June 4th Update

Update: 6/4/23

    It has been a whirlwind since our last post.  Since then, Seung has had an ER visit, a port inserted and started his first round of chemo. (Hurrayyy!!)  In the midst of all of the chaos, we have seen God's hand leading us (by closing certain doors) and lifting us up (by connecting us with people) in the darkest of times.  Honestly, there have been some scary moments followed by encounters of unkind people, but God has also provided us with encouragement through people He has sent our way.  Even with Seung's port placement, we were originally told that the earliest availability was June 8th.  But that's be to God that He opened doors and provided us with opportunities to get Seung treated sooner.  We are told that it is positively unheard of to be able to have a port inserted AND start chemo only a week after the initial appointment with the oncologist.  

    Seung started his first round of chemo on June 2nd.  It was a VERY long day for Seung, but luckily, he slept through most of it.  We were very blessed with an attentive and compassionate nurse who was willing to answer ALL of our questions and made sure that Seung was comfortable and well.  Seung was pretty wiped out and hadn't eaten anything all day but since then, Seung has been able to eat and keep food down (PTL)!  He continues to be pretty exhausted and only has a couple of hours where he is actually able to do things, but we were told that it is a pretty common side effect of his chemo regime.  He has a pretty aggressive treatment plan that continues even after he comes home from the clinic so he is in for one heck of a week.  

    It has been an emotional rollercoaster over here, with high highs and low lows. But through it all, we are trying to rest in the Word and are seeking to fill our minds with truth.  Since Seung isn't able to stay awake for as long as he would like, he is listens to the Word being read to him all throughout the day.  I have been finding much solace in Psalm 116. Verse 7 has been my mantra that I recite over and over in my mind when I start to spiral out of control. "Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you".  During the day, with the hustle and bustle of appointments, kids's needs and just making sure that Seung is okay, the intrusive thoughts are kept at bay.  But once the kids, Seung and the rest of the family is asleep, the dams are opened and all of the thoughts that I try so hard to keep out of mind come flooding in.  Each day is a struggle in and of itself, but each morning brings with it a newfound hope and understanding of who God is.

-E


Prayer Requests:

  • All of Seung's medications come with gnarly side effects.  Please pray that Seung won't experience too many of them and that we would be able to help him manage them well.
  • Please pray for an increase in Seung's appetite.  He is still losing quite a bit of weight and now with chemo, he states that food and even water tastes different.
  • The kids are starting to show signs of how Daddy's diagnosis affects them.  C is perpetually sad and quite fearful of the future and A is showing signs of anxiety and is in need of a lot of attention and love. Please pray that the Lord will protect their minds and their hearts.
  • Please pray for Esther as she navigates being Seung's advocate/caregiver and wife.  Finding the balance between those two have been quite tricky.  Please also pray for her strength as O goes through a sleep regression and as she drives Seung to all of his appointments.
  • Please pray for wisdom: for Seung and Esther to know when to seek medical attention and when to wait it out.  



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