Halfway Done
October 22nd, 2008
Hello to everyone,
As you can see from the title we are halfway done with our China adventure. Luke had his fourth stem cell treatment, 3rd spinal today and is know confined to the bed for next 4 hours. The first two have been spent watching Baby Einstein andLuke flirting with all the nurses that keep checking on him. He is doing well with his daily grind of therapy and continues to get stronger everyday. He seems to enjoy his standing therapy the most, there is a flat table that he is strapped into and then raises straight up. I think he likes the different perspective until his little legs get so tried that they make his poutty lip come out. When he is finished with his morning therapy he is truly exhausted. This was the only stem cell treatment for this week only therapy Thursday and Friday andthen a free weekend.
Yesterday I hired a caregiver to watch Luke for the day and friend I have meet here from Canada decided to Tidaong Square in downtown Qingdoa. It was quite an adventure and reaffirmed to me that I will not be taking Luke on that long of a taxi ride, about 45 min one way. I have never seen driving like it is done here and I doubt you will anywhere in the United States. Street lanes are completely disregarded, if they can get their taxi between the delivery truck and the minivan, even if only by a couple of inches they will try it and be honking the horn the entire way. I think the first thing people check in the morning is if there horn is working before they take to the streets.
Downtown Qingdoa is such a busy place, I have been to a few big cities in the states and they are not even close to the same, people everywhere. In the Tidaong Square it is a pedestrian mall with thousands of shops selling just about anything you can think of, except donkey sandwiches. I went into one in the basement of a cell phone store, when you walked in you were hit with a cloud of cigarette smoke and could not even see the back of the shop. Do you know what was for sale, CELL PHONES as far as you could see. There was also a tattoo parlor.
Couple of things I saw yesterday worth mentioning: 1st) I saw a man herding 5 full size goats down the shoulder of a 8 lane highway. 2nd) I saw 4 people riding on one small Honda motorcycle in the rain, I am not sure if they did but it looked like they were going to pull on the same 8 lane highway. I didn’t see this but another family at the hospital saw a person riding a bicycle with a customized milk crate attached to the back with a small child riding in it down a busy street.
Thanks for everyone’s emails, comments, prayers and support. Luke and I are both looking forward to seeing some familiar faces in a couple of weeks.
Clint and Luke
Entry Filed under: cp,Uncategorized
16 Comments Add your own
1. Amanda VanMatre | October 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
We miss you, think about you all the time and can’t wait to see that beaming smile in a few weeks. Give Luke and kiss and a squeeze for us! Stay strong!
2. renee | October 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
clint and luke, i have been checking your blog often and just didn’t know quite what to write… i think you are very brave and courageous! i am sure that God will bless your efforts. we have been praying for you at the assembly of God church in carrollton. just remember that you are not alone because there are hundreds of people praying for you!
3. Mom & Dad | October 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 am
Dad and I slept little last night. I was thinking of Little Luke and I guess Dad didn’t sleep because I was restless.
Was thinking if you felt so inclinded to tell me the twins names, I could get some grandma shirts printed. Thought it would be worth a try.
Good to think 3 weeks have almost past and home is in the horizon. Can’t wait. Love you guys.
MOM and DAD
4. Chris | October 23rd, 2008 at 1:42 am
Kathy,
I tried that logic with Cheryl…nothing doing. Good try, though!
Chris (Cheryl’s sister)
5. Uncle Steve | October 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Love hearing from you, and about you two. What a world we live in! I love your insightful observations. Wisdom in new unexpected packages!
I think of you day and night, and laugh and cry and are blessed because of your lives!
Kisses, Hugs, Prayers, blessings to you both and Cheryl and Cody too.
Aunt Cherie
6. Walter & Susan | October 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Glad to know you are 1/2 way there. I know Luke is a strong little guy and has everyone praying for him. Go, Luke, Go!! Luke, we will continue to pray for you and your family. Take care!
With love,
The Padens
7. Uncle/Brother Kirk | October 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Glad to hear that you met someone and had a chance to get out of the hospital for a while. Sounds pretty crazy. Keep it up. Here are a couple of vids for your entertainment.
What did she say?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww
This is a funny video and a good song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI
8. Christy Nowlin | October 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Great to hear it is halfway done. It won’t be to much longer now.
Luke has to be a tuff little guy to go through this. You all are in our prayers.
Ryan and Christy Nowlin
9. Uncle/Brother Kirk | October 24th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Hey I was going to remind you if you already havent thought of it. The network websites have episodes archived that you could watch while gone on your laptop. You could always catch up on the office if you have time. The have been pretty funny. Take care and enjoy.
Good dancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg
Russian Urban Ninja This guy is crazy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVQNt64PxfE
10. Uncle/Brother Kirk | October 25th, 2008 at 3:27 am
hillarious
http://failblog.org/2008/10/20/best-man-fail/
very sneaky
http://failblog.org/2008/10/20/sneaky-restaurant-fail
Have a good weekend. Talk to you soon
11. Wilma & Dave Haumesser | October 25th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Hi Guys, Just got back from AZ. and thought of both of you constantly. We knew that you all would really enjoy the sights, and the beauty of the outdoors. It sounds like you both are doing great, and you are in our prayers constantly. We are so very proud of you and Cheryl because of the wonderful parents you are. We have really enjoyed the blog, and all the updates you have sent. I am lookimng forward to spending time with your family next week end. Keep smiling, and we are all praying for you. Give Luke some kisses from us. Love- Wilma & Dave
12. Sharon Schnake | October 26th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Clint:
I look for your e-mails all the time! (I wish you had time towrite more often-I get it, your little guy gets priority!) I can not go anywhere in Mexico without people asking how you are doing and then they too want the address! At least you two guys are famous for all the right reasons…. the best example of a Father’s love, both heavenly and on earth. We are so proud of your courage Clint, and send our love and prayers to Luke! Shar
13. Wilma & Dave Haumesser | October 26th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Clint & Luke, Seeing some more sun today, and it makes us think that God is smiling upon you both and keeping you safe. We love you and miss you both. Love—-Wilma & Dave
14. Cathie VanMatre | October 27th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Hello Clint & Luke – Reading your blog makes me teary eyed because we miss you fellas so much on this incredible mission, but I end up smiling…because of who you are, loving and smiling with each other. You know you are in our constant prayers and that we can hardly wait for your return to your family and friends. Take care of yourselves and God Bless* love, Cathie and Steve V
15. Uncle/Brother Kirk | October 27th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Sorry I missed yesterday. We went to the Mizzou game early got back late and forgot. By the way Mizzou beat Colorado 58-0. Talk to you soon.
enjoy the skids
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/picture/bombsdavid/underware.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g269/joshrafferty/db339-underwear-skidmark-twister.jpg
16. Cathy Haumesser | October 27th, 2008 at 11:55 am
It sounds like you had quite an adventure out, Clint. I’m trying to picture you in a setting like that & it’s pretty difficult to do, seems totally out of your comfort zone. But, I guess this whole experience is, and you & Luke seem to be handling it remarkably well. I read the Missourian article & was very impressed with how it was written, it was very touching, as well as informative.
I hope the rest of your stay goes as well as the 1st half has.
Love you both, give Luke some hugs & kisses from his Aunt Cathy.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
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