A Heartfelt Sharing from a Sister in Christ

Below is a sharing from a sister in Christ, Rosa Ziashari, my wife and my son’s mother.

Bro Chan
__________

To my dear Family and Friends,

Three months ago, I started having a heartburn-like feeling in my upper abdomen. I thought I had eaten too much buffet during my recent visit to LA. I went to the doctor and asked to be prescribed prilosec, for gas. But the symptoms didn’t get better. So they ordered and endoscopy to look at possibility of having ulcer, bacteria, or any other symptoms related to my stomach.

But the endoscopy came back normal. So the doctor ordered the abdomen ultrasound. They found out there was a suspicious mass around my gallbladder and liver area. To go further with the diagnosis, they wanted me to have an abdomen CT scan done. They found the mass was highly suspicious for malignancy. Another test needed to be done which was CT scan liver biopsy. It confirmed that the mass was malignant. Last Friday afternoon, I got a call from the doctor and he informed me that the mass was a stage 4 gallbladder/liver cancer. At this time surgery is not an option. We needed to consult with an oncologist for further treatment.

After meeting with the oncologist, she would like me to start the 1st cycle of chemotherapy treatment for 6 weeks. The main goal for the chemo is to shrink the mass and to stop the mass from growing and spreading.

That’s how it all started…

If you wanna know how I am doing, honestly, I feel peace and accepting this without anger or resentment towards God. I’ve been pretty calm about it and trying to take things in. I am taking it one day at a time.

God has blessed me with so much… very loving and supportive family, friends, coworkers, supervisors, doctors and much…much…more

How could I complain about anything….

If you wanna know how I feel, I have a constant pain in my abdomen that sometimes radiates to my back, with the power of Advil (thank God), the pain is controlled. I do feel tired after a long day... Next week may be a different story. I don’t know how I am going to feel with chemo. The doctor did review some of the side effect and I will have a chemo class before starting it. Hopefully not too bad, and if I go bald… I may have a new hairdo… or you all just have to get used to my new look... hehehe…

If you wanna know if I have any plans, I plan to live life to its fullest; take it easy, fight my battle with the sword of Heaven, spend quality time with Cyan and Chanuka, pray more , may find a new hobby like… reading?!? I still want to work part-time for now…

“Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re gonna get….”

I never thought at 36 years old I have to battle cancer. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

I have HOPE and FAITH and not despair... Whatever happens, will happen for a reason…

I ask all of you to please pray for my family and me... Especially for Cyan, he is so young and innocent. May the angels of Heaven surround him and the love of Jesus keeps his little heart warm and comforted through all these… The last few nights, I tucked my 7 years old son to bed, with A big hug and kiss I said “Good night son, I will see you tomorrow…”

Also, for Chanuka, so he can be strong and can be the best head of the household for the family through his work, care, and ministry...

And for my treatment and care, for all of the doctors and nurses and all the people that will take care of me... May God bless their hands.

Please feel free to email me or call me, just to say hello or chat (I may not able to return your call right away, but I will try).


I love you all very much,
Rosa

Note from Editor:
If you would like to leave a supportive note for Rosa, please do so in the comments section. We’ll gather those in batches and forward it directly to her. Thanks for all of your support and prayers.

Rosa's family and friends also has created a specially dedicated website for her journey at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rosatiara.