Sitting at my desk back at the office, my head was turning. There was so much information to take in, so many thoughts running amok, so many emotions to suppress ...
And then, a little's girl's voice appeared in my head.
"Papa", she called, in a sweet little voice, "if you keep worrying that I'll be different, you will bring me up in a certain way, then of course I will become different! Do what you need to do, prepare me for the world*, so that I will be ready to face the world".
(* Instinctively, I took it to mean that we continue with the exercises, healthy foods, logistics preparations and spiritual pursuits, so that she can be healthy and be blessed)
This can jolly well be a figment of my own imagination, or it can be a real father-daughter moment, our very first one.
Post Date: 3 Nov 09
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Trisomy X
From Wikipedia,
Due to the lyonization, inactivation and formation of a Barr body, in all female cells, only one X chromosome is active at any time in a female cell. Thus, triple X syndrome most often causes no unusual physical features or medical problems. Females with the condition may have menstrual irregularities, and, although rarely exhibiting severe mental impairments, have an increased risk of learning disabilities, delayed speech, deficient language skills, and delayed development of motor skills.
Post Date: 3 Nov 09
Due to the lyonization, inactivation and formation of a Barr body, in all female cells, only one X chromosome is active at any time in a female cell. Thus, triple X syndrome most often causes no unusual physical features or medical problems. Females with the condition may have menstrual irregularities, and, although rarely exhibiting severe mental impairments, have an increased risk of learning disabilities, delayed speech, deficient language skills, and delayed development of motor skills.
Post Date: 3 Nov 09
Our Baby
We got a call this morning, about the result of the amnio test.
"Your baby has an extra chromosome. And Dr Cheng would like to see you this afternoon. His schedule is packed, but we managed to squeeze in a slot at 1pm".
When Wifey called me to relay the message, my head was entirely filled with negative thoughts. What's going to happen? How serious is the problem? How will he break the news to us? I checked the Internet - seemed like there will be problems. So much negativity - I found it hard to break out of it. Worse thing was, I didn't want to outwardly show it and influence Wifey ...
It turned out our baby has an extra chromosome - XXX. Our gynae assured us it was nothing to worry about, definitely not serious enough to warrant an abortion. Yes, there may be a higher probability of learning disabilities, but it's only a higher chance. Moreover, with support and coaching, it can be overcome. He added that our all the anomaly that could happen, this was one of the mildest. The gynae also confirmed that our baby does not have Down's Syndrome.
Wifey left the clinic visibly relieved. To her, this was good news. So long as there's a chance to correct any disorder, then not all is lost.
I, on the other hand, left the clinic with a very heavy head. I couldn't figure out what I'd just heard was good news or bad news. Yes, I'm thankful our baby does not have Down's Syndrome, but a chromosome anomaly is a chromosome anomaly. Our gynae is a nice guy - he may have cushioned the impact for us. The thought that my baby MAY not start at the same starting point really saddens me. We will be very unfair to our kid if, because of our selfishness, we bring the fella into this world and the fella falls behind straight away.
But I'm determined that, no matter what happens, our child is our responsibility. We will do whatever we can to set the records straight. Moreover, Dr Cheng did say that the FA test during Week 20 will put us at further ease.
And it's a girl : )
Image credit here.
Post Date: 3 Nov 09
Monday, October 26, 2009
Still waiting ...
Wifey and I caught this show at Tampines this evening. We had vouchers, but the guy said "Sorry, these vouchers are for non-premier films, and the show you are watching is a premier film". Then when we went over to the popcorn counter and asked for hot drinks, he said "Sorry, this coupon is for popcorn and dispenser drinks only. Hot chocolate is not from the dispenser". Oh well.
After the show we had dinner at Pasta Mania.
Today's outing was meant to celebrate our 20 years 2 months together. I was hoping that it'll also celebrate our baby's clean bill of health, but alas we are still waiting.
Image credit here.
Post Date: 28 Oct 09
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Amnio
It was a terrible struggle - do we do the amnio or do we not?
We struggled for very long. Yes, no, yes, no, do, don't do, do, don't do ... it caused me many sleepless nights. We finally decided to do it, and prayed for divine assistance to eliminate the 0.5% chance of miscarriage.
We are now back at home. Thankfully the procedure was simple, and Wifey did not complain of any discomfort. The nurse said the report will take a few days. She'll call us either on Friday or Monday.
I took leave till Friday, and Wifey is on MC until then. So while we wait, we are determined to enjoy this break!
Post Date: 28 Oct 09
We struggled for very long. Yes, no, yes, no, do, don't do, do, don't do ... it caused me many sleepless nights. We finally decided to do it, and prayed for divine assistance to eliminate the 0.5% chance of miscarriage.
We are now back at home. Thankfully the procedure was simple, and Wifey did not complain of any discomfort. The nurse said the report will take a few days. She'll call us either on Friday or Monday.
I took leave till Friday, and Wifey is on MC until then. So while we wait, we are determined to enjoy this break!
Post Date: 28 Oct 09
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
NESWA!
There are Never-Ending Surprises in Western Australia!
The West Australian article here.
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Chevron finds more gas off WA coast
US energy giant Chevron says it has made a major discovery off the WA coast that will help support its $43 billion Gorgon natural gas project.
Chevron found gas in the Achilles-1 exploration well, about 160kms north west of Onslow in the Gorgon area, the company said.
Post Date: 19 Oct 09
The West Australian article here.
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Chevron finds more gas off WA coast
US energy giant Chevron says it has made a major discovery off the WA coast that will help support its $43 billion Gorgon natural gas project.
Chevron found gas in the Achilles-1 exploration well, about 160kms north west of Onslow in the Gorgon area, the company said.
Post Date: 19 Oct 09
Saturday, October 17, 2009
迟到好过没到
Came back early this morning. As usual, the carpark is full. At least that's what I thought. I did eventually find a lot on 4A. A very pleasant surprise, considering at 3.30am, it is a "Level 6B" time.
After parking, the Voice in Head said, "Being later than others doesn't mean you will be worse off".
Yes, I may be older than a lot of first-time fathers, but I must use that to my advantage...
Image credit here.
Post Date: 20 Oct 09
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Insomnia
This has gotten progressively worse and worse.
Last night, after taking a looooong time to fall asleep, I woke up, I think, after only 2 hours. After tossing and turning for the good part of at least 45min, I got pissed off and got up and watched TV. Went to bed only around 4.30am.
This nonsense has to stop.
According to this website, it's all got to do with Kidney Energy (Qi) Deficiency, Bloody Qi Defiency and Improper Diet.
The sooner I'm off to the Chinese sinseh, the better.
Post Date: 12 Oct 09
Last night, after taking a looooong time to fall asleep, I woke up, I think, after only 2 hours. After tossing and turning for the good part of at least 45min, I got pissed off and got up and watched TV. Went to bed only around 4.30am.
This nonsense has to stop.
According to this website, it's all got to do with Kidney Energy (Qi) Deficiency, Bloody Qi Defiency and Improper Diet.
The sooner I'm off to the Chinese sinseh, the better.
Post Date: 12 Oct 09
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Unlimited viewing
We have been gifted with the ability to watch ALL channels on SCV. 100+ channels, how to see all?? Hehehe, happy problem. Good for Wifey, when she is on maternity leave.
Now all we are hoping is that the authorities don't catch up with us.
Image credit here.
Post Date: 12 Oct 09
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
RBA lifts interest rate
I know most will be cursing, but I'm happy that at least the savings rate will go up. And so will the Aussie dollar!
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http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6147184
BREAKING NEWS: Homeowners face an immediate increase in their mortgage repayments after the Reserve Bank lifted official interest rates a quarter percentage point.
In a sign the Reserve believes the Australian economy is increasingly strong, the RBA used its monthly meeting this morning to take rates to 3.25 per cent.
It is the first increase since March last year, and follows 4.25 percentage points worth of cuts in the wake of the global financial crisis.
The move will add almost $46 a month to the repayments on a $300,000 mortgage.
Post Date: 6 Oct 09
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http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6147184
BREAKING NEWS: Homeowners face an immediate increase in their mortgage repayments after the Reserve Bank lifted official interest rates a quarter percentage point.
In a sign the Reserve believes the Australian economy is increasingly strong, the RBA used its monthly meeting this morning to take rates to 3.25 per cent.
It is the first increase since March last year, and follows 4.25 percentage points worth of cuts in the wake of the global financial crisis.
The move will add almost $46 a month to the repayments on a $300,000 mortgage.
Post Date: 6 Oct 09
Friday, October 02, 2009
More to come
SINGAPORE - Singapore shares closed lower on Friday with the blue-chip Straits Times Index down 52.91 points to 2,604.53.
Volume was 2.31 billion shares worth $1.79 billion. Losers led gainers 533 to 88. -- BT ONLINE
At one stage, everything on my watchlist was red. I doubt Mon will be any better.
Post Date: 2 Oct 09
Different strokes for different folks
Flipped open today's newspapers and saw the ad of a company that is going IPO. Upon closer scrutiny, I realised there were a few familiar faces in the ad. They had seeked help before, and we were part of the team. That "project" still ranks as the "highest" point of our volunteer work.
At lunch, I bumped into someone that seeked help before also. Seems like after he was cured, he was able to go back to work, but only on a permanent part-time basis.
Two different families, two different outcomes, but same setting. People we have helped got what they wanted and continued with their own lives, albeit in very different ways.
Feel jealous? Yeah, probably all of 2 seconds. But feel the need to help those in the lower income group? All the time.
Post Date: 2 Oct 09
Thursday, October 01, 2009
It rained
After about 2 weeks of terrible skin, the eczema is finally clearing up. Throughout this period, I slept without the blanket, intially for fear of staining the blanket and thereafter to avoid dirtying the blanket with skin flakes. This is a major milestone for me, who MUST sleep with at least the blanket covering my feet.
Just last night I was thinking to myself, that I am thankful that the weather has been hot, so there has been no need for the blanket. (The Lord's work?) The moment my eczema clears up, my recuperation period will be up and there will be rain, followed by chilly weather.
And last night, it rained. And I made sure I was snugly covered under my blanket.
Post Date: 2 Oct 09
Just last night I was thinking to myself, that I am thankful that the weather has been hot, so there has been no need for the blanket. (The Lord's work?) The moment my eczema clears up, my recuperation period will be up and there will be rain, followed by chilly weather.
And last night, it rained. And I made sure I was snugly covered under my blanket.
Post Date: 2 Oct 09
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