Orange – A journey through community, love and resilience

GREETINGS, dear readers.

As I write this from my hospital bed, the soft snowfall outside my window creates a beautiful contrast to the warmth I feel within.

Today is the fourth of March, a month that calls for reflection: a bridge between the passion of February and the vibrant energy of spring.

My week has been a whirlwind of emotions, challenges, and unexpected joys, and I want to take you with me on this journey, sharing the profound lessons that have unfolded right before my eyes.

With the arrival of March, I find myself enveloped in the comforting hue of orange. This colour, full of vitality and warmth, inspires creativity while intricately weaving connections among communities.

It’s no coincidence that my journey began just after the joyous festivities of the Chinese New Year. As I touched down in Beijing on February 26, little did I know that this bright, welcoming color would guide me through the most pivotal week of my life.

When I arrived at the Beijing International Airport, the smiles and warmth from strangers filled me with gratitude.

Even as I was maneuvring through the airport in a wheelchair, the vibrant spirit of orange surrounded me – people waved hello and offered their smiles.

From the onset, it was clear that I was not alone on this journey; I was being intricately cradled by the collective support of my loved ones, especially my beloved daughter and family members. Members of my company, church, my Lions companions, Sarawak Tribune, government representatives, and dear friends from Toastmasters and Junior Chamber International all made sure I was taken care of.

Their kindness shone brightly, just like the orange hues that inspire connection.

By the time we checked into the hospital at 7:30 am the following morning, the warmth I felt just kept growing.

I was greeted by the hospital’s president and a remarkable team of doctors and nurses, an affirmation of the care that lay ahead.

It was a poignant reminder of how connected we truly are. I believe that each sentence in the script of our lives can be beautiful and painful, depending on the compassion we cultivate around us.

And in that moment, I knew I was in safe hands, surrounded by teams of brilliance – one of the many blessings I am counting this week.

As diagnostic tests began – a series of blood tests, contrast-enhanced CT scan, contrast-enhanced MRI and colour dopper ultrasound felt a strange sense of calm.

Even amidst the uncertainty of my diagnosis – breast cancer with lymph nodes, lung and abdominal metastasis – I instinctively found myself surrounded by a vibrant tapestry of orange: community, love, and support.

I was experiencing hyperthermia treatment that very afternoon, but I concluded the day with a heart full of gratitude and a sense of relief, both deeply felt and palpable.

Wrapped in the warmth of my beloved daughter and the devoted medical staff, I recognised how interconnected we all are.

This community care is a testament to the power of love and the healing potential that emerges when we come together.

As the Bible reminds us: “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

In moments of vulnerability, that presence resonates like a vibrant orange sunrise, inviting, radiant, and affirming.

It fuels our creativity and ability to adapt in times of need. My loved ones and the medical team surrounding me exemplify that gathering, and I am eternally grateful for their unwavering support. Together, we form a network of resilience, healing, and love.

As I look deeper into the significance of orange, I realise that the energy of this color mirrors the beauty of life itself – the way it is full of vibrancy and passion.

It’s a reminder that we can approach our challenges with creativity and warmth. This week has brought me many lessons, and perhaps the most profound is the idea that cancer, while daunting, need not be the end of my world. It can be transformed into something meaningful – an opportunity to connect, to love, and to grow.

Inspiring stories of those who have defied their diagnoses come to mind. Individuals have survived what seemed insurmountable odds, and many – through their faith in God – have found the strength to thrive.

I, too, believe that this experience can be a blessing if I embrace it as such. Life requires innovation, and through the lens of precision medicine.

Precision medicine tailors treatment to individuals based on their unique genetic profiles, which is a gift in times like these.

It brings a glimmer of hope, an invitation for healing crafted specifically for me, pointing to the innovation that fuels medical progress.

I have hope that my medical team will guide me to the best treatment plan possible, weaving together the best of science with the grace of God.

As my medical team works tirelessly to devise a treatment plan, I am reminded that this journey is where God’s loving science intersects with compassionate care – a beautiful embodiment of community coming together for a common cause.

“Life senses in full colours” has become my way of living. It reminds me to embrace every moment, to appreciate the hues of love that surround me. My current state of mind is one of serenity.

I lean into the understanding that I need not harbor fear, for my heart is infused with faith. God is within me, guiding me through this moment, and I feel immeasurably grateful.

Each day is a gift by the grace of God, I strive to live it to the fullest, taking joy in the simple act of writing, reflecting on the blessings – in adversity and the unknown.

I’m surrounded by an outpouring of love, and I can’t help but think that this, truly, is the greatest gift of all. The process I am going through only serves to amplify the love that emanates from those around me.

In my heart and soul, I feel that I have been called to live without reservations, allowing me to see God’s grace manifest in the support and care I receive.

Cancer has the power to transform our perspectives, to deepen our appreciation for every breath we take.

In my case, I have seen real-life stories, individuals who have emerged victorious even from the grips of what others may deem terminal.

These stories remind me that we are all woven into the fabric of God’s grand design, where miracles happen and life continues to flourish in the most unexpected of places.

As I venture through this journey, I may rest easy in the knowledge that I am upheld by the prayers and love of so many. Each supportive comment, each sentiment of hope and love shared with me has transformed my experience into a journey of love and strength.

Dear readers and friends, thank you for being here with me – each of your greetings and prayers is like a thread that binds us together in this beautiful chapter of life.

With all my love,

Esther

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.”

– Robert Brault, an American writer known for his short, inspirational quotations about life, happiness, and perspective.

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at lawleepoh@gmail.com.