DOT 39 : WATER

Daniel (7+ years old) 

Tuesday, November 12, 2002

As if to answer her question, the doctor explained further, 

“We asked Daniel his name and his age, and he answered that clearly.” 

Thank God he’s okay, Mom mentally voiced her most inner thoughts, happily dismissing all her initial fears about the possible risks and dangers of such a delicate open - brain surgery.

The doctor then picked up a glass beaker, about the size of a small coffee mug, from a tray on the counter. 

Holding it up before us, he said, 

“This is a specimen of the tumor.” 

Dad and Mom stared at the beaker that was half filled. Dad took the beaker and shook it a little. It had the consistency of water. 

“This - water-thing - is the tumor?” Mom asked in surprise. 

The doctor said, yes. 

Dad and Mom exchanged glances of disbelief. They were expecting a lump of some sort. All the power-packed drama the last few days was because of this little bit of water?

“If you’d like to come with me, he’s in the ICU,” said the doctor, already turning away and striding out of the operating hall. 

Dad and Mom followed anxiously behind. 

 

 A splashing great time ...

At the pool of Aunty Jessie's parents - in - law 

during our trip to the USA in 2004.