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Dearest Friends, loved ones, and supporters,
Guess what!!If you didn't already know, I'm back in the USA. (Believe me, I'm just as surprized as you are. )
Before I give you the story, please know that I will go into surgery on Friday, November 2 at Memorial Hospital. I think around noon-ish. Then I must stay overnight, and the following two weeks could be uncomfortable (maybe headaches, etc) and I must stay here in the States for about two months before I go back overseas. Yes, I'll be home for Christmas (do you hear music somewhere?) chuckle…
I reallyreallyreally want to get back to Korea whenever my head is fixed, but that's a long way off.
So the story!!
My parents were visiting for the Korean harvest holiday, "Chuseok", at the end of September.We had a TERRIFIC time at the beach in Busan. Well… back up… actually not. It rained really hard our first three days. AND we had an uncomfortably long bus ride from Seoul (we were in the last three seats on an overcrowded bus, and it took about SEVEN hours in crazy holiday traffic) but when the sun came out at the end, it was quite nice for our final day.
We got back to Seoul, and it was nice to just hang out and visit with the folks when I wasn't working. We had the best Norae Bang (singing room) night EVER!!(please see the photos)
Now the interesting part that explains why I'm home:
One day after work, I was coming home from an evening out with coworkers, and I took a spill down some pretty big, scary, metal stairs (that I have walked down many times.) It must have been a really good fall because I have no memory of it! The next day I had a KILLER headache! I had to chat with my friend Julia to piece together the events of the evening. Many friends, coworkers, and my parents urged me to see a doctor. They x-rayed my head to reveal that I had a concussion (that explains my memory backout!) But also that I have a more serious issue… water on my brain! The real name for it is Hydrocephalus. Numerous tests, scans, CTs, MRIs, etc. reveal that I've had this all my life. (I never would have known if it wasn't for that silly fall) I've never been so thankful for a concussion!
I guess normal people's brains secrete water and it drains on a regular basis. MY brain however, doesn't drain like it should. So the water has been collecting all my life, and it has caused pressure and all sorts of symptoms that I never would have thought about!(difficulty with walking, concentration, absent-mindedness, etc.) It explains SO much!Nepal People: do you remember Bob and the horse? THIS could explain that! I could go on and on. E-mail me if you have questions or check out Wikipedia.. its really helpful.
It is really fortunate that we discovered this thing when we did, because Hydrocephalus can cause brain damage. Yikes! WHAt did you say?? That's the LAST thing I need!Thank goodness, they can fix the problem with a fairly simple surgery, but it must be done very soon. (Yay for technology! Yay for concussions!)
So within a week of my fall and discovery, I had to pack up my life, quit my job, leave my adorable kiddos, leave my FABULOUS apartment, and move back home.
I will have surgery on Friday November 2. It's a fairly quick procedure, but I'll spend the night in the hospital. Then I must stay here for about two months to ensure no complications.
Colorado people: Lets meet for coffee sometime and catch up! I have a cell phone now, so call me!
Korea people: I SOOO miss Korea! I hope to be back early in 2008.
So whats new with you?? Please let me know about the events in your life, and how I can be praying for you.
I love and miss you ALL!!
Anna
PS. Are you on Facebook? So am I! Can we be friends? I hope so! I have more pictures there.
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