WHO: Gabriela, aka Ting-Ting, aka Belinha, aka Fatso Spaghettio. Or, as she calls herself, Gabriela An-Ting Huang-Queiroz Ting-Ting Bela. Six years old, going on hormonal. Half Chinese, half Portuguese, half pissed off. First grader at Oak Hill Christian School. Can read at third-grade level. Does math at second grade level. Plays a mean game of checkers (sometimes the "mean" describes her reaction if she loses). Plays the piano with little interest and some skill. Dances ballet with no grace but much gusto. Thinks the world of her mother, loves her father to pieces, tolerates the dog, and adores her older sister. Hobbies -- whining, telling other people what to do, calling other kids bossy (do you see the irony?), talking to stuffed animals, singing off-key, giving the best hugs and kisses in the world.
WHAT: She will be undergoing surgery to correct the condition "congenital vertical talus" in both feet. First operation is scheduled for 7:30 am, Friday, December 12, for her right foot. She'll be in the hospital for at least one night, and then the recovery period begins: 6-8 weeks in a wheelchair, 3-4 weeks in a walker. Once her right foot has completely healed, we repeat with left foot. Goal - To be finished by summer 2009 so she can go swimming and run around like a crazy maniac again.
WHY: If we don't operate, she may walk with a limp or become immobile later on in life.
WHERE: Reston Hospital Center, Reston, VA. If you live within a 10-mile radius, you may hear her screaming 1) when she receives the shot for the anasthesia and 2) when she wakes up from the surgery. Best of luck to you all.
