Today was T heos 2nd stem cell transplant. The stem cells arrived earlier then planned and we had to cancel PT. We went again to the pediatric unit to get the IV for Theo. Oh it is not easy - they struggled again to find a vein. I wish I could make it easier for the little guy. We even shaved part of his head to make it easier to see anything and it still took them a while. But at the end they found one and THeo was all happy to be back in the room.

Since the first treatment he is so much more alert and is looking around a lot. Fred even saw Theo smile -big time- the other day, something he had never done that clearly. His sitting has improved and he is moving his arms to explore (see video).  We do not know if it is the stemcells that cause these behaviors but we are happy we came.

The treatment went well and no fever or side effects. He was a good boy and even finished his spinach today- great eating coordination.

We are so happy and proud of him. Please keep praying for him!

Love

Sonja, Frederic and Theodore

Today is our day off. No therapies , no doctors etc.

We called Cece and Eric, two Chinese friends in Qingdao. They were so kind to show us around. First we went to downtown Qingdao, were they are going to have the sailing competitions for the Olympics. The town is really busy getting ready for the games. We had an amazing lunch at the ocean. We picked our seafood and they had a huge room full with all the dishes they serve on display. This way we were able to see what we would get before ordering. Cece still had to explain a lot - THANK YOU!!

We had our first sea cucumber - very interresting texture &  yummy. It was so nice to have a great meal after a week of ordering soups.

After the feast we went to a Chinese market. (see pictures) It was wild - reminded me of china town in NY - bargaining and crowded. We were so glad to have our friends by our side.

After we arrived at the hospital we went to bed at 8 pm. Getting ready for the BIG DAY!

Today Theo went on his first shopping trip in china. A gigantic supermarket was on the agenda. RT mart 

You can find anything your heart desires if you can READ Chinese. Once we arrived in the fresh food section we were amazed on how fresh the food was. The animals were still alive like some big frogs waiting to be prepared. The fish was still swimming and the muscles had a nice gathering. (see pictures)

We did not let Theo touch the frogs- maybe next time.

We had a great day and what a treat after a full morning with therapies. Theo is doing so well!!

Today is a quiet day. No therapys etc on the agenda. Theo is doing great. He got some color back and was very active today. Check out his new video as he is sitting up. We are so proud of him. He really handled everything well and now it's time to make those cells do their job. We continue with all the stimulation (vision, smells, touch and movement) and hope the stem cells find their destination.

Keep you fingers crossed.

Love Sonja, Frederic and Theo

Theodore received his first stem cell treatment yesterday. What a day! After we got the OK by the doctors in the morning we were scheduled for our first physical therapy session. It went really well. Around lunch time the nurses TRIED to put an IV into Theo - with no luck. It was so upsetting to us- Theos arms and legs are all bruised and he cried so much- it broke our hearts. Later in the afternoon we went to a different part of the hospital - the pediatric unit where the nurses were able to put an IV into Theo's head. Once we got back to the room the stem cells had arrived and he received his first treatment around 3 pm. It went well, he was exhausted from the day and slept well. No fever! This morning he woke up with a runny nose - poor baby. The IV will be removed this afternoon and he has more therapies scheduled. We just pray that it will do the trick. 3 more treatments to go.

After 15 hours in the air (18 hours total with change of planes) we finally arrived in China. Theo did fantastic, did not cry and the people around us just loved him for that. I guess he was so content being able to sleep on mommy for that long- no problem.

China is ready for the Olympics- everybody is very helpful and nice and they LOVE babies. I got almost tackled down because people wanted to see the baby. I can only recommend to travel with one in your arms- many perks-e.g. not waiting in line.

Then in Qingdao we had a little setback- no luggage. It was still in Beijing-did not get changed to our flight. The people in the airport were very helpful and our luggage was brought to our hospital the next morning- what a service !

Theo saw already the doctor 30 minutes after our arrival in the hospital. Very nice and a translator helped with the details.

Our room is great- very clean, we have a fridge, TV , microwave .We had a good night sleep- or better "kind of " as Theo was ready to party after all the sleeping HE had done in the airplane. So mommy got up a couple of times.

At 6 am the next morning (7/15) they came to take blood from our boy. The night nurse could not find a vein so 6 nurses showed up at around 8 am. As a teamwork they got some blood from Theo- it broke my heart , he had not cried that hard for so long. We are a little concerned on how they gonna put an IV for the stem cells- keep your fingers crossed.

We just came back to meet with the physical therapist who are going to work with Theo. everybody is so nice and caring.

THis afternoon Fred will go to town with the translator to buy some groceries. I will stay in the hospital with Theo. He needs to relax and be fit for his first treatment on Wednesday - if everything goes well.

As you already noticed we are able to keep the website updated so please check in again soon.

Love

Sonja, Frederic and Theodore

A lot has happened in the last month. Theo turned 7 months. He met for the first time his French grandparents and got a chance to enjoy their singing.  While his grandparents were here, we all went to Pennsylvania and Frederic and Sonja attended a seminar by the www.familyhopecenter.org. We came back full of hope and ideas about different ways to help the little guy.

We’ve also continued our intensive search for the best treatment or therapy that will make a significant improvement in Theo’s development. After seeing and talking to many doctors and other healing professionals, discussing with parents of brain injured children, and reading specialized message boards, we’ve come to the conclusion that our next best option is stem cell treatments.

On July 13^th, we’ll take off for China where some hospitals there (www.stemcellschina.com) offer umbilical cord stem cell treatments. We’re hoping that it will help Theo grow new neurons and enjoy the gift of sight. We’re excited about the possibilities that this trip may bring. Mommy and Theo will be there until August 7^th, while daddy will come back to New York on July 27^th.

While in China, our 4-legged children will be taken care of by their German grandparents who will be coming for the occasion.

We’ll try to update this site from there and keep you posted on our stay.

We are extremely thankful for the many angels that have given us the wings to fly together as a family and make this treatment possible.

Particular thanks to the grandparents (German and French), Marcia, and the anonymous donors of the overnight  ”Theo Foundation”.

Please keep us in your prayers,

Love,

Sonja, Frederic & Theodore