A month ago, I developed a 6-day fever in Tanzania. I lost my appetite and had body aches. We tried one antibiotic, but it didn’t work. So, with some intuition and suggestions from other doctors, Wai Jia gave me another antibiotic to try.
At the same time, we decided to come back to Singapore a week earlier. This was very stressful as we needed to pack the house and our luggage. Plus, we needed to inform our gardener to be our night guard in various aspects.
Thankfully, after a day of taking the new antibiotic, I felt much better and could help Wai Jia out.
By the time we took off, I was already back to myself. I had no fevers or body aches.
It was a bit sad for the girls, as they missed their last week of school, which included graduation and a class party.
But we figure it is good for us to fly while I can.
When we got to Singapore, my liver was inflamed. AST and ALT measure liver functions, and they were through the roof. Within a week, they were stabilised but still high.
There were many thoughts during this period, and I want to write them all down. Was this a warning from God not to go back? Or was it a trial for us to persevere? What about our kids’ schooling?
The doctors suspected a virus from a tick bite that caused my fever. This can trigger a rejection of the liver (I had a liver transplant when I was 10). Another possibility was a blocked bile duct.
When I look at all these health issues, one possibility is to beg to heal me. If I need a miracle, I need one right now. We may even ask God, ‘Why did you allow this to happen to me when we serve you in Tanzania?’
When I step back, I realise that God has always been faithful. I did an ultrasound when we returned, and the liver is normal and healthy. God has been faithful for the past 35 years since I had my liver transplant. This is despite my excessive alcohol drinking at University and all the crazy training I did for triathlon.
I had a friend who also had a liver transplant, and she had stage 4 cirrhosis. Why is her liver transplant not working well? And I have been pretty healthy for so long?
If there is one thing I know, God has ALWAYS been sustaining me. I don’t realise or appreciate it, but if it were not for God, I wouldn’t be here.
This doesn’t mean I don’t pray to God for my healing. But it does mean that I trust in Him. God will care for me just as He has been doing for 35 years. He will never change.
If I need treatment in Singapore for my liver, so be it. If this is the end stage for me, then God be praised. I have been living longer than I have.
I won’t be doing another blood test for my liver function until Friday, so I’m simply waiting now.
The older I get, the more I realise that there is not much I can do other than drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Haha, God is always in control.
This is the peace I have. I trusted Him, and now I am still trusting Him.
Whatever happens, He is good!
