Update on Jason's condition

Liz:
Dear family & friends,

Jason went to UH again on 20 September. Sorry, for the delay in updating all of you. I realize that the updates have been lengthy and filled with medical jargon. I'm afraid this one will be the same because there are friends who just came to know about it and asked for information.


In the MRI above, there's this white longish oval shape at the C5. And beneath it, at the right side of the spinal cord, a thin, longish white shape. Those are the syrinx. The condition is known as syringomyelia. Here's how wikipedia defines syringomyelia:

"a generic term referring to a disorder in which a cyst or cavity forms within the spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, can expand and elongate over time, destroying the spinal cord. The damage may result in pain, paralysis, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, and extremities. Syringomyelia may also cause a loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold, especially in the hands. The disorder generally leads to a cape-like loss of pain and temperature sensation along the back and arms. Each patient experiences a different combination of symptoms. These symptoms typically vary depending on the extent and, often more critically, to the location of the syrinx within the spinal cord."

In Jason's case, his left arm is numbish and he's not able to feel hot and cold in that arm .


The MRI above shows a small, sort of roundish white circle (near the top of the MRI) at the T5. This is a blood clot caused by AVM. The wikipedia defines AVM :

"Arteriovenous malformation or AVM is an abnormal connection between veins and arteries, usually congenital."

Congenital means from birth. As I understand it, it's like the veins and arteries have their set 'pathways" but somehow when there's AVM, the veins or arteries may criss cross and that causes blood clots, and the docs believe, the syrinx above.

So, the UH docs are saying that the main cause is AVM.

The solution: The doc said that we can choose to leave the blood clot there and nothing might happen. However, IF it bursts, causing bleeding, the result can be catastrophic (since the clot is at T5, it may mean paralysis in the lower limbs).

Then there's also the syrinx. Leaving it might result in progression of the symptoms.

They are scheduling him for a spinal angiogram soon. They'll be able to see then, the exact location of the clot and syrinxs so that they can ascertain the level of risk in surgery.

Jason:
We believe that Jesus heals. His ministry on earth was not only to bring us to salvation, but to heal us (Luke 4:18). His crucifixion - He shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins and to lift us from every curse; His body was bruised/broken/whipped that we might in turn receive healing (1 Peter 2:24). The Bible says it. We believe it. His Word shall come to pass. Last year, a prophet said that the devil wants to put me in a wheelchair but God will HEAL ME. We did not even know the cause of the numbness at that time. God sees all and knows all. We believe His Word.

In light of this, we have decided to look to Him 100% in faith and no longer to the doctors. Therefore, no more scans and tests. His Word is everlasting and all His promises are Yes and Amen! Pray and believe with us that the manifestation of His FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS will come to pass SOON! Your prayers and your faith will mean much to us. In the Word, the faith of friends of the sick were commended upon by Jesus. In fact, Jesus was even amazed at one time by the faith of the centurion, whose SERVANT was sick, not him. Jesus healed the servant (Matthew 8). Your faith counts too!

Thank you for praying and believing with us. We cannot thank you enough for such support. It's good to know that we are not alone. We pray also that in all your efforts and faith, God will reward your fervency with blessings in abundance. He loves to bless!

We'll keep you updated as best we can.

Cutlery Racism?

My hubby brought my attention to the pic above. It was in a local hypermart's brochure. We were....kinda perplexed. Chinese spoons? Really?! I remember it being popularly referred to as a soup spoon by locals. Apparently that could've been by my generation. Possibly, the current generation notices cutlery culture (for want of a better term) and hey, the Chinese are the ones using these spoons right? So Chinese Spoons la! Some may shout, Cutlery Racism!!! (LOL) But it's just a spoon. Peace.

Signs

Sean is slowly but surely learning to read. Being the sensitive sort and afraid of failing, he's taken to quietly reading storybooks by himself rather than read out loud with me. The kindy he attends uses the phonic system and I do work with him on it at home too.

He surprised me this evening by grabbing pencil and paper and asking me for help writing a sentence. He's never done this before. This is what he wrote.

He saw that the cordless phone was not at its station and decided to make a sign and place it there. I was so proud of him.

Aidan was not to be left out and with pen and paper in hand also asked me for help. I was busy then and Sean helped him. This is the result.

Ok, so the grammar's off but I'm proud of the initiative and the fact that they worked together. :)

Atypical Aidan

It was bedtime. The time when my kids sometimes churn out weird/funny thoughts and comments. Tonight it was from Aidan.

With his manja voice he said, "Good night mummy, sweet dreams, sleep tight! (his usual bedtime saying). Thank you mummy for letting us watch the concert CD. I love mummy. Sorry, I disobeyed you just now."

A pause. And then...

"How do you feel now that I've said sorry?"

Frankly, I didn't know how to feel. I was tired, still a bit upset with his disobedience, noted that his "I love mummy" was because he got to watch the concert CD, settling in on the apology when he caught me with that question.

Nary a dull moment with my two!

The homie and his bro.

Sean the man :)

Here's to everyone!

click on the photo for a larger view

Revised & extended stories by Aidan Teh

Last night, Aidan was having dinner and singing songs about fat sausages (go figure!) when he suddenly said, "Mummy! I have a story to tell you!" And so it began. Two super edited and extended versions of stories we know. No one can say the kid has no imagination! (Excuse the grammar though. The little tyke is only 4).

Baby Jesus (Version 2009. TOTALLY revised and err...upgraded)

"This is baby Jesus (draws in the air with his finger). And this - draws a square shape - is the hotel. One of the bad men came to find him but when he arrived, baby Jesus grow up already. And then He fight with the bad man until, until - pauses and dramatically does vertical shaking motions with his hands - until the temple came crashing down!"

Oh wow! Such talent! The ability to mesh Bible stories into one explosive, action packed masterpiece! Yes, we are in awe! LOL! On to the other story....


The Ant and the Bird (the super extended version. The version you know had the best bits snipped.)

"An ant was in the river. Drowning. A bird plucked a leaf and threw it on the ant! The ant climbed on the leaf and was saved. A man with a gun was going to shoot the bird but the ant bite him and the bird was saved!"

"What does this story teach you?" I asked.

"All about ants!" was his quick, confident reply. It was hard to choose between rolling my eyes and laughing out loud. Might burst a blood vessel if I tried both simultaneously, so I kept a composed smile on my face.

"And then! A dinosaur, a T-Rex came and grabbed the bird! The ant quickly bite the T-Rex until die!"

Before I could wrap my brain around the unexpected appearance of the dino,...

"An eagle came! The ant called the man to shoot the eagle! And then, and then - he got really excited, I can sense another brilliant cameo coming - a robot appeared! The ant and the man fight with the robot until it's destroyed!"

Aidan smiled with satisfaction. He's told awesome stories and he knows it. I was left gaping at the sheer genius (and audacity!) of the stories and I grabbed pen and paper and jot it down before my too-stunned-brain left out important details.

Don't you just wanna squish him in a geram-hug? And then worry how to disentangle the Bible stories back to its original, correct, albeit less action-packed version? No worries about the ant and the bird (some ant, huh?) though. It's time fables get a facelift.



The author-editor extraordinaire.

When I grow up, I wanna be...

Most of us remember our childhood dreams. What we wanna be when we grow up. More often than not, those dreams change as we age and acquire new interests or new insights on life. I can't remember my childhood dreams. I put it down to sleep deprivation!

Anyway, the other day, Sean asked me (with a very serious expression), "Mummy what do u think I can be when i grow up?" "Anything you want, as long as you work at it," I replied. "3 of my friends in class wanna be policemen when they grow up." "What about you?" I asked. "Me? I wanna be...."

He paused and thought and I waited with bated breath. This is the first "I wanna be" conversation with my firstborn and it's so meaningful!

"I wanna be....Optimus Prime!" he said and burst into cheeky laughter.

*sigh* *Rips the page off the invisible book of nostalgia, crumples it and throws it away*


"This is my Autobot face."

Literally

Children are so literal. Case in point: Sean asked his daddy one day, "If i drink a lot of water, will it wash Jesus out of my body?" Huh?! He is struggling with the idea that Jesus lives in his heart. So we get these kinda questions once in a while. Sure keeps us on our toes! :)
"I ask interesting questions don't I?"

Vote for Our Band Name

We're finally getting a name for the band. But we need your help to decide which one. We've narrowed down to 2 names and here's your chance to be a part of the selection. Get to the vote site and make your selection. We're very excited to see the outcome.

Vote now - http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/453610

God bless!