Three Treatments Down, Three To Go
Ella had her third stem cell treatment on Monday. Once again, she got through it with flying colors. I am so proud of my brave little girl. I can only imagine what an adjustment this has all been for her and she is really handling it well. Of course it really helps that everyone is so nice and talks so sweet to her.
I “met” two of the doctors on a Skype call the other night. They happened to come into the room before her stem cell treatment and visit with Don about any changes he had noticed.They were so nice and said Hello to me and waved. Don and I have talked about it several times and are in agreement that the treatment from hospital personel in Qingdao is by far better than what we get here. They want to do everything to make your child comfortable and happy. It seems like they really take the time, it is not so rushed like everything here. And, I can guarantee if Don would have put a computer in the faces of a neurologist at UIHC they would not have been friendly about it. I wonder if we can convince the neurologist in China to take a job in Iowa City?!? I expect Don and Ella both will miss this treatment once they return home and we have to go back to how things are done here.
Don and Ella continue to enjoy visiting with the other families. They have met some people from Ireland. If only those orange couches could talk……..the stories they would tell:) They continue to only venture over to the Lotte Mart, Don just doesn’t want to chance Ella catching something. One kiddo ended up with a stomach virus and was put on bed rest for two days and another with an ear infection. We are always pretty cautious with Ella even here in the States and Don especially does not want her getting sick while they are gone. Like Don keeps saying, he is there to get those stem cells for Ella and that is the goal. We will explore China together on the travel channel:) ha
A grand opening was held for the new KFC across the street. If you checked out the new pics you will see this. Don said they shot off fireworks in celebration of it. We have heard fireworks twice while talking to him and Ella and once were able to see them even though it was morning.
I have lots of great pictures of the families that Don and Ella are spending time with. I love hearing from them via email or posts they make to our blog. I just feel like I really know them as well and look forward to staying in touch with all of them. The newest member of the stem cell family is a mother and her daughter from Wisconsin. Don said the little gal is very much like Ella and it is nice to speak with her mother. There is a certain comfort you find within yourself when you find a parent of a special needs child that knows what you go through on a daily basis.
Don reports that everyone there has seen some results from the stem cell treatments which is just so exciting. I am waiting on that phone call from Don where he tells us that Ella has done something HUGE but I am very thankful for the little changes that have occured. We have talked about the fact that those stem cells could be doing awesome things as we speak, we just don’t see all the wonder they are doing just yet. Don did say that Ella rubs her eyes a lot and I have noticed this when talking to them and a lot of the older kids who are there for treatment for vision say their eyes itch like crazy, but this is a good thing. So perhaps this is happening to Ella, she just can’t say. She continues to make new sounds and does this sweet little singing. The one la-la-la she does, Zoe is super excited about because it goes along to a New Kids on the Block song…..what can I say my girl’s have great taste:) So, little changes turn into big changes and we have faith that those cells are taking over and performing their magic, our magic just may take until Ella gets home to be seen.
So some of you have been wondering what the kids and I are up to these days besides talking to Don and Ella on Skype:) Well, the kids keep me busy with their social lives! Blake had a friend invite him to one of the local fairs last week so the girls and I went along with them and had a good time. Today, Zoe has a friend coming over and on Saturday she has a birthday party to go to. She is very excited about all this. On the weekends, Ollie Gpa&Gma visit and provide lots of entertainment. The kids love swimming with Grandpa and love having him build a fire at night for marshmallows. His fire building skills are a bit better than mine so it takes him no time to get one going and for it to stay lit…..I am still mastering this:) We will get together with our wonderful friends the Moeller’s on Wednesday and we are really looking forward to that. Most days are spent here at home, swimming and just playing. For those of you who have called,emailed or stopped by we appreciate it so much. I apologize for not returning all the emails, my focus is on the blog so that is about all I get done as far as computer time. Please know that I do read each and every one of them though:) For those of you who have said to tell Don and Ella Hello, I make sure to do this each evening when we talk. Our friends who have been with us and given us unconditional support throughout this process we will never forget what you have done for us. When lots of people were skeptical or didn’t think Don and Ella should go alone ( see Don has already met other families who chose the same path:) you were the ones who never judged or criticized us…..you just gave us your friendship and complete and total support for what we had chosen for our family. THANK YOU!!!! You are true friends!
It will be a total therapy day tomorrow and stem cell again on Friday…..keep saying those prayers!
Tanya
4 comments July 15th, 2009
