Ryan Dickerson's Blog

Hello All,Despite mourning over the obviously fixed Buckeye’s loss today, we managed to make it through another day here.  Ryan had his first experience with acupuncture today.  He did not appreciate the man putting six needles into his head and one underneath his chin, but after they were in he was fine.  He actually slept for about 30 minutes after the treatment.  I don’t know if he was relaxed from the treatment or exhausted from having needles placed all around his head.  He also had his first electronic wave therapy session today.  In this treatment, they hooked Ryan up to two large electronic boxes and turn up the volts until his arms and legs are jumping.  Apparently, this is supposed to be quite relaxing to the muscles after it is removed.  Personally, I think that goes without saying.  All in all, it has been a good day with no bad reactions to the first treatments.  Thanks to everyone for keeping in touch.  Congratulations to Eric and his family (firefighter from Dan’s station) on their new, healthy baby boy (as if I wasn’t outnumbered badly enough already)  :) Good Night!   Dan, Suzanne and Ryan

Mom,Please go to officemax and buy one distinguished  fountain pen. Look for the following: Parker brand,silver,  fine-tip with black ink.  This is our gift to Ryan’s primary doctor in appreciation for her care.   If you can’t find Parker, but something high quality a doctor would use…Thanks Mom!!Love,Suzanne 

To AnnMarie and Mary,I apologize to everyone else that you have to read our emails out.  For some reason, our computer will not recognize the outgoing mail server.  So, you all must read.  The address of the hotel is:    New Century Grand Hotel; Daniel or Suzanne Dickerson, room 4108;  No. 818 Middle Shixin Road; Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, China; 311202.  Thanks for the help.   Dan

Hello All,We just completed the first injection of stem cells at about 1:30 a.m. Texas time.  It is 4 p.m. here in China and Ryan is sitting here with me as I write this post.  Although Ryan had to be wrestled down to get the IV in, he was patient and talkative for the 45 min. it took.  We watched the nurse hook up a small bag containing a yellow fluid and she told us it was the stem cells.  Ryan is scheduled to get 4 treatments by spinal puncture and 2 by IV.  The IV cells are supposed to migrate to the outer portions of the brain and other organs that may have been damaged by years of harsh medications.  The spinal puncture is meant to go directly to the inner portions of the brain.  I believe these 4 will have the best chance of helping him get better.  He seems to have tolerated the IV treatment well as he is kicking the *&^^%$ out of me right now to get off the computer and let him stand or walk.  I will post later or tomorrow.  GO BUCKS!!      DAN 

We woke up at 5am this morning and are trying to figure out what we are going to do today.  Ryan has been a good boy, however, as you all know he can be VERY vocal at times, especially in public!  Needless to say, I am very happy we have not been asked to leave the stores, ect.  We can receive emails, but can not send any out. Ryan, Dan and I appreciate all the notes of support!  We are a little nervous about tomorrow’s first Stem Cell treatment.  If the schedule they gave us is how the rest of our time here will be, we can get two extra treatments and come home a few days early.  (Julia and Peggy, I will have my Mom call you with instructions on wiring more money for the additional treatments if we can get them!)  We have Skype, a video program where we can see Sarah and chat with her.  This has been very helpful.  Of course, I had my mother bring the cats and dogs to the computer so I could see and talk to them too!  There are very few television options here, so we are watching the movies we brought sparingly.  We will share them with the other patients.  We met a young man from Virginia who was in a stander, and I believe he has a spinal cord injury.  We will be sure to pass the movies  on to him, as he showed signs of cabin fever!!  There is NOTHING to do at the hospital, we are very lucky to have the hotel to retreat to.  The food here is very different.  At the market, they had a fresh seafood department with live frogs, turtles, eel, and  fish.  One of the turtles stuck his head out of his shell and looked at me. He wanted me to save him!  I wanted to buy him and take him back to our hotel room and give him a reprieve on his certain death.   I may have to go back and sneak him into the hotel and let him swim in the bathtub.   When we get home, our first stop is to outback steakhouse for cheese fries!  Please send notes from home, we would love to hear from all of you!Suzanne 

Hello all, Ryan had his examination by his doctor this morning.  Everything went well and we are on the schedule for our first stem cell treatment on Monday.  This first treatment will be by IV.  Although I believe the spinal cord injections would be more beneficial to Ryan, I am less concerned about having it by IV.  We had our first shopping experience at the local RT mart.  The store is like a super wal-mart with a Chinese flair.  We saw many interesting food choices on display.  We have met a few other families here and most are happy with the results from their treatments.  We may try to go into downtown Hangzhou tomorrow.  We hope everyone is doing well at home.  Take care. Dan 

Hello All, We finally made it to our hotel.  After almost 30 hours of travel, including: 3 planes, 3 taxi-cabs, several porters (who are almost certainly complaining of aching backs today), 1 lost car seat, 1 cancelled flight, a broken nail (Suzanne’s, in case you were wondering)  and several other snafu’s; we are here.  Ryan was amazing throughout the entire ordeal.  He never really fussed at all.  He even slept for a few hours on the flight from Newark to Beijing.  All in all, things have gone as well as could be expected.  Somehow Ryan’s car seat went missing and never arrived in Beijing.  We had some excellent help from the porters in Beijing.  Thus far, everyone here in China has been very nice.  I don’t think many people here have been exposed to a child like Ryan.  People would stop to look at him and watch him even after they had walked by several feet away.  The attention was not mean, just unusual compared to the way people in the U.S. specifically try to avoid looking.   We were asked to go to the hospital early this morning.  Everyone at the hospital was friendly and talked to Ryan.  His nurse, Nancy, even gave him a big hug when he smiled at her.  We will finish up our examinations tomorrow and are free for the rest of the weekend.  Treatments are supposed to start on Monday, Jan. 07, 2008.  I am going to take Ryan swimming in the pool at the hotel today.  We are able to use SKYPE to video chat for free with anyone else who has a SKYPE address.  They are free.  Ours is suzdickersontx.  Thanks to everyone who has sent well wishes and comments on the blog.  I will post again soon.  Bye.    Dan

Twas the night before travel, and all through the house; everything was thrown everywhere, even on top of the mouse.  The bags were overstuffed, and zipped up with great care; in hopes that Continental just might get them there.  Mom’s off to bed, Dad needs a nightcap; perhaps we might get a few hours nap.  At 3 a.m. alarms will go off with such great clatter; I’m sure to smack them, like McGuire the batter.  Shortly at the door, a man will appear; in a black driver’s suit and false good cheer. Off to China we go, even though we’re unsure; just for the chance, Ryan might find a cure.  Send us wishes and hopes, pray if you will; at his sick-bed I promised, something I can’t yet fulfill.     Dan p.s.  If you promise to send Ryan your best wishes, I promise not to rhyme anymore!