Archive for September, 2009
Wow…it’s finally here! I am full of emotion. Happiness to be going home and sadness to be saying farewell to our wonderful new friends. You probably want to know if I think it has been worth coming half way around the world to China seeking help for Nathan’s cerebral palsy. Here are some of my thoughts.
I did not come to China expecting instant results or miracles, but I said I would gladly accept them. After asking the head doctor at Duke University for cerebral palsy research in June if I had exhausted all avenues available in the USA for helping Nathan, she responded, “Yes”. She told me to be patient and wait for 2 years and studies on donor umbilical cord blood would hopefully be starting in Chapel Hill. She said she would make sure Nathan was part of the research. That night was the night I made the decision that it was time to get serious about going to China. I could sit around and wait for my miracle here or I could at least try to help Nathan. From a mother’s perspective…what if 10 years from now the USA is finally realizing that stem cells work to repair damage. Stem cells appear to benefit children more than adults and the theory in China is their little brains are still growing. The stem cells help adults too, but stem cells grow new tissue as the brain grows in children. If I did not take this gamble now, the stem cells would not likely benefit Nathan as much in his adult life.
I am not an outspoken political person, but I am going to make a political statement on stem cell therapy. I personally witnessed in China enough improvements in the other patients to know whether or not Nathan has improvements in the months to come that stem cells help repair damage to our bodies. Our government needs to get beyond embryotic research and strive to catch up to all the countries that are ahead of the USA in stem cell therapy…not research. I firmly believe our government wants Americans to think we are making advances in stem cell research. If they keep the main focus on embryotic research, then the ethical issues will always prevent stem cell therapy from ever reaching its full potential in the USA. Leave the little babies in petry dishes alone and get on with research in umbilical cord stem cells! For goodness sake, we throw it away as medical waste! Let’s work on getting insurance companies to cover banking umbilical cord blood containing stem cells as a covered cost of delivery for our children. All umbilical cord blood has been banked in China since 2001. As is in the USA, the Chinese family can purchase it to bank it for their child. However, if they cannot afford that, then it is banked at the blood bank. Nothing is thrown away as medical waste. Stem cells are liquid gold. This is probably going to be my biggest earth shaking comment of all about my opinion on stem cell therapy. I honestly don’t think we will ever see stem cell therapy in the USA for much more than is being researched at this point (MS, Spinal Cord Injury & Diabetes). Why do I think that? I think there is too much money to be made off of sick people and it would hurt our economy too much to have cures. The pharmaceutical companies alone would drastically suffer. That is the end of my political speech. I hope I have not offended anyone too much.
Now as far as my sweet Nathan goes… It pleases me so much to say we have already seen improvements in him. Although in your worlds these are minor improvements they are huge for us. I am thrilled to have any improvements at all this early. Nathan has made more progress in the last 6 weeks than in the last 2 years with conventional therapy. His head control is so much better. Head control and trunk control could later mean he might sit up unassisted. Head control and trunk control could also mean drooling might improve and if drooling improves he might be able to verbalize! His muscle spasticity has definitely been improved and his joints are not nearly as tight. The possibilites are gigantic and worth going to China in my world. You likely took these things in your kids for granted in your households. I took so much for granted with Will. Close to perfect kids don’t always happen. If you have even close to perfect kids, please thank whatever God you worship! I really tried to prepare myself that we would not see anything this early, but I am bubbling over with excitement and I now look forward to the days ahead rather than dread them so much. I know the opinion of one of my doctors about going to China. Prior to leaving on our trip he informed me if Nathan showed improvement, he would not be able to attribute it to stem cell therapy because there would not be a comparison group. I asked the doctor if Nathan showed any improvement at all upon his return, no matter how big or how small, if he could find it in his heart to simply be happy for us. He said if Nathan showed any improvements that it was Nathan’s time to get better and not because of stem cells.
Whether it is his time to get better or whether the 80 million new stem cells that have been administered to Nathan over the last 6 weeks are already busy at work I am beyond happy for Nathan. Has it been worth it so far and do I give the stem cells credit?…ABSOLUTELY! As the brain and new tissue grow together our hopes are high for bridges filling the damaged gaps allowing neurons that did not connect to start sending signals. Once signals start life improving qualities begin.
We watch a lot of the Disney channel in our household between Will and Nathan. Miley Cyrus, also known as Hannah Montana, has a song that Will and I named as Nathan’s theme song quite a while back. It is called “The Climb”. You may have heard it on the radio and really never paid attention to the words, but for us the words are very powerful. I hope you enjoy reading those words of the song below. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of you who have followed Nathan’s Climb. It’s not about how fast he gets there, but the fact that he is trying. We will be allowed to keep our blog going for the next year so you can visit the site and see any developments. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and most importantly “Keep the Faith!”. We’re heading HOME!
On the way to Qingdao Airport! Our interpreter, Michael, showing off Nathan’s good-bye gift of a USA baseball t-shirt!
“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus!
I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming
But there’s a voice inside my head saying
“You’ll never reach it”
Every step I’m taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to loose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb!
The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I’m not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
Cause, there’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to loose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It’s all about, it’s all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep the faith!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs
Thank you China for giving us the opportunity to attempt to help Nathan. You will be forever in our hearts!
Stay tuned for future blogs!
September 20th, 2009
For our last outing and free Saturday from therapies we wanted to take Sharon to Downtown Qingdao for some site seeing and shopping. On the way out of the hospital I saw the lunch cart in the lobby and realized I had never shown you guys a picture of it. You can purchase wonderful dumplings and a variety of food each day. We went to Jimo (flea market) and May 4th Square. Sharon is very good at bargaining with the local vendors. We walked along the Boardwalk and enjoyed watching all the kites that were flying. Nathan especially enjoyed the ones that had lights on them. We have to finish packing tonight because we leave for the airport in the morning around 9:30 a.m. headed home!
Red Coral
September 19th, 2009
This is a week of mixed emotions. We hate to say good-bye to our friends, but we are so excited about coming home. Camila, Giulia, and Elizabeth began their journey back to Brazil this morning. Giulia came to China completely blind and is leaving seeing light and tracking objects. Hopefully, her stem cells will continue to improve her vision over the months ahead. It was very hard for me to say good-bye to Camila as she and I had become very close. I am so happy God allowed us to cross paths in this lifetime. My life has definitely been enriched by this whole experience.
We also had to say good bye to Nathan’s therapist, Owen today. I can’t believe it is Nathan’s last day of therapy. We gave Owen an American baseball t-shirt and told him to remember Nathan each time he wore it. We are going to miss him so much.
Ken and Nathan went for a walk this afternoon after therapy ended so I could start packing. They visited the mall under construction across the street from the hospital. This mall is suppose to be the largest mall in Asia when completed. It is going to have an amusement park on the inside of it with a roller coaster. I cannot imagine what it is going to sound like in the stores with a roller coaster going through the hallways. I think you will find the pictures to be fascinating.
Dylan, from the UK, turned the 1 year old today and his parents and grandmother had a birthday party for him tonight. The hall dinners have been so much fun to attend. Everyone usually prepares food native of their country so you get to try a wide variety of new dishes. Please notice in the below pictures Dylan’s birthday cake candle. These are common in China and very exciting to watch. The candle is in the shape of a flower. You light the middle of the candle and a huge flame erupts. This flame then ignites small candles on each pedal of the flower and the pedals fall down creating a beautiful open flower that plays “Happy Birthday”. Sharon found a new friend, Darren, at the birthday party who was blind, but found the bracelets on her wrist. He played and played with them melting Sharon’s heart. At the end of the party I saw Sharon take the bracelets off and give them to his mother so he could continue to enjoy playing with them. Although Sharon’s stay here has been brief I think she has enjoyed her experience. We have certainly enjoyed her being here to help us get home.
Check out the head control! YEA!
September 18th, 2009
Nathan thankfully did not run a fever due to stem cells yesterday so we decided to take Sharon and go out on the town. We have been so blessed with very few side effects from his treatments. We visited Century Park which was remodeled for the Olympics last year. It is one of the prettiest places I have ever visited on this earth. The sculptures are breath taking. During our stroll to get to the park we went down one of the side streets to a local market. These pictures will truly give you the full effect of some of the local color here in Qingdao. One morning when Dr Wells was here he walked over from the hotel to the hospital. He decided to visit this same street and stopped to get us some fresh fruit. When he arrived at the hospital he was a little shaken and I asked if he was OK. He said to just give him a minute to sit down. He finally was able to tell me when he went to pay for the fruit they killed a chicken at the booth beside him for fresh meat. When I saw the chicken cage on this street I took my picture and got out of there quickly! Hope you enjoy the pictures!
Be sure to notice he is weighing a chicken! I got out of there quickly.
September 17th, 2009
Nathan had his last stem cell treatment today and did great. Since it was IV only he did not have to fast before the procedure and lay flat for 4 hours following it. I thought you might like to see what stem cells look like so I have some pictures below. Poor little Dylan beside of Nathan and me had to have his IV started in his head because they could not get a vein in his hand or foot. He was a trooper and did great also. Dylan and his family are from the United Kingdom. We had to say good bye to some dear friends today, Braden and his father Aaron. They are beginning their journey home back to Nebraska. They will be dearly missed. 
Braden & Nathan saying good-bye.
Best Buddies!
September 16th, 2009
Sharon Gates has safely arrived in China and all the wonderful luggage she had with her made it as well. It feels like Christmas for us. It has been so difficult finding and cooking food for Nathan that can be blended for him. When I go to the grocery store I can’t read the labels. I have to look at the picture and guess what is in the can or package. It is a challenge to say the least. Nathan’s last stem cell treatment is tomorrow. Just in case you can’t tell from the expression in my words, I am very excited about coming home! I miss Will, my family & friends, hot water for showers and sweet tea so badly. I also miss Lisa at Raffles Hair Salon. I had to buy scissors to cut my hair and I hope Lisa can fix it for me.
Sharon & Owen practicing speaking Chinese to each other.
I love the light poles here.
September 15th, 2009
The beginning of our last week. Wow!!!! I can’t believe we have made it this far. We are very excited because our friend, Sharon Gates, arrives tomorrow. She is bringing some much needed supplies with her that we are completely out of at this point. Thank you to my sisters, Jan & June, and Doc for going shopping for us! You don’t even want to know what we are using as substitutes. Nathan is really using his right arm more and more. Below are some pictures of Camila and Nathan playing with his animals. Camila taught him to raise his arm up to allow her horse to pass. Nathan would concentrate so hard and it paid off. They had a good time playing while doing therapy too. If done creatively, therapy can be fun!
We thought the “Please do not spit” was funny.
September 14th, 2009
Nathan had therapy Saturday so this was a quiet weekend. It did have a nice surprise. Everyone on the hall got together and had a birthday party for a group of us having birthdays. Saturday was mine and although I don’t celebrate birthdays anymore, I have to admit it was a fun party. The cakes in China are beautiful, but not really sweet. All of us agree, no matter what country we are from, that the sweets here are not very sweet. Maybe that is why no one is fat! The birthday cake candles are cool. The candle is in the shape of a flower and you light a huge flame in the middle of the bloom. The big flame ignites small candles and then the petals fall down with the candles lit on each pedal. It is awesome to watch. The candle also plays “Happy Birthday”.
September 13th, 2009
Day 30 is close to Day 40!!!! We are really on the countdown now for coming home. Nathan had his last spinal today. Unfortunately, his vein gave out during this one for his IV and he came out crying which I am not accustomed. Everyone comes running when Nathan cries because he is generally always so happy. The nurses absolutely cannot stand his pucker lip and almost begin to cry themselves. They had to start a new IV. YUK! Below are some pictures waiting to go back for his spinal. How would you like looking up to such pretty faces? The interpreters don’t have to be there for the procedures, but they always show up when it is Nathan’s turn to give him support and kisses. Buzz Lightyear was Nathan’s guardian angel today during the procedure. He is a hand-me-down from big brother Will Zeller. We can’t wait to see Will. We miss him so badly!!!!
Some of you have been asking for some pictures from the hospital so I have included those as well. I know I have said it before, but thank you to all who have been sending us comments and emails. It is so good to hear from you! We appreciate all the support.
Yes, ham bone Nathan was eating up all the attention from so many pretty faces!
From our hospital window.
September 11th, 2009
We heard fireworks all day long and into much of the night When a new store opens in the mall across from the hospital it has been normal for the grand opening to be accompanied with fireworks, but the booms were continual. Ken asked one of the translators about it and he was told it was the Celebration of the Treasure Dragon according to the Chinese calendar. The Treasure Dragon will bring good luck and money so everyone wants to make sure it knows where they are located by firing off fireworks. Below are some more pictures from yesterday’s trip to Downtown Qingdao. Nathan has his last spinal tomorrow. He has one final injection next Wednesday, but that one is IV only. A patient always begins and ends their treatment with IV injections in case of any complications. You don’t want to hinder going home!!
Look closely for the flags by the lighthouse representing each nation that participated in the Olympics.
Clinton, Shay, Violet, Braden & myself at the Boardwalk.
Old China versus new China.
In addition to Apple Pies, McDonalds in China serves Pineapple Pies. They are yummy!
September 10th, 2009
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