Before I start, praise the Lord and thank you Lord He went before us.
It was the 21st Oct, time for our review at the National Skin Centre (NSC). As I approached the place, I was a little apprehensive. I said a prayer not under my breath but almost aloud as I entered the entrance of the place..... LORD, LET EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE DOCTORS BE A BLESSING NOT A CURSE. LORD, BLESS THE DOCTORS IN THE ASSESMENT REVIEW TODAY. GUIDE THEIR HEADS, HANDS, MINDS, EVERYTHING LORD. LORD, I KNOW YOU ARE IN CONTROL. THANK YOU LORD. LORD, JUST LET THEM SPEAK BLESSINGS. AMEN!
looking at Jere as I pushed him in his stroller, I said "Amen Jere?" Jere answered, "AMEN!"
We went past the entrance, past the recept and to the lift to the second floor to the paeds clinic.
There seemed to be not much people that afternoon. We registered and I couldn't help asking.... which doctor is it and heaved a huge sigh of relief when it wasnt the same dr as the last. We sitted ourselves right outside of room 6 and I read the name of the dr. okie. we seemed quite safe today. It's an Assoc Consultant Dr Tan Kian Teo, whatever it is, thank you Lord. Within 5 minutes, we were called. I was shocked at being so fast as the last time i spent the whole afternoon from 1 to almost 5 at the NSC. I knocked the door and tried to go in the room with my big diaper bag, trying to hold the door open and trying to push the stroller in. Almost immediately, the doctors came to the door and tried to help me including the one sitting behind the computer which is usually the main consulting doctor. Dr Tan introduced himself and the other two doctors as we entered the room and I carried Jere out of the stroller.
Then Dr Tan started off asking, "How is Jeremy today?"
I stuttered as I answered "still quite bad." not sure how's these drs gonna be this time. I got quite a phobia from the last visit, really. The first visit when we saw the emeritus, it was good though the meds did not quite work but sometimes such stuff can't be helped and I can understand that. The second visit, the dr did not quite believe or even listened to the feedback of how jere reacted to the meds and she did not even assessed Jere. She did not even come near Jere as if eczema was some contagious disease. This time, I was quite prepared whatever was gonna happen but God sure came before me and blessed the doctors. They spoke very gently and kindly and Dr Tan asked me to put Jere on the bed and they all came forward to see Jere's condition. I took out Jere's pants to show how bad the skin on his legs was, showed them the tummy, the hands and the neck. Then Dr Tan even asked me to turn Jere around to see his back. Now, to me a layman, that's what I call a doctor. That's what I feel is assessment and then treatment. Then I told the doctors of what meds Jere was given previously and how he had reacted. Dr Tan then asked if it is affecting Jere's sleep. Gosh, if I haven't told some of you, Jere's itch is so bad at night that there was this one night at 3am, I found him without his pants and diapers. From then on, i always wore button down romper over his pj pants and diapers. He must have itched so bad that he just tore off everything and flung it off as we found his pants and diapers at the other end of the room. Dr Tan then explained that he will prescribe a little stronger medicine for the flare and some antibiotics for the broken skin and some antihistamine when jere cannot sleep at night this time alongside with some moisturiser. Dr Tan even went to the extent of asking what moisturisers have I tried. After everything, the doctors kindly saw me out, helping me with the door. The whole experience was completely different from the last I had. Thank You Lord.
As I stepped out and sat waiting for my turn to pay, I saw just next to the doctors room was the medical social worker room and the name read Joanne Tan. It seemed some few days ago, some MSW of that name called to ask if I would like to joins the Atopic Dermatitis support group. I then asked the staff if I could just meet with the MSW so as to put a face to the name. I met Joanne and she was one kind young lady. Jere seemed to like her too as she played and chatted with him. We left the clinic with an appointment in 3 weeks time and headed to the pharmacy to get our meds.
Praise God and thank you Lord for going before us and guiding the drs. Lord, I know jere is in your hands and the ultimate healer is you God and you will heal Jere. Thank you Lord. AMEN!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Nice and quiet....
I was putting Jere to nap in the afternoon in the bedroom when he said... NICE AND QUIET....
I was like what jere? what did you say?
He smiled and said... nice and quiet.
Hee... coming from a 2 yr 3 month, I think that is quite amazing ;)
He's certainly my language genius!
I was like what jere? what did you say?
He smiled and said... nice and quiet.
Hee... coming from a 2 yr 3 month, I think that is quite amazing ;)
He's certainly my language genius!
Our appointment with the National Skin Centre
if u have been asking where have we been,
nowhere actually....
but mummy me, finally got off work and is busier than ever before!
okie update on my little angel.
We went back for a review at the national skin centre on the 27th August, 2008, this time at the paeds clinic. When we went into the room, there was a young dr, I presume is the houseman, and a associate prof i think by the surname G. Assoc. Prof G was at her computer while the young lady dr looked at Jere.
Then, the Assoc. Prof G asked, "Is his eczema extensive?"
Me: (pulling up Jere's pants and socks, trying to show how bad it is) it is quite bad, you see Dr....
Assoc. Prof G: I am asking you is it extensive? Just answer me yes or no. (not even looking at Jere)
I was like.... errrr...
Well, shouldn't the dr try to see and assess it? She did not even look our way.
Me: Dr, the last time we came, he was prescribed some aqueaous cream and it seemed to make his skin flare so i stopped it and now i am using some organic eczema oil and it's gotten better. That time it flared so bad that he looked like he was burnt.
Assoc Prof G: It's not the aqueaous cream. It's probably something else you used. You have to listen to us and use what we prescribe you if you wanna come here. Do you suspect any allergy?
Me: yes. cow's milk.
Jere saw some pooh beah mega blocks and started to ask for it but i had to kinda answer the dr's questions that i brushed him aside till jere got irritated and i think the tone of the dr kinda got on him too. It's strange how children sense the vibes about them. Jere is usually very friendly and amicable but once he sense the wrong signals.... that's it... he usually wanna get out of the room asap.
Assoc Prof G: Is he always so irritable?
Me: No Dr. He just wants the mega blocks.
Assoc Prof G: Then give it to him. he seems so irritable.
Well, you guys who have met Jere would know what kind of temperament jere has. he's hardly ever irritable. In fact he's so friendly that almost everyone loves him.
Assoc Prof G: okie i will send you for a prick test, a saliva test and photo session. You can go now.
I was like huh? you haven't even assessed the child. Is this how it should go?
I was escorted out of the room by the young dr and there i was seated outside a nurses' room waiting for Jere to be pricked.
Jere was pricked and tested for 11 elements, namely the negative and positive control, soy, cow milk, egg white, egg yolk, wheat, peanut, derP, derF and Blom T, the last 3 being some kinda dust mites. Then we were sent to another Assoc prof room for the analysis of the prick test. Assoc prof G came into the room through the connecting door of the consultation room, kinda talking to herself, definitely not talking to me... well maybe talking to the houseman or the other prof, i don't know but i heard her saying something like she's gonna prescribe this med, that med and that med and all the walls are covered already and she left the room. After she left, the other prof H said okie what med is this? how come it doesn't show in the system? and what's this? and what's that, mumbling to himself and sent me along....
we were then sent to a room to do what saliva test... i was then told this is a voluntary thing for them to experiment. I was then asked to make Jere spit a whole little tea cup of saliva... these guys gotta be kidding.. that prof g must have thought we were a good mother and child to be bullied coz she definitely did not tell me this was a voluntary test and had nothing to do with the treatment process... I then told the ladies in the room that it is almost impossible to ask my 2yr old to spit so much saliva. We can sit there till the cows come home, I don't think I can achieve that with my little one. They kindly sent me along and said no prob at all. At least they had the decency to explain to me. Then I was sent to this room to take what photograph... i was asked to strip Jere to the diapers and let the photographer take all the pictures he liked only again to find out that the photos are taken for the centre to make whatever publication....gosh!
Then in the end when i went down to the pharmacy to get my meds, it was only ONE PHYSIOGEL! wow! all walls covered indeed.
I really felt that we were more used than treated... wonder what that assoc prof G is thinking!
Really.... shouldn't drs be more compassionate? Shouldn't treatment of patients be more hollistic?
Tomorrow, 21st Oct, 2008 we have a review appointment at NSC again and I'll definitely get shot again, coz the physiogel did not do no good. Jere's skin still look as bad....
We use the natural eczema oil blend to control but once we stop, it will flare and the what physiogel is sure not helping at all.
Will update again!
nowhere actually....
but mummy me, finally got off work and is busier than ever before!
okie update on my little angel.
We went back for a review at the national skin centre on the 27th August, 2008, this time at the paeds clinic. When we went into the room, there was a young dr, I presume is the houseman, and a associate prof i think by the surname G. Assoc. Prof G was at her computer while the young lady dr looked at Jere.
Then, the Assoc. Prof G asked, "Is his eczema extensive?"
Me: (pulling up Jere's pants and socks, trying to show how bad it is) it is quite bad, you see Dr....
Assoc. Prof G: I am asking you is it extensive? Just answer me yes or no. (not even looking at Jere)
I was like.... errrr...
Well, shouldn't the dr try to see and assess it? She did not even look our way.
Me: Dr, the last time we came, he was prescribed some aqueaous cream and it seemed to make his skin flare so i stopped it and now i am using some organic eczema oil and it's gotten better. That time it flared so bad that he looked like he was burnt.
Assoc Prof G: It's not the aqueaous cream. It's probably something else you used. You have to listen to us and use what we prescribe you if you wanna come here. Do you suspect any allergy?
Me: yes. cow's milk.
Jere saw some pooh beah mega blocks and started to ask for it but i had to kinda answer the dr's questions that i brushed him aside till jere got irritated and i think the tone of the dr kinda got on him too. It's strange how children sense the vibes about them. Jere is usually very friendly and amicable but once he sense the wrong signals.... that's it... he usually wanna get out of the room asap.
Assoc Prof G: Is he always so irritable?
Me: No Dr. He just wants the mega blocks.
Assoc Prof G: Then give it to him. he seems so irritable.
Well, you guys who have met Jere would know what kind of temperament jere has. he's hardly ever irritable. In fact he's so friendly that almost everyone loves him.
Assoc Prof G: okie i will send you for a prick test, a saliva test and photo session. You can go now.
I was like huh? you haven't even assessed the child. Is this how it should go?
I was escorted out of the room by the young dr and there i was seated outside a nurses' room waiting for Jere to be pricked.
Jere was pricked and tested for 11 elements, namely the negative and positive control, soy, cow milk, egg white, egg yolk, wheat, peanut, derP, derF and Blom T, the last 3 being some kinda dust mites. Then we were sent to another Assoc prof room for the analysis of the prick test. Assoc prof G came into the room through the connecting door of the consultation room, kinda talking to herself, definitely not talking to me... well maybe talking to the houseman or the other prof, i don't know but i heard her saying something like she's gonna prescribe this med, that med and that med and all the walls are covered already and she left the room. After she left, the other prof H said okie what med is this? how come it doesn't show in the system? and what's this? and what's that, mumbling to himself and sent me along....
we were then sent to a room to do what saliva test... i was then told this is a voluntary thing for them to experiment. I was then asked to make Jere spit a whole little tea cup of saliva... these guys gotta be kidding.. that prof g must have thought we were a good mother and child to be bullied coz she definitely did not tell me this was a voluntary test and had nothing to do with the treatment process... I then told the ladies in the room that it is almost impossible to ask my 2yr old to spit so much saliva. We can sit there till the cows come home, I don't think I can achieve that with my little one. They kindly sent me along and said no prob at all. At least they had the decency to explain to me. Then I was sent to this room to take what photograph... i was asked to strip Jere to the diapers and let the photographer take all the pictures he liked only again to find out that the photos are taken for the centre to make whatever publication....gosh!
Then in the end when i went down to the pharmacy to get my meds, it was only ONE PHYSIOGEL! wow! all walls covered indeed.
I really felt that we were more used than treated... wonder what that assoc prof G is thinking!
Really.... shouldn't drs be more compassionate? Shouldn't treatment of patients be more hollistic?
Tomorrow, 21st Oct, 2008 we have a review appointment at NSC again and I'll definitely get shot again, coz the physiogel did not do no good. Jere's skin still look as bad....
We use the natural eczema oil blend to control but once we stop, it will flare and the what physiogel is sure not helping at all.
Will update again!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Blessed Wednesday
It's amazing how where we always go, we feel His presence so strongly.
This is the second Wednesday where we spend our afternoon up on the third floor of a shophouse in HongKong Street to do our physical program with Jere. I remember the first time when we stepped out of there, my dear husband said, it felt like the apostles worshipping up at the attic. Somehow, we were led here to spend our afternoon every Wednesday. The place is run by a church ministry. All very kind people doing it out of love. The children and parents we have met there are really amazing. They also got a really beautiful name called CLOUDS OF PRAISE. They start and end each session with a prayer and a song of praise in chinese and the cutest thing is Jere sings with them. Jere will go 赞美主(Praise the Lord!) Alleluia! and 因主爱我! (because He loves me!)
After the session, I went one street down and bought the boys a plate of hor fun and fed them their dinner. After feeding them, I took a walk with them to Peninsula Plaza to buy the organic eczema oil for Jere. It seemed to be the only oil right now that is working for him. Jere's eczema flared up so so bad after I used the aqueous cream prescribed by the drs. Usually I would have tested whatever I was using on a small segment but when I applied that cream on Jere, somehow, I don't know why, I just heeded the advise from the dr and pharmacist of applying it liberally all over and the next thing I know, Jere's skin flared so bad that he looked like he was burnt from head to toe. If his urologist had seen him, she would have immediately got me locked up and not just accuse me of neglect and abuse. We prayed and prayed about it. We were so worried but yet we did not dare to make any appointment with any dr to review it as we were afraid they were just gonna give more steroids and things that would do Jere harm. Then last Tuesday, someone told me to go to peninsula to look for a timer that I needed for Jere's program activities and somehow instead of finding the timer, I ended up at this organic shop called Eden and got my hands on the eczema oil that did wonders for Jere. It was the only oil that Jere would allow us to apply on his face to clear the eczema. Thank God for that! Yesterday when we were at the Eden organic shop to buy the eczema oil again, the boss and his wife so very kindly suggested praying for Jere. Frankie the boss started the prayer saying, "Lord, it's by no coincidence that this mummy here brought in her son to get something for her son's eczema..... " then they laid hands and prayed over Jere. Tears welled in my eyes as they prayed. It just made me feel that every step we were taking, God is with us. People always asked me, "What do you mean you don't have peace to do it?" It's this. God's peace just transcends when He's with you.
After that, Tim came to fetch us and the kids all fell asleep in the car after a tiring day. I rushed to the supermarket once I settled the kids at home and when I entered the supermarket, yes our local supermarket, the Fairprice, there was this song playing so so quietly in the background that it melted all my anxiety, my fatigue.... It was a song that we sang at praise and worship at healing mass last Saturday at St Michael's.
"You Raise Me Up"
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
I knew then he was right there beside me.....
Thank You Lord!
This is the second Wednesday where we spend our afternoon up on the third floor of a shophouse in HongKong Street to do our physical program with Jere. I remember the first time when we stepped out of there, my dear husband said, it felt like the apostles worshipping up at the attic. Somehow, we were led here to spend our afternoon every Wednesday. The place is run by a church ministry. All very kind people doing it out of love. The children and parents we have met there are really amazing. They also got a really beautiful name called CLOUDS OF PRAISE. They start and end each session with a prayer and a song of praise in chinese and the cutest thing is Jere sings with them. Jere will go 赞美主(Praise the Lord!) Alleluia! and 因主爱我! (because He loves me!)
After the session, I went one street down and bought the boys a plate of hor fun and fed them their dinner. After feeding them, I took a walk with them to Peninsula Plaza to buy the organic eczema oil for Jere. It seemed to be the only oil right now that is working for him. Jere's eczema flared up so so bad after I used the aqueous cream prescribed by the drs. Usually I would have tested whatever I was using on a small segment but when I applied that cream on Jere, somehow, I don't know why, I just heeded the advise from the dr and pharmacist of applying it liberally all over and the next thing I know, Jere's skin flared so bad that he looked like he was burnt from head to toe. If his urologist had seen him, she would have immediately got me locked up and not just accuse me of neglect and abuse. We prayed and prayed about it. We were so worried but yet we did not dare to make any appointment with any dr to review it as we were afraid they were just gonna give more steroids and things that would do Jere harm. Then last Tuesday, someone told me to go to peninsula to look for a timer that I needed for Jere's program activities and somehow instead of finding the timer, I ended up at this organic shop called Eden and got my hands on the eczema oil that did wonders for Jere. It was the only oil that Jere would allow us to apply on his face to clear the eczema. Thank God for that! Yesterday when we were at the Eden organic shop to buy the eczema oil again, the boss and his wife so very kindly suggested praying for Jere. Frankie the boss started the prayer saying, "Lord, it's by no coincidence that this mummy here brought in her son to get something for her son's eczema..... " then they laid hands and prayed over Jere. Tears welled in my eyes as they prayed. It just made me feel that every step we were taking, God is with us. People always asked me, "What do you mean you don't have peace to do it?" It's this. God's peace just transcends when He's with you.
After that, Tim came to fetch us and the kids all fell asleep in the car after a tiring day. I rushed to the supermarket once I settled the kids at home and when I entered the supermarket, yes our local supermarket, the Fairprice, there was this song playing so so quietly in the background that it melted all my anxiety, my fatigue.... It was a song that we sang at praise and worship at healing mass last Saturday at St Michael's.
"You Raise Me Up"
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
I knew then he was right there beside me.....
Thank You Lord!
Friday, August 15, 2008
How July flew us by....
It's a Thursday night, almost approaching Friday, exactly mid August, 2008. I was nursing Jere to sleep and I was thinking so much..... How I wish everything that went through my mind would just be penned down here.
It had been a hectic month of July!
Initially I had thought to write the whole of July straight but after I started writing, I decided to break them up coz the whole post is just too long....
so here goes....
Jeremiah turns 2! Praise the Lord!
July 5th, we celebrated Jere's 2nd birthday with our family and a couple of baby friends of Jere. We had a great time, Jere was blessed with lotsa love, prayers and gifts. Thank You everyone. I promise to upload the pictures soon.
The follow-up urologist visit
July 10th, I went to the hospital as promised 2 weeks after the last to meet with another parent and hopefully to have made a decision for Jere regarding his medical situation. I was a little apprehensive when I headed for the hospital as Tim could not take leave and I haven't finished the book of Jeremiah and thus don't have an answer to the solution. I prayed as I went. God went before me. The other parent could not make it and the dr told her nurse to tell me to come back on July 31st when the other patient had an appointment. Thank God. Praise the Lord!
Our visit to National Skin Centre
July 18th, we were referred to the National Skin Centre for Jere's eczema problem. The people at registration were really nice. There was hardly any wait. We saw the medical officer almost immediately and she called the consultant in to see Jere also which we found out later was the emeritus consultant. Jere was prescribed some steroidal creams and aquaes cream for his skin. Next appointment 27th August 2008.
KorKor Nat school registration
July 17th & 18th, I was monitoring the vacancies of Primary school more eagerly than that of stocks :P It was time to register Nat in Primary One. We wanted a mission school, a good school and a school that is convenient for us. There were clearly 2 choices. Catholic High School which was within 2km of where we stayed and we had a direct bus right in front of our block to the school in 10 min. St Joseph Institution Junior (SJI Jr) which was walking distance of Novena MRT and Novena MRT is just 4 stations from Ang Mo Kio MRT which is 5 min walk from our place.
We hoped Nat would get into Cat High coz his God brother Owen was in there and it would be good for Godma and me :) but by the end of Day 1 of registration, we were told out of 1km need not apply as within 1km was already balloting. So we headed down to SJI. As it neared the closing time, there was still chance for balloting for those out of 2km so I decided if God left the door open, no matter how small, I would just try. So we applied and waited for balloting day on the 23rd July.
July 23rd, Tim and I took leave to witness the balloting. We were one of the 40 people vying for 10 places in the school. The last number was called. It was 221 and unfortunately we were 223! Sigh! I never thought not being able to get your son into your choice school could be so disappointing, so upsetting , so... undescribable.
I had wanted Nat to get into that school coz I liked their school Motto very much... which calls upon Josephians to be in communion with, and to be guided by God through prayer; and to always work conscientiously in learning and growth, and in service to God, especially in uplifting the last and the least amongst us. Also, I wanted Nat to get in as It would be easier for me as Jere still visits KKH pretty often and it would be most convenient for me to fetch and send the boys as usually I catch the shuttle service to KKH from Novena MRT station too.
My so desolated look was caught by the darn chinese evening tabloid and that night, I got infamous among the ah soh and ah pek at the void deck of our block. Nah.... just kidding, thank goodness, the aunties and ah peks never read paper that day :P but nevertheless, our dear neighbour Shirley and family caught it and told me. She even gave me a copy of the papers for keepsake. Gosh! I really looked sad in the papers :P We had to try applying again in Phase 2c next week.
July 29th 30th, 31st, I was monitoring again. Cat High and SJI Jr had no chance at all. The doors were closed. SHUT! TIGHT! At 2 plus, there were still over 10 places in Maris Stella. We thought we were headed there. Came 3 plus no more vacancies for out of 2km. We then headed to St Gabriel's at Lor Chuan. We were the last registrant there and we secured a place. Thank God! coz the last thing we would want is not getting our child into a mission school as we thought faith formation in a child is really important.
The meeting with the other parent
July 31st, I headed down to KKH myself with Jere. I was kinda afraid coz Tim had used up lotsa leave for Nat's registration so I was left to face it alone. I prayed that God would go with me and before me. I reached the hospital and at registration the urologist dr came by.
Dr: Hello Mummy! I'm glad you came. How? Have you come to a decision?
Me: No Dr.
Dr: OH....The fact that you came is already very good. Meet up with Ivan's parents later then you see me ok.
Me: Ok Dr.
Soon, I was led into a room with Jere, given chairs to sit and a Filipino lady in her early 40s and a Chinese man in his 40s also came into the room with a 5 yr old walking awkwardly behind them. The lady seemed a little defensive initially until I showed her Jere's operation scar and Jere's feet.
We had a chat and found out Ivan was one of their twin sons. The other son was perfectly ok. Ivan also had Spina Bifida Meningocele. He was born in Philippines and was only operated at 5 weeks. The parents then brought the child to Singapore and Ivan was then operated again at 5 or 6 months. They cannot remember for sure. The dr then had given them an option of operating lower down and having his lower half affected or operating higher and then having a possibility of having a shunt operation later in the head. They decided the former. They then took out Ivan's shoes and socks and showed me that Ivan also had his feet operated. They shared with me that after the op on the spine, the feet seemed to turn inwards. Thus, as advised by the doctors, they had his feet operated. So now, the feet turned out instead of inwards. They then told me that their son started to walk after the operation. The urologist dr then came in and added in... "yeah... the operation is so easy!" The dr then cut us short and the family went with her. Somehow, I don't know why, I kinda followed the family when they went into the treatment room. I saw how Ivan sustained a pee and how the mother catheterised Ivan after and he did not seem to mind at all.
After the meeting, I just felt so inspired, so motivated and so convinced that my child would walk and his pee can be normal. AMEN! It would not be like what the drs said... catheter all life, wheelchair bound... walk with walking aids.. NEVER!
That kinda wrapped up our month of July.
It had been a hectic month of July!
Initially I had thought to write the whole of July straight but after I started writing, I decided to break them up coz the whole post is just too long....
so here goes....
Jeremiah turns 2! Praise the Lord!
July 5th, we celebrated Jere's 2nd birthday with our family and a couple of baby friends of Jere. We had a great time, Jere was blessed with lotsa love, prayers and gifts. Thank You everyone. I promise to upload the pictures soon.
The follow-up urologist visit
July 10th, I went to the hospital as promised 2 weeks after the last to meet with another parent and hopefully to have made a decision for Jere regarding his medical situation. I was a little apprehensive when I headed for the hospital as Tim could not take leave and I haven't finished the book of Jeremiah and thus don't have an answer to the solution. I prayed as I went. God went before me. The other parent could not make it and the dr told her nurse to tell me to come back on July 31st when the other patient had an appointment. Thank God. Praise the Lord!
Our visit to National Skin Centre
July 18th, we were referred to the National Skin Centre for Jere's eczema problem. The people at registration were really nice. There was hardly any wait. We saw the medical officer almost immediately and she called the consultant in to see Jere also which we found out later was the emeritus consultant. Jere was prescribed some steroidal creams and aquaes cream for his skin. Next appointment 27th August 2008.
KorKor Nat school registration
July 17th & 18th, I was monitoring the vacancies of Primary school more eagerly than that of stocks :P It was time to register Nat in Primary One. We wanted a mission school, a good school and a school that is convenient for us. There were clearly 2 choices. Catholic High School which was within 2km of where we stayed and we had a direct bus right in front of our block to the school in 10 min. St Joseph Institution Junior (SJI Jr) which was walking distance of Novena MRT and Novena MRT is just 4 stations from Ang Mo Kio MRT which is 5 min walk from our place.
We hoped Nat would get into Cat High coz his God brother Owen was in there and it would be good for Godma and me :) but by the end of Day 1 of registration, we were told out of 1km need not apply as within 1km was already balloting. So we headed down to SJI. As it neared the closing time, there was still chance for balloting for those out of 2km so I decided if God left the door open, no matter how small, I would just try. So we applied and waited for balloting day on the 23rd July.
July 23rd, Tim and I took leave to witness the balloting. We were one of the 40 people vying for 10 places in the school. The last number was called. It was 221 and unfortunately we were 223! Sigh! I never thought not being able to get your son into your choice school could be so disappointing, so upsetting , so... undescribable.
I had wanted Nat to get into that school coz I liked their school Motto very much... which calls upon Josephians to be in communion with, and to be guided by God through prayer; and to always work conscientiously in learning and growth, and in service to God, especially in uplifting the last and the least amongst us. Also, I wanted Nat to get in as It would be easier for me as Jere still visits KKH pretty often and it would be most convenient for me to fetch and send the boys as usually I catch the shuttle service to KKH from Novena MRT station too.
My so desolated look was caught by the darn chinese evening tabloid and that night, I got infamous among the ah soh and ah pek at the void deck of our block. Nah.... just kidding, thank goodness, the aunties and ah peks never read paper that day :P but nevertheless, our dear neighbour Shirley and family caught it and told me. She even gave me a copy of the papers for keepsake. Gosh! I really looked sad in the papers :P We had to try applying again in Phase 2c next week.
July 29th 30th, 31st, I was monitoring again. Cat High and SJI Jr had no chance at all. The doors were closed. SHUT! TIGHT! At 2 plus, there were still over 10 places in Maris Stella. We thought we were headed there. Came 3 plus no more vacancies for out of 2km. We then headed to St Gabriel's at Lor Chuan. We were the last registrant there and we secured a place. Thank God! coz the last thing we would want is not getting our child into a mission school as we thought faith formation in a child is really important.
The meeting with the other parent
July 31st, I headed down to KKH myself with Jere. I was kinda afraid coz Tim had used up lotsa leave for Nat's registration so I was left to face it alone. I prayed that God would go with me and before me. I reached the hospital and at registration the urologist dr came by.
Dr: Hello Mummy! I'm glad you came. How? Have you come to a decision?
Me: No Dr.
Dr: OH....The fact that you came is already very good. Meet up with Ivan's parents later then you see me ok.
Me: Ok Dr.
Soon, I was led into a room with Jere, given chairs to sit and a Filipino lady in her early 40s and a Chinese man in his 40s also came into the room with a 5 yr old walking awkwardly behind them. The lady seemed a little defensive initially until I showed her Jere's operation scar and Jere's feet.
We had a chat and found out Ivan was one of their twin sons. The other son was perfectly ok. Ivan also had Spina Bifida Meningocele. He was born in Philippines and was only operated at 5 weeks. The parents then brought the child to Singapore and Ivan was then operated again at 5 or 6 months. They cannot remember for sure. The dr then had given them an option of operating lower down and having his lower half affected or operating higher and then having a possibility of having a shunt operation later in the head. They decided the former. They then took out Ivan's shoes and socks and showed me that Ivan also had his feet operated. They shared with me that after the op on the spine, the feet seemed to turn inwards. Thus, as advised by the doctors, they had his feet operated. So now, the feet turned out instead of inwards. They then told me that their son started to walk after the operation. The urologist dr then came in and added in... "yeah... the operation is so easy!" The dr then cut us short and the family went with her. Somehow, I don't know why, I kinda followed the family when they went into the treatment room. I saw how Ivan sustained a pee and how the mother catheterised Ivan after and he did not seem to mind at all.
After the meeting, I just felt so inspired, so motivated and so convinced that my child would walk and his pee can be normal. AMEN! It would not be like what the drs said... catheter all life, wheelchair bound... walk with walking aids.. NEVER!
That kinda wrapped up our month of July.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Quit?
Nat: Mummy, can you not quit?
Me: What quit?
Nat: Quit.
Me: (getting a little irritated) What quit? (not knowing that Nat had been overhearing the conversations that I had with the dear husband about quitting my job and going intensive with Jeremiah's programs)
Nat: Quit. Can you not quit?
Me: What quit Nat?
Nat: Quit your job.
Me: Why Nat?
Nat: Coz a real warrior never quits.
Me: (quite taken a back that this should have come from my not even 6 yr old) Oh Nat.
There was a moment of silence.
It's funny how our decision to quit my job can affect the kid. Maybe he thought that he would never be able to go to mummy's fun office again if mummy quits the job. Nat enjoys going into my office. He loves going to the breakout area to play fusball and pressing a cup of iced milo from the vending machine and chatting with all the friendly uncles and aunties around and best of all get all the toys and premiums from mummy's office. Even Jere at 2 years old can say "I want to go mummy's office!" No kidding!
Me: (breaking the silence)Daddy's decided the warrior should stay home and take care of the home nation coz we gonna build the home nation and make it real strong! As long as the home nation is strong, all else is unshakeable. By the way Nat, where did you learn "A real warrior never quits" ?
Nat: (smiling) KUNGFU PANDA!
I tendered my resignation on May 16, 2008. Actually, I had wanted to quit and work with Jere since the Glenn Doman's "What to do with your brain injured child" course but I lacked the courage and the peace to do it. Yes I was worried financially with all the medical expenses and what nots... After 1 year of praying, the Lord finally gave me the courage and peace to do it. Well, it took me a good whole year to finally take the leap of faith that our God provides and quit the job and answer to my calling... motherhood. I know if I don't quit now and help Jere stand and walk, I will regret for the rest of my life.
Lord, thank you for giving me the courage to do this and helping me to discern. Lord grant me the wisdom to do what's right for the children and bless me in all that I do. AMEN!
Me: What quit?
Nat: Quit.
Me: (getting a little irritated) What quit? (not knowing that Nat had been overhearing the conversations that I had with the dear husband about quitting my job and going intensive with Jeremiah's programs)
Nat: Quit. Can you not quit?
Me: What quit Nat?
Nat: Quit your job.
Me: Why Nat?
Nat: Coz a real warrior never quits.
Me: (quite taken a back that this should have come from my not even 6 yr old) Oh Nat.
There was a moment of silence.
It's funny how our decision to quit my job can affect the kid. Maybe he thought that he would never be able to go to mummy's fun office again if mummy quits the job. Nat enjoys going into my office. He loves going to the breakout area to play fusball and pressing a cup of iced milo from the vending machine and chatting with all the friendly uncles and aunties around and best of all get all the toys and premiums from mummy's office. Even Jere at 2 years old can say "I want to go mummy's office!" No kidding!
Me: (breaking the silence)Daddy's decided the warrior should stay home and take care of the home nation coz we gonna build the home nation and make it real strong! As long as the home nation is strong, all else is unshakeable. By the way Nat, where did you learn "A real warrior never quits" ?
Nat: (smiling) KUNGFU PANDA!
I tendered my resignation on May 16, 2008. Actually, I had wanted to quit and work with Jere since the Glenn Doman's "What to do with your brain injured child" course but I lacked the courage and the peace to do it. Yes I was worried financially with all the medical expenses and what nots... After 1 year of praying, the Lord finally gave me the courage and peace to do it. Well, it took me a good whole year to finally take the leap of faith that our God provides and quit the job and answer to my calling... motherhood. I know if I don't quit now and help Jere stand and walk, I will regret for the rest of my life.
Lord, thank you for giving me the courage to do this and helping me to discern. Lord grant me the wisdom to do what's right for the children and bless me in all that I do. AMEN!
Who's the boss?
The boys were having lunch together....
As usual, Nat was fiddling with his food and not that keen in whatever he was eating.
Then suddenly our dear Jere went "KORKOR! EAT PROPERLY!"
No, I'm not kidding.... Jere said that and the helper was also shocked. She was trying to control her laughter and when she saw me burst out laughing, she said, " I thought that should be the other way round...."
Now, who's the older one? :P
As usual, Nat was fiddling with his food and not that keen in whatever he was eating.
Then suddenly our dear Jere went "KORKOR! EAT PROPERLY!"
No, I'm not kidding.... Jere said that and the helper was also shocked. She was trying to control her laughter and when she saw me burst out laughing, she said, " I thought that should be the other way round...."
Now, who's the older one? :P
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