Catching up -- journal delayed

Dear All

I have not gone back to journal writing since we left Burbank.'

We had an uneventful flight to Las Vegas and on to Tampa

We came in bymidnight. 

Oh I forgot, we had some excitement in Las Vegas

There was a lock out .. We were not allowed to leave the plane.

Somebody entered the wrong door andsecurity sent an alarm..LOCKOUT , NOBODY MOVES

We had some food in Las Vegas and on to the next plane.

Yes Papa was wheeled in .

On arrival we had a hot meal. Don enjoyed the herbal dish..ala gumbo.prepared by Tita Annette, the psychiatrist  aunt of Kristine
and wife of  Tito Manuel who is a neonatal doctor.

Themorning after we met Tito Noel, another neonatal doctor who is the brother in law of Annette  His wife Annabelle is a Cancer survivor.  We have not met her but have heard of her journey of faith and courage.

We rested the rest of the day.

FEB 2

The following day saw us at Mass again at ST Mark's Parish,   a stewardship parish.  Very modern church.  May fountain /waterfall near  as you enter the church.

We had blessed candles on the feast of the Presentation. 

We met up with Dr Reddy, a neurologist.

He positively identified Papa's condition as myasthenia gravis.

He says a AChR  blood test is not necessary

He advised that the EMG test of MMC was not that valid

Mali raw anf intensity at ang area kung saan tinusok ng needle.

He proposed that he should undergo muscle strengthening

He prescribed a medicine...same as that prescribed byDrPerez.

It costs about Usd 1.15 a piece  

He also advised us to consider having the care of MG and possible surgery in Singapore. He says MG is a chronic disease and needs constant attention .  He knows of people who go Singapore but he knows nothing about the facility or doctors ther .He also said that he knows the hospitals there are quite advanced. AB  pls help me reseach on this when you have time and pls forward my email to Tita Angie. 

Our surgeons  are among the best . We told him that.  But yes, we have not  found a neurologist with a specialization or subspecialty in MG and we have a lot of blood tests or other procedures that are not available in Manila.

Dr Reddy proposed that we should consider plasmapheresis in preparation for surgery .

PLASMAPHERESIS,I UNDERSTAND IS LIKE DIALYSIS.  IT MECHANICALLY REMOVES THE ANTIBODIES FROMTHE BLOOD STREAM.

SIYEMPRE PROBLEMANA NAMAN NATIN SI papa

MAY CATHETER KASI

It will take several hours.

The first one has to be done inthe hospital the rest can be at home.

A catheter is inserted in the arm and another one is place in the opposite hand or foot

Blood is taken from one tube, goes to a separator and then enters through the other tune back into Papa's bood stream.

The amount of blood outside thebody is not much.  Less than what is ordinarily donated in a blood bank.

Necessarily, there are risks.

A drop in bood pressure or irregular heart beat,among others makes me uncomfortable.

.

Tito Manny advised to cancel our appointment at  Moffitt because we patient is not ready,

He felt that they will be interested primarily in the thymoma.

There were a lot of exchanges int he meeting with Dr Reddy on ideas and treatments

FEB 3

We went to Mass with Tito Manuel and Tita Annette and Weng had the blessing of St Blaise ..Papa and I were truly grateful for the special grace of the candelaria

We spent the day  at home.  Elaine did the laundry. I was not well.  I had a terrible headache.  I also have a backache that does not go away . I rested .  Then it turned out that I slept on my right arm and caused more muscle pain. 

We spoke with Tita Ellie and Tito Henry on  skype.

Tita Vilma and Tita Alice called in from San Francisco.  They have been assuring us of prayers.  They each have the cory's prayer phone. They enjoyed it.

Tita Pg emailed  and advised that Tito Hector is waiting for information and will be happy to help at any time'

Tita Trini sent in an email too.

Jean Cortes and Chris V have also been supporting us with counsels and guiding us with questions to ask

Tita Melen has  been helping us with research on what Stanford U Hospital can offer incase the weather does not improve in Baltimore. 

Tiyen , the niece of MamoPing has had some difficulty in getting us into JohnHopkins  Hospital.  

TitoTony and Tita Loly, Tita Ida  are waiting  for my call.

 I will try to write again  later

We are going to Mass.

Mama