Life story 4

Life story 4
‘Then the nightmare began’

I was born into a Christian family but never took religion seriously. I just lived for each day and never thought much about life or death. It was a pretty meaningless existence, until something happened that was to change all of that.

In early Nov 1995 my parents decided that we should go to Hong Kong for our holidays. Little did I realize that it was going to be a turning point in my life. Three days after our arrival, we were having a sumptuous dinner at my uncle’s place, when I felt dizzy and began to vomit. The ceiling lights were affecting my eyes, causing an intense pain in my head. My whole body went numb, and soon after, I collapsed. Everything went black.

While in a state of coma. I found myself in a red, bloody, environment, trapped in a rubbery bubble. As I struggled hard to get out, I felt that I was suffocating. I thought I would die and called out to God, “Lord, save me please.”

I closed my eyes and seemed to be chewing hard on the bubble, which suddenly burst. When I opened my eyes I saw a most spectacular white light made up of many shiny crystals. There appeared to be a rainbow behind each crystal. It was a magnificent sight, yet so soothing to the soul.

Admiring its beauty, I was interrupted by someone calling my name, “David, David, wake up!” As I opened my eyes and found myself on a hospital bed with my parents by my side, I tried to speak and move, but could not. At that time, I was in “Coma 3”—conscious but not able to respond at all. Overwhelmed by exhaustion. I dozed off.

When I woke up the nest morning, amazing I could move. I was so confused by the whole ordeal and went back to sleep. Then I heard voices and as I opened my eyes I was glad to see my parents, and standing beside them was a Singaporean neurologist, Dr Keith Goh who was working in Hong Kong. He was God-sent and gave me much loving care.

From my CT scan I was told that I had suffered a haemorrhage at the posterior part of my brain. Such a condition had a 40% mortality rate. Was then put through a lumbar puncture to extract bone marrow from my spinal cord. The pain was excruciating. This was followed by an angiogram. I thank God that everything went smoothly and the reports showed no further bleeding in the brain.

However after a battery of tests, I learnt that I had viral encephalitis. For the next nine days I was treated with a new antiviral drug which had been recently used in US and for the first time in Hong Kong. I responded surprisingly well to the drug. My white blood cell count, which had risen to a dangerously high level returned to normal. My heartbeat, which had been beating abnormally also returned to normal. The cardiologist was baffled.
It was indeed a miracle! After thirteen days, I was discharged from the Prince of Wales Hospital. Truly, the Lord is Good!

Back in Singapore, the MRI test revealed that I was completely healed. No abnormalities were detected. The doctors were surprised by my speedy recovery. Patients who suffered from such an illness would have to be hospitalized for at least three weeks and take at least six months to recover. From this incident, I experienced God’s magnificent love for me. It was His healing hand that touched me. Praise His name! He is indeed my Saviour and Healer!

Why did God allow me to go through such an ordeal? The answer came quite soon after. Two weeks upon our return from Hong Kong. My dad, who has gone to be with the Lord, was diagnosed with advanced stage of liver cancer. However my illness had somehow prepared his faith as he saw the reality of God’s love through my healing—an impact that truly changed him to be a God- fearing man. I can still remember him saying, “if God wants to heal me, well and good. If not I am willing to go home to Him.”

I now know that the God I believe in is truly a real and living God. I have experienced His hand upon my life in a most unique and miraculous way. Sometimes His purpose may appear inexplicable to us. But his ways are perfect.

David Cheah, 26, is a student.
(This article is extracted from ‘ Sweet Memories, Sweet Success’ by Kate Cheah [2002], and re-printed with the author’s kind permission.)