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This might be my only blog that I get to write completely by myself, so I am going to try and make it a goodie!
First for the Hallie update:
Hallie had her third stem cell treatment today! The whole process went as smoothly as possible, so thank you for all of your prayers for Hallie. She got poked (only once), had the treatment in our room, and had the IV removed all within one hour! As many of you know, kids can be freakishly strong if they need to be. Therefore, I literally have to lay on Hallie when she gets poked, but she always calms down and snuggles with her da-da. I absolutely love this time with her, because she just melts in my arms.
We think Hallie is more self motivated to use her vision, but it is difficult to know for sure if there have been improvements or not. Obviously, we are still very early in the process as she could continue to have improvements up to a year after these treatments. We are always on the lookout for improvements and we definitely keep everybody updated.
And now for the family update:
Carter is… you know what there are no adjectives to explain this little boy. So I will explain him in statements and you can come up with the adjectives. He has a cough and liquid poop coming out of his butt and this kid does not want to sleep. He would rather climb over his mom and dad, get into everything, and play all day. There is no stopping that kid. Carter is going to have find something like running across the Untied States to get rid of his energy. Hopefully once he gets good at running, I can start my sports drills with him. My wife will hate that I am training another sports freak, but at least it will be another avenue to get his energy out.
Katie is getting better, but she is still feeling a little weak. She gets very little sleep, see above, so she doesn’t get the opportunity to get well fast. I am constantly amazed by the woman my wife is. She is a wonderful mother and I am eternally grateful for that. Our kids health and development are products of her hard work. She cares so much, she feels she doesn’t give enough to them. I have told many people that God made Katie to be a mom. It is cliche, but Katie’s picture should be next to mom in the dictionary. Kaite has filled her free time by caring about every soul here and as you know that is not out of the norm for her. I still to this day cannot fathom how she continues to take on so many stories and never get burned out. I get burned out after talking about emotional stuff for 30 minutes, but I am “mental man” as I have deemed myself. God really knew what he was doing bringing us two together. (that paragraph should buy me some brownie points, wink, wink!)
I am starting to go through no working out and no basketball withdrawals. Actually, I am fine with it, because I know there are more important things to be doing now. I also am enjoying all the time I am getting with my beautiful wife and constantly growing up kids. I know they are both still young, but now that both of them are walking well, it really has hit me on how fast it goes. My school work has taken up most of my free time these days as I am in grad school trying to get my MBA.
Thanks again to everybody for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement. All of you make it a lot easier to be here!
God Bless, Adam
Sorry that this is such a long blog, but I had to take advantage of my opportunity.
October 14th, 2009
This morning Adam and I woke up with a new outlook on life. We feel more refreshed physically, the antibiotics the doctor gave us yesterday started working. We are back on track as a team… I know this b/c we even got through a poop explosion of Hallie’s together! (which requires changing sheets, bath etc.)
Us, able to stand next to each other and smile!
Best of all, we feel like our spirits are renewed. We want everyone that has been praying for us to know how grateful we are for all of you. Last night I sent out an email in desperation and it was returned with a mighty wave of prayers. I ultimately give that glory to God as He brought us out of the pit! I woke up this morning and I knew a new light had dawned. Adam and I read together over 20 emails with scripture and encouragement. It was an awesome reminder of how real and alive our God is. We know we are ready to take on the last few weeks here.
Today we got out of the Hospital, went for a walk and out for lunch. It was really windy and Hallie kept giggling and putting her hands high in the air like she was riding a roller coaster.
Hallie LOVES feeling the wind
Carter would rather sleep upright in the stroller than in his bed at night!!!
Tomorrow is Hallie’s 3rd treatment. We’ll keep you posted on how it goes. We’re going to have the pediatric IV specialist always do Hallie’s IV from now on, so we’ll let you know how it goes.
Hope all is well back home.. we sure miss everyone.
love,
Katie & Co.
October 13th, 2009
We have been hit with a few trials the last few nights. I’m going to share so that all the Hallie fans can be praying for our family. Three nights ago Adam was awake most of the night with a migraine. The next night was after Hallie’s SCT so her and Carter were both stirring the whole night. (if one sounds the alarm, then they are both awake). Then yesterday I, (Katie) got sick with a stomach bug and went to bed early with Carter who is teething & crabby. Oh the list goes on! I don’t want to be negative b/c it is a blessing to be here. I am asking for prayers for endurance as Adam and I have hit the breaking point. I am so thankful for my husband too as he has been such a servant here and always quick to be on kid duty. Today is Sunday and we have a free day which will be a great recovery day.
Hallie received her second stem cell treatment on Friday. She is a fighter and squirmer. Her IV came out a number of times and the poor little girl had to be poked again and again. The nurses finally got a good vein in her foot and life was better. I started out holding Hallie down, and found out I’m just not strong enough anymore… so holding her down will always be Adam’s job. It’s still too early to tell if there is any significant changes but we’ve been encouraged by a number of stories here. For example, Hallie’s friend Lily is one treatment ahead of Hallie. She came with only light perception and could see bright colors. Yesterday she could read large print!!!!!!! It’s incredible! I’ve talked about another lady, Shanan, who is 40 with ONH. Since being here she has doubled the distance she can see the eye chart. We are so encouraged. These stories are what keeps us going through the sleepless nights!!!
Sending our love to all.
Katie
October 11th, 2009
Hallie has a kindred spirit here in China. Her name is Lily. She is 8 and has ONH. Lily has two younger sisters so she’s great with Hallie. Their firendship started when they performed “Party in the USA” Hannah Montana style for everyone at our Mid-Autum Festival party.
They lay on the floor and copy each other making silly noises and then giggle uncontrollably.
Lilys mom Christy and I have decided they will be life long friends. It’s fun to see what Hallie will be like in such a sweet girl as Lily. We went to the food court in the mall for dinner with them tonight…
So this blog was ode to Lily- you’re the best!
love love love,
Katie
October 8th, 2009
Hallie had her first stem cell treatment via IV on Monday. We are so sorry we haven’t written about it yet!!!! The nurses put in her IV in the morning and the stem cells were administered in the afternoon. The inserting the IV, just like when Hallie gets blood drawn, is a huge process. It is comforting to have Adam here because he can hold Hallie down so I don’t have to. Hallie was such a trooper all day. Even though Hallie only had one hand the whole day, she was still here sweet self. Monday night, she slept wonderfully which is a blessing. Some of the other parents shared the stem cells make their kids awake and alert throughout the night.
Throughout the last six months before these treatments, Adam and I have been drilling Hallie on what she sees. Every time we go for a walk, we encourage Hallie to reach out when she sees something with her eyes (i.e. the video of Hallie seeing cars). I feel like we have tested and retested her so that we have a good understanding of what she sees. Since her first treatment, there have been two occasions where Hallie has discovered things, without my prompt. Yesterday during her bath, Hallie put her eyes right up to a chrome circle dial (it was shiny like a mirror and in her peripheral line of sight. Then, today at the pool, as we walked by a white, marble wall that was reflecting the sunlight, Hallie immediately put her hand out to touch it. I don’t want to jump to any conclusions too soon, but I just wanted to share what we have observed.
Entertaining Hallie while we wait for the IV of stem cells.
Yesterday was a free day so we went to the mall in the morning and went on a carousal ride and did some shopping. Then last night we went to the pool at the Holiday Inn with the kids and another family. Everyone loved it.
We are continually blessed by the other families that are here and by the letters from home.
Gaining more hope for Hallie everyday,
Katie
October 7th, 2009
For anybody who is not around Hallie on a daily basis, she loves to go to the park. “Go to the park?” said in Hallie’s pitiful asking voice, is usually her way of telling us it is time to go. So of course, we had to go to the park and it was beautiful. This park was not your normal park that Hallie is talking about. It had a small carnival with a carousel, airplane ride, bumber cars, and two trampolines. There was also a lake where you could rent paddle and motor boats, and amazing sculptures were throughout the entire park. This area was so beautiful, we counted at least three weddings taking their photos here.
Adam getting dunked on!
For more pictures of our day at the park, go to our website at www.hopeforhallie.com. Click on the link “Ni-Hao China.”
October 5th, 2009
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
After a 24 hr traveling experience, we made it here to Qingdao safe and almost sound. The longest 12 hour flight from LAX to Seoul, Korea actually went faster than we were expecting, so thank you for everyone’s prayers. As daunting as traveling with two kids under 3 sounds, we just focused on enjoying each step of the way.
We made it to the hospital at 10:00am local time and spent some time unpacking and getting settled. We have gone on a couple of walks now and all of the local are amazed at the tall family with blonde haied, blue eyed children. Our kids are pointed at and photographed everywhere we go, they are celebrities. Overall, we feel like we have all adjusted well and are almost on a normal schedule.
We have talked to the doctors, Hallie has gotten some blood work done, and we got our initial schedule for her stem cell treatments. There are two floors of the hospital that are for stem cell patients with a common area where everybody hangs out in. We’ve met a few families and have heard their stories of hope, and can’t wait for Hallie to get started with the treatment. Her first SCT is scheduled for Monday.
Lots of love,
Adam and Katie
October 1st, 2009
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