Author: Doris

Waiting to see Dr. Ackman.

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Here we are in NYC at Columbia Medical Center waiting to see our neurologist. The place is very academic, not at all fancy hospital-like.

We did a medical consult in NYC (Columbia – Presbyterian) with a leading neurologist and she immediately picked up some abnormality on Edda’s MRI which is usually associated with lack of oxygen at birth or preemies, but Edda had a 10 minute birth – planned C-section – so we aren’t sure where it came from. So this NYC neurologist thinks it’s a static problem and it’s only improvement from here on out – no future medical problems or degeration of skills. Which is a relief. The Singapore neurologist and radiologist saw no abnomalities on the same MRI and are suggesting genetic possibilites (Rett’s syndrome (Edda exhibits mouthing and is socially withdrawn which are some of the markers for this) or metabolic syndrome both of which we couldn’t test for in SGP). So we are awaiting the blood/urine (they took about 12 vials of blood for the “rare diseases” screen) test results for the genetic/metabolic stuff from NYC as well as a 4th opinion (NYC radiologist) on the MRI. So we will see. So it’s not everyday where a parent gets news of a brain damaged child and says “Hooray”, but that is pretty much how I felt that day, to think that Edda can only improve and not have any future medical problems was such a boost.

Huge Conversation with Donald Last Night

Yesterday, when Jeremy called from the taxi cab on the way home, I was having a huge conversation with Donald. It probably covered more ground than all these years’ combined. I was glad that we found a meaningful time to exchange our views without getting excited.

Well, first and foremost, just would like to let you know that Mom and Dad did all they could to raise their kids. It was, of course, far from perfet and we knew that. But, all we can say is that we had good intention in our hearts. We are proud of you, no matter what, and love you always.

We all are different due to different environments that brought us up. But, that does not mean, we should not just sit there and listen to the other side with grace whether it is deem interesting or not. People just can not agree with each other all the time, especially for the close ones.

I have not spent any finite moment with you talking about me, especially, about my childhood. Basically, I would like to insulate you from that. Or, more precisely, I would like to just forget about the whole thing. Thinking back, that is probably my fault. That periods of my life were very colorful, sometime not too pleasant to say the least. But, it was very rewarding also, once I got out of the hole all by myself. However, I believe, it did mold me into what I am right now. Without knowing that part of history, complete views of your Dad were incomplete. Especially, what was and is in your Dad’s head.

Well, “now is the future” according coach Allen of Washington Redskins in the 80s. Let us move forward to the best we can together. And again, Mom and Dad love you always 🙂

noel

Note: oday (4/22) is your Mom and Dad 39th year dating anniversary, I bought a lovely pot of orchid and two bags of Hersey’s extra Dark Chocolate to celebrate. The only fool thing about this is I didn’t know that orcid is made of plastic. I thought it is real. Mom is teasing me 🙂

Preggers!

Well, it’s started. Found out on Saturday night that P’ng and Judy are pregnant – well really only Judy is pregnant. But yeah, They are expecting in October and are in the midst of upgrading their kitchen to full IKEAness and P’ng is also interviewing for faculty positions all over the place.

It’s pretty much the first couple in our group of friends to expect children. It’s sorta been the first good piece of news in awhile. Right now, I’m sorta not really sure about having kids. well, obviously I’d have to find someone first, but barring that, you know, kids are a lot of work and maybe I’m too selfish for it. But P’ng and Judy’s news, sorta made be backpedal a bit from that position. I’m fairly optimistic about the world, and in some weird way, I feel a sense of duty to bring someone into the world that could possible be an asset to this place.

of course, this feeling could pass tomorrow, but it’s cool news nevertheless.