So, we’ve been here for only 4 days now and already Carter made the front page of the local paper that serves 6.6 million people. This morning we walked into the Holiday Inn and the bell boy pointed and said, “Carter?” We were a little shocked and then he brought us a copy of the newspaper. The picture was from a “Mid-Autumn Festival” party that the hospital staff threw for the SCT patients. The festival is basically China’s Thanksgiving. There is a legend about a message hidden in a cake that they call “moon cakes.” These cakes are pastries filled with red bean, green bean, or pineapple paste. Yum, sounds appetizing! Yet, Hallie had three and Carter had his fair share. As stated before, our kids are normally pointed at, but today people were surrounding the stroller everywhere we went. A few people even knew Carter’s name. As parents, we are worried that our son will return to America thinking he is the King of Qingdao!
The front page of Qingdao's newspaper
Adam, Carter's bodyguard, fights of the crowd.
Hopefully, this is the first time of many that Carter is in the newspaper in a good way. (Adam is referring to Carter’s future sports career.)
Signing off,
Two Proud Parents
October 4th, 2009
We haven’t wrote much b/c Hallie has not started treatment. Although, tomorrow at 4:30pm local time will be her first one. So, until then she has been receiving acupressure massages to increase circulation and promote total body wellness. These treatments will continue daily after the SCT.
We have been enjoying this family’s new adventure and time together. Yesterday someone told us that we are a crazy creative family. This comment was inspired b/c Adam was pushing the kids in a shopping cart in the common living area… I should note that he wasn’t just pushing them, but “speed racing” them.
We have loved getting to know the other families from around the world that are here. We are staying in a public hospital that has two floors designated as the VIP stem-cell ward. The main issues being treated are SOD/ONH and Cerebral Palsy. There is a lady named Shannon from the US who is 40 and being treated for ONH. She is accompanied by her mom and daughter. Her mom, or Gma Judy as we’ve coined her and I (Katie) have a lot in common!!! Gma Judy was the 4th of 8 kids, got married young and had her first daughter (Shannon) who was born blind. Shannon also has a brother close behind her- same as Carter. So, needless to say it’s been awesome getting to pick their brains for advise on how to raise Hallie. Shannon has been here 2 weeks and has already seen improvements! It’s so encouraging.
Check out our website for new pics and videos!!! www.hopeforhallie.com
October 4th, 2009
