London enjoying her nursery rhymes
Hi Everyone;
We had a lovely day off today, London had a good night sleep which in turn gave Jessie and I a full night of well needed sleep and we were really grateful for that.
The rest of the day was uneventful since we had the day off, we watched a coupe DVD’s and listened to nursery rhymes with London. She is feeling a little under the weather today and has a runny nose. Hopefully she isn’t coming down with anything we are really close to ending our journey in China and don’t need any delays in her final treatments. She has been such a trooper and we are really proud of her. When we first arrived in China on December 8 Jessie and I both got a sinus infection the first week we were here and it was awful. London has been really healthy the entire time we have been her thank God.
Today’s photo is London listening to her nursery rimes and enjoying a quiet evening relaxing. As we move into our final week in Qingdao tomorrow we have more blood work to be drawn then her 8th stem cell treatment by lumbar at 9:00 PM and closing in on our 9th and final treatment on Friday! Wow what a journey this has been and with the Grace of God this next year will be a year of wonderful miracles for London Ruby.
Until tomorrow, have a wonderful day everyone.
London, Jessie and Ruby
January 10th, 2010
enjoying sun
Hi Everyone;
As you know London had her 7th stem cell transfer last evening from about 8 to 9 PM. She was relaxed and fell asleep throughout the stem cell transfer then we got her back to the room and she went to sleep about 10:30PM. Jessie crashed and I stayed up and watched the last episode of Gray’s Anatomy. London woke back up at 1:15AM I had her back to sleep in about an hour and she woke up again at 4:45 AM. Needless to say it was another short.
So up and about early we skyped our family members then about 8:00 AM London had her IV removed and screamed her head off fed her some oatmeal and prepared to take our new friends Garry and Jenna off to Jimo Market. Charlie our wonderful friend and driver picked us up at 10:00 AM and we all headed out. It was cold and foggy but we were all ready to get the heck out of the hospital. It’s far and few in-between before we get time out so it’s nice to visit and walk around. Jessie showed Garry and Jenna how to barter and they were hooked. I didn’t buy anything, just along for the ride and good company. London was cranky for a little while when we were at the market but soon became a happy camper. London and Jessie have become sort of celebrities here, Jessie because of her “yellow” hair and London because she is just so darn cute all the Chinese people have to stop and hover over her they just love her.
We returned to the hospital about 3:30 PM London’s schedule for next week was on the door, stem cell treatment 8 and 9 by Lumbar scheduled for Monday and Friday. Hopefully we won’t have any problems since they plan on giving her the same medication that she had when she had her MRI. We had an early dinner and now we are relaxing (well I am) Jessie is in such a hurry to get home she already started packing one of two bags. She figures she will get the stuff packed she won’t be using and have them ready to go.
Well that was our relaxing day off, we have tomorrow off as well and just need to go out for some more necessities for London this week. Today’s photo is of London standing on the 7th floor of the hospital, sun beating in her face. She feels like such a big girl when she stands on her own. It’s pretty cute as she jumps up and down holding onto the railing and yelling happy London language. 
Have a wonderful day everyone and we will talk to you tomorrow!!
Blessings to everyone; London, Jessie and Ruby
January 9th, 2010
Stem Cell Treatment 7
Hello All;
Sorry we didn’t write much for day 30 but we have been completely worn out. London has not slept well the last few nights and the last 48 hours we have only had about 5 hours of sleep.
Today London had her regular therapy scheduled but we had to cancel it because she was so worn out and we couldn’t wake her from her nap when it was time for therapy. She is doing much better with her balance now and loves trying her hand at standing on her own. She will jump around for a while, then we say “ready” and she will stand for several seconds on her own it’s adorable. Her balance has improved a lot since she started receiving the stem cells.
I told everyone that Wednesday’s stem cell transfer by lumbar failed because she wouldn’t lay still for the spinal injection so they changed the procedure to IV and this evening we also had an IV treatment. Included in all her IV treatments she also gets Nerve Growth Factor. Her optic nerves are small so this should all help along with the 90 million stem cells she will receive before we leave. Today marked treatment number 7. Next week we are going to try for 2 lumbar treatments one on Monday and the last on Friday. They will give her the medicine they gave her when she had her MRI and hopefully it will put her to sleep enough that they can get the spinal injection in.
Tonight she is happy and trying her hand at standing up with mommy’s assistance as I sit here and do our daily blog. Tomorrow and Sunday we have the day off and will head out to the market place with our new friends. They want Jessie to teach them how to barter, I’ve had enough of the market, but look forward to a day out of the hospital. We have really only had a few trips out of the hospital in the 31 days we have been here now and I welcome any chance we can get out of the room for a few hours.
We have watched every episode of “Friends” and our new TV time is “Gray’s Anatomy.” Thankfully Jessie brought some DVD’s because nothing on regular TV we can understand.
A couple more of the families are leaving soon, one tomorrow and another next Wednesday. It’s a bit of mixed emotions when everyone leaves. We are happy they have completed their treatments but sad to see them go. We have all created a wonderful bond and I’m sure friendships to last forever. Everyone is in the same boat, hopes for a better future through these wonderful stem cell procedures. After all without faith and hope we have nothing really.
Well hopefully London will sleep tonight so mommy and Grandma can get some rest. Today’s photo is of tonight’s IV stem cell treatment. We miss you all and look forward to seeing everyone soon.
Until tomorrow; Ruby, Jessie and London
January 8th, 2010
London on her way to stem cell transfer
Hello All;
I’m a bit late in posting because after London’s last stem cell transfer she kept us up till 130 AM was back up early. The rest of the day we had the usual therapy and London was pretty good. They kept her IV in from her stem cell procedure, but that had to come out now because it closed up. So she will have to get a new IV for Friday’s stem cell transfer. Dr Apple told us they will do another treatment on Friday by IV then next week try for 2 Lumbar treatments.
The rest of the day we were waiting for London to nap but never really did so we were up all day and most of Thursday Night as well.
Now we are off to bed and hope London will sleep well. I’m sorry it’s so short today but I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.
Have a beautiful day!! Ruby, Jessie and London
January 8th, 2010
inserting the IV for tonight's stem cells
finding a vein is always painfull
Wow day 29, it’s hard to believe we have been here nearly a month. We are exhausted but hopeful and also ready to return home to our families. I think we are all a little tired of sharing a small room togethe and, I think the room is shrinking by the day.
London had her PT today and did pretty well with the exception she didn’t want to walk again. She is so stubborn and I feel bad for Jason some days. She will walk for Jessie and I most of the time, but gives Jason attitude most days. (at least she isn’t trying to bite him anymore) We have been trying to teach her “HI” for days now but she still hasn’t said it yet. She can identify her ear now, we ask her where her ear is and she will go to it!! This is another new thing for her, in the past she hasn’t identified any of her body parts.
Tonight we have our 6th stem cell treatment by lumbar which will equal 60 million little stem cell solders growing inside her after tonight’s treatment. By the time we leave she will have 90 million stem cells. We can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for our little trooper. Well we better run for now the nurses should be in any minute to hook London up to her pre stem cell IV. We will let you know tomorrow how everything turned out for her 6th transfer. Today’s photos are of London having the IV location placed into her foot and how much she hates being poked. I’m sure she will be happy when it’s all over it’s difficult to see her cry all the time when she knows darn good and well what is about to happen when nurses wrap the rubber band around her limbs and start looking for veins
FYI……Update on tonights stem cell transfer by Lumbar; They could not get London to say still for the lumbar procedure so she ended up getting the 6th by IV. Sem cells by lumber reach the parts of the body that need healing quicker than the IV procedures because they go direct into the spin. When they are transfered by IV they go through the blood stream to the parts of the body that need healing. As much as we would have liked the treatment by lumbar it was not possible tonight for London’s safety…..Yet another update, the Dr. just came in and they will talk to Dr. Apple tomorrow and see if London can have her Lumbar this Friday, rather than the IV scheduled. So I will have to let you all know more tomorrow after we see Dr. Apple.
Until tomorrow; London, Jessie and Grandma
January 6th, 2010
- London’s happy in PT today
Hello Everyone;
We had a pretty uneventful day today, London did her therapy as usual and she was in a pretty good mood for the regular PT. She only fussed a little but didn’t care to walk much when we tried to get her on her feet. Some days he loves to stand, jump and try her hand at walking and other days there is just no way. She will spread her legs out when you try to get her to stand up, then bend her knees and refuses to put her feet on the ground. Like I said before she hates being made to do anything she isn’t willing to do. So most of the therapy was pretty good aside from the walking.
It was a cold day in Qingdao today and a little bit of snow remains on the ground. We had to walk across the street for some supplies today and it was really cool. It’s always nice to get out of the hospital though.
Tomorrow evening around 8:00 we have London’s 6th stem cell transfer by Lumbar and she will have another by IV on Friday. Since we added another treatment she will have 2 remaining treatments after this week. We are closing in on the end of her treatments and we are really happy about that. It’s been a long journey here in China and we have met some wonderful people along the way. This week we have a couple new families one from Miami FL and another from Russia. It’s amazing how many people from all over the world come for hope when they have no other.
The staff here Doctors, Physical Therapists, Nurses, translators, cleaning staff, everyone are all really kind and accommodating. It’s not easy to journey so far from your comfort zone for medical reasons and it’s been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. Having the kind hearted staff that surround us has made it a little easier to be away from everything we know. I do hope and pray that one of these days we will be afforded the opportunity to do procedures like they are doing here in our own homeland.
Today’s photo is London having a fun time in PT with Jason.
Will talk to you all tomorrow, have a great day;
Ruby, Jessie and London
January 5th, 2010
Qingdao Peoples hospital
Good Evening All;
This morning I went to greet the morning sun and it was very cold and windy out as whistling from the wind made it’s way through all the hospital hallways. It was so windy I watched a little man all bundled up riding a bicycle with a huge load of his good on the back of the bike and it was all he could do to peddle the load because the wind was so strong. It made me realize in some ways how simple and much harder life is here in China for the people who are not at fortunate as others. This man must have been taking his goods to sell up at the corner where we see people gathering to sell things everyday. It seems like something out of a movie and I still don’t know how that man could ride a bike that was piled so high without tipping over in the wind. All these Chinese people gathered at one corner with bikes, carts and wooden containers that look like they have been using them for a hundred years and perhaps a family tradition to carry on to the next generations It’s so much different here than back home.
On with London, she saw Dr. Apple this AM and her eyes dilated again. We asked her if we would be able to get another stem cell procedure in before we leave. She went to talk to the director and came back a short time later with a new schedule. London will have 9 stem cell procedures rather than the 8 we already paid for. Then I got a hold of the hubby on Skype (which has been a blessing not to make long distance calls) and he will go tomorrow to the bank for another International Bank Transfer to pay for London’s 9th procedure. We are really happy to get the 9th and were told that is the maximum procedure a patient can get at a time. We are blessed we have enough money to pay for one extra treatment and want to thank everyone once again for their help and support. Without everyone this would not be possible and I think I can say for all our family we are so very grateful for all the donations, support and love you have sent for London. May God continue to bless each and everyone of you.
Next London went to Physical Therapy like she does daily and this time it was different. The PT room has big windows in it and lots of sunlight comes through. Usually we wouldn’t pay much attention to it but today every time London sat up and the sunlight hit her in the face she screamed several times and covered her eyes with her forearm then slung herself back down onto the PT bed. After doing this a few times another one of the patients mother said “Looks like the sun is bothering her” and she also asked if London wanted to use her son’s sun glasses. It was amazing and brings a little more hope to us that London is getting light perception. All we can do is watch for the signs and have faith this is working for her. Since she has no way of verbally telling us so much is a guessing game right now. Time will tell, but we are excited at today’s events and look forward to her daily growth.
Today’s photo is of the hospital. We are on the 8th floor and room 11 if you count over 11 rooms from the main entrance you will find our room. It’s to the left side of the photo second floor from the top.
As I finish summing up today’s events the wind is blowing so hard it whistles through the hospital and even knocks our door around, the snow is now falling and it looks like a cold winter night is in store Qingdao.
Time to hunker in;
London, Jessie and Ruby
January 4th, 2010
- Inside Jimo Market 4 floors of shopping heaven
Hello from Qingdao;
This morning like every morning I went down stairs to greet the morning and it was very brisk and I caught a chill quickly. I went back upstairs as Jessie and London were still sleeping. London woke shortly after my return and we played for a time. Then I ventured onto the 7th floor where there is a wonderful view of the city and the mountain range. At about 7:30 on a clear morning I watched the sun rise high above the city and the jagged mountains of the Qingdao mountain range. Usually it is foggy and you cannot see the mountain range, but this morning it was clear cold and the sunrise was amazing as I thanked the Creator for this opportunity we have been blessed with and the hope that one day London will also be given the opportunity to witness the wonder of the rising of the morning sun and all the beauty that surrounds her.
After the wonderful morning sunrise, I returned to the room Jessie and London up and getting ready for a day out of the Hospital. We really needed to get out for a while so Charlie the driver picked us up at 9:45 A.M and we headed out to Jimo Market for a day of people watching and pick up a couple gifts. The day ended up only being 4 hours and the drive one way is 45 minutes so we only stayed for about 2 hours. Today’s photo is of the inside of Jimo Market, packed with people and shops 4 stories and thousands of little shops all packed together. You can find pretty much anything in this market place and I have never seen anything like it before.
We returned back to the hospital to our schedule for next week and we will only have one stem cell treatment by Lumbar on Wednesday and the usual therapy the rest of the week. We are going to talk to Dr. Apple tomorrow and see if we can get London more treatments before we return home. Hopefully that will be possible, but it’s up to the Dr.
Well that’s all we have to report for our day off and we will talk to everyone tomorrow.
Blessings to all; Ruby, Jessie and London
January 3rd, 2010
- Wand work
Hello Everyone;
Today we had our regular schedule and London did a little better in PT again. Jessie and I have made it fun for her while we are in our room so we carried that over to the PT room today. We have been singing (in our horrible singing voice) a little song about bending the ankles and knees, arm’s and feet and she laughs at us. So we took our little game into the PT room today and it seemed to help. Acupressure on the other hand was a dive, she didn’t want Jason to touch her at all so we ended up going right into the electric wave therapy which she still doesn’t seem to mind much.
After all her therapies we just relaxed and also played games with London, practicing her standing and balancing. We have also been turning off the lights and using a colorful wand that our friends from Australia Jenny and Clair gave to London. Today’s photo is of London and the wand work we have been doing. I can’t say for sure if she is seeing the light or not, but we continue to work with her in the darkness as much as possible and we do get a bit excited at times when she laughs.
Tomorrow we have the day off and would like to get out of the hospital if possible. We will talk to you all soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
London, Jessie and Ruby
January 2nd, 2010
- London standing for Mommy
Happy New Year to everyone back home;
So we got to celebrate New Years Day twice, once here in China and once on skype with all our friends and family back home. We hope everyone enjoyed their festivities.
Today we had the day off, and since London hadn’t slept much the last couple days, we ended up relaxing all day and watching DVD’s. Our dear friends Jenna, Peter and Barron from Australia went home today and we will dearly miss them. Seems like lot’s of our new friends are leaving now. The other day our friend Cathy and her little girl Mallory left also. Its a bag of mixed emotions watching everyone leave, happy they have completed treatments for their wonderful children but we know we will miss them all as well. Thank God for the internet that we can keep in touch with our friends.
Tomorrow we are back to our regular schedule of PT, acupressure and electric wave therapy. Sunday we have the day off and were thinking about getting out of the hospital, maybe a trip back to he Jimo Market but we will get one of the hospital drivers to take us. I sure wouldn’t want to convey to another rickshaw driver where we need to go once is enough.
Today’s photo is London standing on her own for about 15 seconds. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but up till now she wouldn’t stand on her own and it’s a big step. London’s mobility is getting much better now and she is becoming more confident and is for sure a positive change for her. We are hoping she will be walking soon, right now she can walk with our assistance about 100 feet before she wants to just flop down on her butt. I guess that’s why they call it baby steps.
Well that’s all I have for now hope everyone has a great day!!
Ruby, Jessie and London
January 1st, 2010
