God of All my Days

Fever, the big “D”, and beanies Had a rough night last night with bad chills and a low-grade fever. Have also been having diarrhea since my most recent chemo infusion (which I also had last time after the same chemo), but just concerning as it's been going on 5 days now. Hopefully I don't have a bug as my immune system is not strong enough to fight an infection at this time.  So, I went in today to Perelman to do some blood cultures/labs, urine and stool sample to rule out C. diff. Hopefully not the latter!  Good thing was that my levels are steadily rising and I'm not neutropenic anymore. Otherwise, I would have been needed to be admitted. In a room packed full of folks waiting to be seen for infusions, I was told it’d be an hour wait... ugh!    But then I was somehow expedited into a nice spacious room even with a bed (which I was thankful for to rest my head!)  I had a delightful nurse who actually shares my birthday haha! All thing...

Just a heads up, this blog post will be a long one, but hope you can read it when you get a chance. We’ve all been keeping each other in prayer. And they would really covet your prayers as well. God has used my suffering to enter the lives of others and comfort those around me who are suffering in a way that I never imagined. Please keep these dear friends and their families in your continued prayers. I am blessed to know these fellow fighters. They are all courageous and have been an inspiration to me and in sharing their stories.  Tabitha As many of you know, my dear niece Tabitha has been in the hospital for almost 2 weeks now due to liver issues. The docs have been running various tests and are hopeful that it’s not an autoimmune or congenital disease, but suspecting it’s viral related. The concern is with her bilirubin levels and something with her bile duct. She is scheduled for liver biopsy today under general anesthesia if you could please pray for her, her paren...

I eluded to some in my previous blogs, but this short journey has already taught me some significant lessons on suffering. Here are some and I pray that it’d encourage those of you going through similar trials. As apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:12, let’s keep fighting the good fight of faith.  I mentioned previously that we are ALL not immune to suffering, hardships, and trials in this life. I’ve heard somewhere that either we are going through it, have gone through it, or will go through suffering in the time to come. And for when that time comes, may we be found faithful. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I know that God knows. And He loves me.  Many of what I write below I owe to a book on suffering written by Paul Tripp which I read (or rather listened to haha  😉 ) during the wee hours of the night while in the hospital. And many of the lessons I’ve seen lived out I owe to you, my dear friends and family. You have been God’s loving mouthpieces, hands, and ...

Gift cards, yummy meals, b-day cakes, homemade ice cream, candies for mouth sores, crying with us, celebrating with us, taking our kids out for fun, providing rides, special songs, soothing massages, steadfast prayers, timely words of encouragement, and offers to help with house stuff or anything else...the list goes on and on. We even saw that many folks have given of their financial resources through a Go Fund Me campaign set up by some dear friends to help us.  One of the Lord’s greatest commandments was for us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Thank you for teaching our family what this looks like in real everyday life. Your thoughtfulness and love expressed in words and deeds have made an indelible mark on our hearts. Not sure who’s all reading this blog, but please know that we are so grateful for your love and support!  😌

Tough day yesterday. Had some throbbing bone pain cause of side-effect from a medication I got to keep my levels up. A PT friend of a friend came to the rescue today with a home visit. His manual therapeutic massage skills were amazing!    Thank you Mike!  Nausea has also gotten worse past few days and things just don’t taste the same, even my favorite korean kimchi stew dish.  😖  Just trying to eat smaller portions and praying with each swallow that it’ll stay down and nourish me. God also provided in such a timely way through a new friend, Rich, whom I had recently met at my church. He works for a company, Reliefband, which makes these bands that help combat nausea and vomiting including from chemo! It has literally been a God-send.  The day I opened the box, I was so nauseous despite Zofran and other things we tried. And when I saw Rich’s letter in the box, I was moved to tears. God had not only provided at just the right time, but wi...

Home sweet home! This is Jordan, my awesome nurse these past 3 days, who took care of me during her 3 long consecutive 12 hour shifts. Impeccable bedside manner.    As she manually gave me my last 2 chemo drips, I had a chance to pray for her and her “nana” with Alzheimer’s as she prepares to go visit her grandparents in Florida today. I also gave her some delicious superhero muffins that a friend baked for our family esp. since she worked through her lunchtime.  🦸‍♂️😋 This is Steven, from food services, who I befriended last time around, and got to see again today! He pretty much has memorized what I like to eat by now! 😜 .  All things considered, I had a great stay at HUP once again, short and sweet, thanks to these caring staff. But so thankful to be home!

My first cycle of chemo has gone well past few days overall with minimal side-effects so far. Some slight nausea but manageable. Thank you for your prayers.  I’ve still struggled with sleep though, most likely due to the steroids, and have only gotten 3-4 hours a night. 😴 I’m currently getting my 2nd to last bag of Cytoxane and one more to go tomorrow morning, along with two additional chemo meds and another spinal tap. My first one yesterday went well (see pic below) with no CSF headache like last time.    Please pray that this next one goes smoothly tomorrow as well. If so, the plan is to be discharged home tomorrow  🤗  with continued chemo at my outpatient follow-up appt. next week!  That third hand in the picture (the red one due to lack of oxygen) is Grace's. She's been by my side through all of these tests and everything else. My stalwart and constant through it all. I'm a lucky guy. So thankful for her.  ☺️ Though I didn’t...

10/10 Match!! The best news of the day was we found out that my brother is a 100% match! I’m not the best with math, but even I know this is pretty good! Our nurses were in awe and celebrating along with us. 😂Funny thing was the PA who told Grace and me thought we already knew, so she just said it in passing... I was jumping on the bed!!! 🕺Thank you Lord! And thank you for your prayers for this specific request dear friends and loved ones, many of whom I don’t even know out there in social media world. Lastly, thank you to my beloved big brother Dan who would give his right arm for me. He literally dropped everything when he heard my diagnosis and has been standing alongside me and my family since, rallying prayer support in a way that I could not. And now he will literally give of himself to afford me the life saving bone marrow/stem cell transplant I will need in the time to come. Love you bro!

Chemo here we come! A room opened up today for me to begin chemo. And it’s a single room on the same floor as before. Actually, this was Ron's old room. It has a fridge and microwave, and is right across the hall from the kitchen! 😋  God knows me so well.  So we started chemo tonight (and will be administered every 12 hours for next 3 days). And spinal tap is scheduled for tomorrow morning with intrathecal chemo. Here we go! Appreciate your prayers.  Well, as long as I have a great appetite, I’ll make the most of it!!  😋 Hanging with my family while getting chemo! 

Fellow fighters Enjoyed such a good week at home and am ready to take on this battle with renewed energy. Just wanted to share updates on two friends I had met at HUP during my previous admission: Enjoying homemade ice cream with Trent’s family   You might remember Trent from Kansas from my first post (the friend who I got to know during the fire my first night at HUP!) He was in remission x6 years and then his cancer returned a year after his bone marrow transplant... now awaiting to undergo car-T cell therapy.    He had been fighting low grade fever from neupogen shots these past few weeks and he also lost all of his hair cause of the meds. He’s still a handsome dude nonetheless.  👨‍🦲  Anyway, he is slated to finally start treatment this coming week. Please lift him up as well as his wife Kayla and their 3 little ones.  🙏 Ron (also from my first post, the guy who brought me much motivation to keep doing laps) was...

Happy B-Day Abba!! Today would have been my dad’s 80th bday. He passed away 2 years ago after a valiant battle with cancer. The following was a living tribute my brother gave a decade ago at his 70th b-day celebration. Still celebrating a life well-lived! https://danhyun.com/2017/10/23/tribute-to-abba/ Legacy.

Update on chemo plan Enjoying pizza @ Perelman with Luke before my appt today!  😋 The past week has been so nice being home, enjoying family, friends, and good food. Despite possible side-effects of my current medication, I’ve actually had an amazing appetite and have gained 7 pounds. Thanks to the steroids and prayer of course!  💪🙏   I’ll enjoy and take advantage of this while I can! Grace and I met my oncologist, Dr. Perl, today and had a great first impression. He spent a few hours with us throughly explaining the plan and answering our questions. He is optimistic that the current meds have steadily been destroying the leukemia cells, so he wants to start aggressive chemo therapy sooner than later as this has the best outcomes. It was a good and productive time today. We even got to fit in a bone marrow biopsy today before I was done... ouch!  😫   So now, the plan is to admit to HUP pending bed availability and insurance auth, shooti...

[GOD] cancelled your flight. Not only does our heavenly Father know our needs, but He also desires to give good gifts to His children.   Several months ago, we had booked a family vacation to Europe for this upcoming spring break. Obviously, with this recent diagnosis, we had to look to cancel the trip. We didn’t get the travel insurance option, so Orbitz said they unfortunately couldn’t refund our tickets. I was about to call the airline directly today to see if they could do anything about this. But, before I could even pick up the phone, we got this timely email from Orbitz below. (With tears of awe rolling down our cheeks, we chose option #3!)  😭 .   I know the cost of these airline tickets are a mere drop in the bucket for the Big Man upstairs, but felt God was just encouraging us not to sweat the little things cause He’s got it under control. And as we face bigger obstacles in the time to come, He’s got our back!   “Your Father ...

“God of All my Days" https://youtu.be/ZYkZE8AogDE This is a song by Casting Crowns which someone shared with me while I was in the hospital. I’ve listened to it almost every morning, and God has used it mightily to encourage my heart.  So, I wanted to make this the title of my blog. :)

Had a Good day yesterday. Got to go to church, attend Christians basketball game, and Chloe’s choral concert. So thankful. ☺️ God’s grace and strength for the day...I’ll take it! Christian is wearing a Korean pear cover on his arm which looks like my PICC line cover!😜💪 At church, I had a chance to share the following with my church yesterday (see below). After sharing, a young lady named Laura, who was visiting, came up to me. She said that her dad, Michael, had been diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago but has had a recent setback and getting new treatment. Please keep him in prayer. Laura said she is fasting for her dad this coming week with her college fellowship group and wanted to pray for me too. God’s providence and grace. Renewal sharing Good morning. It’s so good to be here with you again worshipping together. I had asked pastor Bill and Luke if I could have a few minutes to just say thank you for your support an...