I was born in China and immigrated with my family to Hawaii when I was very young. My primary life goal was to receive an education and pursue a successful career. I did not accept Jesus into my life until after graduation from college.

A year later, God called me into full-time ministry. After seminary in Texas, my family returned to Honolulu, Hawaii where we started a Chinese-speaking church. This church has grown over the years and continues to minister to the surrounding Chinese population today.

It Started Like This

Early in 2001, my life was good and promising. I looked and felt healthy but my physical condition started to deteriorate midyear. A variety of medical tests indicated I had liver cancer. It was serious enough that a liver transplant operation was the only cure. I was scared but not completely paralyzed with fear. Looking back on this, I believe I was strong because God was my strength.

Waiting

Because I have a rare blood type, the number of liver donors was limited. This meant the waiting period for a transplant could be very long. While waiting for a donor, I was placed under the care of an oncologist to control the growth of the tumors. The oncologist treated me with procedures designed to "starve" and “burn” the tumors. These measures were just buying time until a donor could be found.

During this waiting period, my wife was very encouraging and positive. She reminded me the Lord must have a reason for this because He has a purpose for everything. Whenever I could not sleep, she would sing hymns to comfort me. The one hymn which brought courage to me was called "God Will Take Care of You.”

My two boys, who were studying in California, showed great support as well. They prayed for a miracle to happen. They asked for prayers at the churches and Bible studies they attended. My older son talked to doctors in his church about liver disease and possible cures. One time, he called me and said, “Dad, I am willing to take part of my liver and give it to you so that your liver can turn healthy again. Let’s tell the doctor about it.” I almost cried when I realized my son cared about me so much. I knew the procedure he mentioned was not possible even though I appreciated his willingness to sacrifice himself for me.

My younger son asked his school’s 150-member orchestra, of which he is a member, to start praying for my health. He even considered returning home so that he could help take care of my needs. I was touched by his concern and caring thoughts.

As for me, I spent time praying and reading the Bible and other spiritual books. These disciplines inspired me. Although I was getting weaker physically, spiritually and emotionally I was holding steady. I never lost hope that God would heal me. Nevertheless, being human, there were times when I was scared and, often wondered what lay ahead. Many times, I woke up in the middle of the night with tears in my eyes.

I realized all this was the work of the devil. If it was the devil’s work, I knew only God could conquer it. So whenever fear, anxiety, and worry popped up, I immediately talked to God: “Lord, I am scared. Help me to trust you....trust you.” And the God of hope came to me and restored order in my world of turmoil.

The Unexpected Happened

My older son came home from San Diego for summer break on August 6, 2002. At the beginning of his visit I experienced a mild fever, a symptom which indicated my liver was deteriorating. Two days later I felt better and did not think much of it. I decided to go fishing with my two sons on my friend’s boat. While we were relaxing and catching silvery blue jacks, the hospital called my wife at work regarding a new liver for me. She contacted my friend and informed him to rush me home without telling me about the impending surgery.

When I arrived home my wife told me I must go immediately to the hospital for the transplant surgery. Shocked, I was unprepared for this news, but I strongly believed this surgery was arranged by God. He planned it so both boys were home from California at the same time. With them around, my wife would have stronger support.

After waiting seven months for a liver, I knew this was my chance of a lifetime and I had to take it. As the clocked ticked, I looked peacefully and firmly at my family and said, “Let’s go!” After a prayer for God’s peace and protection, we went straight to the hospital.

The nurses quickly prepared me for surgery. With my family present, the doctors explained the risks of the operation. The disturbing moment came when they informed me about possible complications, including the possibility that if they discovered the cancer had spread outside of the liver, they would stop the surgery immediately. This possibility troubled both my family and me, but we held each other’s hands and prayed, trusting God would take charge of this entire event.

Within minutes, several nurses came in and wheeled me into the operating room. I looked one more time at my wife and boys. I smiled at them, assuring them I would be fine. I also reminded the boys to take care of their mom and to continue praying. I will never forget the distress I saw on my wife’s face. As the rolling bed wound around the corners and slipped smoothly through several doors, I prayed quietly that the Lord would give my family peace and strength to go through this ordeal.

I was put to sleep several minutes after entering the operating room. Simultaneously, my wife began calling church members, relatives and other churches for prayers. This was the major key to the success of the surgery–prayers. While the doctors and nurses were operating, hundreds of believers were praying and lifting me before the heavenly Father.

The successful surgery took over seven hours to finish. I can picture how relieved my wife must have looked when the doctors finally told her the good news. I can imagine her thunderous praises to God for the medical technology that made this surgery possible.

My recovery progress was remarkable. I began talking after ten hours in the ICU. At 24 hours post-op, I was moved to a regular room. I did not have much pain but I did have trouble sleeping. Sleeplessness is a side effect of the medication I was given. By the third day, I started walking again.

Rejecting a Rejection and Preventing Infection

Five days after surgery, a concern that my body might reject the transplanted liver developed when I experienced a low-grade fever and chills in the middle of the night. Initially, the doctors did not understand the source of the fever because the liver function tests were normal. They told me to drink lots of cold water and to do breathing exercises until the source of fever was discovered. An IV of steroids was started and I was given a higher dose of immunosuppressive medications. After 24 hours, the fever was gone and the concern of a liver rejection was gone for the time being.

During this time, I was very susceptible to infection because my body’s immune system was suppressed. The hospital took the necessary steps to prevent infection. Flowers and plants were not allowed in my room. The door to my room was kept closed to avoid visitors who might have contagious diseases. When visitors did come, they were required to wash their hands thoroughly before entering my room. I also had to wear a mask at all times. I received instructions on how to avoid infections. I was also given a pamphlet which detailed the symptoms of infections. I was told to notify the transplant team if I experienced any of the symptoms listed.

The fear of infection or liver rejection became a terrorist in my life and I was held as an emotional hostage. Even though I followed the doctors’ instructions, I was constantly on high alert, watching for something to go wrong. With the same fervor I defended against infections, God began to help me cope with the fears in my life. He called to me saying, “Don’t worry, just trust me.” I realized I could do nothing to change my physical condition. I needed to learn to adjust to my lifestyle. In Philippians 4:4, God’s words encouraged me not to be anxious or overly cautious to the point of missing out on the good things around me. Instead, I learned that when anxiety hit, I could trust God to take care of and protect me from infections or a rejection.

A Remarkable Recovery

In the early morning after my fever broke, the doctors gave me the good news that I could go home. I was elated! In only seven days after my transplant, God had healed me enough that I could recover at home. I was amazed at how remarkable the events of the past week had been.

I will never forget the words my transplant coordinator shared with me before I left the hospital that day. She said, “You are not sick anymore; you are getting well. We are not treating an illness, but getting you well and strong. You are freed from cancer. Now just get well. Having a positive attitude is very important.” I believe God used her to get me on the road to recovery. I reached for the phone and called my wife, surprising her with the good news. I told her, “God has released me from this hideous illness. I am free from cancer and I am coming home!” I share the following words from Isaiah 40:29-31 to encourage anyone suffering a serious illness or struggle. May they comfort you as they comfort me.

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

God lifted me up and helped me spread my wings by giving me new strength. Come, and allow God to renew your strength as well!

(Rev. Norman Choy is the pastor of Chinese Baptist Church, Honolulu, Hawaii. He returned to the islands to start this same church in 1989, after serving in a Baptist church in Ft. Worth, Texas, for many years. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary (M.Div. and D. Min.), Choy and his wife, Anita, continue to minister to many in Honolulu.