Spinal fusion

Josh's back surgery went well and he is now recovering in the hospital. The medical system in singapore is wonderful, but there is a reluctance to dispense pain medication. We are figuring out how to navigate the system, and Josh is relatively comfortable considering what he has just been through. Our friend Alex from the states was here on a layover and joined us at the hospital for the afternoon. So nice to have someone you know well enough to ask to help out. So nice of her to spend that time with us-and she brought gum!!! Shaving cream too! The support here from SAS has been overwhelming; we have a fully stocked fridge at home and a room full of visitors at the hospital. It is a little humbling.
Cultural observation-please humor me: Everyone likes to prepare food for those who are sick-meal rotations are set-up and care packages made and delivered. The difference is that here, helpers do the cooking! It is so funny-when i emphatically thank people, they scoff, saying they aren't cooking, their helper is. We are totally leaning toward that lifestyle- our place is too small to have a live-in, but we will have our cleaner come daily after CNY (Chinese new year). This part time help is actually more expensive than full time / live-in help. Next house will just need to be a bit bigger! After that-a car???