I always pray to God to keep me healthy, free from major sicknesses and accidents so that I can enjoy my life and serve Him.
In January 2016, I had the opportunity to visit Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan. This was on the invitation of friends from Singapore. They wanted to bless us with food and accommodation. Wow, winter with snow in abundance and temperatures of up to minus 10 degrees. It would be my first snow experience on ground level. It was a rather short notice, unplanned trip. Both my son Nicholas and I took the opportunity and went. My hubby could not make it due to Bible classes running at that time.
On the day of arrival, it was morning and the check in to hotel was only at 3 pm. We dropped our luggage earlier at hotel lobby while we went to the nearby mall to have our lunch. The mall was just a 5 minutes’ walk away. After lunch, we wanted to go back hotel to check in. While coming up the escalator into the open air, there was some sunshine. Nicholas was walking in front of me. I felt chilly since there was a gust of wind. I walked a bit faster to get to the hotel. That was the last I remembered.
Next thing, I was inside the hotel lobby with my head resting on the table. I woke up after 20 minutes with a sharp pain at the back on my right side of head. I was informed by Nicholas that I slipped and fell on ice. A local guy and my son helped me back. Blank. I could not recall that. They started to bombard me with questions to test my memory. I could answer some but took a while to reply others. Nicholas took a plastic bag and collected some snow for my bump on the head. I checked in straight to the hotel and slept since my head felt heavy. In the meantime, Pastor Wah Lok was alerted about my condition. He immediately requested prayers from Pastor Hong Seng. In the same night, Pastor Hong Seng shared my condition to the main church during prayer meeting.
Four hours passed. I woke up and saw some swell on my left face. I knew there was internal haemorrhage. Shortly after that, I threw up. That was not a good sign. We went down to the lobby as it was dinner time. Our friend suggested that I see a doctor which I agreed immediately. The nearest hospital, Nakamura Memorial Hospital was just 5 minutes by taxi. The hotel receptionist confirmed that there was an English speaking doctor on duty. We went immediately. A neuro surgeon was on duty that night. That was divine providence! I was in a foreign land, not knowing many people, with few English speaking people around. I recognised that as a miracle.
After explaining the circumstances to Dr Noro, he asked me to go for a CT scan. I could barely walk to the scan room. I was feeling groggy but managed slowly. Later the doctor explained that I had haemorrhaging and a hairline crack on my skull. He advised me not to fly so soon due to air pressure and also to stay for a week at the hospital. I gasped but obeyed the doctor for now. Two hours later was another scan. I stayed the night in ICU. The people back home was praying for me at that time. The next morning, another CT scan was requested. The result showed that the bleeding has stopped the night before. This was an answer to the prayers and intercessions made for me. I requested to Dr Noro if I could be discharged. He finally relented and gave me some painkillers and anti-seizure medicine to take before I flew off 2 days later. I had to assure the doctor that if I feel pain, I will check in to hospital again. The painkillers worked very well for the remaining 2 days. I could go places and enjoyed the rest of the trip. God is good.
Once I reached back to KLIA 2, my body ached. I have finished my medicine. I knew I landed on my backbone before hitting my head in the accident. I had no more painkillers to take. I went home and rested after dinner. All I needed was sleep for my brain to repair and painkillers to help my aching body. On third day of reaching home, I was throwing up in between rest. I had to be admitted to hospital again to check further. We looked up Dr Lee of Sunway Medical and I was requested to do an MRI of my head as well as X-ray of my back (in case there was a fracture too!). I stayed the night at hospital and Dr Lee saw me the next morning. He explained that all my symptoms were normal of a person with contusion (brain injury) and that my spine was looking good. I just needed more rest. I had almost 2 weeks off work. By faith, I decided to go down to FGT Johor Baru at the end of second week as was in the plan earlier. We took their anniversary meeting. The next morning, we ministered at Vineyard Church. It was a fruitful trip in spite of my condition. I felt that I was able to bring an encouragement to the people there since some of them knew of my accident. I survived the trip, albeit a bit tired. I helped in the driving too though my husband was not sure of my ability initially (a bit dicey as I was on medication that causes drowsiness and loss of balance). He just needed that short rest in between. We survived!
At the end of 4 weeks, in spite of going through the busy Chinese New Year, God helped me as I prepared my sharing on Sunday Mandarin service, English service as well as the youth meeting. I was actually quite tired due to the busy schedules earlier, but I got stronger after sharing the Word. It is the end of 6 weeks now. I am improving steadily and gaining strength by the day. God has not finished with me yet! I know, God has prevented me from a more serious head injury after reading news of people passing on or losing memory after having some brain trauma injuries. Thank God, my memory is intact. That which will not hold me down will only make me stronger!
2 Cor 12:9 – And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Bessie Mah
FGT Sri Damansara
29 February 2016