My name is Ai Ling. I am single and a Stage 4 lung cancer patient. I was diagnosed with early stage lung cancer in January 2020. After keyhole surgery a week later, it was revealed that the cancer had spread and the doctor reclassified it as Stage 4.

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It all started in late December 2019 when I had my usual biennial health screening. When my GP received the results, he called to inform me that my cancer marker was exceptionally high (10 times the normal range). I was surprised and so was he because my health has been good all these years and I was also active in sports. We both suspected this could be a mistake and decided to repeat the CEA test by sending it to a different laboratory. However, to our dismay, the second test result turned out to be quite similar. There was then no denying that something was not right in my body.

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Recent medical tests on my liver and colon as well as mammogram results were good but my chest X-ray which was done in 2017 showed a small shadowy patch in the right lung. This was earlier dismissed as ok because the cancer marker was within the normal range. We decided to have another chest X-ray done. To our dismay, the patch in my right lung had grown bigger. To further confirm this, I did a CT scan followed later by a bronchoscopy at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) where I was diagnosed to have early stage lung cancer. This was on 29 January 2020. When I heard the news, I was shocked but remained calm and hopeful when the doctor told me that if the tumour was localised, there was a good chance of remission once it had been fully removed.

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On 5 February 2020, after a battery of tests including a PET scan, I was referred to a lung surgeon for keyhole surgery. During the surgery, it was found that the cancer had spread to my lung membrane and there were multiple cancerous nodules as well as cancerous fluid around it. I was then told that my cancer was classified as Stage 4 as it had spread. This I did not expect, and I broke down and wept. That night in the hospital, I consoled myself with this song in my heart —- God Will Make a Way. The lyrics of this song greatly ministered to me. I also meditated on 2 Timothy 1:7 “God has not given me a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.”

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Everything happened very fast as the prognosis was reached within one month of diagnosis. Strangely, all this time, I did not have any symptoms or signs of discomfort in my lungs. Thank God the cancer was discovered early. I clung onto my faith and placed my hope and trust in God to heal me. Deep down in my heart, I knew that life would never be the same. This was indeed a devastating turning point for me.

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During this time, my family, cell group, church friends and close friends rallied around me, showering me with love, encouragement, unceasing prayers and even practical help, such as providing me health supplements, driving me to and from hospital and doctor’s appointments, etc. I was very moved and blessed by God’s love shown through all of them. I continued to trust God, leaning on His promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

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In mid-February 2020, I decided to seek a second opinion and advice on treatment options from a private oncologist. I was very blessed as my niece-in-law has a friend whose brother is a highly regarded senior oncologist at Gleneagles Medical Centre and I was fast-tracked to see him.

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I wanted a cancer treatment that caused the least side effects. God in His grace and mercy made it possible for me to have targeted therapy which kills only cancer cells as opposed to chemotherapy which kills both good and bad cells. However, this treatment is quite expensive as it uses one of the latest generation cancer drugs. When the oncologist asked if I had medical insurance coverage, I said yes, but that it covered only 65% of the costs in private hospitals as opposed to 90% in government restructured hospitals. He was very kind and graciously offered to refer me to his oncologist friend in National Cancer Centre so that I could have the same treatment at reduced medical cost. Praise the Lord! God never ceases to amaze me! Best of all, the oral medication prescribed by the oncologist gave me very few side effects (only the occasional diarrhoea, rashes and brittle nails). Indeed “God has been my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of need.” (Psalm 46:1)

I continued to ask God to help me through this journey and felt that He was using this life-changing episode to draw me closer to Him because even though I had been attending church regularly, joined a cell group and even served in ministries, my personal relationship with Jesus was not close.

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In May 2020, again by the grace of God, I was introduced to Pastor Robin of the Restorative Hearts Ministry (RHM) through a dear sister-in-Christ. I joined his cancer wellness support group and have benefited enormously from his teachings, guidance and support as well as the love and encouragement of everyone in the group. My faith in God has grown and is now much stronger. I have learnt to talk to Jesus more often. I wake up every day thanking the Lord for His faithfulness, as His mercies are new every morning.

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I am very thankful to God that my blood tests and CT scan results have been very encouraging, as the cancerous tumour and nodules continue to shrink in size and number. The latest test results in November 2020 showed the tumour and nodules to be stable and there was no new metastasis. I continue to trust in our Lord for complete healing in His perfect timing.

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Although I am not out of the woods yet, I remain positive because I know that God has already begun His good work in me and will surely see to its completion. I started going out to visit friends who are unwell to encourage them and their family. Since outdoor exercise is also good for health, I also started going for walks in the parks and even went biking along some of the park connectors. I am often reminded of this familiar verse “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

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I would like to end by encouraging everyone, especially those who are still battling cancer (like me) and other health issues, that there is hope in Christ, our risen Lord. No matter how difficult our cancer journey may be, our God is faithful and in Him we have victory over our circumstances and challenges.

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I remember one occasion when I was on the MRT train on the way to have my CT scan. I found myself sitting directly opposite a young man who was wearing a black t-shirt with the word VICTORY in bold white written across the t-shirt. I immediately sensed that this was God’s message to comfort me. Thanks be to God for He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!