Authored by Justin Yuen on Dec 9th 2010, 18:57
I am grateful to be alive, and to be feeling strong again. I've undergone an amazing surgery and recovery. The tumor that was removed from my chest was roughly the size of my head, and looked a lot like an uncooked turkey - a little late for thanksgiving. It's really hard to comprehend how this tumor, along with a couple liters of bloody fluid could fit into my chest cavity, and even harder to comprehend how I survived with it there.
In the three days prior to surgery, I was unable to sleep at all because reclining or leaning on my side would render me unable to breath, or set my heart off pounding at a dangerously rapid rate. I managed to doze off in 15 minute intervals leaning forward on a pile of stacked pillows, but this hardly gave me the comfort I was looking for.
One day out of surgery, I was in the ICU, and they promptly had me sitting upright and walking. Two days out of surgery, I was walking faster and further than I ever could in the past three months. My breathing has steadily improved, and my muscles, without that resource-hogging tumor, seem to finally be repairing themselves.
My cancer is far from being gone, and there's still a lot of treatment required, but having this tumor off my chest will certainly be helpful!
I give my deepest thanks to all who have taken care of me and carried me through to today.
Justin, how wonderful to read your update again. All I can say is to praise God for His mercy and thank Him for amazing grace. No matter how difficult life journey is, remember that God is with you and walks with you to carry you through each obstacle. Regardless of what the crisis in your life may be, lay your problem before Him in trust and faith.When your Dad told me that the tumor was like the size of your head, I just couldn't believe it. We must join your gratitude to Dr. Bains, Dr. Feldman and their team of medical staff for the successful operation. Now you have to resume your appetite to regain your weight and strength. We will miss you at this Christmastide. I look forward to have you played violin whilst I play organ at church at next Christmas. You must choose a piece of music that GuMa with her limited ability and skill can finish.We will continue to pray for your complete recovery. We love you loads. God bless.GuMa Betty
I am so happy to read your post tonight and hear how well you are doing. You have demonstrated amazing courage and strength thru all of this which is a gift to us who have taken care of you. You sound so much better and I know your recovery will continue. We are keeping you and our family in all of our thoughts and prayers.
did you get to keep it in a jar? im glad you're feeling better :)
Justine-What wonderful wonderful news! With prayers, medical expertise, loving care and support, especially from your Mother who is at hand constantly, and also importantly your own determination, you will be your old self again. It may take a little time and patience, and more suffering of pain and discomfort; but we know you can accept that. Lots of love, A Ellie and U Selwyn
Hi Awesome
Justin,We are relieved! Not just that the tumor has been successfully excised, but also that you're regaining strength and vigor. That a tumor of such magnitude, nevermind the attending leukemia, didn't do you in is surely a testament to your pluck and fortitude! A great bit of news to ring in this holiday season!Peter and Linda (again using Berenger's account)
I am sitting here in total amazement that you have dealt with having a tumor the size of your head in your chest and then removed. You are amazing!
Glad to hear that you're up walking to regain your energy. Let us give thanks to God for watching over you and for answering all our prayers. Hope you'll get leave to go home and spend Christmas with your family!
Hi Justin, thank you so much for the most wonderful news and your vivid description!! You are amazing, definitely unique and the doctors at MSK hospital are most certainly world class. I thank God for hearing our prayers and His unfailing love towards you.Keep praying with a thankful heart and keep fighting your illness with all your might, I am sure you will come out a winner.Rejoice this coming Christmas with all the people around you!Prayer and much love from Auntie Fei
Hey Justin! FIrst of all xoxoxoxoxoxoxo kisses and hugs from me!!! We have joined so many people around the world praying with you and for you. We are so thankful to God for such a wonderful miracle! We are also grateful to the team at MSK for their amazing work and care. Also your parents for standing by you throughout!! Big hugs and kisses to auntie Margaret and Uncle Ron!! MISSING YOU LOADS!!!!!xoxoxo
Just-Just,We were so thankful to God, Dr. Bains and Dr. Feldman for the successful surgery. It was wonderful to hear that you're recovering well. Big thumbs up to you, the medical team, Uncle Ron and Auntie Margaret. Will continue to pray for your speedy recovery! Sending our love and hugs! Hope you get to go home soon and enjoy the Holidays! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at home. Missing you tons!!!!! xxxxLove,Ed-Ed
What took you so long to write ????(just kidding)Hallelujah!!!! Sooooo glad all is looking up for you and hope you're feeling more comfortable and able to get some rest and enjoy some great sushi and steaks.......On a serious note, we are all glad that the tumor is gone and thank you to your mom, dad and Kaori for the unconditional love and care and special thanks for all the docotrs, nurses for their talent and the work they do day in day out. Above all, thank God for looking out for you and being with you throughout this journey....Have faith in the Lord and keep smiling. Hope to hear more from you soon. Take care!Laura
Hi, Justin:I'm finally back in Hong Kong. I recalled the past two-week experiences with you and felt God's presence always close to us and made all the things happen better than anyone of us could ever plan ahead or orchestrate. There were so many angels in this world we came across and we need to count every blessing. I know the MSK teams are god sent and you will realize that they are not mere coincidences at the end of this journey. Remember...you have been given a second chance to find a purpose of life: make it not "self-centered" but God-centered. Yes, I applaud you are channeling your friends to be blood and bone marrow donors to benefit others in need. We all learn that it's better to give back than receive.Lovedad
A verse and a well-known hymn by the Rev. John Neewton
A verse and a well-known hymn from the Rev. John Newton:Glorious things of thee are spoken,Zion, city of our God;He whose word cannot be brokenFormed thee for His own abode:On the rock of ages founded,What can shake thy sure repose?With salvation's walls surround,Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.God's word and His promises cannot be broken because He cannot go back on Himself. We are being embraced by salvation's wall, a seamless wall of fortress, and that is the only reason why we may smile at all our foes. See, the streams of living waters,Springing from eternal Love,Well supply thy sons and daughters,And all fear of want remove:Who can faint, while such as riverEver flows their thirst to assuage?GRACE, WHICH, LIKE THE LORD THE GIVER,NEVER FAILS FROM AGE TO AGE.As a parent, I do have fears for my children, their well being, their study, their future security and above all their happiness. In this world which gets to be more chaotic by the decade, I have this verse to sustain me: while we cannot guarentee a struggle-free life for them, I believe His Grace will be enough to take them through because 'His Word never fails from age to age'I strongly recommend you to go through the next two paragraphs omitted here. May peace be with you today.lilian
Hi Justin, we are so thankful to the doctors and nurses who take great care of you. We are glad to hear the head size tumor was removed. We miss you and keep praying for your speedy recovery ^-^
Justin--I'm thrilled to hear it's out, and astonished it was so big--your head's not that small!. I have two words for you: Nature Lab. Keep us in mind ;-)Keep going, Justin. I'm learning so much from you.Best,Nick J.
After reading this blog, I am absolutely amazed at what you have accomplished. You truly are an inspiration to us all, with this kind of tenacity, I am sure you will beat this thing. Hang in there Justin. We love you!
Hi Justin,PRAISE the LORD for your surgery and Recovery, I know it is a long way, Hey, so far so good. Keep up the good spirits. I'll continue praying for your continued recovering. God bless!!! Rennie.
Justin - we will continue to pray for your recovery and all the while be thanking GOD for it - HE has watched over you and answered our prayers - we are so thrilled about your progress - hope to see you again real soon - (I am the lady that came to visit you in the hospital,my husband is George and we are friends with Emily) - Love & God bless you - Christmas and Thanksgiving are holidays to be thankful - I know you have lots to be thankful for - Nanci Martin