And we ate like kings…
April 22nd, 2008
First thing this morning Dr. Ma came in to visit Brayden. Again, Brayden tracked the light from side to side with all the lights on in the room!! All of the staff was very excited, so that made our day!!! Brayden seemed to have a headache this time. He has been screaming pretty much all day, so I’m afraid it is a pretty bad one. We decided to go ahead and take him to PT hoping it would calm him down a bit, but it was pretty intense. He seemed very uncomfortable. I can’t even explain the difference in therapy here compared to at home. It is like an hour or so every single day. 40 minutes of that consists of stretching him into positions I can’t even describe! The other 20 minutes he spends in a stander for weight bearing. I wish I could pack up these little Chinese men, and take them home. They are so good! Heck, the salary they would make at the interlocal would seem like a million bucks to them!
While at PT, Cathy from California asked if I would like to go with her to the RT Mart to get some things for a going-away party for our friends Alicia and Chris from Vegas. Brylie and I bundled up and headed out with Chris, Cathy, and Tonya from New Zealand. This was my first time in a cab, so I must say, I thought I was going to have to check my drawers when we arrived at RT. It is like Joplin with no traffic signs or lights at rush hour!!! Wowza! So the fish floor at the RT Mart was at it’s prime today! Smelling as disgusting as ever. If I could bottle that smell, I would sell it as a diet drug. One sniff of that odor, and you won’t want anything to eat for hours! Anyway, we were trying to find a nice gift for a caregiver, and as we turn down the aisle toward the ideal gift, we get a gift of our own. Chinese Grandpa is holding a plastic bag while Chinese Grandson pee pees in it right in the middle of the aisle!! I could not believe it. I don’t mean like finding a corner or anything- I mean right in the middle of the aisle, pants around ankles and all! Gramps then proceeds to tie up the bag of potty, sticks it in the cart, and away they go!! We all were rolling, but managed to finish our shopping for the party. On the way out, we stopped at KFC. They serve soft-serve ice cream sundaes there- a lot like McDonald’s at home, so Brylie and I picked one up for Daddy and Brayden, said a prayer for our safe return in the taxi, and headed back to the hospital. Cathy and I had so many groceries, that we couldn’t carry them all up to the rooms, so Brylie and I sat on the curb guarding the sacks while Cathy went upstairs to retrieve Brylie’s stroller to use as a cart. Now let me tell you, Brylie and I got a lot of stares! I’m sure not too many Americans sit on the curb of a hospital surrounded by groceries in the freezing cold!
Not long after our return, it was time for Brayden to go to accupuncture. A lady from New Jersey mentioned that they got accupuncture for her husbands drooling, and it made it stop completely. We thought we would give it a whirl- what could hurt worse than accupuncture in the head- under the chin should be a breeze. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!! Martin stuck that needle all the way into his tongue from under Brayden’s chin and started to twist it. Brayden came unglued and so did we! We made him stop immediately!! I don’t care if Brayden soaks a million shirts a day- I don’t ever want to do that again! We felt really bad for him.
The big going-away party started at 3:30. I couldn’t believe how well it turned out. Giovanni, the Australian-Italian, cooked spaghetti and potatoes. He cut up all the fruit we bought and made really nice fruit plates. He used to have an Italian pizzeria and restaraunt, so he really knows how to cook! How lucky are we! Hence the title- “We ate like kings!” It was really nice to hang out with all of the families. The amazing part was that all of the doctors on duty joined us. They brought their own camera’s and asked for pictures with everyone! That is certainly not the kind of service you would get in the U.S.!!! Really the staff is so kind!
At evenings end, our friends from Vegas came down to hang out with us for awhile. We are certainly going to miss them! Good news though- Alicia is in a wheelchair- paralyzed from the waist down from a motorcycle accident when she was 16. After 6 treatments, she can feel her kneecaps move when she did the electro-therapy! This is amazing bc the docs say that most spinal cord injury patients don’t see results until about 6 months after treatment. Such amazing things going on here! Still can’t understand why people in the US don’t demand that we provide this treatment at home. It is America for crying out loud!!!
Hope you all have a great Tuesday! Good night from China!
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized
18 Comments Add your own
1. Brandy Russell | April 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Hello all! Glad you finally got to eat like kings you deserve it!! It is wonderful news about Brayden. It gives me chills!!! I am so excited for all of you! Prayers are working and will continue to work! Love you all!
Love, Brandy
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
2. Aunt TT | April 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
It sounds like you guys had a great day!! You deserve it!! I wish I could have seen you and Brylie on the street with your groceries. To the locals, you probably looked like homeless people guarding your findings for the day!!! Poor Brayden. I bet he wondered what the heck was going on. He was probably thinking, okay I thought I had all this needle stuff figured out already! People continue to ask about you all every time I go anywhere in town. Kory and I were grocery shopping last night and three or four people stopped to ask about you guys. Kory laughed and said now he understands why I take so long when running errands:) It is so amazing the support that you get from your community! Korbyn is beginning to really miss his two amigos. Mom said he just sits in the office an looks around for them to come through the door. Can you imagine how awesome it is going to be to sit all of them down one day and explain that you took this amazing journey to China to help Brayden! We love you guys! Remember Mark 5:36. Keep beating those odds Brayden!!
Love Aunt TT
3. Abby (mesplay) Adamson | April 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I just got the blog from my aunt. I will keep you guys in my prayers. I hope that everything goes well with Brayden.
4. Momma Sue | April 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Amazing stuff. Are you keeping a journal of what all has transpired since you got to China? If so, when you get home you need to send it to our representatives in Washington to push for Stem Cell treatments in the US….There are sooo many people that could live a more productive life if they could get those treaments here in the states.
Again, you guys are amazing parents to go to the lengths that you have. God has Blessed your little family.
Love as always.
Mamma Sue and Papa Jerry
5. Trev- | April 23rd, 2008 at 1:17 am
Hey All!!! I’m so happy to finely find this darn site!!! Its a wonderful Thing. Its around Noon over here and i just got in from helpin on the farm a lil. Mom and Dad keeps asking me how the progress is coming and i tell them i haven’t heard. I finely asked karrie today for this website b/c Bobby was telling my dad about it but u know how those ole farts are they can’t remember the name of anything inless its a motorcycle. I’m so glad u guys got to eat like kings, i bet it was wonderful. Oh and by the way i was thinking when u and bryle was settin on the curb i bet u looked just like the bag lady that us to set behind the Red Onion..lol..and for the cab ride i bet it was pretty exciting. Well all dad is callin again so i best wrap it up!!! LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!! KEEP TRUCKIN BRAYDEN!!!! MUAH!!!
6. Bryan and Trish Wyckoff | April 23rd, 2008 at 3:44 am
I kissed my washing machine today, just as you suggested… then promptly kicked my dryer because it is not working! lol!
We are still thinking of you here in Ks and enjoy reading the blog updates.
Keep your chins up! Trish
7. Leeanna and Jim Zook | April 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 am
Soooo happy to hear things are goin great! Good thing Karrie wasn’t there when they did the needle through the chin! She woulda beat up everyone for messin with her boy!! lol
8. Amy Johnson | April 23rd, 2008 at 5:30 am
I don’t know anything about China, so I didn’t realize it was cold there in April? So glad that you got some good food
Sounds like things are going great! You are in our prayers!
Love you guys!!
Aunt Amy, Uncle Chris, Kaitlyn, Tyler & Seth
P.S. I love reading your blogs everyday!
9. Erica | April 23rd, 2008 at 5:58 am
Glad you all got to eat well…poor Brayden…that sounds sooo painful! I’m so happy to hear that he’s tracking light…he’s going to amaze everyone…I just know it! Miss you!
Hugs!
Erica
10. Karri | April 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 am
I am so glad to see that you are keeping your humor and love of life while going through these difficult times. These times are must be so hard for you and Brayden— but oh the possilbilities!! Brayden and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep Smiling!!
–Karri
11. Cousin Shayla | April 23rd, 2008 at 10:52 am
I like reading your blog every morning! Brayden keep up the good work.Brylie you have been a good sis to Brayden. I can’t wait to see you in May!
I will keep you all in my prayers.
Love,
Shayla
12. Teri R | April 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Wow, I’m amazed at what is happening so quickly.
You should video “Brayden’s Bootcamp.” So, we can see his new moves. Sounds like momma might be coming up with some new (OR) moves as well!! You continue to be in our prayers and to continue to bless all of us with your daily blog.
Teri
13. Kelly Keegan | April 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Lorie and Jason…What wonderful news. I called and read the blog to Joyce and Grandma Lamb and we all cried. I believe God has something very special instore for your whole family.
Glad to hear you had such a wonderful meal. I read the titile of the entry and laughed out loud!
Love, Kelly, Pat and Kendall
14. Bonnie Hawkins | April 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
These blogs are great, Lori emailed the pics to me also, sounds like Brayden has gone through some rough times, but it is worth it with the results you are getting. Seems it is cold there, has been nice the last couple of days, high 70’s, but rain and flash flooding in forcast tonight. I pray for good results and a safe return daily, you guys are so special to be doing this for Brayden, glad you have some U.S. people there, that should be a little comforting. Love, Bonnie
15. Laci Stump | April 24th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Hey Johnson’s!! Thank you so much for the pictures! Brayden is such a trooper! What a strong little boy, and it comes from having such strong parents. I am so excited to hear the continued progress, and the funny stories you send from China!! This will definately be an experience none of you will ever forget!! I am going to kiss my washer and dryer when I get home! It’s amazing the things we all take for granted.
I am so glad things are going great over there, and you are able to get out and have family time too. I have thought about you guys everyday, and it seems like time is flying by so far….you guys will be home before we know it!!
Give the kid-o’s some hugs and tell Brayden how proud of him so many people are. And we are so proud of you and Jason too, for taking the steps most people are too scared to take. You guys are awesome!
Love from MO-
Laci Stump
16. Laci Stump | April 24th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Hi Johnson’s!! I was so glad to get the pix of the kids!! Brayden is such a trooper! What a strong boy, and it comes from having such strong parents!! Brylie seems to be fitting in well! What a stinker, she’s definately your daughter!! Haha
I am for sure gonna go home a kiss the washer and dryer, it’s amazing all the things we take for granted. I would love to package up some Febreeze and ship it over to ya’ll!!
Make sure to tell Brayen how many people are so proud of him for doing such a great job with therapy and treatments. And I hope you and Jason know how many people are proud of you for the steps you have taken for your child. You guys are such amazing parents, the love you have for your children shines so bright.
Miss and love you! Give those sweet kid-o’s hugs and kisses from MO!!-
Laci and Family
17. Tina | April 24th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Hope you are all doing well. Sounds like you are adjusting to the wonderful surroundings you have been given. Just wanted to let you know that we are all praying for the best results possible and for your safe return!!
God Bless You All!!!!!
Love, The Wydick Family
18. dayna ray | April 24th, 2008 at 4:13 am
glad that you all are safe! You are in are thoughts and prayers everyday and every night for bed!! Glad that everything is going well there for you. He’s a mircle in every way! Take care and
hugs and kisses!!! Family is everything!!
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