baby's development - part 2-30 sep 08

ear friends,

thanks for all your concern and prayers. We certainly see God's hand in everything these 2 days.

Just to update, we have decided to deliver the baby in KKH in singapore. Docs have recommended to deliver at term - or near term as possible. Unless the baby suffers distress and needs to come out earlier. That is why I will need to be here from 16 October until delivery. They don't want me to be too far from the hospital in case of an emergency.

For now, I am in Singapore and will return to KL only on 4th or 5th Oct as I have another appointment with the Dr.

Monday - saw Dr Tan who arranged an immediate ultrasound. Didn't wait long! Sonographer said come back next day at 9.30am when the senior director & team comes to view complicated cases.

Tuesday - went for ultrasound again. A/Prof George Yeo was at the ultrasound confirming where all the baby's organs were. Straight afterward, proceeded to the counselling room where 2 docs talked me through and advised me that I need to come back to see the baby doc & surgeon. Set a date for further ultrasound and appointments with baby surgeon. Senior director talked us through the technicalities of the case.

They all advised me to come back every 2 weeks for monitoring and be nearby in case of emergency. Cost-wise they advised me to refer to my first dr to find how to obtain subsidies when I deliver.

The cost of neo-natal care may rack up a high bill. We will need to find out more how to get subsidies. Anyway neo-natal care does not have different classes (subsidised vs private class) so it doesn't matter anyway.

Praise God for:
1. Cutting all lines, getting immediate priority and treatment! Eg. see doctor on monday morning, ultrasound immediate (usually got to set another date !), see Sr Director immediately next morning.

2. Immediately setting up of appointment with priority on the dates for both baby doc and surgeon on the next date of ultrasound (16 Oct).

We were highly impressed with the speedy service and priority given. It is so difficult to skip the long lines at the hospital.

3. Oh yah, after half a day with consultation with 3 docs+ultrasoundx2 today, it was FOC. Of course i paid on the first day lah- but not as much as I would in KL at a private hospital.

Things to pray for:

1. to find out the best way to get subsidised rates on delivery & neo-natal care. NICU (neonatal icu) prices are high, paediatric dr & surgeon bills may go up the roof. The system to get subsidised rates is pretty strict.

-I need to report first to a govt clinic, then wait in line for a panel dr at the hospital, then get referred to the same specialist doctors. I can't downgrade from within the hospital system since now I am a private patient (had to pay private rates to cut all the lines to the experts). Cos i need to show that my whole immediate family earns less than $3200/mth! Unfortunately my father still works!

2. That the baby will turn out fine. The right lung is compressed near the heart. we need to gauge the development of heart and lungs. Heart failure is the worst thing that can happen because of the pressure of all the organs growing within the baby's chest.

3. Wisdom and guidance for all the drs to give good advice and look into the case.

Other than that, marcus and I heave a sigh of relief. It's good to know that the doctors have the experience and are able to assure me the next course of action. It's all in God's hands now.

God bless
Charlene