On the go in Asia: Photos, an appendicitis and this and that

It's been a busy few months.

Along with normal routines, schedules and responsibilities a lot has been going on.

We've MOVED. Unpacked box after box and turned an apartment into a home. It was all a process and not an easy one at that. Glad we're settled:)

From a few weeks ago...

I have 6 more weeks until our little guy is due. I've been feeling fine. It's not been easy heaving our toddler over our shoulder as he has more and more tantrums, but it's all a part of it. Sometimes I hold him under my arm while he wriggles and cries (and strangers around me give me parenting advice). It's either that or leave him LYING down on the ground since he selectively chooses not to walk, let me hold him, etc. And believe me, I've tried to leave him lying down and walk away; he stays on the ground. Our little man is excited to have a new baby in the house. Today he was talking to me and said "I'm a little bit excited for our new baby to come." Cute.

My parents and brother were in a different city in China for a few days. We met up and had a great few days together! The kids were thrilled to see Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Matthew and of course were spoiled (I'm currently HIDING the gum and suckers that they were given...)

My DH turned 35. Wow. We had a surprise party for him. It was a fun day in the park!

We had a lovely friend, Sarah, visit us. She was a breath of fresh air and a blessing. Every day my little man talks about her, misses her and asks when she's coming back:)

Our friend has been in and out of hospital in the past two weeks. My DH has accompanied him for medical appointments, has been with him to get test results, etc. He had side pains, a fever and vomiting. Appendicitis. But it's been about 10 days in we are still getting a right diagnosis.

He was admitted to a local hospital. He had blood and urine tests and a CT test. Last Monday they scheduled an operation for Thursday. Thursday arrived and suddenly they told our friend that he didn't need an operation. They said that his swelling wasn't that bad and that they didn't want to take any organs out. So he packed up and went home with antibiotics. But he continued in pain. The doctor said that the pain was normal and just a part of recovery. He was supposedly being seen by one of the best doctors at that hospital. He googled the info and in some parts of the world, they do go by a more natural way of healing. We thought he was fine and were trusting of the information we were being given.

One of our friends insisted he go to a bigger city to an international hospital for a second opinion. One of the international doctors explained that sometimes in smaller cities hospitals don't always act in the patient's best interests.

They said that doctors or hospitals may make decisions because of financial incentives or because of liability issues.

It's hard to know if they didn't want a surgery to happen because of possible liability issues. He also has a unique blood group, he's not a local guy, etc. It's an easy procedure (so I'm told) and I they do them regularly.

But even with normal medical treatment and especially surgeries, we're told that in most cases a "little extra" needs to be passed to the surgeon or doctor to ensure good medical care and/or good prescriptions are given. I find it hard to understand how someone can go to medical school and want to pursue excellence in medicine and then fall into this cycle. But I'm told it's just different. My knocking the system won't change it.

Anyways, this evening he had ANOTHER CT scan (at the international hospital) and the surgeon said that his appendix was inflamed and that he needed the operation. So it's scheduled for tomorrow. It's a relief to have some clear understanding and to trust the treatment he's getting. It's a horrible thing to second guess medical care.

UPDATE:

Our friend went in for his 9am surgery and the doctor again looked at the CT scan. She recommended WAITING because she didn't want to damage any major organs. According to her, had the surgery been done within the 24 hour flair-up there wouldn't have been a problem. But waiting 10 days to do a surgery has created a different situation. So he's on a strict diet and in 2-3 months the operation is again recommended. What a roller coaster!!

Thanks for reading. Sorry it's been a while. I hope that you've been well and will try to write in the next few days to update how it all went for our friend.

It's late over here and time for bed.

Much love... Here are a few photos...