First immunotherapy Opdivo infusion
On the day we arrived in Asia, our insurance company approved the immunotherapy treatment for Gohan. Apparently my call made a difference! I am a fierce advocate when it comes to treatment for my husband whom I love dearly. It is comforting to know that when we returned to the US, Gohan would be able to receive the infusion.
Having skipped a treatment session, Gohan felt less fatigued and was able to enjoy our 10-day trip in Taipei, HsingChu and Shanghai. Our schedule was tight, but thankfully we were able to see family and friends in between Gohan's business meetings. Everyone was so kind to come see us on a short notice and every gathering was fun and joyful. We savor the hometown foods that we miss, and with loving company at every meal B/L/D, Gohan's appetite significantly increased so he was able to gain more weight. While we were in HsingChu city for his work, we stayed at his 'second home', the Ambassador Hotel, where he had stayed for work 120 times, averaging 1 trip per month, over the course of nine years before he was diagnosed of cancer. The hotel staff, from the general manager to the cleaning maid, know him like an old friend.
Family and friends we saw in Taiwan and Shanghai
With a mission in mind, at each gathering, Gohan shared the life lessons that he learned over the last two years. Everyone was touched and inspired by him. The highlight of our trip was an interview with NEEDs radio, an Internet radio station which has 14 million listeners across China and Taiwan. Being able to share our journey and God's greatness with so many people made the trip even more meaningful. We want to thank my sister Carol for connecting us with the station.
Radio interview and work in HsingChu
Our visit to Shanghai brought back memories from when Gohan worked and lived there in 2004 and 2005. It was the darkest time of Gohan's career. The long hours and high stress at the startup company weighed on his shoulders as he walked back to his single occupancy apartment alone every night. When the company's funding started to deplete, company politics intensified and work became a white collar gladiator fight. The substandard living condition, the cultural shock and being way from his family made life extremely challenging for him. During the two years, he developed Hemifacial spasm disease that remains even today, and plagues him during waking hours. He came back with his liver virus flared up and with 'three highs' - 'high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides'. He also had shingles, a sign of compromised immune system. The worst of all, the experience left him with a wounded soul. Looking back, as a health care provider suggested, his cancer might have started then.
10 years have passed, the Shanghai cityscape has doubled in size, and it has become one of the 10 riches cities in the world. Like the city, we have also grown, but in a different way. We see life from a different perspective and our spirit is stronger than ever. We have thrown away much baggage, and we have learned forgiveness. Hence, when we returned to China this time, we did not feel bitterness from painful memories. We saw white yulan, Shanghai city flowers, blooming among the skyscrapers, and a few birds flying across the smog, calling to each other. There was a group of elderly dancing in a small park, and Lala, my sister Monica's Labrador Retriever, played contentedly in their high-rise flat. We felt at peace.
A fresh look at Shanghai
On March 16, 3 days after we returned from Asia, Gohan received his first immunotherapy. The infusion and prep work takes 2 hours, half of the time chemotherapy takes. Before the infusion started, he was tested for thyroid functions to establish a baseline. We learned that immunotherapy attacks the thyroid in some patients, therefore, his thyroid functions needs to be monitored every other infusion. Less side effects than chemotherapy are expected, so we should have a better quality of life, which makes us hopeful and excited. We have so much we want to do and so many people we want to re-connect with. Don't be surprised if you see us in a place that you are least likely to expect us. We will live life fully.
Gohan & Jacqueline
