I don’t even know where to begin, but to say that last week was one of the most draining that I’ve experienced. I felt like I was a rubber ball thrown from one wall of emotion (terrified) to another (scrambling, nervous) to another (relieved, elated) to yet another (insanely enraged beyond all imagination).
Which is why I stayed away from my blog until tonight. BECAUSE UNDER THAT TYPE OF EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SNAPPED EVERY SINGLE THREAD OF RATIONALITY INTO THIRDS.
Really. I’m not exaggerating.
Oh, where do I begin?
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This is the little 4 year old boy who’s been complaining of headaches and “Mommy, my bed is twirling” for the past few months.
So, we took him to the doc: And we went home and just kept careful watch of what might trigger these episodes. A few weeks later, I brought him back to the doc, prompted by Andrew’s teacher who mentioned to me that he was complaining about his head. Doc: “I think we should get a brain MRI because blahblah blah TUMOR blah |
There probably were a few more blahs in that conversation, interjected by several OH SHITs. But who’s keeping record?
Armed with lots of lab orders, phone numbers and a bunch of big, fancy medical terms that I quickly scribbled down, I just went on autopilot, arranging for specialists, labwork, insurance approvals and the MRI.
Because our insurance plan is more stringent than a hamster’s ass (being self-employed or a small business really sucks for affordable options), I spent hours on the phone getting the runaround. It was no fault of the insurance company – they have their rules and I signed paperwork agreeing to follow them. And of all the parties involved, my nurse case manager was most helpful.
But Andrew’s doctor’s office held the ONLY key to getting all the other tests and appointments approved. AND THEY KEPT PASSING THAT DAMN KEY AROUND THEIR OFFICE. At noon, Rick had possession of the key, but oops! He’s out to lunch. Call back. Then he passed it to nurse Kathy who then did a quarter-turn underhanded toss to office manager just seconds before her 2-minute time out. Leave a message. Then office manager Stacy dribbled it to center field, fake right, fake left and shot it towards the basket, only to be intercepted by what’s-her-name the receptionist. Call back.
Oh, if you can’t tell. I don’t know jack shit about basketball. Whatever.
Finally, I got the brain MRI scheduled at the hospital for Tuesday morning. But wait, the a bumbling nurse calls Monday afternoon saying they had a scheduling goof and the next opening was in 4 weeks. Would we mind waiting?
hmmmm…it’s just a possible FUCKING TUMOR in my kid’s head. What do you think???
So after my little hissy fit, they gave in an told me to come tomorrow morning 7am sharp. We get there at 7am. We checked in and waited. And waited. And waited. An hour and half later, still waiting. Keep in mind that Andrew wasn’t allowed to have a drop of fluid or anything to eat since midnight. My poor baby is thirsty, “a little sip of water please, Mommy?”
sigh
I go ask. “Oh, I’m sorry. We’re missing some paperwork from his file. We have to wait until your doctor’s office opens at 8:30 to get the paper faxed over”
sigh
and then they forgot about us.
sigh (wishing either I had some Valium or a bag of petrified brussel sprouts to pelt the staff with)
Finally. Andrew’s name was called. Oh my little precious baby was scared. Scared of blood, scared of needles, scared of the mask that they would have to put over his mouth to make him go night-night for a while so that they could get the MRI of his brain. He was so terrified he started shaking, screaming, crying, hyperventilating. He didn’t want the doctors, the nurses, the instruments. He just wanted to go home and hide in bed. So the doctor on duty gave him a “cousin of Valium” to make him sleepy, woozy and more cooperative…just so they could at least get him to lay still enough to hook up all the monitoring equipment and the dreadful mask to sedate him.
I’m surprised that they didn’t offer me a whiff of the stuff either, though I was tempted to wrestle that mask away from the nurse and suck in a few deep, long breaths before security would come arrest me. But I was chicken shit and didn’t.
I stayed with Andrew up until he was sedated and then was escorted out. I have no idea how long I was in the waiting room, but kept checking in with the front desk just in case they forgot about us AGAIN. That waiting room is hell. Not only was the TV stuck on some political bullshit channel but I was going through all possible worst case scenarios in my mind.
After a loooong time, a nurse came to me and said simply, “Andrew is awake. Come with me.” She led me towards a room where a nurse was holding a small, shrieking, thrashing child. The cry was unfamiliar and that was not my child. I know my child’s cry and that is not Andrew.
But it was Andrew. I had never heard this cry before because I am a mother who does everything possible to shield and protect my children from harm, hurt and suffering. And this was the first time Andrew experienced this much fear. It took about a half hour to calm his thrashing body about half the hospital’s supply of Spiderman stickers to bribe him to stop crying.
We wobbled outta that hospital, his legs still unsure of supporting his body as the effects of the sedation medication was still wearing off.
And then began the wait for the results.
I prayed to Buddha that they didn’t forget about us again.
The phone rings that afternoon and it was the original doctor, Andrew’s primary pediatrician, you know, the blah blah blah TUMOR doctor.
“MRI came back fine. Andrew’s brain is normal. Maybe he just needs glasses. We should get him an eye exam”
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[this portion of the blog had to be edited out due to extreme foul language]
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Excuse me, but a FUCKING EYE EXAM? Let’s see if this makes any sense.
ahem.
What do you think should have happened first, a $200 eye exam? or a $5,000 brain MRI that absolutely terrified and haunted Andrew so badly he’s got nightmares every single night since?
hmmm….can someone hand me that tennis racket? Because I think I might just have a bunch of petrified brussel sprouts stuffed in my left pocket.
We’re in Los Angeles right now, so the eye exam will have to wait until we return. But I do think Andrew would look pretty damn smart in glasses. Ok, these are really plastic play goggles from this toy.
Anyways, we’re doing great – the boys are having so much fun at PoPo (my mom) and GongGong’s (my dad) house – especially jumping on OPF (other people’s furniture) as they discovered you get a higher bounce and a faster lift on nice, new, expensive leather couches.
We’ll be here for another week visiting, me working, kids exploring….while Scott stays home to work, keep my garden alive (TOMATOES! TOMATOES! TOMATOES!) and try to win a nice, cushy seat in this year’s World Series of Poker, because yeah, we could certainly use an extra $35 million. 🙂 The kids and I miss him terribly! But thanks to email, text, phone calls, instant messaging, we bug him every 15 minutes.
EDIT: While it might seem I might be upset at the medical system or insurance system, I’m not. Yes, they are broken, but I can’t name one country that has a perfect system. I was just upset at the entire situation and specific moronic people that get paid to “toss the key” around. I do understand that doctors practice under such great risk for malpractice suits – so yeah, if I were a doctor, I’d probably cover my ass too. I am very grateful that the tests were negative and relieved that at least no matter what, we can rule out the big “T” word. But damn. I need a new pediatrician!
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Los Angeles Cooking Classes
So I’m in LA teaching 2 classes – one on Thursday and the other on Saturday. Both are hands-on classes at Epicurean School of Culinary Arts, a super-cool studio teaching kitchen blocks from the Beverly Center. Wanna come? There are a few spot left in each class. And bring your camera! We’ll talk a bit about food photography and maybe do an impromptu photo shoot of the dishes we cook.
This girl will be helping me on Thursday’s class (excited to meet her and her boyfriend in person!)
and if you’re free on Saturday night and want to assist in the class, I’d love to have you. Shoot me an email at jaden@steamykitchen.com.
LOS ANGELES, CA Thursday, April 17th 6:30pm: Asian Party Food.
Please contact the Epicurean Culinary Academy to register.
Vietnamese Fresh Summer Rolls with Cashew Nut Dipping Sauce
Minced Chicken in Cool Lettuce Cups with Crispy Noodles
Korean Bulgogi Spiced Burger Bar
Fresh Lemongrass Ginger Ale
LOS ANGELES, CA Saturday, April 19th 6:30pm: Southeast Asian II (different menu from last SEAsian class in LA)
Please contact the Epicurean Culinary Academy to register.
Lemongrass Chicken & Coconut Soup
Malaysian Chili Shrimp
Vietnamese Fragrant Crispy Chicken Wings
Vegetable Pad Thai
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comment section! I always appreciate your feedback and I know other readers do, too!
Stay in touch with me in our 
I’m so sorry about you having to put up with all of that and poor little Andrew. I have to say I went through a similar problem with myself. I’m 15 and have been suffering from headaches for over a year now. Every time I go to the doctor about them they want to run some sort of test. MRI. Blood test. Diabetes test. Nothing was ever showing up and I was beginning to give up. I had mentioned to my mother that it was hard for me to see the board in History class in order to copy notes. We went for and eye exam and it showed I needed glasses so now I have had them for a month and haven’t had a headache yet.
So after spending all that money and time away from school cause I couldn’t move because of a headache, I finally have a new doctor.
awwww….I’m so happy you found the solution to your headaches!!!
That’s absolutely terrible! I hope that Andrew recovers from the traumatic experience. I know how he feels though, when I was in kindergarten I pretty much went through the same thing for about a month in class. Headaches, and just overwhelming inability to see anything. Both my parents wear glasses, though so that was the first thing they thought of.
I’m so sorry they put you through the wringer 🙁
Jaden, so glad Andrew okay…i know how nerve wrecking that must be for you. My 2nd son had to go through a whole series of test when he was 1, including head ultra sound, MRI, blood test, b/c his motor skills & play skills are slower than average. He even went through eyes surgery to tighten his eyes’muscles. All the tests came back normal. They can’t figure out why he’s not doing what he’s suppose to be doing at a specific time frame, so they put him in therapy which is helping slowly but surely. I know deep inside that he’s fine, he’s just taking his time. But i know when they were sending me and hubby all over w/referrals for the test, etc, i felt the same way you did…you just go to autopilot mode…until after the fact when you get a chance to kinda snap out of it.
Hopefully it is just glasses that he needs, keep us up to date.
Well, thank god! I’m glad all is well. Happy ending indeed!
So glad your son’s okay! As a medical student I have to say that we get drilled from day one to go with the worst case scenario first. It sounds cruel (and dude could have explained it much much better) to put someone through tests like that, but you can’t miss those things. If a kid comes in with chronic headaches, and vertigo it’s a brain tumor until proven otherwise. Same goes for chest pain, headache w/ neck pain, and tummy aches (heart attack, meningitis, appendicitis until proven otherwise even though it usually is nothing). It’s not about getting sued we just don’t want to miss something that could kill you. He did the right thing as far as diagnosis goes. He just needs to work on not freaking out the moms.
Anywho, i’m off to figure out what the heck to do with this coconut I just bought. Hopefully I won’t have as hard a time opening it as you did Jaden (funniest post of all time!).
So glad he’s okay, but day-um!!
I get what you’re saying Mike but there was an easier, equally ass-covering way to take care of Andrew. If you reread the the post you will notice a BIG trend….no one in a big damn hurry to get him scheduled. He could have had an eye-exam, gotten his glasses, gone to Disneyworld and only spun around on the Tea Cup ride and probably still not have had an MRI appointment available when he arrived home. Schedule both in sequence immediately doing the least invasive first followed by the scheduled MRI if deemed necessary. Golly!
Mind you, in retrospect its easy to say the eye exam should have come first. But if the pediatrician had said..well lets check his eyes, and then they were clear….and then he said…oh well..lets do an MRI for a tumour, would he not be accused of wasting time on less sinister causes? And would it not in this case seem more important, no matter what the cost, to rule out such a possibility, so that in case a tumour was present treatment could be initiated as soon as possible? sometimes a procedure may be more invasive or more traumatic for a patient, but that often may be the cost of getting the most important answer as soon as possible. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Foresight is much less pleasant.
I’m glad he’s okay. I hope the fears from the MRI end soon.
I’m going to guess it’s going to take a while longer for you to be okay. Hopefully, firing your pediatrician will make you feel better. Smacking your pediatrician would almost certainly make you feel better, but there’s that niggling issue of an assault charge and having to arrange for and pay a sitter until you make bail.
Oh boy! Thank God he’s ok!
The thing is my husband went through the same infernal “drill” as a kid. And yes, in the end he just needed glasses. Somehow those doctors should learn to hand out the possible diagnosis gradually/ incremental by gravity and check them in that order. Your post proved me they have a long way until then!
Jaden, I am so, so happy that he’s ok. I’m sure this was a nightmare experience, but it’s so much better than it turned out to be something minor, even with all that scariness and frustration. Hopefully he had a great time in California to make up for all of this!!!
So glad your guy is ok.
I hate the screaming of a kid coming out of anesthesia. Have only been through it twice, when my son had ear tubes in and out. I noticed that all of the kids seem to do that crying and thrashing. The nurses said it’s like they are fighting the anesthesia. I’m not exactly sure it’s fear, exactly, but in any case sorry to hear you had to go through all that.
Jaden, I am so sorry that your family had to go through that. We had a similar experience when my daughter was 3 months old (picture a hospital and her hooked up to a heart monitor and it flat lined and no one came for 35 minutes! Luckily she had disconnected one of the cables for the monitor and I was there and knew that she was okay!) If you are ever in Delaware I would love to go to one of your cooking classes. If Andrew needs glasses, do the Harry Potter look! I think he would look adorable!
Oh wow. That had to of been a painful and draining experience. I’m surprised that you didn’t tear them apart; I know I would have! Glad to hear that everything is fine though!
As for your baby’s trauma, I feel for you. Next Tuesday we have to take my 7yr old to the hospital so they can put him under to fill 3 teeth! Poor little guy just freaks out in the chair when they give him nitrus. His dentist even tried Demerol to calm him…no dice.
Ok, hope I’m not outta line here, and I’m not an MD, but as the daughter of an RN, granddaughter of an MD and RN, I cut my teeth on medical discussions over dinner (why do the truly grody convos happen over food??) my knee jerk response to his symptoms was eyes or inner ear. Brain tumor didn’t even occur to me.
In addition to the eye exam I’d have him looked at by an Ear, Nose, & Throat Dr.
Inner ear infections or imbalances can cause the symptoms you describe too. Just something to keep in mind if it doesn’t clear up with the eye exam or new glasses.
Wow, that was a traumatic experience to have to go through. I’m surprised you even had the wherewithal (sp?) to prepare for your LA classes. I’m sure the classes will just be perfect, just like your little boy! 🙂
Oh woman, I’m sorry about that run around. Welcome to the world of Health Care in America 🙁 I have been told that patients need to be diligent about their health care providers and to stay on top of things… but it’s hard to do, which you already know. I’m glad Andrew is okay and sorry he had to endure the trauma. Glasses don’t seem so bad in comparison. All the best and hang tough, lady. xxoo
I am thankful that your little boy is doing great. I feel so terrible that he had to go through that (hell, even you). I can’t imagine it was any better for you to have to see your baby suffer the way he did. I think it’s big of you to excuse our medical system for trying to “cover their ass” but it’s really sad that something so simple as needing glasses can be SO misdiagnosed. Back in the ’90’s when A.D.D. was a new thing, my brother was diagnosed (or should I say misdiagnosed) with A.D.D. It turns out he wasn’t having issues with his attention, it turns out he was sitting in the back of the class room (due to a last name starting with S) with astigmatism. The day my children are old enough to feel something is wrong, that is the first thing I am going for… and eye exam. I commend you for being a responsible mother and my favorite part of your entry was how you mentioned you didn’t recognize his screams because you have done all you can to shield him from hurt and suffering. That nearly made me cry. Good luck to Andrew. Bless you.
After reading this story and your article in the Tampa Tribune on Wednesday April 16, 2008 I was moved to comment on kids in general and invite you to visit myspace as I think I can help you with the health insurance issue as well! After 20 years of dealing with all commercial insurance companies I have some suggestions for you regarding your coverage you may want to know but I won’t go into that here!
I did, however, want to comment on the whole “kids say the darndest things and often eat them too!” I also have 2 children 2 years apart, somewhat older than yours, but “been there, done that,” if you know what I mean! You had mentioned the “sugar packed snacks” and the request for broccoli spear instead…when my daughter was 5, she is now 9, she actually requested, for DESSERT, a bowl of hot buttered fresh peas! She said she didn’t want anything too “sugary” ’cause she thought it would make her feel bad in the tummy! She is still that way today! My son, now 6 about to turn 7, will trade his sister at dinner his carrots for her mushrooms, but anything green gets fought over! And lastly, they both are into Asian food (I am a “retired” chef/caterer, who specialized in any ethnic cuisine you wanted) to the extent I created the rule in our house if you want to eat it, you have to help roll it. By the time they were each 4, they were able to sit at the table and expertly roll Crab Rangoon like a pro! I just wanted to share this with you in hopes of brightening your day!
I cannot begin to imagine your frustration and anger. Like you said, I can’t think of anywhere that has a perfect system. It hurts. I am so happy to hear that Andrew is fine.
Thank you for sharing the story and I am glad that Andrew is fine.
I find myself getting outraged at other people’s irresponsibility (do doctors get paid more when they order more expensive tests?) — but I am glad that everything worked out for the best.
What a nightmare. I’m sorry you had to go through all that and that kiddo is still upset but also really glad that it’s nowhere as serious as initially feared. You must have been so terrified though. Looking forward to seeing Andrew in (proper) glasses!
Geezus, thinking about the fright I got reading the first half of this post, you must have been absolutely terrified out of your mind – and then rightly p*ssed off when they turned around and talked about glasses, talk about doing things the wrong way around! I’m glad to hear that the little man is alright though, hopefully he’ll get some spunky eyewear soon to sort out the twirling bed 🙂
Oh geez, you had my heart pounding …glad to know there is nothing as serious and nasty as a tumor. Your boy is a trooper and I hope that he feels 100% better soon. Have fun in L.A
Jaden, so glad every thing turned out okay. Being a mother is already hard without having to brace yourself for bad news about your child or dealing with emotionally devoid nincompoops.
I’m so sorry you went through that! Its so awful to fear for your child and then to have insurance / doctor’s office worries on top of that. Having two children with medical needs, I so sympathize with you (on both counts!).
I have told both office staff and the doctor flat out, “I haven’t ever had a bad pediatrician, but I have had my fill of unresponsive staff. The staff of the office are a reflection of the doctors’ attitude toward their customers. Frankly, they have just as much impact on our experience here and I will move on to another office if we can’t resolve those issues.” I have spent far too many hours on the phone having to coordinate between insurance (which has been great, honestly, and which I am so grateful for) and different doctors’ offices.
Regardless, the most important thing is that Andrew is okay (so sorry about the fear he experienced) and that you will be too, eventually.
What a nightmare! I am so glad you son did not have a brain tumor. On the other hand, while it would have been REALLY GOOD for him to mention ‘Hey it could be he just needs glasses so you need to schedule an eye exam today if possible – we will refer you for a STAT exam”. At the same time if it is a brain tumor causing those symptoms you need to find out as soon as possible so you can treat it before it gets worse.
OH WOW – how terribly scary!! i had a brain mri sometime last year for chronic migraines – and all they found in my head was SNOT. no tumor (not that i really believed there was one, we just have decent insurance so that’s where they started on my headache issue, cuz i’d already seen the eye doc)
but SNOT? come on, that’s not even glamorous! that’s just downright nasty. 🙁
Hey Jaden,
I know how nerve-racking that can be. My son had to go in a for a heart ultra sound the other day b/c they heard something funny…I had to wait 6 weeks for an appointment at the children’s hospital.
However, I was lucky – here we have no insurance companies to deal with, and the doctor who saw my little guy was really great and gave him some toy cars to play with during the ultra sound.
Everything turned out ok, but I was so nervous – the ultra sound took sooo long and all I could hear was “uh huh, uh huh, look at that here, oh, and that there”….I was sure it was the end (of my sanity).
Glad everything worked out in the end for you two.
Whoa. That’s an awful lot of trauma you and yours to have had to endure, especially when the solution could be so simple. I’m glad his adorable little noggin’s okay, but sunnuvabitch! It really diminishes my trust when doctors refer directly for MRIs, surgery, and the like without considering other options, especially when those options can provide the answers or relief we need.
And I’m so sad that you’re going to be only a two hour drive from San Diego while I’m deeply entrenched in homework! Gah!
God Jaden, that is F’d up. Yeah, you need a new Ped. I hope Andrew puts this behind him quickly. I’m sure PoPo and GongGong will help him forget, that’s what PoPos and GongGongs do best!
Let me know if you want the Sherpas to “take care” of the Ped. Wink Wink Nudge Nudge Mal’s been looking for a reason to revisit his anarchy days, oh, um, of course in a completely legal fashion.
Big hugs girl!
Jaden,
I am so glad that Andrew is ok. I went through a similar thing with my daughter. Drs said leukemia. She had the flu.
Still haven’t gotten over that and it’s been 15 years!
Mary
Jaden, so sorry to hear about Andrew’s ordeal…but really glad that your worst fears were not realised. ..he’s such a cutie 🙂
I love your writing 🙂 I’m glad that Andrew is ok, and the photos you posted are just so adorable 🙂
Internet hugs to you and your family for having to go through all of that crap. How awful. We had some similar situations with our son when he was younger… had some seizures and they did every test known to mankind to figure out what it was. NOT fun. All is ok with my little guy too. Strange that the whole glasses thing wouldn’t be mentioned first… aren’t headaches a classic symptom of someone who needs glasses???
You know what.. no. I’m sorry. Why on God’s green earth would a GOOD doctor not test his eyes first? When I started reading your post, it’s the first thing I thought of.. wanna know why? huh? well doya? I’ll tell ya why.. because those were MY symptoms back in 3rd grade and do you know what my pediatrician told my parents to do? GO GET HER EYES CHECKED. Hello? Course that was 129 years ago, back when doctors weren’t so afraid of being sued.. back when patients were important. Back before insurance scams weren’t all the rage. Whatev.
I’m just really happy he’s okay and I think he’ll look STUNNING in a cute pair of spectacles. 😀
Hugs to you for having to go through all of that! And have fun with your cooking classes!
xoxo
Oh, boy! I don`t have kids yet, but I can imagine all the awfull thing! But I’m really amazed that doc didn’t try first the simple thing, like eye exam. It’s so weird!
I can tell when I don’t wear my glasses or the degree changes… oh, headache is bad, really bad.
Hope you are well! =D
This is my first time on your site, and my son’s name is Andrew. When I see “medical” and “Andrew”, you automatically have me hooked.
Firstly-so glad your Andrew is ok. Secondly-maybe we can form a “Parents of Andrew’s Posse” that kicks medical arse when they mess with our kids. Seriously-I have some places to start. And not just doctors, but insurance companies too.
Mine was born with a hole in his heart. “Let’s see if it repairs itself” cardiologist says. We watch for 6 mos-I guess it’s time for surgery. blah blah blah bread & butter surgery blah blah blah one hour blah blah incision through groin. Fast forward to 5 hours after I put him on the operating table he comes out, hole is much larger than expected, surgeon (from different area, top surgeon in region) is pissed because of misdiagnosis by the other cardiologists and my son at 6 mos old had an implant for an adult sized heart.
Now at 3 he has developmental delays (not bad, but still) due to the delay in his surgery. Our pediatrician then was amazing, though. The kind you want to kidnap and lock in your basement with all of his equipment (hug him and squeeze him and call him George, love him and feed him and stroke him). He is the only reason I have hair in its natural color and an ounce of sanity.
Shop around for a new pediatrician and best of luck with the eye doctor (try a pediatric opthamologist-get the cadillac of eye exams. My son had one and it was great).
Now I have to look at the rest of your blog.
Good grief, Jaden! I am glad that Andrew is okay, that you are spending time with parents in CA and that you can write so hilariously about something so frightening! Good luck with your cooking lessons and have a safe trip home! p.s. Jules did call but I was not home! I will try her again this weekend!
First of all, I am SOOOOO glad Andrew is OK! It must have been completely terrifying going through that! I have had my own experiences with health care system and it can really make a person frustrated or down-right angry! Just be so happy that, in the end, Andrew is OK and healthy and cute-as-can-be 🙂
Ouch. I’m glad he’s ok and feeling for you too!
My heart was breaking just reading your blog. I’m glad that your little one is okay. Through all the torment and torture you have to remember that in the end thank goodness he just needs glasses.
Holy shit your poor baby!!! That’s a fcuking disgrace!!! the poor little thing!!!! I am in shock here but do you know the healthcare systems seem to be the same everywhere!!!! I really hope Andrew is ok and the nightmares ease for him soon. Glad there’s nothing more serious wrong aswell. hugs to you rachelx
I had a similar experience when my daughter was 5 only they did not do an MRI they put probes on every sq. inch of her head and did a test. I lived, died and came back to life over a span of 4 hours….and in absolute tears as I packed her up with a preganant stomach – the nurse said to my mother and me “have a nice weekend” and I said I don’t know how I will through the weekend and then she patted me on my back and said these words “I know you will and should have an absolutely fantastic weekend and make sure u have a lot of fun” with a wink
” which was her way of telling me she saw nothing on the test for worry
To this day the kindness of those words are the kindest ever heard
Now onto business….i just came back from the store having found sugar cane which looks like bamboo…and i have to peel it to use it…how do I peel it? I want to make the vietnamese shrimp paste on sugar cane and since it is passover I took advantage of the fishmonger milling fish for gefilte fish….how the F__k do I peel these things?????
i feel your pain!!!!! but overall everything turn out ok. just be happy it wasn’t the tumour. its just part of being a good parent, comes with the territory!!!! life sucks, but that is how the game is play, so it can be good.
Jaden,
I’m glad your kid doesn’t have a tumor but so sad he (and you) had to go through that terrifying experience.
Strangely though, I took a look at that opening pic of Andrew and immediately thought, the “kid might need glasses.” You should have come to me for a diagnosis first and saved you all that trouble *smile*
::hugs::
Aloha.
Oh shit Jaden,
Honey my heart goes out to you. I can’t imagine a more terrifying or frustrating experience.
Thank FSM he’s alright. The system btw – is more than broken.
You are so right about self-employed or small business options for health care. As a single Dad, that is the one thing that keeps me from hanging out my own shingle.
So I keep working for the man.
I wish I was in LA at your class.
Take care, and give that boy a hug and all the ice cream he wants.
k
I’m not a mommy yet BUT I can’t even imagine going through this type of ordeal! I’m so sorry that you and your family had to go through that but am relieved to know everything is okay.
*Side note: Jaden, you had me crying, laughing, angry and overwhelmed all within a minute and a half…you are a seriously talented writer…as if that was news;).
Whew! Glad to hear everything turned out okay!
That is a stressful ordeal. I’m so glad that he is okay. Dr.’s can be very frustrating sometimes.
I’m a mother of a 12 year old with asmtha since he was 3. Doctor’s don’t care. They say they care, but then their staff are mean people. It seems it never ends in health care hell. The good news is that your boy doesn’t have a tumor. The bad news is: If he needs glasses, you’ll be buying mucho frames for the next 15 years. But you can make him look like Elton John in his early years.
Hi Jaden – what a nightmare time for you all. The dilemma between opting to immediately investigate the most serious outcome possible, and risking waiting to eliminate more minor causes first is a very fine balance (and one influenced by our litigious society undoubtebly). It is interesting to see how your system seems very different to ours in England/UK. We have what is known as ‘The National Health Service’ – central Government funding pays for basic health care – we only pay if we want to bypass this sometimes ineffective system and ‘go private’ ($$$ ching ching!) Interesting then, that our problem in the UK is getting a referral for an MRI scan like this – normally this is considered the last resort, due to the financial cost to the National Health Service. People here die while they wait for vital scans, as there is a long list of patients waiting for one (this is where we may choose to jump the queue and pay to go privately). In your case, your insurance company was paying, so it was deemed favourable to do the MRI first ‘just in case’! I am sure if you had a US National Health Service that this would NOT have been the first line of investigation.
I don’t have any pretentions of being a doctor, but has Andrew had a virus recently – influenza for example? Years ago I had something called Labyrinthitis a couple of times – the first time it presented with symptoms so similar to those of a brain tumour that I was sent to hospital and was an hour away from being MRI scanned. The specialist consultant then diagnosed Labyrinthitis, which is the result of an infection (often viral) which wriggles its way into the inner ear, causing chaos – everything seems to be spinning etc. I don’t remember it causing headaches though – more balance problems than anything – nausea etc. This condition goes away on its own after a few weeks. Let’s hope it is just that he needs glasses like Clark Kent!! Best of luck with your LA classes – I am jealous – the course looks fab and I wish I could participate. Have you seen the delightful ‘Becks’ yet?! Keep smiling. Best wishes.
sigh…i’m glad that everything turned out ok. and now he’ll have a new accessory.
I’m so sorry to hear about the terrible experience but I’m glad that everything worked out in the end.
So glad all is well and your right on target about the many problems in our medical systems among many probs going on right now. I will warn you that going through the process of getting glasses for a young child is a major challenge as well, I know because my Mom told me so and reminds me often, note I did out-grow them, so this may be a short term thing for your son. So deep breaths and lots of rotten veggies to throw should get feel the need 🙂 Hang in there and enjoy LA! Just know, your son will look back at this bad day and only remember that his Mom was there to make it all better, again I know from my own memories of my amazing Mom.
All I can say is ….leave some stinky, scary asian food to rot deep in the recesses of the Pediatrician’s cabinets next time you have an appointment. No lawsuit can cause that much disruption! Fishy fishy bad bad!
So sorry Andrew had to endure the idiocy of our medical system…assure him as a result of the MRI he now has Superhero Powers because of going into the Superhero-making tube! The new glasses will give him extra-super-special vision!!
As for mom….hugs and hugs and hugs and hugs….
xo Mo
Oh man, you poor thing! I can’t imagine the heart wrenching of hearing your child in that kind of anguish. I had my share of scary doctor’s visits as a child. But my worst was at age 19. I was living on my own in Hawaii, my family was across the ocean. I’d been having headaches so bad I’d lose consciousness, and went in for an MRI on March 31. The next day I went in for a follow up appointment and the orderly who took me to the exam room told me I only had a year to live. Then he paused as I looked at him in horror and said “April Fool’s Day!” He said afterward (when I got in him in heaps of trouble) that he didn’t realize why I was there (hello! You had my chart in your hands!) and was trying to be funny and flirt with me. Fortunately, I ended up being alright, but I still remember the absolute terror of fearing the worst.
I’m glad your little one is okay. I’m not saying Canada’s medical system is great (long waiting lists!), but I haven’t heard of going through that kind of crap before. At least we don’t have to deal with the insurance issues. That’s one really really cautious pediatrician…erring on the side of the scary health issues. You sound like you need a drink…a day at the spa or something to recuperate from this exhausting experience.
OMG your son is so adorable.
and i’m so glad it really was nothing. i’m sorry they had to put you through all that emotional BS! all for an eye exam. SHEESH!
i am a big fan of your blog! 🙂 Keep it coming!
I’m glad to know the little bundle of joy is doing okay. Sounds like an horrible experience. You have every excuses to get wasted on whatever alcohol you want now! Have fun in L.A!
I can honestly say “I feel your pain”. I don’t think there’s a more frustrating or hopeless feeling in the world than relying on a medical system that sees people primarily as part of the roster of people to see in a day. Although I’m sure you’re still struggling with the aftermath of borderline raving lunatic and high anxiety terrified mother, thank G-d that the end result showed no tumor. The alternative would have been far worse but of course you know that.
Just keep watching the headaches. Pay attention to what triggers them and make sure to rule out migraines.
Positive energy and thoughts going your way. Andrew is such a little cutie and very precious.
I’m glad to hear the MRI didn’t show anything. If the eye exam doesn’t seem to be the issue, don’t be afraid to go to another doctor and get a second opinion. Something must be going on for him to have such headaches and dizziness. Seriously, after watching Mystery Diagnosis, i almost don’t trust doctors. Have you ever seen this show? It makes it out like doctors like to ‘wait to see what happens’, say the patients are making it up or they simply don’t know what it is. Sometimes it takes these people 20 doctors to find someone to give them an answer! Then, you wonder, why did all these doctors miss it and this one doctor figured it out so easily? Enough of my rant, I hope he’s going to be just fine. I’ll be thinking good thoughts for him.
Girl thank God he was alright. Those insurance companies and Dr.s are worse than lawyers, I swear. I’ve been through the same exact thing about 8 years ago–mine was severe tension in my neck, causing me to need to massages!
Have fun in L.A.!
Jaden, I am sorry that you have to go through this. But your experience is quite scary. We may be yet-another-hyper-reactive-patient. But its our precious baby’s health under question. I hope they start treating people with more humanity without worrying about liability. I am happy that this episode has a happy ending. But this experience could have been better. Hugs to Andrew.
any chance you’re in LA again in July? that way i could attend your class LOL… what a story with your boy! i’d be scared too if i were you…
Oh that whole experience sounds like hell, every parent’s worse nightmare. I’m glad it’s over and that Andrew is okay! 🙂 Yes in hindsight the MRI seems unnecessary but at least now you know it’s not something more serious, better than finding out down the road that it was something worse and preventable.
But I have to be honest and say that some of these comments have upset me. I think it’s unfair to blame the pediatrician for ordering what seems like an unnecessary test. For the most part docs have their patients’ best interests at heart and when it does seem like they are ordering a buttload of tests, it’s not the doc’s fault but the healthcare system. If they order too many tests, the patients are unhappy, if they don’t order enough and miss something, they get sued. In this current awful healthcare system, many docs have no choice but to practice defensive medicine. They didn’t get sometimes 10+ years of education to be ridiculed by their patients questioning their “expert opinion.”
Sorry, I really felt like that had to be said. /end rant
I’m glad everything is fine now Jaden. *hug*
Oh, hon, a big hug and a big glass of wine, although both are virtual. I’m so sorry for the aggravation, frustration, fear, and sphincter-go-round. Hooray, that he’s tumor-free!
Scary. Glad he’s okay.
I had something very similar happen with my daughter when she was about 7 years old. They kept throwing the term “brain tumor” around like it was a baseball… and immediate MRI on a sedated kid…turned out it wasn’t a brain tumor and she got an uber pic of her brain for show and tell at school. I definitely feel your pain and misery at the situation.
And it’s not just in America either. We live in Japan and the doctors are similarly test-happy. Take the time I had a severe sinus infection and the doctor thought it was MENINGITIS! His “conclusion” came from the fact that when he grabbed my head and twisted it around, it made my neck hurt. Hmmm. Even somebody who hadn’t been in a car accident caused by a drunk driver when she was 18 would’ve had neck pain if your head had been jerked around like that! And not only was I jerked around by the head, the dude actually gave me a SPINAL TAP, which was definitely not as funny as the movie. It was some of the worst pain (during the procedure and afterwards) that I’ve ever had in my life (not to mention the risk when somebody jabs a rather GIGANTIC needle into your spine and wiggles it around), and I’ve had a C-section which wasn’t quite so rotten (at least I got a baby out of that one). I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but it does make you wonder just exactly WHY these medical “professionals” order pretty darn expensive tests and therapies that are DEFINITELY not needed.
I call this phenomenon “the great American medical testing machine.” Once you get sucked in, there’s no getting out until they’ve given you EVERY test in the book.
Actually, traumatic as it was (and as poorly handled), it’s probably a good thing that they did the Ultimate Test on Andrew first. Usually, they start small and cheap, if that test is negative, they go on to the next level, if that test is negative, they step up one more, etc., etc., until they get to the MRI (in the case of neurological symptoms like Andrew’s). Ironically, the healthier you are, the more tests you’re given because tests keep coming back negative and the medical folks say, “OK, you passed that one. Now, let’s give you THIS one.” It’s both emotionally AND financially draining, and we wonder why the health care system is in crisis—but don’t get me started!
The important thing—your darling little guy is fine. My heart goes out to all of you for the horrible experience you had, but he only had to go through one test and you only had one day of anxiety, albeit excruciating, before the all-clear. This stuff can go on for weeks and months.
P.S. There ARE good pediatricians in the Tampa Bay area! My brother is one (though he’s doing only emergency room medicine now, so this isn’t a commercial for his services!)
P.P.S. I made your hazelnut-Nutella challah this weekend! Awesome!
Whew. Any mother would react similarly under such stressful circumstances. My heart goes out to you Jaden. I am relieved to know everything went well and a simple eye exam would do the job. What were those doctors thinking? Oh how I’d love to hit their heads with a frying pan right now.
It’s great news that Andrew’s fine.
I seriously think the health care here needs to be reassessed! How could they make the poor kid and you go through this, not forgetting that it’s bad enough having to deal with insurance. 🙁
Enjoy your stay in LA.
I’m not good in english coarseness, but I think I would have created some in this incredible and terrifying situation !!!!!
I’m so happy for this happy ending … but what a bad bad bad scary movie !!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I’m just reading this and I want to jump up and down and hit someone!!!!
Not one doctor thought of a simple eye exam????
No wonder the insurance world is such a disaster…
Poor you, poor, poor Andrew, Thank God for the happy ending.
(I’m still mad…)
SO glad to hear it is just glasses for Andrew. My heart was racing just reading your post – I don’t blame Andrew one bit for being scared!
Jaden, im sorry to hear abt Andrew. Im glad tht the MRI came out clean. Though reading abt the run-around they put u through really made me mad. Getting to the ‘right’ person at the hospital here is really like finding your way out of a maze! its freaking unbelievable.
Thank God, Buddah, Allah,etc.! Andrew looks so handsome in those goggles. Sorry for the medical incompetance but better safe than sorry. I find doctors are not as smart as we would like to think they are. A lot of it depends on use feeding them info, riding them, bugging them, to really think!Cant close your eyes for a minute with serious issues. And dont get me started about teaching hospitals…Just continue to be the dilligent and caring awesome Mom you are.
When are you coming to Chicago to teach?
Wow. Just, wow. I’m very glad to hear Andrew’s alright and he’s very lucky to have you as a mom.
Have fun in LA!
Wow. That was really quite the situation. I know the pain of being dicked around by insurance companies and then screwed over by the hospitals.
I’m happy to hear everything’s alright though!
Oh I can’t even imagine how scary and stressful that must have been for you. We try so hard to keep our children safe and happy, and to have something so terrifying (not to mention totally unnecessary) happen just sucks.
So glad that Andrew is fine!
I’m so relieved! That sounds utterly terrifying. It’s scary enough when it’s *you*, but there’s this little corner of hell reserved just for parents when your kid is ill.
I agree with Landlocked, find yourself a new (good!) doctor with a caring staff. I’m married to a one and *I’ve* had a similar situation – with him standing next to me asking ‘all the right questions’! The current medical system sodomizes goats. With cheeze products. Not that I have an opinion or anything.
(He’s leaning over my shoulder saying, “tell her I would have recommended the eye exam first!”)
I’m so glad the test came up negative. While PoPo and GongGong are watching the boys, have a good stiff drink/cry/sailor-swear-off and see if you can get the paint to peel.
you gotta be shitting me! what the…?!?!? i’m sorry for all the heartache and headache you went through. i know all these went very fast and your mind was going 500mi/hr – but would a second opinion might’ve help eliminate the MRI?
i’m just glad that in the end, all is well. my great big hugs to you and andrew – coming from across the pond.
Jaden, I’m so sorry you and Andrew had to go through all that. What a nightmare. I’m glad he’s fine and hope he, and you, are having a great time in L.A. Take care.
Kim
Thank goodness that Andrew is OK and just needs glasses, but what a scary and unnecessary journey to reach this conclusion. I’m so sorry y’all had to go through so much fear and stress. Relax and enjoy beautiful Los Angeles–I wish I could take one of your classes!
Big hugs and limitless Spiderman stickers for Andrew. And for you, the same, plus Scotch. At least now you know it’s not the worst thing it could be.
Have a fabulous time in LA with your folks and your classes.
I’ve been in and out of hospitals so many times in my life (my boys have been through a few with me), that we pretty much don’t give it much thought. In fact, Tiny E (7 years old) stopped me a few weeks ago and said it was time to visit his doctor because he wanted to get some shots. Crazy.
Biggles
Poor kid! I have to tell you, though, as traumatic as it was for your whole family, it’s good to know for sure that he doesn’t have a brain tumor. They sent my friend to the opthamologist first, got her fixed up with glasses which helped nominally and didn’t detect it for an entire year, which was too late by that time.
YAY! Jeni!!! Can’t wait to see her at the class on Thursday! I won’t be totally friendless in class!! Jeni…please talk Fuyu into taking the class with me. 🙂
Holy crap… I read this entire post on the edge of my seat almost holding my breath. I can’t imagine how terrified you must have been, and I’m so glad Andrew is all right. You would THINK that glasses would have been the first suggestion! Absolutely astonishing. You deserve a long vacation after what you just experienced.
I’m glad your son is okay–I can’t imagine how scary that would be for a 4 year old boy, knowing how scary it would be a 20-something man 🙁
What a terrible ordeal for you guys, but I am so relieved that it is likely just his vision! MY GOD, that poor baby.
Might I add, that you should consider teaching classes in the Philadelphia area. Philly is nice! Historic! The kids will love the museums! And I would certainly take your class 😉
What a horrific experience 🙁
Sounds like it’s time to search out a new Pediatrician, and look for one with an intelligent, compassionate office staff!
This reminds me so much of my experience with my son’s Pedi. The guy took care of son from the day he was born, all those years, and then, in 7th grade, when I really, REALLY needed the Pedi and staff to “be there” for me (football, broken ankle, two pins, blah, blah)…here is what I go from the brilliant nurse, “if he feels like walking on it, let him walk on it”. OH.MY.GOD. When I finally was able to get the kid in to a real doctor, that was THE worst possible advice the oh so brilliant nurse could have given ever in history of the world!
Needless to say, that was the end of a long time relationship with that office.
I suggest you do the same, cut ties, and find a real doc.
I am SO happy to hear that Andrew is okay!! Oh, and from experience (we went thru vertigo, headaches, blah, blah with son also, but he was a lot older than 4!), you may want to search out a pediatric neurologist. They are difficult to find, and you have to wait a long time to be seen, so start soon.
Jaden:
I’m glad to hear that your son is doing alright. I wasn’t much older than him when I got my first pair of glasses, and I hazard to think what my experience would have been had I needed to go through what he (apparently unnecessarily) went through.
I’m also pleased to see that you worked your way through this with your usual sense of humor fully intact. I would, however, like to see that “deleted paragraph” as I have a feeling your blue streak would make a drill sergeant blush. There’s something about a beautiful woman with a mouth like a longshoreman that definitely does it for me :-).
Blessed be to you and yours…
What a nightmare! It is beyond cruel to treat anyone like that. Unfortunately it’s far from unusual though – just one aspect of how the medical system is breaking down. I am so glad that it turned out to be all for nothing, though, the best possible result. From what you’ve written, he’ll be needing a pair made of titanium (or rubber bands) to keep up with him!
although i don’t have any mini mimis myself, i couldn’t believe your story and i could only imagine how stressful and crazy last week must have been! unfortunately i’m not surprised that the doc suggested the MRI first (cha-ching!) but i’m glad to hear that your little one is in good health!
Oh, Jaden! My heart was in my throat as I read this! Believe it or not, We’ve been through the same f*cking thing! There’s a great pediatric opthamologist in town, if you need one.
There is no worse feeling in this world than the helplessness you feel when your child is at risk. I’m so glad that everything turned out well.
You might also ask about allergies and sinus problems. They can also cause terrible headaches.
Have a great time in LA!
Wouldn’t be a bad idea (or traumatizing) to investigate food allergies, imo. Can’t quite grasp how eye problems would make his bed whirl, i.e., vertigo. In any case, my primary reaction is teary eyed empathy. I would like to hire you to pen my next diatribe about the depersonalization of the medical community, et al. I just opened up on my own little blog about it, but you’re waaaaay more effective! Mega cyber hug to: {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Mommy}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
You did good.
Holy…cow. Poor baby! I feel your extreme pain Jaden–I have a little boy myself, & I just wanted to cry as you were describing Andrew’s MRI ordeal! *breathes deeply* Hopefully he will soon forget his traumatic experience. I agree about the eye exam though, that should’ve been first…hmph! Maybe he will need glasses; if he does, he is gonna be adorable. My little sweetie is bespectacled himself. =)
That’s really awful you went through all that but great that he is tumor-free. And while it sucks that they did the MRI and then decided it might just be his eyesight, it would have been worse if you went to the eye doctor first and that wasn’t it and then you had to wait a month for the MRI and it was a tumor. You really do need to catch those things quickly, especially in children. I know someone who lost a child because of a brain tumor the doctor said was just headaches. So, it might have been hasty on the doctor’s part or just him being proactive and aggressive about something that could have been really life altering.
Anyway, I got really bad headaches when I was around his age and they turned out to be migraines. At the time though most doctors didn’t think young children could get migraines so I was pretty much in agony for years. Some foods can trigger migraines, if it was me, I would chart what he eats on the days he gets the headaches. Maybe there is a theme? Personally food doesn’t effect my migraines but my mom had them for like 30 years before realizing it was aged cheese and hot yeast rolls (!) that triggered them and now is pretty much headache free.
That a real bad experience. Sorry you had to go through all that. I’ve had a brain mri a couple of years ago and i don’t like it in that capsule. You have to hold your head so still and if you move they have to do it all over again.
And yes, shouldn’t that eye exam have come first!
OMG! What an awful experience! I don’t know who to be the most pissed at…..the doctor for overlooking such an easy solution to the headaches, his office staff for perfecting the art of the run-around at your expense, or the poor way the hospital staff handled your poor baby – have they ever dealt with children before????
Thank God it wasn’t anything more serious than the need for glasses. Be sure Popo and Gong Gong dote on all of you. After this experience, you need it.
It sounds like a horrible experience, but thank goodness there was a happy ending. Andrew is going to look adorable in glasses!
Poor baby. Poor you! I hope Popo and Gonggong are spoiling him rotten to help erase those scary moments. I’m sure you need some pampering too after all that. Kisses to your boys, and nasty herbal tisanes to you.
I’m glad everything is fine. (hugs)
geeshk
what an ordeal
thankfully the boy is perfect!
i need a drink after reading that and it’s 7:30 am
Wow. Just. Wow. My oldest has been through some of those tests and I feel for you. Thank God your son is fine. I thought the same things you were thinking. Sometimes medical staff treats it as just another exam, just another patient, completely forgetting the human end of it. People have emotions, especially worried, frantic mothers (speaking as one!)
So sorry you and your little guy had to go through this. He probably won’t remember but you always will. He’s lucky to have a mom who gets angry when her son isn’t treated with the precious care he deserves.
And be sure to remind that pediatrician how hard this ordeal was. In fact, I’d write a letter to the hospital. With medical malpractice always a threat, they take letters of complaint seriously.
The mind reels. I hope you’re still chewing that doctor a new one. Hell, I hope there isn’t much left of him by the time you’re finished. What doctor orders an MRI over an eye exam?!?
…but I’m more relieved that your little guy is alright. I second the ice cream suggestion. If I can get some sock monsters sewn up before #3 arrives he can have one as well. 🙂
Now’s the time to take a deep breath — forget about the idiocy of the medical system and focus on the fact that your son is fine — and how cool glasses are on little kids — and how often they will break or lose them so you get to keep trying new frames and styles every couple of months…. really. Breathe.
I’m so glad there is a happy ending to this. But put in your shoes, I do believe I would have headed for the scotch sooner rather than later.
You need to bring yourself to Atlanta to teach classes. I’d round up a bunch of people to take them and then we could all meet for drinks and giggles.
Amazing how unfortunately often this happens. I am here in Peru and we brought a gal out of the Andes with major head pain. Five years worth. A doctor ordered and MRI and of course mentioned the tumors, growths, cancers and on and on. As I asked more questions about the headaches, I looked up her specific symptoms trying to get a better idea of natural solutions. When I saw that her type of headaches may be caused by eye strain, we sent her to get her eyes tested and she went back to the mountains with new glasses. I am sure the doctors are trying to rule things out and make sure it is not the worst possible scenario, but it with a child, you would think they would consider the effects and consequences of some of their suggestions and decisions. Sorry you had to go through that, and especially sorry for you little one. I hope the glasses look adorable on him.
I’m so glad Andrew is okay! what an ordeal… and after all that – an eye exam??? Wow… I’m sure he’ll recover quickly – just give him lots of ice cream for the next week and he should be fine 🙂 Are you ever going to do classes in NYC?
Thank goodness there was a happy ending, but what a horrible way to get there! This makes me appreciate our pediatrician and the children’s hospital here so much more. I hope the little guy gets over that trauma soon. With such a great mom I’m sure he’ll be fine in no time.
“Gee, lady … looks like your car needs a new engine … maybe even a new transmission … oops, our bad! Here, have some new wiper blades. That’ll be $7500 for the previous ‘work’ …”
Dang Jaden, what a scam they’ve got going! GRRRRRRRR … 🙁
You know, I can understand them not knowing what to do when I was bleeding so badly last month and my ending up in so many surgeries just to try to put a cork in it. But it seems to me headaches and dizziness should come with a f%#king protocol by now, especially for little ones.
As always, you’re all in our hearts and prayers! And while you’re in L.A. be sure to check out one of my favorite places, The Original Pantry Cafe. Open 24/7 since 1924, they give you this amazing handmade cole slaw when you sit down, and a great meal will follow. It’s a very cool place!
gosh same ol crap everywhere! glad he’s ok and jumping on opf…u must try it, u NEEDED it (but not on MY furniture) HAHA
my mum felt killer headaches, and local doctors in indo suggested these bunches of craps:
– brain tumor
– eye tumor
– eye pressure might be so high she might lose her sight
– skyrocketing high blood pressure (can’t they even check this right???!!)
– possible stroke
– a hole in her heart
– 10001 scary bla bla bla
which led my mum to singapore for a check up with the best eye doc ever (imagine the ticket cost, accomodation, doctor, 100001 tests) and the conclusion was…
SHE NEEDED A PAIR OF NEW GLASSES
sounds familiar eh? WAAAAAAWAWAWAWAWAWAW
OMG! I want to slap that doctor and can you sue that doctor?! I’m glad that it wasn’t a tumor! Take care.
Every parent’s nightmare – thankfully, though, a happy ending. Andrew’s fears will subside, with plenty of love and a little time.
xx
Oh Jaden! I can’t believe Andrew had to go through all that crap! Shouldnt an eye examination be offered first? How horrible is it for a child to go through that process when it could be unnecessary!
Take care of yourself as well!
I hope that the eye exam makes everything better for him. What pain you guys must be going through. Go Spiderman bandaids!
Great to hear the good news that he is in good health!
that is sooooooo good news steamy! you must be really relieved that your boy is fine. my boy was also sick (hernia) when he was like 2 1/2, got operated on, and came out fine. I could just imagine the pain and the agony you went through…waiting and waiting.
andrew, i think your new glasses will look so cool on you!
Sometimes how these so-called professionals are out of touch with the real world really gobsmacks me. Why isn’t common sense more commonly possessed, you wonder?
Wish I could join you in a fun cooking session, Mrs Steamy. All the best!
So glad to hear good news. And it is good news. I am sorry you went through all this worry but at least you know he has been checked for the big one and is Okay. Many parents are told otherwise.
OH MY FUCKING GOD, I hope you tore the pediatrician a new one. 1) for NOT suggesting the eye exam 1st, and 2) for the office run around as well. He needs to know what a HUGE hassle & traumatic experience the whole things was. Any ways, I’m so glad that there’s no tumor.
If you’re ever in the SF Bay Area (esp. the South Bay!) teaching classes, let me know. I’d love to take one of your classes! I get so hungry & immediately crave whatever you’ve made every time I see one of your new food pics. 🙂