Opening night
August 9th, 2008
Last night at 8pm there was a large get together on our unit to watch the Olympics opening. I even spotted some fireworks outside. It was a ton of fun and we took lots of pictures for everyone to see. Drew behaved himself but did fill his pants a couple times. Right before the party Drew had to try the grapes I was practically inhaling. The grapes here are about two times the size of grapes back home, so you have peel off the skin or else it would be a mouth full. The little stinker ate 20 of them and it was really exciting b/c he never ever liked that type of texture. Of course I paid for it 20 minutes later.
The fruit here is amazing. There are so many different types and tastes. I love them all. The cantaloupe here is fantastic. It is much bigger and has an oval shape. It also has a very crispy texture, crisper than a granny smith apple. I ate something last night that was so exotic looking that I’ll probably never see it again but it tasted sooo good. I can’t even describe how it tasted, there’s nothing to compare it too.
Drew is doing okay, a little less cranky but still quite demanding. Sometimes I see improvements like I mentioned in earlier blogs then other times we don’t see anything. One thing that we’ve always known is when Drew is upset or uncomfortable his tone is beyond tight. I think that when we are home and he is back into his routine is when we will start to see more consistent improvements.
We now have the schedule for next week and he does have a lumbar stem cells treatment on Monday and an IV treatment on Friday. The doctors will round next on Monday and we will see what they think about the lumbar puncture. The first Lumbar puncture we didn’t notice any pain with Drew but with the second one we noticed he was uncomfortable. In fact he’s still pretty tight. He has wised up when it comes to IV placement time. All Drew has to see is a tourniquet lying on a counter and he flips out. Drew requires at least 2 to 3 nurses and the two of us to hold him steady. They do all the kids right in a row on the same day, so we usually hear one of the kids rippin’ and roarin’ while the nurses place the IV. This gives us a few minutes to get locked and loaded, so that Mike can put Drew in the full nelson position when it is Drew’s turn.
Tomorrow is Drew’s day off. We’ll probably take a walk around outside. There are a couple of little parks right next to the hospital that back up to the canals. When you walk through them, you get a chance to experience the extreme difference in vegetation here. It is really quite beautiful. We only go when there are not too many people walking through the parks because the bugs are gigantic here. Usually I put on a big production of screaming and dodging out of the way of whatever they are. Of course a crowds ensues to watch the large western girl yelling and doing some sort of awkward polka dance around the stroller. Of course Mike has to do a crazy leap out of the way of the swinging arms and legs which gets Drew laughing like a mad scientist.
We promise to post another blog soon!
Mike & Kristin
Entry Filed under: cp,Uncategorized
8 Comments Add your own
1. Rosemary and Pete | August 10th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Your Olympic party with everyone on the 20th floor sounds like fun. I am glad Drew got to join in the party and have some fun with the old folks! We are all watching the event each evening here, too. The grand opening ceremonies were fabulous, and of course, we all thought of you the whole time. We hope the weekend goes well for all of you, with a little more sleeptime from Drew at night, please. We have started to count the days until you return to us. Love to all, gma and papa
2. Laurie & Dave | August 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Opening ceremony party sounds like a good time. We watched on TV here and thought of you. We’re glad you got to enjoy it. It’s good to hear Drew is doing better. Hopefully all of you are getting more sleep? Dodging bugs sounds like fun. Enjoy your day off.
Love,
Nonni & Gramps
3. Aunt Jodi, Uncle Steve, & Chip | August 10th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Thinking of you all as we are watching the Olympics. It has to be crazy over there.
Wish you all could be here for Grandma Jean’s 75th birthday party tomorrow. We’ll just have to celebrate when you all come home.
Buggy, hang in there buddy, you’re doing great.
Mike & Kristin, hope you’ll be able to catch some sleep tonight.
Prayers, hugs, & kisses,
Aunt Jodi, Uncle Steve, & Jason
4. Jeanelle | August 11th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Drew is very brave for enduring all of this poking and proding. Tell him Sydney says he is doing a great job!!! Go easy on the grapes, Drew.
5. Jeanelle | August 11th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I think the Chinese must be doing stem cell treatment on their fruit!!! That’s why it’s so big. What would George Bush think of that??????
6. Tracey T | August 11th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hi Kristin! Just got caught up on your blog and am excited to hear of Drew’s improvements. HE IS SO CUTE! Your pictures are super. Wow, what a culture shock. Looks like you’re surrounded by good & helpful people. Will be interested to find out more of how the health care system works there upon your safe return. We’ve been having some wildly beautiful looking skies these past few days and when I see them they remind me to send up prayers of thanks and wishes of your family’s safe return. THREE to go!! You and Mike are full of strength and I know great things will follow for Drew.
Many Prayers!
Tracey T. RN
7. Jaret Schug | August 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Glad to hear that you are having some fun and adventure there. Hopefully is a few years when you look back you will all talk about and remember the good days and not the hard ones.
8. Aunt Linda and Uncle Jim | August 12th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Hi all,
I would love all that exotic fruit. I would probably end up (no pun intended) like Drew. Glad you had some fun. It’s going to rain again. You wouldn’t believe all the rain.
Take care,
Jim and Linda
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed