christ’s promise to Paul and to us is: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Like Paul’s example, in the confidence of God’s care we can say to the next challenge: Bring it on! —Dave Branon

I do not ask for easy paths
Along life’s winding roads,
But for the promised grace and strength
To carry all its loads. —Meadows

If God sends you on stony paths, He will provide good shoes

Tue Aug 23, 2011

I am suppose to get my CT scan and blood tests results this Friday.  I went to my family doctor for my routine 3 month diabetes checkup and he had already received a copy of my CT results.  All clear!  No cancer activity detected.  Now I just need to get my blood results on thursday and we are good to go.  Hoping to get back to work in September.  It was nice to get scan #2 clear and in the books.  I had an opportunity to share my story with 106 youths at a bible camp recently.  I flipped through my blog beforehand to reminisce.  6 months later, the entire experience still seems quite surreal.  Thanks again for everyone that was praying and pulling for me.  All those words and notes of encouragement meant more to me and June than I could ever express on a blog.  I don't know what the future holds but I am confident that God's plan is perfect and I am just along for the ride.


A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9

Tuesday Aug 9, 2011

CT scan day, I am peeing every 10 mins.  So bloated- full of water.  I feel good.  Today my goal is to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  Who wants odds?  Haha, not my strengths definitely.  I have still not used my arms in swimming yet.  Kicking like madman though.  With flippers and a kickboard, I am ashton kutcher in The Guardian.  Without them I am the submarine in The Hunt for Red October.  Straight to the bottom.  I wonder if they make skin color life jackets?  Rhys is going to the wiggles tonight.  I am not, PTL.  Well, off to the cancer clinic.  Hope everyone is having a great summer.

How's that for random information.  This blog has really gone downhill lately.  I am thinking about starting another blog called- What it is to marry June Choi...I have some insights on that, mostly comical and would probably get in trouble with some of the other wives.  For example, why do we pay for a cell phone bill when all of June's friends call me when they need to get a hold of her?  Is there a cell phone plan out there that is half price and the phone only works for outbound calls and unable to receive calls?  Thats pretty much what we have right now.  $40 bucks a month to play brickbreaker...hmmm

I saw The Company Men the other day.  I highly recommend it- gave me one of those perspective moments.  Still working on being content with what I have.  This movie definitely makes you think.  And is also about the triumph of the human spirit.  I like that.

Thur, Aug 4th

I have a CT scan on Aug 9th, blood work Aug 11, and then results Aug 25th.  I hate waiting and i am trying to keep busy, but getting a clean bill of health Aug 25 will give me the green light to go back to work in Sept.  To be honest, I can't wait.  Part of this recovery period for me has been an attempt at self improvement.  Here are the areas that I have been trying to improve...the letters beside each is the grade I am giving myself so far.  One small step for gil, is well, still a small step I guess.  I can't stop thinking about a quote from one of Lance Armstrong's doctors in his book.  He was talking about how cancer doesn't pick and choose.  "I see the same ornery people, get cured and go right back to their ornery lives"- That scares me.  I don't want to see myself go back to my old life, not that I was a lying, cheating, piece of crap that was wallowing in a miserable state of life.  In fact, I think life was good pre-cancer.  But I think I want to come out of this experience, stronger, faster and new and improved.  It is a slow slow process however, haha.

Daily devotion and prayer- B
Exercise- C+
Eating healthier- A
Controlling temper-C
Cleaning and organizing life-A-
Swimming-C

I may expand on a few of these later, got some funny swimming stories, thats for sure

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. —Ephesians 2:8


It is good for me to draw near to God. —Psalm 73:28


I read these verses the other day and they reminded me that life is full of bumps along the way and my human/gut reaction is to deal with things, my way or alone.  The last 6 months have taught me that no one does it alone, or at least it is a lot easier when you aren't alone.

July 28, 2011

I got another birthday present the other day, from June.  It was late because it came via mail.  She took my blog and turned it into a book.  I was blown  away.  Now I have a tangible, actual book outlining my journey the last few months.  As I read through my thoughts and musings, I began to realize a few things.  Firstly, my grammar skills are horrible.  Secondly, the whole cancer experience still seems like a blur to me.  As I slowly get back to 100% , I am excited about getting back to work.  I relish the opportunity to share my story with anyone who will listen.  In sharing my story, the cancer and disease plays only a small part.  The bigger part of the story was how my faith got me through a rough patch in my life.  And how my family and friends played a huge part in my fight and recovery.   I now reflect on how I treasure times spent with family and friends.  Different than before.  I read a lot about how cancer survivors develop these little quirks.  Every ache or pain in the body brings back rushing sensations of dread.  Is the cancer back, is that a tumor?  I feel Arnold Schwartzenegger(ic) yelling "ITS NOT A TUMOR" like in Kindergarten Cop.  I told myself not to think like that but the human brain doesn't always work the way you want it to.  I have another blood test and CT scan in August.  Getting a clean bill of health on Aug 25th will allow me to go back to work and normal life in September.

I've been told about many people that have started their own battle with cancer recently.  It may not always be cancer but we are always battling something.  Each of us have our own demons we face on a daily basis.  It's easy to just give up or give in.   Or we can fight.  June and I have begun our next battle- the battle of trying to give Rhys a baby brother or sister.  That's a conversation for another day in blogworld.  But we ask for your prayers for that.

I read this verse and heard it in a song all on the same week.  Not a coincidence

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. —Psalm 30:5

July 16, 2011

During my adult swimming lessons.  I have to say "adult" because it makes it sound like I am training to be a lifeguard or coast guard rescue swimmer, instead of just your run of the mill, sheltered asian kid with a flutter board and water wings.  My instructor, keeps telling me that I am too tense.  That's why I sink.  Relax.  Too tense.  I wonder if I am like that in life.  Am I too high strung and stressed?  Does the same thing that causes you to sink in water be the same in life.  Now I think I am pretty relaxed nowadays.  Can I relax even more in my attitude toward life and it's stressors?  Will that cause me to float or handle life better?  I am attending a camp meeting tomorrow where I am suppose to bring an object that best describes me.  I have been thinking about it for days and I got nothing.  What object is festively plump yet ruggedly handsome?  haha, I welcome all suggestions.  And some of you have been wondering about the state of my  hair.  Check it out:

ok the dresser kind of screws up the pic.  But the hair is there.  This is after 2 haircuts where I got the sides and back trimmed.  wait let me get a top view:

That's better.  Everyone keeps rubbing my head and tells me it is so soft.  Please wash your hands, thanks.

July 14, 2011

Got my results today. Everything looks normal. One of the enzymes they test was elevated but the doctors are not worried as the elevated readings may be a result of this skin infection I am currently battling. As a precaution, they are going to a do a CT scan at the end of august instead of sept. Just a month early. The doctors assured me that it is not a concern and I am on pace to return to work at the end of August. So overall good news and let's hope this infection clears soon. Cancer-free, 2 months and counting. Thanks again for everyone's prayers and thoughts.

Gil