Re-Dining out

First dine-out for the kids after hubby's surgery a month ago.  Hmm also my first dine-out.  I felt slightly torn actually.  Poor hubby is home-bound and still struggling to do the simplest of tasks.  But we were at my parents' place and might as well have a good meal out.  Since they were technically not 'abandoning papa', the kids didn't have any qualms going out.  We tried out a nearby cafe which I'd noticed was well-patronised. 

Oo so yum!

With mummy's seafood squid ink pasta

With our big breakfast dinner

Scored a brownie with ice-cream!

I totally enjoyed the food! Pricey but worth it.  We are starting a new 'pattern' of spending one night a week at our apartment.  So 2 days for the kids with their grandparents.  We are balancing things and seeing how it goes. 
 

Body found

In my house, people have to make sure they don't step on this one who is often found flat on the floor.  No idea why she loves to lie down so much!  JE will report, 'Yaya (pet name for SE) dead'.  Look around and yep this one is horizontal somewhere - the floor, the sofa, the bed, a low table.

Body found

Another body found

Sometimes she does this while watching TV.  But like in these photos, usually she is doing absolutely nothing.

Taking food pics

Now that I'm basically done with the posts of hubby's surgery, I realise that I have hardly taken any pictures of the kids recently.  Must resume doing that!  These ones here are from just before the surgery.

I'm notoriously bad at taking pictures of food.  I could be happily snapping away but once food arrives, my attention is totally diverted haha.  I'm better at taking pictures of OTHER PEOPLE taking pictures of food hehe.

JE is in teenager mode already as in she isn't as enthusiastic and everything is usually just 'MEH'/'so-so' in her eyes.  So it's rare to see her out of default mode.  Oh she does not own a phone despite multiple requests (Mummy still says 'no way jose')... this is my old phone with a weak battery.

Noodle!

Oo nice

Very nice

Dessert!

 We haven't dined out since hubby went for surgery.  The kids have replied all my suggestions to "abandon Papa and we go out for lunch" offers with "Mummy evil!"  Haha.

Out of the tunnel

Day 18 (2/1)

Started acupuncture.  This is my first experience with acupuncture.  So the doc diagnoses the problem, pokes the needles where needed.  Then the nurse/assistant will come with a machine and attach the electrodes to the needles.  The patient then adjusts the current to the level they are comfortable with.  The machine will run for 30mins each treatment session. Two heaters are also placed where the doc indicates it.   

Acupuncture session

Thanks everyone for the well wishes!  Today is Day 23 after the op and hubby has shown definite improvement.  The numbness he woke up with is reduced to only a few areas.  From limited thumb movements in his right arm, he can now move the whole elbow - at least no longer a dead arm!  The 'seizures' are apparently just 'twitching' and part of the recovery process.  Biopsy results show the brain tumour isn't cancerous - it's a Grade 2 which apparently has a higher chance of recurrence than Grade 1, but I suppose we could always do regular MRI scans to catch any problems early.

There is still some distance to go.  Hubby's movements are very slow and takes a lot of mental effort to perform.  I am rather swamped ferrying him to his physiotherapy (twice a week) and acupuncture (daily), not to mention helping him with things he cannot do yet.    

But he has survived the op and fingers crossed, we will get back to normal soon.
 

Recovery

Day 11 (26/12)

Seizures again sigh. They were multiple and consecutive although milder compared to the one the previous day.  Hubby was just jerking uncontrollably for 15mins or so at a time.  Worst thing was he got extremely tired after these episodes. Surprisingly he took them in his stride and messaged the neurosurgeon that his preference was not to be admitted to the hospital.  I was so glad the doc said ok.... that meant he didn't think hubby was in trouble.  And personally, I'd had enough of living in the hospital!  

Day 13 (28/12)

Went to take a CT scan. 

Day 14 (29/12)

Went for the scheduled appointment with the doc.  Doc reviewed the scan and said things looked fine.  There was expected swelling and bleeding.  But nothing to worry about as long as hubby didn't fall unconscious from the seizures.

Day 15 (30/12)

Started physiotherapy.  I was rather disappointed at his caution that recovery may well not be 100% and may take months.

 This has been such a roller-coaster ride.  

Back home

Day 9

My parents drove over the next day with the kids and maid.  Funny thing about the kids... I expected they'd be overjoyed to be able to return home.  Instead, JE asked if they could stay an additional day.  And SE said she's already very much used to the place - used to Ah Kong/Ah Mah, having the air-con on any time they liked and "and talking to mama only on messenger".  Hmmm.

Oh well, it was easier not having them underfoot.  Hubby moved into the room downstairs as it was too difficult for him to go up the stairs.  It had to be cleared as it was chock-full of things.  He also requested his 'workers" (actually the younger members on his side of the family) to paint the walls, put in a bed and some furniture, bring in his personal things.  Many requests and a frenzy of activities later, the room looked pretty good.  A new mattress was eventually bought and delivered, and a new air-con installed as the previous one hadn't been used for umpteen years.

So we are settled in and good for the recovery phase.  I felt like I was having jet-lag haha.  Tired.  But it was good to be home.

Day 10 (Christmas day)

A new problem presented itself early in the morning.  Hubby had a seizure lasting 18mins which left him worried, exhausted and weak.  He was already on medication for seizures so we didn't expect this.  The neurosurgeon said that should another seizure happen, hubby would be re-admitted to the hospital.  Sigh.

Without further incidents for the day, we were able to proceed with our dinner plans.  Roast lamb with trimmings, yums!

Merry Xmas!

Pardon the tired looks.