AH>           Yes.  You've done your homework & you have confidence in the
AH> doctor. If I understand the situation correctly you have time to be there
AH> for your son as well because (by some people's standards) you are
AH> underemployed at present. By my standards, the contribution you've been
AH> making as the father of this kid is a pearl beyond price.  AFAIC there's
AH> no
AH> more important work even though you don't get paid in coin of the realm
AH> for
AH> doing it.  If you truly believe you've made the right decision, that goes
AH> a
AH> long way.  And as a nurse commented about another four-year-old in a book
AH> I
AH> read when Nora was about the same age... she didn't understand why she
AH> was
AH> in hospital, but accepted it because her Mom was with her.  IMHO Bernie
AH> Siegel would approve.  At any rate I certainly do.  :-)

I work full time (and have since I was 18 years old), but I am going to do is
take FMLA leave for the operations.  I have almost 6 months worth saved up
from working so long where I am currently.  I am going to be off up to 2 1/2
weeks to be with our son and make sure everything goes smooth.  My wife
doesn't have as much time since she just started a new job.

We have scheduled the first operation for November 1st.  He will be in the
hospital around 3 days after the operation.  The first one is the diversion of
the bowel - only.  This is needed to get the "parts below" to go down to a
normal size.

The second one will take place in the May-July time-frame will put things back
and fix the issue.  
AH> 
AH>           For those who tuned in years after Nora was diagnosed with
AH> leukemia, and I hastily packed a hospital suitcase, and I grabbed the
AH> library book which was on top of the pile on our window sill, and I
AH> finally
AH> got around to reading it after memorizing everything you never wanted to
AH> know about leukemia because oncology parents must pass a test on this
AH> stuff
AH> before their kid is discharged
AH> ... Bernie Siegel is an oncologist who wondered why some people survive
AH> cancer while others don't.  When I read his book I realized I'd been
AH> doing
AH> exactly as he said (athough others thought I was crazy) & decided to do
AH> more
AH> of it.  That was how this echo was born.  Her Nibs is still alive & well,
AH> thankyou....  ;-)

That is fantastic!  There is never too much education/knowledge and being
there and a part of things every step of the way is important.  I'm really
happy to hear your story.

- Mark

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