AZDonna

You remember about a year ago when my business group at Intel was bought out by Marvell? We had 23 mask designers in our Arizona group who went to the new company. Over the next several months, one by one, mask designers left and went back to Intel. By the end of the first year, we had lost eight of those 23. We were down to 15.

Then the layoffs hit, and they cut eight more MDs. That left seven of us. Last week, two more resigned, and this week another two have given notice. I’m beginning to feel like I’m on “Survivor”. I wonder if I’ll win the million dollar prize?

Management is very concerned, to say the least. We have critical projects that need MDs, and preferably MDs with the kind of experience and expertise that we brought from Intel. Although I might not get a million, I do think it is looking like a very good time to ask for a raise. 🙂

Carrie, Lauren and three L.I.F.E. therapists are traveling to the S.F. area next week to visit a doctor who is a specialist on Autism. One of Lauren’s therapists asked this doctor to see Lauren, and he initially declined. But after hearing more about her, and about the center, he was intrigued and impressed and agreed to examine her and try to design a program for her. She has been losing ground on some of her development, and particularly her speech, in the last several months. In fact, recently she doesn’t even sing much anymore.

Some of the symptoms of Sanfilippo mimic the symptoms of Autism, and a lot of Autism therapies are used for children with MPS. Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, was developed to treat Autism, but has also been extremely beneficial for many children with other developmental disorders. Lauren responded very well to ABA for a couple of years.

They will fly over on Tuesday, and the doctor’s staff is going to test and work with Lauren for four days. Brian and Carrie have some business in San Francisco over the weekend, so Margaret and Kathleen will bring Lauren home on Friday night. She’s going to spend the weekend with Mia and Poppa. And Nathan and Nonna get to hang out together. Brian and Carrie return home on Monday evening.

Carrie said she will post an update on Lauren’s blog after they return (and correct any of my misinterpretations), but I wanted to let my readers know before the trip. Please pray for them, that this doctor may be able to help Lauren regain some of her words, and her music. When Lauren doesn’t sing, it’s a very silent world.

Ken’s grandfather died yesterday. I send my prayers and sympathies to him, his mother and all of their family. He was in his late 80’s and had spent the past few years under hospice care. He and Deanna’s mother were married over 60 years.

I hope Ken doesn’t mind my sharing a sweet story he told me last night. His grandmother had stayed by her husband’s bedside for the past 2 weeks. She finally went home on Monday to rest. However, she woke up at about 3:30 in the morning feeling like God was prompting her to go back to the hospital. She got dressed and went back to his side. Just thirty minutes later he died.

There will be a graveside service this week, with a larger memorial service for the extended family in early March.