Authored by Justin Yuen on Oct 28th 2010, 21:26
It was warm today. The sky was beautiful, and the trees were colorful and crisp. I sat outside for 15 minutes with my Mom, suntanning at the mouth of our driveway wearing an odd medley of clothes: an oversize denim jacket provided by my godfather, a skullcap chosen by my Dad, my Mom's fuchsia and black scarf, and gray sweat pants bought for me by my aunt. I sat on a fancy combination walker/chair contraption typically seen in old folks homes, which acts as a wheeled walker in its folded form, but unfolds into a seat when needed. My Mom pulled out a folding chair and sat with me. Not your typical sight in a Connecticut suburb. As I sat, enjoying the warm sun and taking photos of the fantastic New England fall afternoon, drivers passed by staring in awe of my uniquely sophisticated fashion sense.
I ate a good variety of food today: yujacha, japanese sticky rice and baby bok choi, v8 splash, soba, a baby spinach salad with mandarin orange ginger dressing, half a subway meatball sandwich, two steamed chinese pork buns, some dark chocolate m&ms, and raspberry sorbet. Yum! Tomorrow, I'm scheduled to visit my doctor's office at 1pm. I was hoping to gain 10 pounds during my week at home. There have been good signs of weight gain. Giving myself shots of blood-thinning medicine has become progressively easier each day, as every day, there was a little more skin to pinch. My knee is no longer the widest part of my leg, and I my humerus is now buried behind a thin layer of muscle. We'll see how close I am to my goal when they weigh me tomorrow. My next post will be from the hospital. During my stay at home, the oncology unit in which I had been staying moved to a newly renovated facility, so I have something to look forward to. Supposedly, the new rooms are more ergonomic and hotel-like, with showers and flat screen tvs. While I was in the step-down room with pneumonia, I developed a habit of watching TV to distract me from my discomfort; the step-down rooms also have flat-screen TVs. Thanks to the Food Network and HGTV, I was able to sustain my appetite and keep an eye toward owning a home. Hopefully, I'll be spending more time on my computer working than watching TV, but it's good to know that during the worst times, I'll be able to enjoy Iron Chef and Property Virgins. My contemplation of strength and faith continues, but after the heavy previous post, I figured a simple recount of the day would be a nice break. Good night everybody!
This post made me smile. You make me smile! :) I'm so happy that you were able to have such a restful break at home. ..And also eat a lot of yummy meals!! You're doing an amazing job, Justin. I'll work on getting rid of my gollum cough, so I can go visit you, and we can watch more Iron Chef and Property Virgins!Sleep well and sweet dreams.
Hey Just-justGlad to hear you are positive and happy. Heard from your dad that you have received the book. I have also sent you a few e-mails. Did you get them?I am heading to Beijing again this afternoon. I'll be spending the weekend at Hope Foster Home in Beijing. Hope is a Healing Home that cares for abandoned, sick babies by providing medical treatment for babies with surgically correctable deformities. These babies are looked after at Hope & treated as if they were their own children. Usually the children stay around 2 years at Hope to receive the medical care they need & thereafter be transferred to adoption agencies.As we all the know, the need in China is great, perhaps it’s the One Child policy, or the lack of access to basic medical care, or just medical ignorance, but many bb's are born with birth defects that can be cured by surgeries, by helping to get these surgical procedures for these babies, the hope is that they will then have better chance of being adopted, or if parents are more educated, and/or have access to medical care, these babies may not be abandoned at all. Joyce and Robin (the founders) take these orphans in from orphanages all over the country and nurse them to health and bring them to Hong Kong to be treated by doctors in the best hospitals in Hong Kong (supported by a HK charity MedArt). Joyce suffers from leakage in spinal cord... the doctors have not been able to find the source. Due to her condition she suffers from severe migraines & needs to spend a large part of her day lying flat. She has a computer monitor above her bed, so she is able to work whilst lying in bed. It is amazing that she still does so much for the children.I am really looking forward to meeting Jay, the boy my friend Gillian and I have been sponsoring. He is turning 2 this month (his birthday was estimated from the size he was when he was abandoned). Jay was born with an exposed bladder and received successful surgery in Hong Kong by Dr. John Ngan. It is amazing to see that although these children do not have the support of family, they are being taken care of by such loving people. God takes great care of each and every one of His children. It is when you observe the world around us that you recognize how blessed we all are. Even though you are suffering and fighting this battle, remember that God is walking with you every step of this journey. I love Matthew 6: 25-27 and would like to share this with you - do not worry since your heavenly Father will provide everything you need. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Trust in Him, lift your burdens up to Him. He is always listening to our prayers. We will all continue to pray for you. Love you loadsV
I sent you a card this week from CA. Not sure if you'll get it. Been thinking of you and glad to read your post and know that you had a wonderful day with your mom and the delicious variety of food.Best of luck at the doctors tomorrow. I can't wait to hear more good news....God Bless,Laura
Hi Just-Just,Such a beautiful photo. You must be enjoying your stay at home. It was great to hear that you have been eating well and gained some weight. Keep it up. Rice is really good for you so keep eating rice. I used to have cold hands and feet but since I have been eating rice every morning, my hands and feet have become warm. Best of luck for tomorrow. Can't wait to hear more good news from you and about the new oncology facilities. Sounds like a much better environment.Please have faith and trust in Him! We will keep praying for you. Love you and miss you loads,Ed-Ed
Hey Just JustForgot to say - lovely picture... Also, mom called you "Court-Justin" again last night. Edlyn and I were laughing our heads off... :)V
Hi Justin, You are great! :-)I am gaining something from your blog each time you have a new posting!This time my PC gains a new beautiful background! THANKS.Also I learnt something new from Vena Cheng's (your cousin?) comment--I have heard of the Hope Project in China but I have not heard of Hope Foster Home. Interesting!Praying that you will continue to have GOOD DAYS, pass your weight test.Love and prayers from Auntie Fei
Hey, Justin--I agree with Auntie Fei ;-)Have a pork-bun for me!
Justin, what a beautiful shot of the autumn leaves. That reminds me of the beautiful autumn scenery at the Smokey Mountain. So pleased to hear of what you have done and achieved during the week at home. I pray that you will continue to improve physically and to search for God's love and presence in your life. The storms in life have helped us develop spiritual strength. "Upon the Lord your burden cast. To Him bring all your care. He will sustain and hold you fast and give thee strength to bear." "Just when my hopes have vanished; Just when the fight is thickest; just when with fear I shake, then comes a still small whisper "Fear not my child, I am with you." God will be with you always as you are seeking His strength. Justin, we are always with you in prayer. God loves you and will heal you. Amazing grace........Love you loads,Gu Ma Betty
Justin-You will be reading this in your new hospital room with flat screen TV and better amenities etc.(As you know U Selwyn and I still live in the last century and only have a bulky TV set inherited from my sister Aunt Connie when she sold her London flat years ago!!) We are thinking of you settling down re-freshed and stronger and even more determined after your respite in the comforts of home. Keep fighting and know that your Faith, and all of ours, will win through. Lots of love, A Ellie
I am very happy to hear that you gained 6-7 pounds, though with some clothes on. Keep up with your "feasting" at home this weekend so you may gain 1 or 2 more pounds before admitting to the hospital's new ward on Monday.I am also very happy to know from our conversation that you've learned to pray for others as well as just for yourself. I see how the holy spirit works inside you and make you aware of the right way to pray. To me, it's already a miracle in itself.We all pray for you for a new round of treatment on Monday for 5 days. I know you will find peace and more confidence than ever.LoveDad