Two months later

But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. 1 Kings 5:4

The good news is that two months after plasmapheresis, my blood test showed everything as normal again and my medications have been reduced. I am feeling much better and improving physically daily. This is such joy.

A dear friend of mine, Gigi, was relived from her suffering and sadly passed away a week ago. She battled with colon cancer for a few years but has now gone to join the angels. She was such a special person and would be remembered lovingly by many. It was better for her to depart and to be with the Lord just as Paul said in the Bible (Philippians 1:23). My deepest sympathy goes out to her family. She will be missed.

Psalm 124, A song of David

 ¹ “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,”
         Let Israel now say—
 ² “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
         When men rose up against us,
 ³ Then they would have swallowed us alive,
         When their wrath was kindled against us;
 ⁴ Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
         The stream would have gone over our soul;
 ⁵ Then the swollen waters
         Would have gone over our soul.”    
 ⁶ Blessed be the LORD,
         Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
 ⁷ Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
         The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
 ⁸ Our help is in the name of the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth.

Fearing no evil

Six weeks after leaving the hospital, I am so much better. Restoration has been progressive with new accomplishments each day. I was able to walk leisurely for two hours, shopping, without needing to sit every two minutes. I can now walk up and down stairs with ease without being short of breath. I have no inflammation, no pain, no rash, and I am coping with the sun better. I am also slowly reducing my medications. What a journey. However, there is always that lingering fear of "going through it all again".

To overcome this fear, I have to remind myself daily that:
  "Never again will I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
    For the Lord is with me,
    His rod and His staff, they comfort me"  Adapted from Psalm 23:4

To my network of friends and family, thank you for your support. You make me who I am. To all of you going through sickness or disease, I pray that your healing and recovery will be speedy.

A tapestry of the journey

Part 1: In the beginning
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
   He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
   He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.  Psalm 23: 1 -3

Part 2: The dark days
Even though I walk
   through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

Part 3: The healing
You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
   Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
   The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 54:14

Part 4: Restoration
Restore us, LORD God Almighty;
   make your face shine on us,
   that we may be saved. Psalm 80: 19

Let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;
   let them be restored as in the days of their youth’—
then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,
   they will see God’s face and shout for joy;
   he will restore them to full well-being. Job 33:25-26

Part 5: And
Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever. Psalm 23:6

A joyful attitude

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4-6

To experience the kindness and love of God demonstrated through people is amazing. The things people did and are still doing for me and my family literally melted my heart. In the past I have wondered about the causes or sources of my illness, but in the grand scheme of things, causes and sources are not relevant. However, I have since decided that the whole experience is not about the illness but the journey through it. Having a joyful attitude even when the going is tough and having the ability to fully experience and appreciate God's blessings without remorse is very important. I am continually grateful for all what I have and have been given, and also for all the positive experiences despite the circumstances. This has helped me remain joyful and is constantly giving me the ability to experience more and more of God's mercy.

Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Psalm 89:14-16
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before Your face.
Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
In Your name they rejoice all day long,
And in Your righteousness they are exalted.

Sustainable Healing

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 54:14

Coming out of hospital with a diagnosis of Lupus cross over dermatomyositis/polymyositis meant a whole lot of medications. In addition to these, there are also weekly physiotherapy visits. The medications only keep the chemical balance in the body but some can introduce new side effects. Some side effects can be temporary while others can be permanent. In the short term, medications and therapies are good because they keep the body functioning. They give the body strength by creating an illusion of healing. This strength is important and much needed by the spirit and the mind. It allows the body time to get back to a state where true healing can start to take place. Healing and health does NOT stop there! The body can only be in a true state of health with healing, when one can safely stay healthy if all medications and therapies are taken away and the body is still in a state of chemical balance. This is what I call 'sustainable healing'.

I have to put my copyright on the term 'sustainable healing and health'. It is a term I haven't heard from anywhere but my revelation of what I need. Sustainable healing is healing and health for the body from the inside out. It is a state where the body heals itself and stays healthy not relying on external therapies or medications. It is a state where the body balances its own chemistry. Sustainable healing is what Jesus gives.


Jeremiah 33:6
Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

Malachi 4:2
But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Back again

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”  John 11:4

I spent the last 5 and a half weeks in hospital when my lungs collapsed followed by a hemorrhage. I met a lot of people while in hospital, from patients, to nurses, doctors, and other families. There were so many sick people in the hospital. Some families had to make difficult decisions. My heart cried to the Lord for these people despite my own situation. However, my timing at the hospital was God ordained as my case was presented at a Rheumatologists' conference in Vancouver. The consensus at the conference was that I should be given a Plasma Pheresis treatment which had never been done before on anybody in my condition. This treatment would typically cost $100,000s. My husband and I agreed to the treatment as the benefits outweighed the risks hence my extended stay in hospital. The treatment went well and I feel physically and mentally better. It is anticipated that my lungs would fully recover in 6 to 8 months.

The time spent in hospital was very trying for family and friends. Many people were afraid I might die because of how bad my lungs were. However, the promise is that this sickness is not unto death. This promise does not mean the road would be easy. There were times when I was literally in the valley of the shadow of death and there were times when all I saw was a host of Heavenly saints dressed as choirs singing praises and glory to the King. The entire experience was very mixed. It was a path that I had to tread. Thankfully, God will not allow us to be tried beyond what we can cope with and He promises to deliver us from all our afflictions.

I am grateful for those who were praying for me and my recovery. I am also grateful for the healthcare system and everything it had to offer me, from physicians, to nurses, to treatment, to drugs. I am grateful for all those who helped my children with acts of kindness and love when I was not there. I am also grateful for those who planted my gardens and continued to help my family while I recover from home. By faith, I continue to take hold of the life Christ died so I could have.

Psalm 34: 18 - 20
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Colossian 3:2-4
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Solo Gracia

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12: 6, 7

I'm continually grateful to God for His grace. The strength and joy I experience everyday is only by His grace. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Luke 12: 22 - 31
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?   

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 

And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need."