June 16th, 2009
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- this is Dr. Huete, she is our speech therapist and acupucturist
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- I am trying to give you an idea of the length of the acupucture needles
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- This is a better visual with my ipod, they are long!
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- This is Dr. Lee, his English is limited but his smile speaks for him :)
Today we were politely asked to stay close to the hospital, probably a good idea considering our experience yesterday. Nate is doing very well with his therapies and we have been able to notice some improvements in his balance and his walking which is encouraging. So far he has not noticed any vision changes but I expect if it comes, it will be a gradual process. They say that he can continue to see improvements for a year or so after treatment and it does seems like every day we notice some small changes. He is feeling better although the head aches come and go. Nate doesn’t want to take any more medicine for them so we just take more soup!
Chinese students are on their summer holiday and we have had many visitors wanting to practice their English and learn American English. It has been fun, we have used our Chinese/English dictionary and the computer to help us communicate when we get stuck. I think they are college students, they said they have their dipolomas and are working on their degrees. Our faces hurt from smiling so much all day! We learned as much as they did I am sure. I asked one girl if she had any questions about life in the States and she wondered if it was as violent as they hear it is with people getting shot in the streets. She also wondered how expensive it is to go to college. Both good questions, and both difficult to answer because while it is true we do have that kind of violence it is not everywhere and it is very expensive to attend college but there is help with scholarships and grants. Hopefully I did a good job representing the truth. From Nate they wanted to know about his educational experience. They don’t have band or athletics as part of their school. They also do not travel outside the school to museums and things which explains why most of our nurses have not visited the Great Wall, even though it is relatively close. We had our photo album so they liked looking at the kids pictures from the dances.
We also learned we have been making some mistakes at the restaurant. We eat all of our soup, the broth and everything while Max said they only eat the noodles and vegetables. Also, soup is considered a main course so we usually order soup and dumplings so that is 3 main dishes. Oh well, we always take half the dumplings home for later. We use an English menu and just point to the item we want to order and today we got something totally wrong. It was fried watermelon and bananas rolled in sugar..wow talk about sweet! It was like carmalized fruit. It was really good but too sweet! I was actually pointing to the steamed rice. Oh well, I would have never tried something new.
Tomorrow is Nate’s 4th treatment, and we are closer to coming home – only 14 days left. This treatment is very exciting and it is good to be a part of it; everyone is so optimistic. I am sure the process can only get better as we learn more about stem cells and their potential. Lovingly, Nate & Nan
Entry Filed under: ataxia,Uncategorized
8 Comments Add your own
1. nancy | June 16th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
So glad it’s a better day for you both. How long will the headaches and side effects last after the treatments are finished? Will he have them recurring all summer? Hope not. Miss you
2. Liana | June 16th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Dear Nanette and Nate:
When I was in Japan I remember smiling until it hurt and bowing my head a lot. You’ll find when you get home, you’ll keep bowing your head to people and not even know it. Hope the headaches subside. 14 days is within your reach. They are building a new Holiday Inn Express across from our office. I like to watch the construction. They just started yesterday. It is right off Hwy 281. No news for teenagers in GI. Kind of dull. Sorry Nate.
Liana and all
3. Marj McFarland | June 16th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
I haven’t talked to Hank of Katy to see how the wedding went. I assume everything went ok. I am amazed at the both of you! Please know th McFarland’s are thinking about you everyday and your in our prayers
4. Don Redman | June 17th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Nate & Nan
Donna is at Fox Run today and she is using my neighbor’s, Marie Avers, computer to catch me up on how you have been doing.
Sounds like you are seeing a little bit of China in between your treatments. I’m thinking of you everyday, and saying little prayers. It sounds like you are making progress and hope you continue to improve. Tell your mom hello. We’re looking forward to seeing you when you get home. Love, Grandpa
5. Carey Dube | June 17th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hi NATE and NAN!!! Your blog is the first thing I rush to every morning. Nate – we are praying for you and asking for an amazing recovery. Prayer is powerful and we believe in miracles. Don’t let your Mom cut that hair when you’re asleep!! You’re totally handsome! Please know that we are with you and your Mom from such a great distance and we’re praying and spreading the word — more prayers and good thoughts are being sent your way every day. Nan – feel my hugs and pass them on to Nate from Wyoming. Love you both, Carey Dube
6. Donna Loyd | June 17th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hi Nate & Nan,
A good friend of mine from high school who has done some missionary work in West Africa gave a presentation at Fox Run today. It was really fun to see Linda again, and she gave an excellent report on her experiences. I couldn’t help but think of you two and how similar many of your experiences have been. You have represented your family and culture so well during your stay in China. Your willingness to share your knowledge of the English language with students & doctors, the way you have embraced the food and challenges of the treatments have been amazing! You both are such an inspiration. Just saying we are proud of you does not seem adequate, but we are proud of you! We hope and pray Nate’s next treatment goes well. So glad to hear you are seeing positive reults. Love, Donna & Dan
7. Julie Cuypers | June 17th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Hi Nate and Nanette!
I’ve been reading your blog and talking to Katy. I’m glad you guys are getting to see fun things and learn so much on your trip! I’m thinking about you all the time and I hope things continue to get better. I’m in California for the summer and I’m going to try to make it to San Diego to meet up with Katy this weekend (I guess you have a cousin getting married?). I’ll be reading your blog in the meantime. Hang in there! It’s always darkest before the dawn.
Julie
8. Linda Green | June 17th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Nate and Nan, Thanks for sharing your international experience. I can’t think of a better representative for our little part of the world! I bet they are all looking up where Nebraska is. You will fix the “Ugly American” stigma for us. I can only imagine how difficult the treatments and the waiting is. But remember, we know you are strong people and you can do anything for 14 days!! Then you will be home with hope. Nate… have you counted the ceiling tiles yet? how many? The food sounds like a real experience. Fried watermelon, maybe when the State Fair comes to Grand Island, you guys can set up a stand. Sounds like perfect state fair food. Have a good day. and just like the fish in the Nemo movie….Just keep swimming….just keep swimming. just keep swimming
Linda
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