No problem in this brain!

"CT scans can be misleading," said kind Dr. Yu from Hong Kong, who arrived in the neurology ward this evening. The MRI done here in Suzhou on Friday shows that Jonathon's subdural space is wider than normal, but, "It's just scar tissue."

There is no recurrent problem in Jonathon's brain. 

Furthermore, doc was really optimistic about Jonathon's brain continuing to recover as he grows. A very promising prognosis.

We're all thinking it. Let's say it together now...

Wonderful news!

I just love when you hope for the best, and the best happens. It's the best.
We are gonna sleep happy tonight.

Ok now why is Jonathon not swallowing?

And when can we go home already?

Two questions that drive tomorrow's agenda.


{Background info if this post hits you as way out of context: When Jon was a baby he had surgery to remove a huge amount of pus in the tissues between his skull and brain (subdural empyema). His development was affected, including learning to eat, but he's catching up quickly. In the past year he's learned to swallow pureed foods and even soft things like bananas, crackers and chopped noodles. Mid-February he stopped swallowing and went back on Pediasure formula. Last week's CT scan revealed that, apparently there was liquid in the subdural space. (Not true after all.) So we traveled here to Suzhou on Thursday, to meet with the Hong Kong physician who performed Jonathon's surgery two years ago.}

counting the graces

thank you Father for

preserving and sustaining Jon's life

Jon's winsome grin, tooth decay and all

sun and crisp cold at the park

an earful from hospital roommates, gaining insight into Chinese mind and culture

aunts caring for orphans in the hospital

aunt, grandma & grandpa caring for Titus & Mike while Drew's working today

On the First of March

I'm in Suzhou, near Shanghai, with Jonathon. Drew, Titus and Mike are home in Changsha. You probably already knew that from other mass communication. These boys are calling on skype to wish their mother a happy twenty-seventh birthday! On this occasion, I was rolling around the idea of blogging a thorough self-disclosing personal introspection, heavy on self-criticisms, and set a few lofty goals for the next year. 

But instead I'm going to tell you that year 27 is the year I wear lipstick. I think so.

27...It's basically just like turning seventeen, plus ten years. I even have the same boyfriend. Plus three of his babies.

If you hadn't read already, Jon and I have traveled 600 miles to see a surgeon. Jonathon's brain may again need treatment, we don't know yet. After we meet with the surgeon tomorrow I'll have concrete information, which I will relay to you right here at this world-famous blog Chinese Neighbors. Jonathon is well, his usual cheery self, and feeling pretty special having my undivided attention.

Thanks everybody for your words of support and cheer for Jon. We feel you're right alongside us wanting the best for our little boy.

counting the graces 

thank you Father for

traditional Chinese architecture in Suzhou

roommates from the Big House next to our hospital bed

kissing on skype with my boys

build-your-vegetable-soup restaurant next door

the feeling of missing somebodies, and being missed

several emails from supportive friends concerned for Jonathon

4 Coffees and 1 Fishy

FISH

Still in bed (2/3s of our kids awake), phone call from an auntie, "I'm on my way over now to make you a fish and bring something." I had my first of five clothing layers on when she arrived with fish, new multi-purpose rice cooker and second-hand giant wok. Earlier she had observed that we lacked these. She herself has little expendable income, and she had to spend hours on a Saturday morning going to market and cooking the fish, Drew's favorite, in our kitchen.

Drew was really happy about the fish, but he'll admit, a tad grumpy because the weight of prep work was hanging over his head and Jonathon was not eating well. On the weekends, this one for example, Drew facilitates no less than five groups. (Friday night, Saturday noon, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon). Who knows why in the world he could be grumpy, right?

COFFEE

Auntie and I set out together, me for the market with two kids, one kid still at home trying to swallow his breakfast with Drew, who was planning to knock out that prep work. A few minutes later his friend, diagnosed OCD, shows up at the door unexpectedly with four grande coffees and one grande hot chocolate (for the kids!). Wants to talk about something and get something, or something like that. Oh Drewwy was patient and openhanded with his time! He sees right through that nonobservance of social norms and wacky OCD to the well-intentioned heart of this guy. His gift, good coffee, is a real treat here, and expensive.

I arrived home with vegetables and children. Drew made it out the door, barely.
Somehow I gently let that OCD friend that he needed to go now...he departed eventually, after asking me how to pronounce the word "all" approximately fifty times.

COFFEE AND FISH

Before that other dude had left, my old friend came over for lunch, a comfortable friend. We sat in the sunporch side by side with our arms draped over each other's shoulders, catching up. And then we washed dishes and made lunch in the kitchen and had one of those revitalizing ol-pal conversations. I learned a lot more about her past, her fears, her dreams. And I shared what was on my heart, no filters. It was the best ever. When she first arrived at our home, I asked her what she might like to drink?

Do you have any COFFEE?

An unusual request for Chinese, tea or water is standard.

Did you make this FISH?

Fish-lover extraordinare, she is.
Grew up on a fish pond and has on more than one occasion given me her angle as a gift.

"Would you believe me if I told you that I did?"

"...No."

And that was the beginning of a wonderful day.
Miraculous like 5 loaves and 2 fishes, we had 4 coffees and 1 fishy.

Drew came home and he was not grumpy, even though we ate all of his favorite fish dish.
He can never stay grumpy longer than three minutes.

And this is the end of my blogging habit, for awhile. Taking Feburary off.

Back in March!

Best Place for Family Dining (Amended)

And here we are having Saturday family supper inside a house of prostitution.

This honor has been given to us a few times now. Doesn't that make you smile, even chuckle a little bit, for joy? The crazy wonderful arrangements of our Redeemer? Haha. How did we arrive here, in Changsha, befriended by those in the photo, invited to dinner inside their shop? A prostitute (I'm disinclined to label her that way, that is not who she really is, she is...image-bearer, daughter, sister, mother, friend, survivor, heroine), she tenderly chop-stick fed Titus his entire supper. A great honor. This is beyond me. This is Jesus. It's a real joy to be caught up in his movement.

This weekend held many other surprises. At the moment I can't write it all out for you (must. hang. laundry. while the sun is still out! better. do. dishes. before Drew gets home!), but I will tell you, right...

...

Oh hey, it's been a week.

That day, that whole weekend there were lotsa of great little things that happened. In particular, Saturday morning was a concentration of surprises.

They're on the next post, Feburary 2nd, 2013! GO THERE!

counting the graces

thank you Father for

four gathered in Js' name

revitalizing warmth on the sunporch

hardly any need for a coat today

Titus & Mike's preschooler conversations, building on each others' creative play ideas

Jon's thick raven-black hair