Categories: uncategorized
Date: 28 March 2003 20:00:00
To-day, wife, first born, and second born went to see the geneticist. Daddy (me) went, also. Because the hospital we were attending has a policy of 'discouraging patients ... from using their own cars', we travelled by public transport. An admirable scheme has been started whereby a ticket can be bought allowing one to use the buses of either of the two main companies. I reckon that it was a useful visit. First born has a patch on one shoulder which has always concerned us. The geneticist said that he thinks it is a 'plexiform', which I've suspected. He's going to arrange that the next time she has an MRI, they will take pictures of the affected area.
Nobody will commit themselves yet on whether second born has inherited the same condition as first born. Since it is a dominant condition, there is a 50% chance that he has inherited it (from his mum). Since at present there is no conclusive evidence that he has, we prefer to think that he hasn't. The geneticist has suggested that he should see an ophthalmologist, who can look for Lisch nodules, which would indicate that he has the condition. Sorry to labour this issue, but it is quite important. It would be wonderful to know that second born is free of this condition.
Wife, first born, and second born had their blood pressure checked, so I, not seriously, suggested that mine could be checked as well. The doctor, who is a polite Spaniard, thought that I was being serious, and checked mine as well. Happily, it's OK.
While we were tackling the rigours of getting to and from the hospital, our window frames and doors were being painted. Wife met the men yesterday at the bus stop. Some time ago, they did a good job of checking and sorting our roof, and we had said that we would like them to do this job as well. They were supposed to be coming yesterday afternoon, but they didn't appear. Just as we were about to set off this morning, their van arrived. We worked out that they could do the job without us being around, providing we let them know when we got back, so that they could finish of (by doing the bits that couldn't be reached while the doors were locked).
Just a final detail. Wife's work had required that she put in an appearance before going to the hospital (they would give her time off to attend the hospital on her own account, but not to take the children). So she had set off for work at her normal time, while I got myself and the children ready. It's been a big day (not to mention that granny, hopefully, is now in the air on her way to New Zealand)!