Wow! I have leukemia? But I was feeling fine; maybe a little tired & sleepy, which I thought was normal because we just got back from our 25-day vacation-pilgrimage-cruise a week ago and celebrated Gie's birthday & my retirement.
Dr. Lippmann decided to cancel my MRI and send me instead for another blood test within 30 days. I scheduled it earlier for May 26, after our granddaughter Xiomara's baptism on May 7, the NJ Blue Army Shrine's 100th Anniversary Celebration of our Lady's Apparition at Fatima on May 13, and 10 days of rest after coming back from New Jersey.
Anyway, while we were there, I didn't want my illness to be the topic of conversation; so I kept it quiet except to ask for prayers from my sister in Bergenfield whose husband survived cancer recently. Besides, I already posted my diagnosis on Facebook, asked for prayers from everybody, and assumed the Filipino "bahala na" or come what may attitude.
But Gie kept reminding me of what we'd learned in Charismatic healing, that is, to rebuke the leukemia, or cancer cells in my blood because it is not from God; while I was more fatalistic because Jesus saved me three times in the past already (see my Personal Testimony on this site) that is, if He really wants to take me sooner than I expected, then I must get ready. After all, He took 11 of my cousins who were more or less about the same age as mine. And, I don't think I'm special or better than them, or any of my elementary classmates or young neighbors in our village of Sta. Rita, Macabebe, Pampanga who had gone before me (although in my mind I just wished, first of all, that I'd see my son find the right woman & get married in the Catholic Church, and then watch all my grandchildren finish college.)
Apart from praying to God to give me more time to prepare if He wants to take my life soon, I also asked the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima (because Jesus can't say no to His Mom) during the all day & rain-soaked 100th anniversary celebration in New Jersey of her Apparitions; our angelic granddaughter Xiomara's joyous Christening & reception; and a heartfelt & prayerful visit to the parish Church of our friend who brought us to her family's getaway condo in Virginia Beach, and didn't fight but accepted my leukemia. Also, I decided to enjoy every moment that God brings me with my wife, children, family & friends during our granddaughter's Baptism, Gie's Mother's Day celebration with 3 more Moms in our family, and our son's surprise second visit for his Mom's special day while we were still in New Jersey. I realized that life is too short to wallow in self-pity, regrets, worries, or guilt because of my predicament that the devil kept pounding in my head.
Praise God because Satan and his minions (including those mere mortals who rejoiced upon learning about my leukemia) were of no match to the angels on Facebook, including my relatives, friends, and Charismatic brothers & sisters who were all praying for my healing, like this most uplifting text message I received which I believe was inspired by God in order to lift me up during my early dark nights; and I would like to share it with you without identifying the angel's name--
"I read your post Bro. Oscar. You're right you don't have to worry. God is in control. He is an awesome God. He gives life and He gives different kinds of human diseases. And according to His wills and plans we will be healed. I have brain tumor since 2008, multiple liver cyst, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, arthritis all over, and all of these are in control. I didn't have my brain tumor removed, my liver cyst removed, and here I am still kicking and doing things for HIS Great Honor and Glory. I do believe HE has Mission for all of us. We are all loved and blessed by our Infinite God. Keep doing what you're doing. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless you and your family."
On May 26, 2017, I went back to Quest Diagnostics for another blood test in order to confirm my diagnosis from leukemia, and before my primary doctor can send me to a specialist for treatment. I didn't go to the usual facility close to our home so as to avoid talking to fellow Filipino patients & medical technicians who were mostly Filipinos also. Instead, I went to another Quest clinic further North where I can freely ask the technician who drew my blood some questions about my disease. Again, the Lord sent me to an angel who told me that leukemia or cancer of the blood does not have to be a death sentence anymore. She said that I could live many more years to come, as long as I was being treated. While I could have gotten this information myself on Google, I never wanted to, and always tried to avoid going to the doctors, as much as I could. So, God brought me to this angel to tell me that everything is going to be alright; and that He loves me, as always.
Nine days later, on June 5th, which was a month and 5 days from today, I got a clean bill of health from Dr. Lippmann when he handed me the results of my new blood test which showed that everything went back to normal. He said that I didn't have leukemia after all; and he didn't want to see me until after 6 months.
Praise the Lord!
Dr. Lippmann decided to cancel my MRI and send me instead for another blood test within 30 days. I scheduled it earlier for May 26, after our granddaughter Xiomara's baptism on May 7, the NJ Blue Army Shrine's 100th Anniversary Celebration of our Lady's Apparition at Fatima on May 13, and 10 days of rest after coming back from New Jersey.
Anyway, while we were there, I didn't want my illness to be the topic of conversation; so I kept it quiet except to ask for prayers from my sister in Bergenfield whose husband survived cancer recently. Besides, I already posted my diagnosis on Facebook, asked for prayers from everybody, and assumed the Filipino "bahala na" or come what may attitude.
But Gie kept reminding me of what we'd learned in Charismatic healing, that is, to rebuke the leukemia, or cancer cells in my blood because it is not from God; while I was more fatalistic because Jesus saved me three times in the past already (see my Personal Testimony on this site) that is, if He really wants to take me sooner than I expected, then I must get ready. After all, He took 11 of my cousins who were more or less about the same age as mine. And, I don't think I'm special or better than them, or any of my elementary classmates or young neighbors in our village of Sta. Rita, Macabebe, Pampanga who had gone before me (although in my mind I just wished, first of all, that I'd see my son find the right woman & get married in the Catholic Church, and then watch all my grandchildren finish college.)
Apart from praying to God to give me more time to prepare if He wants to take my life soon, I also asked the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima (because Jesus can't say no to His Mom) during the all day & rain-soaked 100th anniversary celebration in New Jersey of her Apparitions; our angelic granddaughter Xiomara's joyous Christening & reception; and a heartfelt & prayerful visit to the parish Church of our friend who brought us to her family's getaway condo in Virginia Beach, and didn't fight but accepted my leukemia. Also, I decided to enjoy every moment that God brings me with my wife, children, family & friends during our granddaughter's Baptism, Gie's Mother's Day celebration with 3 more Moms in our family, and our son's surprise second visit for his Mom's special day while we were still in New Jersey. I realized that life is too short to wallow in self-pity, regrets, worries, or guilt because of my predicament that the devil kept pounding in my head.
Praise God because Satan and his minions (including those mere mortals who rejoiced upon learning about my leukemia) were of no match to the angels on Facebook, including my relatives, friends, and Charismatic brothers & sisters who were all praying for my healing, like this most uplifting text message I received which I believe was inspired by God in order to lift me up during my early dark nights; and I would like to share it with you without identifying the angel's name--
"I read your post Bro. Oscar. You're right you don't have to worry. God is in control. He is an awesome God. He gives life and He gives different kinds of human diseases. And according to His wills and plans we will be healed. I have brain tumor since 2008, multiple liver cyst, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, arthritis all over, and all of these are in control. I didn't have my brain tumor removed, my liver cyst removed, and here I am still kicking and doing things for HIS Great Honor and Glory. I do believe HE has Mission for all of us. We are all loved and blessed by our Infinite God. Keep doing what you're doing. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless you and your family."
On May 26, 2017, I went back to Quest Diagnostics for another blood test in order to confirm my diagnosis from leukemia, and before my primary doctor can send me to a specialist for treatment. I didn't go to the usual facility close to our home so as to avoid talking to fellow Filipino patients & medical technicians who were mostly Filipinos also. Instead, I went to another Quest clinic further North where I can freely ask the technician who drew my blood some questions about my disease. Again, the Lord sent me to an angel who told me that leukemia or cancer of the blood does not have to be a death sentence anymore. She said that I could live many more years to come, as long as I was being treated. While I could have gotten this information myself on Google, I never wanted to, and always tried to avoid going to the doctors, as much as I could. So, God brought me to this angel to tell me that everything is going to be alright; and that He loves me, as always.
Nine days later, on June 5th, which was a month and 5 days from today, I got a clean bill of health from Dr. Lippmann when he handed me the results of my new blood test which showed that everything went back to normal. He said that I didn't have leukemia after all; and he didn't want to see me until after 6 months.
Praise the Lord!
RSS Feed
