1-21-08
January 21st, 2008
We have enjoyed a few days of just being human. Some patients who were leaving soon hosted socials on the floor and was a good chance to get to know some of the patients and families. There are people here from all over the world – Australia,Scotland, Romania,US,Italy. We are all here for the same reason – HOPE. In our conversations we all have a common thread and we all very much needed these social events to just be and enjoy the company of other hopeful people.
We also took a trip to WestLake area – a much more urban area than we are in (for those in STL think Central West End/U City loop). Ate at a nice Italian restaurant , and did I eat. It felt really nice to have good food and feel full. Lydia also enjoyed having warm,delicious food. Unfortuanely it was raining but we took a walk around the area anyway. We had a driver/escort with us that helped hold umbrellas, figure out where we were,etc. Unfortunately he spoke no English but we got by with a lot of pointing and the use of a good map.
Big news for the day: Lydia used to be very sensitive to light in her eyes, not able to tolerate the pen light in her eyes (refer to one of the first posts for failure of opthamologist visit). Today, she was able to keep eyes open and not turn away when we were playing with a flashlight, she also said it did not hurt. She normally would have turned away, put a hand over her eyes and said “OUCH!” She is really starting to show some changes. It is pretty amazing that she is responding so quickly! She will have her 2nd spinal on Wednesday afternoon, hopefully she will not have the same reaction as last time. She had absolutely no problems with the IV stem cell treatment on Friday.
Again, our most heartfelt THANK YOUs to everyone who helped us be here and for all the prayers being said for Lydia.
Entry Filed under: onh,Uncategorized
22 Comments Add your own
1. Kim Olmsted | January 21st, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Hi from uncle chuck and aunt kim. Its so good to hear some positives. Lydia were thinking about you and miss you, you are a very brave girl. Call when you can . Love, Chuck and Kim
2. ms jennifer | January 21st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Juli,
I am so glad it has been a more relaxing time for you all. Sounds like there were lots of neat things to do in the past couple of days.
Also sounds like Lydia is making quick progress and I am sure she is excited about the changes as well. Thanks for taking the time to let us all know how things are going.
See you all before we know it.
Ms Jennifer
3. Brooks | January 21st, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Juli looks like Lydia is progressing very well. This is such great news. We pray for continued strength and healing for you, Lydia and Doug. Look forward to more updates. Brooks KAty Teague and Brett
4. Ms. S. Kemp | January 21st, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Hi Juli And Lydia,
Wow! This is really exciting news. I am glad that you were able to take a break and do some exploring in the surrounding area.Tell Lydia to remain strong and we look forward to her returning soon!
Ms. Kemp
5. Lexi! | January 21st, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Sounds like you all had a great weekend, we are so happy to hear that. Lydia i am so proud of you!! I hope that you do well on your next treatment too. Lexi and JJ are so happy today because school got cancelled because of snow. They went back to bed and havent woken up yet!! I bet JJ plays outside today dont you?! Im glad you were all able to eat some good food too. Hopefully your package will arrive today or tomorrow too. I hope you all have a good nights rest, and i hope to hear from you tonight!! Love You Lydia!!
Aunt Shelley and family
6. Lexi! | January 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 am
Hey hun!
I am so excited about your eyes working! I bet you can’t wait either! How was the Italian food!? I’m glad you and your mom got some food! I’m sure your dad eats anything anyways. Haha Doug:D Oh, DooDoo you know you love me! Well, Lydia, I just wanted to say I am so happy for you and your mom and dad! I will talk to all of you later! Hopefully tonight!
Love you all!
Lexi
7. Blythe | January 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 am
Hey girls,
I am glad that you had a relaxing couple of days and were able to get some good food! I am also happy to hear about all of the exciting changes and hope that the next spinal treatment goes well
love you guys
Blythe
8. Joe Paulsen (POPS) | January 22nd, 2008 at 2:54 am
Well sounds like you are getting back to being able to keep from holding your breath all the time and being able to enjoy the experience. Like you, I was amazed that Lydia was experiencing such positive changes fast Thank God for those blessings. We all pray that the remainder of your time over there greets you with the same optimism and hope you have now.
Thanks again for keeping this blog to keep us up on the good news! At the seeding meeting for the Hickman Tournament this weekend there were a lot of folks who were interested. I also spoke to Jerry Kile and the east-side of the state is also praying for great results!!
You are in all our prayers. Go Lids!!!
Joe/POPS
9. Lexi! | January 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 am
Hello Lydia, this is Grandma and Grandpa Black. We are so excited for you! We can’t wait to see you. Hopefully we will see you soon after you get back. I bet you can’t wait to see Smokey, Smokey really wants to see you too! Smokey also says hi!
We love you,
Grandma and Grandpa Black
10. Kelly Ayers | January 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Doug, Julie and Lydia We have been checking your blog everyday. so very good to hear of your great progress and we are keeping our fingers vrossed for that to continue..Hopefully Lydia will be able to see the surrounding that she is visiting . Hope that you three can also enjoy this experience together. Lot of love to you all. Aunt Kelly and Uncle Rich
11. Ms. Christy W. | January 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hey Lydia Lou,
It’s Ms. Christy. It is so exciting reading about your adventures around the world. I am so happy to hear how brave you are being. You are the talk around town. . . This weekend I listened to a little bit of the Ryan Seacreast Radio show:). I am very, very, proud of you.
Ms. Christy
12. Stan and Julie | January 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Lydia, Juli, Doug,
Thanks for keeping us posted. It is so exciting to read the updates and the great progress Lydia is making. It is simply amazing!!!
We are very happy for you guys and will continue to keep you in our prayers.
Stan and Julie
13. Tycha Black | January 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Hi you guys! This is so exciting. Lydia I can’t wait to hear about your treatments and how brave you are being. Seeing the lights has to be very exciting. Keep up the good work and keep being strong. I love you sosososo much!!
Hope to talk to you soon!!
Love you!
Aunt Tycha
14. Ms. Betsie | January 22nd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Lydia,
I am so proud of you! You are such an amazing individual! It is so exciting to read about all of your adventures. I hope you are learning great things and will share them with all of us when you get home. Your in my thoughts and prayers daily – Ms. Betsie
15. Karen | January 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 am
As always I am elated for you girlies, but today I thought that I would share the comments I received in response to your update from StudioFit member, your webmaster Alan, and an Optometrist that attended the Hold ‘Em tournament and has asked to be kept updated so here they are
That is wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep me updated on her
progress. – Stephanie Flagg
That is so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep me posted and give them my best when you talk to/write them next. Let me know if there is anything I can do to continue supporting these beautiful ladies. – Kathy Tate
Oh man, tears of joy!! Glory be to God!! – Adina Laird
I can’t believe it! Beautiful! – Michele Reznicek
YEAH!!!! I bet there has never been a tree so beautiful. Big cheers for Lydia and Juli. – Thresa Brockman
That was a tear jerker. This is so exciting! – Andrea Simmons
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m getting my family on the prayer chain right now. Praise God. Thank you for sharing! – Sara Brown
Incredible…absolutely incredible! I’m so happy for Lydia and her mom. – Alan George
That is amazing. Keep me posted. – Scott hussey
I hope that things are going well with the second spinal. Love you lots, Karen
16. Jill,Jane & Mary | January 23rd, 2008 at 4:28 am
Doug,Julie & Lydia,
Aunt Sandy gave us this website and we’ve been checking on Lydia every day. It sounds like she’s improving so much. We just wanted you to know that we are all thinking of you and wish you the best of luck. We’ll keep in touch.
Love,
Jill
17. Molly | January 23rd, 2008 at 5:19 am
Hi there!
We shared your good news with the congregation on Saturday and Sunday — they were so happy and excited for you that they broke out in applause!! Know that lots of folks here are holding you in prayer and are eager to hear more about all of your adventures in China.
Many blessings!
Pastor Molly
18. Lori | January 23rd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Hi there,
Just wanted to tell you I sent your last post to several friends of mine and my Dad. Most wrote back in amazement. Dad was just awestruck.
I’m massively delighted to hear about all the success. Good wishes for the next spinal. You are in my thoughts! Lori
19. Alisa Nickelson | January 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Sounds like things are going very well! Sooo glad you got some great food–Lydia (and Mommy) sure deserved some comfort food. I’m so glad you take the time to post–it means so much to those of us back home. Tell Lydia that Brooke will have some needles again tomorrow, too. He’ll be brave, just like she is. Glad you are getting to know the other patients. It’s very important to share stories with families in similar situations. We hope to be invited to a great slide show presentation of your travels! Love, The Nickelson Six
20. Lexi! | January 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 am
Hi Lydia! This is JJ i hope your feeling better because i am. I’m so proud of you! I can’t wait to see you! You should see all of the snow we have!! It’s really fun to play in but i have’nt got to play in it yet because i was sick. Well i’m going to go. I love you a TON
Love, JJ
21. Cleo Kottwitz | January 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
It’s Tuesday here, so it’s probably Wednesday there. Hope the treatment goes well. We’ll keep you in our prayers. We’re so pleased that Lydia can deal with more light and glad you were able to get out and enjoy some good food! We’ll look forward to the next report!
Love and hugs,
Uncle Cleo and Judy
22. Susan Doyle | January 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 am
Lydia this is Aunt Shelley’s friend Susan again. Theresa, Eddie, Jillian, Charlie, Tim and I will be praying for you as you get your next treatment. We hope it goes better for you than the last one did. We are happy that you had a good meal—-we are so lucky to Italian anytime we want in America aren’t we. I am amazed how quickly you are getting results and that is the best news we could here. Tell you mom and dad hello and we will be anxious to hear from your mom after you next treatment. Continue to be brave and strong!!! We are so proud of you!!!
Love to you,
Tim, Susan, Theresa, Eddie, Jillian, and Charlie Doyle
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