Countdown to Birthday #3 for Eskimo Boy

Dear Aidan,

We're in the first week of February now. Chinese New Year will be over soon (there are 15 days, just so you know). And before long, we'll be focusing on your 3rd birthday. Mama has already called the caterers. Meanwhile, it's cute to see Papa flustering over the party planners.

We've decided to have it at the function room by the main condo pool. And you've chosen a 'Lion King' cake. Well, a lion cake, basically. I know you're excited about it this year. I suppose you're becoming aware of a 'special day just for me'. Oh yes, that phrase, "I'm going to be a big boy, soon" keeps cropping up. The other day, while we were saying our bedtime prayers, we ended up in a conversation about your party guests:

Aidan: Mama, Mama, please pray my friends come to my party in Singapore.
Mama: Ok...who are you inviting?
Aidan: Lana, Theo, Ruma...Justin and Jaden.
Mama: What about your teachers?
Aidan: No, they have to look after the other friends.

On a low note, you've been putting on the Naughties (as we call it) since early January. Perhaps it's your system working out some changes as you approach year 3. For sure, you've begun to play pretty roughly. Mama just doesn't like it when you start hitting and kicking when you get excited.

There you go, Tai Ma, you must eat the skin too

During our trip back to KL for the first 2 days of Chinese New Year, you got to met Poh-Poh's adopted sister, your Tai Ma, who's 94 years old. She stayed over at Poh-Poh's for a few days so we bunked over at the Prince Hotel. When we went over for dinner, you were quite sweet (though you continued to give Poh-Poh your increasingly infamous frown (what we call The Magnum). You decided to feed her grapes. And was sporting enough to have a photo taken with her and Poh-Poh.

See, I can hang out with the older crowd!

Prince Hotel was a pleasant surprise. The room had a great view with windows for one entire wall. We could see the Twin Towers from where we were. At night, its lights blinked like stars. Whenever we stayed in, we would get comfy, stare out of the windows at the view of lush greenery below, read books, draw or mess around with your Play-Doh.

I don't suppose it's a good idea to fall out of this window

Ah, life's quite nice when I'm not jumping about like a Mexican bean

Thanks for sending my Chew-Chews for a wash, Mama. Zzzz

Ok, let's take them to the zoo now

One afternoon, we took a short walk across the road to Pavilion, a really huge high-end shopping mall that once was where Mama's school stood.

Whoa, I think the dragon is following us, Papa

Another afternoon, we met up with one of Papa's ex Sunday School students, Edward, who's now so tall, I can barely look up at him without squinting. We spent some play time at the Jungle Gym at Bangsar Shopping Centre before heading off for lunch at La Bodega.

Aidan: Let's shoot the Monsters that are attacking us!
Papa: You mean, the kids?

After we got back to Singapore, we took you to the Esplanade. We first took a boat ride along the Singapore River and then walked over to the Chinese New Year Exhibition and Fun-Fair which was held there, too.

Where's the pink one?

Look Papa, Mama...it's a fun-fair!

There were paper sculptures of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac. A humongous God of Prosperity with a Tiger (to welcome the Dragon year) spewing out lucky strips of gold paper at every interval so passers-by would open up their umbrellas and turn them upside down to catch some 'fortune'.

I like honey pork, Mama

You were very excited about the fun-fair rides though. You and Papa went on the spinning helicopter. And later, you got onto a car in the 'train carriage' that went along a simple track. We tried getting you a bumper car ride but unfortunately, you didn't meet the height requirements. I'm sure you'll qualify soon enough, honey. Just wait and see!

They jumped on the bandwagon, Mama

We're ready for take-off, Mama, see you soon!

Wheeeeeeee!

We also met up with Lana and her parents. We were due for a ride on the Singapore Flyer (apparently, it's NOT a ferris wheel). After the 30 minute ride, we went down to catch a glimpse of the Chingay procession which featured rows and rows of dragons and tons and tons of dancers before ending with a dazzling display of fireworks.

Mama, were we up there so high?

You and Lana really enjoyed the fireworks. And when club music started playing at the finish, you both danced a storm until your hair were all sweaty.

It was also Mama's first experience with such beautiful, large-scale fireworks!

Aidan and Lana were oblivious to the noise

On the train ride home, the both of you pulled some silly faces and actions again. Or maybe, Lana did. And you weren't quite sure what to do under the circumstances.

How am I suppose to respond to this?

Something I'm familiar with at last!

Music seems to be something you enjoy quite a bit. You're always game for a song, either learnt or made-up. And you're always game for a dance when music comes on. Meal times when Papa is around is always crazy because Papa always puts on some CD.

You also continue to be big on books. And your library is growing. This month, Mama bought Squish the Rabbit. A simple story about tiny Squish who feels unimportant but finally makes a friend as tiny as him who makes him feel ten feet tall.

Squish throws a tantrum sometimes just like me!

One thing you're not though is patient. Everything has to happen right. This. Instance. Failing which, there would be some whining for us to counter. Or some rudeness. It shows in the activities you do. If you can;t figure out a puzzle, you'd sometimes lose interest (unless Mama puts on the pressure). If you're colouring, there'd be large white spaces left un-coloured and it wouldn't bother you in the least. (Never mind colouring outside the lines.) I know for kids your age, the definition of 'completion' is very different. But I figure I've got to start somewhere in terms of encouraging you to 'leave no stones unturned'.

All set and ready: Goody bags for your coming birthday party

Eskimo Boy Lion Dances into Month #35

Dear Aidan,

It's really heavy stuff, this lion dance costume!

This is the month to look forward to Chinese New Year. But Poh-Poh says we won't be celebrating as Kung-Kung's passing is still raw in our minds. She also mentioned a customary observance - 100 days must pass before we can resume our regular lives again but prior to that, we're not supposed to enjoy any happy occasions. Moreover, as the festival falls on Kung-Kung's birthday, 22nd January, and is actually his favourite festival, Poh-Poh wants to observe a period of abstinence.

Gong Xi Fa Cai...did I say it right, Mama?

It's a little different for Mama and Papa, of course. We're Catholics. For us, even while Mama continues to grieve, we have faith that Kung-Kung's in a better place. Even as Mama grieves, life must go on. Your childhood must go on. So when you asked for a lion dance costume, we didn't say 'No'. Here's a transcript of your request:


Aidan: Papa, Mama says you gonna buy me a Lion head so I can dance.
Papa: Why?
Aidan: Because it's Chinese New Year.
Papa: Oh, ok. If we see one, we'll buy it, ok? 
Aidan: Ok. Papa, then later you buy me the body also ok?

I'm getting a lion dance costume, Uncle. You can watch me dance

The Saturday we went to get it, we first had lunch at the food-court across the road. There you met a sweeper who kept smiling at you. So Papa and you bought him a bottle of mineral water and he spent some time chatting with us.


It's funny how you can be really sweet one minute and grumpy-thus-rude another. Mama has noticed a gradual 'escalation' of sorts in terms of your defiance. Maybe it's the Terrible Three's. But I'm really just hoping it's that -re-birthday phase. The humorous quips keep coming though. Here's another gem:


Aidanism #185:


Papa: So Mr. Cheeks, what did you do at playschool today?
Aidan: Er...nothing.
Papa: Nothing?! So you just sat and stared at the wall?
Aidan: ...Yes, with my friend, Manon.


It's weeks yet to Chinese New Year, though. We're going to go back to KL as Poh-Poh would still like to have us around for a simple, no-fuss Reunion dinner at home. Her adopted sister, your Tai Ma, who lives in a retirement home nearby will also be staying with her for a few days. So it looks like we'll be parking at a hotel. After all, the house is pretty small and we wouldn't want you to accidentally trip over an old lady with your toys.

Mama, you're supposed to say 'Good job, Aidan' now

Mama has started you on some basic math. Well, Mama started you on alphabet recognition first but now Principal Valerie reckons we should move on to math to expose you to problem-solving. Apparently kids who master speech early usually lag in problem-solving. Maybe it's a right and left brain thing. Mama's definitely a lot better talking and writing than solving sums!

3 purple friends left the group so now there are 4 left!

Anyway, I must say that for an restless little monkey like you, our 20-minute sessions have been quite fruitful. You're quite a keen learner when you believe you can achieve something. Mama's job's just to help you stay focused and heap praises when you do listen to instructions - yes, sometimes, you're a bit long on confidence and short on skills and Mama has to remind you that you've never written a number before. And therefore,  there's no way "I know how to write 5, Ma-ma-a-a-a!"

Ok, that huge slope there looks do-able!

You've also finally begun to pedal your bicycle! It's been a good 9 months since we bought it and 6 since we started teaching and encouraging you to ride it. So far it has been excuses of "It's not working, Mama!" or "I can't pedal, Mama!"Now, all of a sudden you've simply decided to step on them hard and power yourself forward. Hallelujah.

The Junior Harley Outriders need a break, too

No time to rest, Bud. Gotta scram and search for Mischief

Meanwhile, there's been some nice continuities on the friend-making front. The last few months have been an experiment at the condo playground to see which kids you'd click with. But now you've got two regular buddies - Vardhavan, who's 3 years older than you, and Jayden who seems to have a better connection with you. I guess being just a year older than you helps. Well, in the first place, you two have similar haircuts and exactly the same ride-on motorbike. That's how you guys 'clicked' anyway when you first bumped into each other at the playground back in October. Many times these days, if you saw Jayden or vice-versa, you'd both end up playing together.

He ain't short, he's my clone!

We're not getting very far on this thing, Jayden

Meanwhile, you and Papa are becoming best buddies. There's always huge laughter and crazy antics whenever he's around. You've even begun to ask about Papa during the day when he's at the office. You still won't let Papa kiss you though. Some days you say it's his beard. Other days, it's the sloppiness. Really, I think it's to do with how bedtime is Snuggle with Mama time.

See the resemblance? I'm SO Indian, Mama

Aidanism #186:

And it happens. While we're dining outdoors next to a table occupied by two men, Aidan calls out in his sonic boom voice:
Aidan: Mama! Mama! That man has no hair. He only has a head!


Aidanism #187:


Principal: Mrs. Pereira, do you know what your son said today?
Me (nervous): Nothing rude I hope.
Principal: There was a loud noise in the small room and Aidan told me, "I think there are monsters in the room."
Me: Ok, he does that at home too.
Principal: Then he said, "I'm going to defeat the mean monsters and stab them with my knives."


Aidanism #188:


Aidan: Papa, Mama says you gonna buy me a Lion head so I can dance.
Papa: Why?
Aidan: Because it's Chinese New Year.
Papa: Oh, ok. If we see one, we'll buy it, ok? 
Aidan: Ok. Papa, then later you buy me the body also ok?

Month #34: Jesus Gives Life Back to Us

Dear Aidan,

Hooray, the tree is officially out!

I think every July of the year, Mama starts dreaming of Christmas. I don't even need a white one. Not that we can get one living on the Equator. But the point is, Christmas always brings hope and peace to me. With Kung-Kung passing on, I suppose I'm eager to bring the focus back to life. The gift that God gives through the birth of Jesus who is the author of Life.

Ok, if you guys want baubles, talk to me

On November 19, we took our tree out from the tiny store-room, the box of baubles we brought from KL during our move, and set about welcoming Christmas into our home. What a difference a year makes too -  this time round, with no hive attack in sight too, you actually helped decorate the tree! (It wasn't so last year, if you recall.) As Officer-in-Charge of the box, you handed different decorative bits to Papa and Mama. And later, got your hands dirty by hanging them yourself. Of course, all the ones you put on ended up at the bottom-most branches and in one localised section, too.

Peek-a-Boo!

Mama is very serious about this

It was a real yahoo moment when you wanted to put up the star and managed! Well, it took a while as you were trying to balance on Papa's shoulder and Papa almost fell.

Oh, I managed, Papa. I can drive a car now, I think.

We are the champions...we are the champions...

This month you started displaying a keener sense of imagination. You've begun to build more complex creations with your blocks. Even the shape-blocks from the shape-sorter tray become part of a 'house for Mama  and Papa' sometimes.

A battleship for Mama

I built a house for you, Papa

More than that, there are days when you announce spontaneously that you're a monster and you're going to eat Mr. Dolphin and Mama and that we should really go and hide if we 'don't want to be dead'. You also enjoy singing your own made-up songs using gibberish. It's nice that you're Mama's little entertainer at home.

On a different level, you've become a bit of a Bossy Boots. Your favourite thing to do next to singing is ordering others to sing along. Familiar phrases like "Good boy, Mama" and "Here, you can play with this now" are surfacing. I guess you learning to parrot Mama in more ways than one.

We went back to KL for a week to be with Poh-Poh. But this time, she followed us on our trip back to Singapore for a short stay. Mama has noticed a new facet to your emotions from her 2-week holiday with us: jealousy and over-protectiveness. Whereas you've always been sweet to Poh-Poh in KL, you've instead been angry and rude to her in Singapore. For instance, you like to interrupt Mama whenever I'm having a conversation with her. And you tend to shout at her or tell her roughly that she can't watch 'your DVDs' when you happen to be watching one. Whenever Mama is not looking, you'd give her a frown and a shake of your head to show your disdain.

It's very difficult for Mama to see you behave like this to Poh-Poh. Especially right after Kung-Kung's death. But I also know you can't help it, you don't know any better. That's why Mama has been very tough on you in this respect. It's straight to the Time-Out Corner for every sign of rudeness. And the rotan comes in on the third occurrence.

Some times you're fine though. Like when we're all together, having a meal, and laughing about the same things. Which brings me to your new passion for singing aloud during meal times. First, you'd stand up on your chair. Then you'd blast out gibberish lyrics to a familiar melody. This happens at home and in restaurants too. And it has been challenging, to say the least, you get you to control your volume. Fortunately, so far, patrons at the restaurant have been extraordinarily oblivious to your crowing. When they have paid attention, they've been quite polite about it, praising you for your 'passion'.

Papa looks like a monster from this angle

You've been improving at Church. You used to want to walk out of the pews and/or make a fuss but these days, you can stay pretty quiet for the whole Mass although you do like to stand on the bench to check out the goings-on. You do get a little antsy in the last 10 minutes though. That's when you'll try to climb over the pews or something crazy, but hey, you're just 2+. I think some slack is in order. Bear in mind though: you're soon going to have to follow the order of the Mass. Good luck to us!

Some old habits are coming back, too. Like throwing your toys down just to hear the crash. Or using your Chew-Chew to 'hit' us for fun. There's to be no hitting of any kind in our home, honey. And throwing your toys could mean you end up losing them or they end up breaking. That's why we've had to be tough on you for that, too.

That's a good boy, Papa. Now, finish everything, ok?

Meanwhile, feeding Papa has become a fascination for you. I think you're just being a regular scientist, trying to scrape coconut flesh for example. Trying to see what happens to soya sauce when you mix it with soup or rice. I like to look at it as your strengthening your fine motor skills. Some days, though, I like to strangle you too - days when you don't listen after two repetitions and days when you do exactly the opposite even after 3 warnings. Of course, this is figurative speech because Mama would never ever want to strangle you. Still, I can't wait for the day when you stop taunting Gravity (and Mama and Papa) with your persistence. When you're 21 maybe?

Oh God is scolding the farmer for being naughty!

This month, new books are back on the radar! Now that it has been established that short mystical stories with lots of colours intrigue you, Mama has been plying the Popular Bookstore route to get you new additions to your little library.

Month #33/Part 3: Another Death

Dear Aidan,

We've just come out of a very dark November. Did you know that a few days after Kung-Kung passed away, Poh-Poh's elder sister went, too? She'd even turned up for Kung-Kung's wake. But looking back, she did look pale although when Poh-Poh called her the next day, after the funeral, she said she was fine and just needed some oil for her tummy ache.

The next day, a Friday, we went to pick Kung-Kung's bones at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Shah Alam. Just so you know, we did this so we could put his remains in an urn that's placed in a special locker we'd bought. When we got home, Poh-Poh tried calling your Grand Aunty Li Yi but she didn't answer. She stays quite close to Poh-Poh, actually. So Poh-Poh walked over to her flat in the afternoon to check on her.

I remember you were still napping when Poh-Poh returned in a panic, telling Mama that Grand Aunty was lying on the floor, alert but in pain. She'd lost all energy and had decided to lay down on the way to the toilet.

Mama then followed Poh-Poh over to change her (she'd wet herself), and carry her to the couch. Mama then spent 30 minutes trying to call an ambulance. It was frustrating. A bit like trying to get to eat your vegetables, only this time, it was a matter of life and death.

By 8 pm, we managed to send her to the nearest hospital, just around the corner. But after an x-ray and a CT scan, we were told by the doctor that her intestines were all blocked up - possibly cancer! Surgery however was going to be risky as Grand Aunty has diabetes and her kidneys too had all but failed. The hospital didn't have a dialysis machine so we had to transfer her to another hospital 15 minutes away.

Mama and Papa stayed overnight at the hospital to ensure she was stabilised and admitted to the ICU; her heartbeat upon admission had been very weak. We only left the hospital at 6 am. Poh-Poh, whom Mama sent home to rest at 11 pm, meanwhile, had spent the night in Mama's room accompanying you to sleep. She must have been very tired because she didn't wake up when we got home - she's usually an early riser.

A minute's rest in between funerals for Uncle Khin, and a pretender

At 11 am that day, the hospital called to inform us that Grand Aunty had had a heart attack in the wee hours of the morning, possibly right after we'd left. But she continued to hold on till Monday morning, when she died in her sleep.

Breakfast before visiting Grand Aunty at the hospital

It has been an extraordinarily tough month for Poh-Poh. She only has tow sisters left - the youngest in London and the eldest in Sydney. But Poh-Poh herself is now 75 years old. Imagine! All her brothers have passed on. It seems she has had to be strong all her life and this period has truly been a test of it as well as a testament of it.

We must continue to love her and support her through her twilight years. People are not perfect. We are ourselves people. So even on her naggiest and critical days,  Mama has to try to turn the other cheek. After all, one day, when Mama is grey and old, I'd want you to continue to love me, too. To let me know I'm not so bad.

Month #3/Part 2: An Introduction to Death and New Life

Dear Aidan,

The quick 3-day trip Mama made to KL was an eye-opener. I sat by the doorway to the hospital with my mask on as I was coughing a little. And all I could do was watch Kung-Kung take naps in succession. All I could do was stare at his emaciated frame and wonder to myself: how did he lose so much weight in just 2 weeks? When he was awake, Kung-Kung would look my way an flash Mama a wide smile; a smile that seemed to engulf his now gaunt and bony face.

Dr. Christina told us that his stomach complications were part of the challenges of pancreatic cancer. After taking some medication, his purging stopped but he'd continued to throw up after every meal. They resorted to inserting a feeding tube directly to his intestines but even then, the tube detached a few time and had to be reinserted. The waiting at the gastroenterologist's clinic for re-insertion really Kung-Kung's alertness and energy, too. It was a disheartening and most depressing trip this time round.

Something to cheer us all up with

On Mama's last day there, Kung-Kung felt a lot better. He also ate without throwing up much. Just a little bile here and there. I left with a bit more hope and brought back two Usborne First Reader books entitled Clever Rabbit and Chilly the Penguin.

A week later, you followed Papa and Mama up to KL again. Just to be there for Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh at a difficult time. It was good to see more colour in Kung-Kung's cheeks. He actually looked better as he could sit up and chat with his brothers and sister. It seemed the throwing up hasn't entirely ceased and the oncologist has been working with the dietician to figure out the best nutrient formula to give him through the tube.

I'll feel better right after a bowl of blue udon mee-mee, Mama

You developed a pretty high fever though the day after we arrived. You woke up from your nap with a temperature of 38.7 degrees celsius. We sponged you. Monitored you. But in the middle of the night that day, your temperature climbed to 39.3. So we took you to the Pantai Hospital nearby and had you checked. We were given suppositories to contain the high fever and it was so sad for us to see you bawling when we turned you around to insert the pill. You only started to get better two days later after we got antibiotics for you from the clinic near Poh-Poh's house.

Once you started mending, you became very sporting. You followed us to the hospital every day to see Kung-Kung; even on the Friday night after a thunderstorm, when we got stuck in a gridlock on the highway for 3 hours on the way to the hospital, you didn't throw a tantrum.

Anyway, Kung-Kung had started insisting on different scans to get to the bottom of the vomitting. There was first the brain scan to rule out metastasis; then by the time we'd left for Singapore, he was due for a throat scan.

I still remember the day we got back from our trip. A Sunday. We had been praying over Kung-Kung on every visit now and while I knew his life was hanging on a thread, I've so far been hanging on the hope of Jesus. But then Monday night came.

Monday night, 11.15 pm came. That phone call from Uncle Khin came. And the news that Kung-Kung's heart had suddenly stopped beating came, too. It had stopped while the nurse had left the room to get his medication. And the medical officer would spent the next hour trying to revive him.

Kung-Kung's death was pronounced at 12.10 am.

Uncle Khin and Mama booked the 6 am flight back to KL. You and Papa would join us the next day.   By the time we got home, we had to take Mama's car to Uncle Yik Kah's home as Poh-Poh had stayed the night there. I remember, as we opened the doors to get Mama's car keys, glancing at the garden and feeling a deep stab of sadness. Kung-Kung and Poh-Poh had spent hours keeping the garden beautiful. It was Kung-Kung's favourite place to be. It was so green, so peaceful and full of life, unlike the Gardener that created it.

2 days after the cremation, you wanted to clean Mama's car

It seems like such a long time ago that we arranged for Kung-Kung's funeral. A lot of relatives and friends came for the wake. Even Mama's and Papa's friends. In a strange way, it was a warm affair. I suppose you could say we felt surrounded by goodness.

Remembering Kung-Kung through his works

Aunty Mei Yoong and Uncle Daniel also brought Gabby along. "To keep Aidan company," they said. God bless them. They stayed till late too, until we all left, actually. Mama brought you to see Kung-Kung in his coffin. You said a prayer with Mama. I remember explaining the concept of death and Heaven to you.  "Kung-Kung's alive in a different place now, " I said. But I don't think you quite understand that once a person goes to Heaven, they can't just come back to Earth because you replied, "Once Kung-Kung's better, he'll come and visit us again."

The saddest part of the whole event was the cremation. Mama just couldn't bear to see Kung-Kung entering the vault and the shutters closing down behind him. It was so final. It was final. But I wish it weren't so. My consolation from the good Lord is that he went on 1st November, All Saints Day. That comforts me a great deal.

(PS:  I haven't taken pictures of Kung-Kung during the height of his illness and leading to his passing on as I want to (just as I want you to as well) always remember him in his spritely and handsome state.)

Month #33: New Adventures, Dark Turn of Events

Dear Aidan,

I like Teacher Richie, Mama

Early October has been a busy month of new activities and day-outs. First, Papa signed you up at The Little Gym after it was recommended to us by Aunty Glenda, Lana's mum. It's an indoor gym filled with gymnastics equipment and there are these teachers who are trained to help children build their strength and confidence through physical exercises. You're now at the Super Beasties class for 2 year olds and Mama and Papa are going to take turns to accompany you or sit by the sidelines to cheer you on.

Ready, get set, dash!

Papa, can I take this home, please?

Last Friday, Papa took you and Mama to watch a live football match between the Serangoon and Geylang districts. You're getting really good at football so Papa reckons he can brainwash you into picking up and sticking with the game. I'm onto Papa and his tricks for sure. But I'm going to relax and just make sure you get exposed to art, music and dance!

Papa, now I want the Blue Team to score!

I know I'm wearing blue but I want the green people to score, too!

It's quite commendable that you paid attention throughout the game. You only got up to get closer to the field. You also innocently wanted each team to take turns scoring, so you were a bit deflated when the blue team (Geylang) had less points in the end and lost to the green team (Serangoon, our district, yay!)

Whoa, it's balloons galore, Mama, Papa!

Wait, little guy, I think we need to start the engine first

On Saturday, Aunty Glenda, Uncle Ian and Lana invited us to join them at SingKids, a gymboree-type place at VivoCity filled with rides, obstacle courses, climbing apparatus, flying balloons and giant balls. I'd say you practically went nuts in there and wouldn't have left if you weren't so hungry in the end. We then left for the food-court to have some yummy noodles.

Hey, Lana,  be careful!

Wheee! I think I'll just sleep here tonight

On the book front, Mama has found a few folk tales from Popular Bookstore written simply for pre-schoolers. They have the same style of illustrations as your other Easy Readers collection. This time round, the stories come from Kashmir, Indonesia and Japan!

Tales Mama grew up with...now you can, too

Now, I must write about the deterioration of Kung-Kung's health. Mama found out just yesterday that Kung-Kung's not responding well to the new combination of chemotherapy drugs. The scan after his 1st cycle had shown a cessation in the growth of the tumour but water hadn't stopped accumulating in his abdomen. Dr. Christina had then left it up to Kung-Kung to decide whether to switch drugs at this juncture and Kung-Kung had said 'yes'. He's had 2 sessions now and not only is he losing weight, he's also purging and throwing up. Poh-Poh says he has checked himself into the hospital for observation. So Mama will have to make a trip alone next week to see him even though Mama's developing a cold. I think as long as I don't sit too close to him, it'd be okay.