Dadz' Passing On

Dadz (my FIL) was very sick and went home to the Lord on 12th Aug 09. He was diagnosed with liver cancer about a year ago. He can only undergo chemotherapy as he had liver cirrhosis and was deemed unsuitable for surgery. Thank God that the cancer reacted to the treatment and the cancer went into remission.

Bcos of the liver condition, he had problem with water retention. His legs would be swollen and he started feeling tired and breathless. A few months back, his feet and calves became swollen and painful and he was rushed to the hospital. He had an infection and was given antibiotics. Further checks revealed that the cancer had came back and the doctor informed that he might not have much time left.

Dadz was given tons of medication. Basically, his liver was unable to remove the toxin in the body. When that happened, the toxin got to his head and he got confused and memory lapses. He was also prone to infection when the toxin built up.

About 2 weeks ago, Dadz developed a high fever and couldnt wake up after falling into a deep sleep. We called for an ambulance to rush him to the hospital. He had developed an infection. The doctors also informed that the liver situation didnt seem too optimistic. After several family conference with the doctors, we were told that treatments may not be beneficial. The doctors suggested making the remaining of his time as comfortable as possible.

It was impossible for Dadz to take care of himself after he was discharged. We tot of day care centers but the doctors tot that he was too weak. Amazingly, Dadz agreed to go to a hospice, the Dover Park Hospice, where my own Dad went to and passed away. He would be allowed to go home during the weekends if his condition permits.

He was discharged last Sunday and he asked to go home. He was home from Sunday to Wednesday morning. On Wednesday morning, he went to the hospice. We brought Lil Shauna to visit Yeye on both Sunday & Monday (PH). He appeared well on both days and I think he enjoyed Lil Shauna's company. Baby is such a gem, she basically brightens up all our days. :)

The pain came on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the pain was really bad. He was given increasing dosage of morphine in the hospice but the drug appeared not to curb the pain. He also vomited blood, suggesting that there was internal bleeding. Daddy Lim and my MIL were with Dadz at the hospice. He wasstill well when they left at 7pm.

However, at 9pm, the hospice called to say that Dadz was in a critical condition. We all rushed down, even the sleeping Lil Shauna. We didnt get to see his last. We heard that some church members were with him when he breathed his last and he went home to the Lord peacefully.

The funeral had finally came to an end this afternoon. There was a service last night. Strangely, I felt really different this time. I believe it is bcos of the hope that there is eternal life after death. I have always fear death and I still do, even when I know that I have victory over death bcos I believe in the Lord Jesus, for he had died on the cross for me and was resurrected. Death no longer has a stronghold on me. Still, I fear death.

Last night's service just reinforces the fact that death is not the end but the beginning. I felt so encouraged to be in the midst of so many believers, listening to God's word and being affirmed that He is the real God and that my hope is in Him.

Amazingly, God even provided opportunities for us to share with Daddy Lim's family. My MIL asked Daddy Lim if he had "joined Gugu and become a Christian". It sounded so funny when the words came out from my MIL's mouth when she tried to separate the believers and the non-believers. I cant put into words, but it reminded me of how we used to say who we "friend" and not while we were kids. Anyway, Daddy Lim tried to explain that he knew the Lord when he was little but his faith was renewed in recent years. The my MIL recalled that Daddy Lim used to attend church when he was young. We shared that Christianity is about having a hope that there is eternal life after death and death is not a permanent separation. We also talked about having a personal relationship with God and most importantly how we felt God in our lives. We shared about how God had been real in our lives during our struggle to conceive and God's protection during the pregnancy. The pregnancy was a toughy and it was so obvious that God's hand was in it. They could related to our pregnancy experiences too since they were with us when we went thru' that difficult part. Soemhow, I dun think they ar rejecting God, but dun see the need for a religion now.

I hope that God will touch their lives and they get to experience God. No matter how much we say, it cannot be compared to personal experiences. Oh, I feel so encouraged to look for a church. Bcos Daddy Lim has to work on most Sundays, we are looking for a church with night services. Many gave suggestions and I think we will try to check the churches out. It had been a while that I felt God so close. I feel as if I am a secondary school kid again. I feel the same kind of uplift that I get after attending one of those Navteens' camp when I was young. However, I know that the enthusiasm will be short-lived and I better do something about it. Do pray for us to find a good church where we will be able to grow. Amen!

Mummy Lim