Dean's ONH Blog

Well Dean has had a headache off and on today with a mild fever. He is doing much better now and is about to go to sleep for the night. Oh my how Abby has been talking up a storm the last few days in complete sentences and telling Dean “no Dean” when she wants to play with his things. We will keep you posted later. He will have another eye exam in the morning and we will let you know if there have been any changes.

Well the brave young man has done it. He was so brave during the spinal and after. He was awake the entire time and only required a local and some Valium to help him relax. A little happy when coming back to the room stating “oh yeah faster” as the nurses pushed him back down the hall. He has not reported any changes as of yet but it has only been three hours. He is able to sip on water and will be able to eat in about an hour. He has really grown up and was amazing this weekend. He was able to help negotiate prices while out in the community yesterday and looked so brave doing it. We all had a good day with going to the Polar world and then to the brewery followed by a park and a witness to a hit and run. Well sort of a hit in run I am not sure you can call it that when the locals help you to pick up your bumper off the other persons so you can leave the scene.

Well it was our first day off and we had a great day. Started with the kids playing while BJ got his but kicked by some Russian chess players. He gave it a good run but they we good. After lunch we all three enjoyed a back massage and a facial here in the hospital in our room. It was great. We then went upstairs and played a few games of ping pong. Then went out to the mall across the way to have BJ and another couple ride a few roller coasters. Dean, Abby and I thought it would be a better idea to stay on the ground. After that went and had a great steak at some Chinese restaurant for only about $26 our money for everyone. They were great steaks and we had a blast today being able to enjoy each other. Dean has been in a great mood all day and look forward to going to Polar World and other places tomorrow with a few other couples.

Well one more acupuncture session today and we have made it one week. He is doing well and no changes as of yet. Last night we went to dinner with a few other couples and had a great time. FINALLY some food we can recognize. I went to the American market way across town yesterday. More than a 45 min. taxi trip just to get some food. Things are very different here with everything but we are all doing well. Spent the morning washing clothes. Here there are not washers or driers so everything is done by hand or pay a fortune for some one to do it by hand. Dean is excited as he got a new watch yesterday and will be going to Polar world this weekend(under water world). It should be a great trip. Several other families are going.

Forgot to mention that Dean has been a life saver being able to speak Chinese to people. They all love that he is able to speak their language and understands a lot. He is now able to carry on a conversation with the nurses and hospital staff.

Well the brave young man did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has completed one stem cell transplant via IV. No tears and only a brave face with a positive attitude. On Monday ( Sunday US time) he will get his first spinal. No changes as of yet but it has only been 40 min. He is in good spirits and seems to be excited. He has been flirting with the nurses and has convinced them that he has a massage business with a cheap price. It is quite funny. They all love him and Abby both. Will keep you posted as things progress.

Well it is 8:30 am here and Dean just had his first acupunture. He did VERY WELL!. No tears and being very brave. He is awaiting them to be removed and then will head to down town China for a vision test. He is doing very well and seems to be having a good time.

Well we got Dean’s schedule for the week. He will be starting therapy today but will not have his first stem cell treatment until Wednesday(Tuesday US time). So far everything is going well. He is in good spirits and continues to say how much he loves it here. We have been to the market twice and have new appreciation as to how they feel when they come to our country and not able to read anything. Shopping is very different here but they have a market across the street that is three stories hi and crazy busy all the time. Will be celebrating Abby’s birthday on the first with the rest of China as June 1st is Children’s day here is China and a lot of fun stuff for kids to do.

Well after a long 29 hour day of travel and over 18.5 on a plane we have made it here. The kids did well. Abby was very good with all the travel and so was Dean. I think they even did better than we did. We have all had a little rest and are about to go to the hospital for orientation and getting set for Dean to start treatments. They are suppose to take us around today and show us a little bit of Qingdoa. We will update later as we know when he will start treatment. I have just found out that I might not be able to use face book as this is somehtng the China has blocked. So for know email or this blog is the best way to reach us. Thank you for everyone.