Archive for December, 2009
Dolphins at Polar Ocean World
HI Everyone!
Today we had a nice day off so Peter, Jenna, Barron, Jessie, London and I all headed out for the aquarium “Polar Ocean World” London couldn’t see the show, but I think Barron was able to see a little. London however was laughing at the sounds of the dolphins and beluga whales she loved their high pitch songs.
It was wonderful to leave the hospital, it was very cold down on the Yellow Sea and we couldn’t keep the kids outside very long because of the cold wind. It was really nice and sunny out even though it was so windy and we really enjoyed ourselves. They had Polar bears, sharks, sea lions, penguins, beluga whales, dolphins, all kind of aquatic life it was a really beautiful place to visit and now we are back to the hospital.
Tomorrow London has her usual 3 therapies and then at 8:00 PM tomorrow night she will have her 3rd stem cell transfer through IV. We did find out they do the stem cells for any positive blood types in the morning and negative blood types in the evening. I imagine that way they won’t get any of the negative or positive cells mixed up.
So nothing more to report for now, just missing everyone and wishing we were home. Getting kind of sick of trying to find something good to eat. Jessie likes the pizza, so does London but I’m not into pizza so other than pizza, pasta and Chinese food there isn’t much unless we go for McDonalds or KFC and that gets old also. I saw a nice veggie and chicken Chinese meal someone got yesterday maybe I’ll give it a whirl for dinner tonight.
Until tomorrow, be well, and we love ya all;
London, Jessie and Ruby
December 20th, 2009
London happy in her room today!
Hello From Qingdao;
Not much went on today the Doctors are off on Saturday so London had her regular 3 therapies and she was really cranky for Jason. I feel sorry for him sometimes she is quite a handful at times but good thing is that he likes her a lot and you can tell so he is very patient with her. In his Chinese accent he always say’s “oh baby” when she is cranky, it’s pretty cute. As soon as she was back in our room as you can see from todays photo she was happy as can be.
They opened a McDonalds across the street at the mall today, so we walked over there for lunch. I don’t usually care to much for McDonalds but it was a welcome meal and it taste a little like home. The Chinese shoot off fireworks for everything so last night late, Jessie and I were sitting here watching a movie when all the sudden it sounded like rapid gun fire outside so we ran to the window and a nice fire words display was being put on outside our hospital window that went on for about 15 minutes. Not quite sure what the celebration was about this time but it was nice anyway. Then this morning they fired off more for the grand opening of McDonalds. It’s pretty funny, fireworks to celebrate everything here in China.
Tomorrow we have the day off, no doctors or therapy so some of the families are going to take the kids to a local Aquarium and that should be nice, it’s down on the Yellow Sea we have driven past it twice it looks pretty nice. I hope they have open aquariums so London can touch the dolphins or anything else touchable. I think she would like to see them, but it’s to early for that and we will have to go by touch this visit.
Well not much else to report except it was very cold this AM 19 which surprised me and really windy which brought the wind chill factor down pretty low. I know it’s been below 0 at home, so we are not suffering to bad and Jessie is happy there is no snow. Me; I miss it and Christmas in China without snow is just not the same especially when family is so far away. We are looking forward to having our miracle stem cell procedures on Christmas day though!! I’ll close for today, maybe we will have more interesting things to report tomorrow after our day at the aquarium.
Love to all of you, missing everyone. London, Jessie and Ruby
December 19th, 2009
Outside the Jimo Market
Hi Everyone;
This morning started off with the most positive news so far. The Dr.s came in to examine London before our well needed day off. They did the regular daily check up then took her into the dark bathroom and then one Dr. called the other Dr. in and they all came out with Jessie and London. They were discussing something in Chinese then they told us that London has pupil reaction to the light!!! Wonderful news for us as she has never had pupil reaction at any of her exams at home so we are thrilled to say the least.
On our ride over to the Jimo Market for our day out, Charlie our driver opened up the sun roof on the van and London started covering her eyes when the bright sunlight hit her in the eyes so we were yet again really excited this is only after one IV stem cell transfer and one Lumbar stem cell transfer so it put us in a wonderful mood on our day off.
So there we were off to the Jimo Market with other wonderful friends we have met here happy as could be. We spent a few hours out of the hospital, picked up a few items and we are now back safe and sound in our hospital room hunkering in to watch a movie and enjoy the thoughts of London’s pupil reaction. I can’t tell you all how excited we are and I wanted to get everyone on the phone, but that’s out of the question so I’m letting you all know now.
Keep your fingers crossed and please keep the prayers up they are so needed. We miss you all and love you bunches.
Until next time from Qingdao China; London and happy crew!!
December 18th, 2009
London and Barron playing tonight
Hello All;
Well it’s day 9 and we are relieved that London finished up the night just fine. No headaches, vomiting or any other possible side effect from the lumbar stem cell transfer. We have crossed another stem cell hurdle and everything went just fine. They canceled her physical therapy this AM because she still had the iv in from last night. We also got her blood tests back from yesterday and everything is normal including her sodium which was most of our concern with her hormone problem but all is well another sigh of relief. She did have her acupressure and electric wave therapy as usual and was a little cranky at acupressure.
She has been in a wonderful mood most of the day and it has been a beautiful in Qingdao China today the nicest since our arrival but cool. The sun is out and it is about 40 degrees and very windy. Usually it’s been very overcast, foggy and damp but today was a nice change and the sun was a welcome site.
Some of you have asked about Christmas in China. They do not celebrate Christmas here but if you go to the malls or outlets you would think they did. Santa and decorations adorned the halls of the malls just like at home and from our hospital window we can hear Christmas carols from the mall across the street. Since many of the families will still be here with us for Christmas they have put two small Christmas trees in the day room which is quite nice but still not the same as being at home. London will have another lumbar stem cell transfer on Christmas day, perhaps this will be her miracle stem cells. (it’s a nice thought anyway)
This evening our new friends from Australia (Peter and Jenna) brought their son Barron over for a visit and he and London had a little play time while Mom and dad went out to the RT Mart up the street. Today’s photo is of London and Barron in our room having a good ole time together.
Tomorrow will be a day off and trip to the Jimo Market again, looks like nearly everyone on our floor will go for a day out of the hospital and it will be nice.
Missing you all; London, Jessie and Ruby
December 17th, 2009
Hello Everyone;
Today was a nerve racking day waiting for London’s first lumbar stem cell treatment and not knowing how she will react. This morning they took blood which took about 9 times before they were able to get a vein. Then they had to place her IV for the pre and post lumbar treatment and couldn’t find a vein except in her foot. So the morning was hard for Miss London, but we were able to make her happy for the rest of the morning and afternoon.
We had the rest of the day to wait in anticipation for the stem cells to arrive and went in for the Lumbar treatment about 8:00PM they gave her a little valium to make her relax. We were not able to go into the room for the treatment because it’s considered a surgical procedure so no photos for this round. She came out of the room about 8:45 PM and back to our hospital room cried for a short time and with a little patting fell asleep. The challenge now is to keep her still for 6 hours without raising her head. It is now 10:37 PM and both Jessie and London are resting quietly so we can just hope she will now stay quiet until 2:45 AM. After that she can start moving again and hopefully no headache or side effects from stem cell procedure 2. She should have 3 more lumbar stem cell transfers if this one goes okay and 3 more IV stem cell transfers. We will let you know more after she wakes up and for now we will pray everything goes well for her. Thanks everyone for helping us get through these procedures your prayers and love are very appreciated. We love and miss you all, and are glad we have this blog to keep everyone up to date on what is going on here.
With Light and Love; Ruby
December 16th, 2009
London having physical therapy with Jason
Hi Everyone;
London must be settling into a better routine now, she has slept better the last 2 nights and we are greatfull for that. It’s hard to believe today marks one week since our arrival. Today at Physical Therapy she did really great, no crying, no temper tantrums and she walked the distance of the room with assistance. Her legs are for sure becoming more mobile with the therapy. We also found out we can order the Electric Wave Therapy machine and will get one to bring home to help stimulate the brain waves and growing stem cells. She actually enjoys this therapy so it will be nice to continue it when we return home. She nearly falls asleep when this is being done. She also did well with the acupressure today as well. She was taking a nap before we went to acupressure so when we got there she didn’t fuss much at all. So I guess all and all it was a better day for little London.
Tomorrow will be the first of 4 Lumbar stem cell treatments which she has to lay still for 6 hours after the treatment. The reason for his is because if she lifts her head it can cause headache and also it’s suppose to help the cells move to the brain quicker. Hopefully the valium they give her before the procedure will be enough to keep her resting well for a few more hours. That’s about all we have to report on today, thanks everyone for following London’s blog and we miss you dearly. Your continued support keeps us going night after night when we read your posts!!
With Love from Qingdao China; London, Jessie and Grandma Ruby
December 15th, 2009
London having acupressure
Hello from Qingdao;
Ahhhhhh a night of sleep, I guess out 5 hour trip out of the hospital wore London out because she finally slept for a full 8 hours last night. We really needed that as Jessie and I haven’t had a full night sleep since arriving a week ago tomorrow. We are exhausted to say the least.
Doctor Apple came in today and she said all London’s blood work came out normal, growth hormone, sodium and all the other stuff they tested. Today we had the normal 3 therapies. Physical therapy which she still hates and screams her head off; acupressure which she is doing a little better at but still screams part way through it. Then the electric wave therapy which she doesn’t seem to mind at all. We have concluded that she just hates having people touch her and make her do things and she gets really angry at times grinds her teeth and gets down right upset. We have to take a breath and remember that we are trying to help her see and perhaps one day this will all be worth the discomfort she is having at times. She is getting a bit more mobile now we can really tell her legs are moving better and we are practicing hard on the walking issue for her.
Don’t know if it’s coincidence but last night I opened my cell phone up in the dark room to see what time it was and London was on my bed next to me when she batted my phone right out of my hand. Jessie also shined the flash from her camera cell phone in London’s eyes and she made a funny face. Don’t know if this is anything but it gives us a little hope and only time will tell.
We had Chinese food for lunch today chicken with rice and veggies it was very good, not salty like the Chinese at home I think no MSG its all nice and fresh with a little bit of a spicy kick. We haven’t been brave enough to try anything other than this one dish so we have been careful about what we are eating.
OH in case your wondering about “Dr. Apple” she is a Chinese woman and she is really sweet. All the Dr.s and therapists even translators take a western name so we are not so confused. They all have their traditional Chinese names but tossed in a Western one just to help us out. Like our rep who takes us shopping he is “Jack” from the movie Titanic their is one names Forrest and ya you got it “run Forrest, run” and many more, it’s pretty funny listening to how they picked their western names out.
We are going to go for a little walk now before it gets dark. Have a wonderful day we miss you all!!
December 14th, 2009
London in her new dress
Hello All:
After another horrible night of sleep for London today we had a well needed day off, no Doctor appointments, no therapy, no needles, just time to get out of the hospital for 5 hours and it was wonderful. Jessie, London and I along with 2 other families from Australia all went to Jimo Market it’s about 45 minutes from the hospital. If you like shopping this is the place for you, Jessie was in Jimo Heaven 4 stories of bartering for items you desire. I have to admit I’m not much for shopping but I did enjoy getting out of the hospital and we found a beautiful little silk dress for London to remember her China trip for $4.50 US dollars Wow what a bargain that was. Then we were able to eat lunch at a “Western” restaurant and it was nice to eat a western style meal. After lunch our driver who works for the hospital drove us the scenic route down the coastline of the “Yellow Sea” which was really beautiful, not many waves but pretty all the same. Then back to the hospital and a schedule for next week attached to our door. Monday & Tuesday we have the usual, visit from the Dr. Physical, Acupressure and Electric Wave Therapy’s. Wednesday we will have Physical Therapy then London’s second round of stem cells by Lumbar Injection. This will be interesting because after the procedure she has to lay flat for 6 hours and this will be a challenge. Again we love all your messages and support it gets through the evenings when we have time to sit down on the computer pop in a DVD Jessie brought from home. (NO English speaking TV) and try to relax. So thanks again for the love!!
From Qingdao; London and crew
December 13th, 2009
Today was busy again, physical therapy, electric wave therapy and rather than acupuncture London tried acupressure. She still hates being made to do anything and was fussy at both acupuncture and physical therapy. Electric wave therapy isn’t so bad she seems to enjoy that. After the stem cell procedures last night she ended up keeping us up all night long. Not sure if she had a headache or what but she was fussy the entire night so once again we are sleepless and exhausted. Tomorrow we have a day off and some of our new friends from Australia are going to show us around a little bit. It will be refreshing to leave the hospital for even a few hours. Not much else to report, but we are really grateful for all your posts, love and support. It would be hard to do this without the support of everyone.
Till next time from China; London, Jessie and Grandma Ruby
Jessie and London last night
December 12th, 2009
Hello All;
Today was a waiting game, we were going to have London’s first treatment at 2:20 PM and it turned out to be 8:00 PM. The nurses came in and placed London’s IV tube at about 10:00 this morning and they were able to get a vein the first try thank God! We were really happy about that, the rest of the day was just waiting for the stem cells to be flown in. They came in and got us just before 8:00 pm and the procedure began first a saline solution, then the liquid gold stem cells that we have all been waiting so long for. When the saline solution began to drip London cried out once and that was it. No other problems, she just sat patiently waiting. What a big girl, now we are back in the room and London was really silly at first (some of the parents call them silly cells) and now she is about to fall asleep. Hopefully we won’t have any head aches as this is one of the side effects. Tomorrow back to all the therapy and Sunday a day off. Our next stem cell procedure will be on Wednesday next week. WE miss everyone dearly and hope this goes by quickly and we can return home. Lots of Love to everyone!!
December 11th, 2009
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