OUR JOURNEY GOING THROUGH THE COVID TUNNEL
By Francis Chiong
On June 27, 2021, my 10-year-old son, Oliver, won the online church storytelling contest. The title of his story was David & Goliath, and little did we realise that we were to encounter a goliath of our lives so soon. The goliath we encountered as a family was not the goliath we all know in the Bible. It was the ‘Goliath’ of Covid! It seemed like God had prepared us as a family for this battle. On the same day after the storytelling contest, I developed an extreme and unbearable chill at night. The next day I had my Covid test at a private clinic, which showed that I was infected. Subsequently, my family was also tested, and my 18-year-old daughter, Olivia, was also infected, but my wife, Ashley and Oliver were tested negative.
We were able to quarantine at home after registering at the Covid Assessment Centre. Although Olivia initially had a high temperature, praise God she recovered, and after that, she only had a mild sore throat throughout her mandatory 10-day home quarantine.
As for me, my condition, however, went south on July 6, 2021, night. My temperature was high, and my oxygen level dropped. Ashley called for an ambulance. However, none were available, so she drove me to the nearest hospital. It was already past midnight when we left home. The GPS showed that we could reach the hospital in 20 minutes, but the short journey turned out to be longer than expected, and we only arrived 45 minutes later when our GPS failed us. When we arrived at Serdang Hospital, the scene was similar to what we read of another hospital, and patients had to lie down on camping type beds outside the hospital entrance. Initially, I was asked to sit on a chair under the makeshift tent outside the Emergency Department. When Ashley saw my condition not getting any better, she asked the medical personnel on duty how long it would take for me to be admitted. He swiftly responded ‘between 5 hours to 3 days. If you can and can afford, please send him to a private hospital,’ and that was how dire the situation was.
We decided to return home. Upon reaching home, Ashley immediately called her office prayer group members for prayer. While I was resting, Ashley frantically called the private hospitals; however, no beds were available. It was already 3 am when her brother asked her to call Hospital Kuala Lumpur. It was our last hope, and when the nurse said, ‘you boleh bawa suami kamu sekarang.’ (You can bring your husband to us now), we thanked the Lord for an answered prayer. Although I was told that it would take 6 hours before I could be admitted, I thank the Lord for his intervention when it took me only 3 hours. The Lord also prepared beyond what I expected when I was the first to arrive at an empty ward that had been redesignated as a Covid ward.
After I was safely admitted, Ashley started to show signs of Covid symptoms, and she was confirmed infected and had to be admitted when she had shortness of breath and pain in her chest. Again, there was no ambulance available. The only next available person to drive was Olivia. With no experience driving in Klang Valley and not having driven at all since she passed her driving test less than two years ago in Sarawak, she courageously drove her mom to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur, with the help of her uncle driving his car in front whilst she trailed him from behind. She also did the same when she fetched me after I was discharged from the hospital.
When Ashley was admitted, my immediate concern was on her. This was because she had stage 3 cancer, and her left thyroid had been removed. I was very fearful that she might not be able to make it. I could only pray and believe that she would be ok in my heart. The prayers of many proved effective, and none of her organs was damaged. Her oxygen level was fully restored. She was discharged after being warded in the hospital for five days.
It was my first perfect storm and the very first perfect storm for us as a family. I was very fearful that we all could not make it out of the Covid tunnel. On the first day when I was admitted and on oxygen support, thoughts of regret and guilt appeared as I started to blame myself for infecting my family. Then I began to turn to the Lord in prayer, and suddenly my fears, regret and guilt evaporated, and peace entered my heart. These were the words of assurance that appeared before me, Repentance, Redemption, Restoration and Forgiveness. Those were the words that I clung to in hospital. The Lord never failed. Miraculously we all got out of the tunnel safely.
Testimony
Oliver
“I was very scared when my mom and dad was in the hospital because only my sister and I were left at home. I had to do the house chores and take care of myself. I had to make my breakfast and my drink. I was so happy when my mom returned from the hospital, although she continued staying in the room to complete her quarantine. The story of David & Goliath gave me the confidence that I can do all things when I called upon Him.”
Olivia
“I thank God for his protection and healing on my family and me, and for preserving the lives of my parents. Although, I have to admit that fear wasn’t the first thing on my mind during that period as I was too preoccupied with classes, chores and text messages from friends and relatives to have the time to process my feelings.
Instead, I was only made aware of this ‘fear’ after my parents had returned home from the hospital. It came to me in the form of a realisation that there was a possibility that we would not have emerged unscathed. However, part of me is thankful for this because otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to keep a level head while dealing with all the issues that arose during the covid saga.
When I look back, I can see God’s hands at work through the people around us. I am thankful for all those who looked out for my family and me, ensuring that all our needs were met and that we were well taken care of. To all those who had reached out to us during that time of crisis, to all those who had kept us in your prayers, thank you.”
Ashley
“It wasn’t the first storm for me. I had two perfect storms in my life before this. The first was the removal of my thyroid that was initially suspected to be cancerous. The second was when I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Ever since I have learned to surrender and trust the Lord to fight the battle for me, and he has never failed me. I have also learned to live life to my full potential while I am still around. If I were to meet my Lord today, I am ready because I know that my Lord will take care of my family. I have done my part to ensure that they are financially, spiritually and emotionally adequate to face life without me. The sense of anxiety crept in when I knew that my husband was fighting for his life in the hospital. When we were hospitalised, I was so worried about my children at home; they were truly home alone. Nevertheless, on hindsight, I was so proud of how they cope without us and how God sent so many people to provide and care for them.”
Francis
“Unlike my wife, this was the very first storm in my life. I was more fearful for the lives of my family. I pleaded to the Lord to save them first and me last. Although in my heart, I told the Lord I was ready to meet him, I pleaded with him to preserve me. He answered my prayer. I was the last one to get out of the storm, and I thank Him for his mercy and grace. On two occasions, I said to Ashley, ‘To fight and you must never give up’, and now I had to tell it to myself when I was lying on the hospital bed alone.”
Thanksgiving
Physical and Emotional Needs
When Ashley and I were in the hospital, neighbours, friends and colleagues came forward ensured that our children did not go hungry. Our children were blessed with home-cooked hot meals, fresh fruits and supplements. Oliver’s Godmother had daily video conference communication with Oliver to ensure that his emotional and spiritual needs were cared for.
Medical Care
We have read and heard that our government health care is recognised as one of the best in the world, and I can attest to that with my first-hand experience during my stay in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. I am forever thankful to the doctors and nurses for their excellent care and treatment. The meals were surprisingly good, and I enjoyed the afternoon tea time, especially the bubur pulut hitam and bubur barley.
Prayer of the Saints
There were so many people praying for us, those I know and those I have not even met before, and they are still praying for us today. The Lord heard their prayers, and the Lord has mercy!
Latest Updates (September 1)
I had my first follow-up visit with the Respiratory Specialist at Institut Perubatan Respiratori on September 1, 2021, since I was discharged on July 16, 2021. The doctor showed me the first x-ray taken when I was in the hospital, where both my lungs were 90% covered with fog-like white smoky patches compared with the recent x-ray where 90% of the fog-like white smoky patches have now disappeared. I thank God for the answered prayer and the excellent progress I have made.
About Francis Chiong
Francis Chiong was the full-time Executive Secretary of The Boys’ Brigade Malaysia and The Boys’ Brigade Asia. He has since transitioned to become a Financial Adviser after serving 21 years in full-time Christian ministry. As a Category 4 Covid patient, he shared God’s miracle and mercy when his family was infected.
