Monday, December 22, 2008
Happy Channukah
This afternoon, I realized that Malcolm was at work, Tamar was at school, and I don't have a car. It was going to be Kobi, Oriya and me for our first candle of Hanukkah. Oriya was really upset by this notion, as we always had a houseful of people to light candles on Hanukkah.
I called my sister who had three girls under the weather and explained my predicament. Avital convinced everyone to come to our house as "Even when Kobi doesn't feel good - and he's a lot sicker than us, he comes to our house". Within the hour, we had a party. I ordered pizza, made a salad and the best latkes ever (according to Malcolm who got home at 9:15PM).
The kids were all so thrilled to be together to celebrate the holiday. It's our first ever Hanukkah together. It was so wonderful. We decorated paper dreidles to fill with candy for another evening we have planned. All the kids got into it and really enjoyed the decorating. Even Mattan participated.
Malcolm called to say he was finished work and would love it if we could wait for him for candle-lighting. By the time he came home, the kids were ready to light candles, the sweet latkes were ready and we were busy celebrating one of our best Hanukkahs ever. Thanks to all the Masri's for coming to be our party!
On a completely different note, it's so funny to be so removed form the Christmas theme. We don't feel "the season" and need to remind ourselves sometimes that it's winter holidays back in Toronto.
We miss you all and wish that we could be celebrating with you, too. Our Hanukkah was always such a special time to be with friends and family, get together and enjoy good friends, good food and good times. You are all in our hearts!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Kobi's Health
We are down to the last half hour of waiting, before we leave the house and go to see the paediatric gastro. I think that by now we've all had enough of doctors, hospitals, tests and medication.
What started last year as a one time deal came back again this year, taking us to doctors, who eventually hospitalized Kobi. He went through blood tests, urinalysis, Barium X-Rays, Ultrasound gastroscopy and colonoscopy at the hospital. We were released when he stopped vomiting and were still on a quest for the answer for these problems. The doctor prescribed some medication to reduce the acidity in his stomach.
Unfortunately, Kobi started vomiting again 12 days ago. It's not as violent as it was before. He managed to keep the episodes down to once a day. Unfortunately - he stops eating and drinking. We've managed to keep him hydrated - no small feat - but food is a tough one. He isn't interested at all. Last Motzei Shabbat, we were at a family gathering and my cousin Yael's husband - Danny (who specializes in Family Medicine) had a look at Kobi. He wanted to get some more tests done and asked me to bring Kobi to him in the morning.
Sunday was a long day for Kobi and I. Malcolm, by the way, was working in Bulgaria over the weekend and "missed" all the fun. Anyway, back to Sunday. Kobi and I went to see Danny in his office. After checking Kobi, he sent us for more blood work and X-Rays and Ultrasound.....then back to Danny for another assessment. Danny looked at all the results and based on that sent us to a CT scan. He also spoke to the specialist who had seen Kobi at the hospital and arranged an appointment for us today.
So, results in hand, we are waiting for the appointment. Kobi doesn't look so hot. He is in good spirits most of the time, then he drops as he is overcome by pains. Once they and the nausea pass, he is good again. He doesn't really eat much and we push him to drink. He isn't vomiting but has a lot of pain.
We are all praying....Refu'a Shlema Kobi!
Friday, December 12, 2008
I got lost......
On Wednesday, I went to see Uvi and Arie (remember 1-800-Arie?) in Nili. I had been using Amir's car and wanted to return it, as Amir is home for a holiday from the army. Obviously, I wanted to return the car with a full tank of gas.
I drove to Rishon in the morning to run an errand, and continued from there straight to Nili. I didn't come across any gas stations on the way, but was not worried, as I know of a station very close to Uvi's house. It's on the wrong side of a major intersection, but very easy to reach with two simple left turns (for those of you who are familiar, I'm talking about Shilat Intersection). I got to the station and filled up the tank - no problem. I know that there is a way from the station back towards Nili, but wasn't sure on how to get there. I asked the gas station attendant and he suggested that I go back to the intersection and make a U turn - they are very popular here. I wasn't comfortable with this idea and asked if there is another way. He said "Sure - make a left before the nursery and follow the road". I did that and realized that there is more than one way to "follow this road". Now you have to understand that I could see the main road not 500 meters away from me at all times!
It turned into a dirt road and this did not worry me, until I passed a place to go back on a paved road. I put the car in reverse and went back to the paved road. Then I started looking for a way back to the main road. Finally, I reached a gate to a community. I knew I was OK, as there was an Israeli flag at the entrance. I travelled along a road - circling the entire community (in 3 minutes) and picked up my phone. Again, for those familiar with the area - I was in Shilat.
I dialed 1-800-Arie but Ori, his son, picked up. Knowing who I was dealing with, I asked Ori to call all the family members to the living room and start laughing. He didn't know why I was asking him to do this, until he realized that I was lost in a "town" that is two streets wide and three street across - not able to find may way to the main road. Only after calling did I find two men who were able to point my in the right direction.
Needless to say, by the time I reached Uvi's house the entire family was having a great laugh at my expense. They especially enjoyed that fact that I told Ori that I was safe because I could see the Israeli flags!
Go ahead and laugh! It's good for you.
I drove to Rishon in the morning to run an errand, and continued from there straight to Nili. I didn't come across any gas stations on the way, but was not worried, as I know of a station very close to Uvi's house. It's on the wrong side of a major intersection, but very easy to reach with two simple left turns (for those of you who are familiar, I'm talking about Shilat Intersection). I got to the station and filled up the tank - no problem. I know that there is a way from the station back towards Nili, but wasn't sure on how to get there. I asked the gas station attendant and he suggested that I go back to the intersection and make a U turn - they are very popular here. I wasn't comfortable with this idea and asked if there is another way. He said "Sure - make a left before the nursery and follow the road". I did that and realized that there is more than one way to "follow this road". Now you have to understand that I could see the main road not 500 meters away from me at all times!
It turned into a dirt road and this did not worry me, until I passed a place to go back on a paved road. I put the car in reverse and went back to the paved road. Then I started looking for a way back to the main road. Finally, I reached a gate to a community. I knew I was OK, as there was an Israeli flag at the entrance. I travelled along a road - circling the entire community (in 3 minutes) and picked up my phone. Again, for those familiar with the area - I was in Shilat.
I dialed 1-800-Arie but Ori, his son, picked up. Knowing who I was dealing with, I asked Ori to call all the family members to the living room and start laughing. He didn't know why I was asking him to do this, until he realized that I was lost in a "town" that is two streets wide and three street across - not able to find may way to the main road. Only after calling did I find two men who were able to point my in the right direction.
Needless to say, by the time I reached Uvi's house the entire family was having a great laugh at my expense. They especially enjoyed that fact that I told Ori that I was safe because I could see the Israeli flags!
Go ahead and laugh! It's good for you.
Updates
Malcolm left for Sofia today - that's in Bulgaria. He arrived safely and is having a nice time with his colleagues. He'll be home on Sunday night.
Tamar took the train from school to meet us at the airport so she could see Malcolm. Otherwise, she wouldn't see him for another two weeks. She was invited to sleep over at the Masris, so we all went for a drive to Modi'in after the airport to discover that Mocha - the dog - was delivering her puppies tonight. More important is the fact that Tamar informed us of her schedule for the next two weeks. Her class is going on their school trip this week to the Judean Desert. They return of Thursday night and are supposed to come home for Shabbat. Tamar is electing to stay with her friends at the Ulpana, as they have "too many fun things planned". There is a Channuka party on Sunday night, school on Monday morning, then a drive to K'far Chabbad for another Chanuka party with the other girls from Na'ale. Then it's back to the Ulpana. There is no school on Tuesday, but thier program supervisor is having another party for the girls on Tuesday evening. Wednesday is probably a trip to Jerusalem. By Thursday, she should come home but wants to participate in a trip that NBN is having for teens, that includes rappelling and other such fun stuff. When I mentioned that Avi and his gang are going to be in Israel, she explained that much as she would like to see them, we'll have to schedule a meeting when she is not so busy. I'm thrilled that she is having a god time and creating such close friendships.
Kobi isn't doing so well. He is taking his medication - Losec - but is still vomiting once or twice a day, with bouts of nausea. He looks kind of green most of the time and his palms are like parchment paper. We know that he is not dehydrated, but he's also not well. We hope to be able to see the specialist on Sunday, and we have an appointment with another specialist for a second opinion on Wednesday.
Oriya will have a playdate tomorrow with a girl for the next class - Ofir. The nice thing is that Ofir called today to see if she can play. I love it that the first step did not have to be Oriya's. She is also planning a sleepover with Avital for Friday night.
We have a guest for Shabbat. Elise Lotterman will be here, which is always nice.
I want to post some pictures from my birthday party - which was absolutely lovely. When Malcolm comes home from Sofia and I have the pictures (which are in his computer) I will do so.
Tamar took the train from school to meet us at the airport so she could see Malcolm. Otherwise, she wouldn't see him for another two weeks. She was invited to sleep over at the Masris, so we all went for a drive to Modi'in after the airport to discover that Mocha - the dog - was delivering her puppies tonight. More important is the fact that Tamar informed us of her schedule for the next two weeks. Her class is going on their school trip this week to the Judean Desert. They return of Thursday night and are supposed to come home for Shabbat. Tamar is electing to stay with her friends at the Ulpana, as they have "too many fun things planned". There is a Channuka party on Sunday night, school on Monday morning, then a drive to K'far Chabbad for another Chanuka party with the other girls from Na'ale. Then it's back to the Ulpana. There is no school on Tuesday, but thier program supervisor is having another party for the girls on Tuesday evening. Wednesday is probably a trip to Jerusalem. By Thursday, she should come home but wants to participate in a trip that NBN is having for teens, that includes rappelling and other such fun stuff. When I mentioned that Avi and his gang are going to be in Israel, she explained that much as she would like to see them, we'll have to schedule a meeting when she is not so busy. I'm thrilled that she is having a god time and creating such close friendships.
Kobi isn't doing so well. He is taking his medication - Losec - but is still vomiting once or twice a day, with bouts of nausea. He looks kind of green most of the time and his palms are like parchment paper. We know that he is not dehydrated, but he's also not well. We hope to be able to see the specialist on Sunday, and we have an appointment with another specialist for a second opinion on Wednesday.
Oriya will have a playdate tomorrow with a girl for the next class - Ofir. The nice thing is that Ofir called today to see if she can play. I love it that the first step did not have to be Oriya's. She is also planning a sleepover with Avital for Friday night.
We have a guest for Shabbat. Elise Lotterman will be here, which is always nice.
I want to post some pictures from my birthday party - which was absolutely lovely. When Malcolm comes home from Sofia and I have the pictures (which are in his computer) I will do so.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
