11:57 pm

Brandon is feeling much better after his treatment. He suffered a headache for 2 days after the treatment but thankfully now that's past. He's staying the night at the hotel with Grandma - he would rather be there than at the hospital. I think (besides being a Grandma's boy) the hospital just reminds him of what's to come so he's more comfortable at the hotel. John, Mom, Courtney & Nick will be heading home on Monday the 1st. Of course we're sad to see everyone go but Brandon & I know that we'll soon be heading that way ourselves. We'll be home in exactly 3 weeks!! Yesterday my mother stayed at the hospital with Brandon while John & I went with Kirshner, another parent, aunt & grandma to Jimo. We were able to look around more without worrying about Nick running off. We then stopped at McDonald's & brought burgers back to the hospital for mom & the kids. It was a refreshing break from the day to day life here at the hospital. Last night we walked with a couple of other families to the park. We were hoping to catch the decorations lit up but we were driven back to the hospital by mosquitoes. About a block from the hospital, I looked back and saw that they had finally turned the lights on :( Maybe in a couple of days we'll try it again. There are vendors set up at the park that sells little toys that light up. It was fun seeing all the little novelty toys. Today we went to a local art shop and met a wonderful Chinese guy who really likes Americans. We bought 2 pictures at a price that was unbelievably cheap. Then as we were about to leave, he pulled out 2 chairs and a fan and asked us to sit down. Since he pulled out a fan, I couldn't resist. He asked us about our kids and America. He told us that in China, people are allowed a max of 2 children which we already knew. When we told him that we had 3 kids, he smiled real big and gave us a thumbs up sign. His English isn't that great but he really tried. After promising him that we would come back, we bowed out as politely as we could. Tonight we took everyone to an international buffet that was recommended by another family here. Our taxi pulled into this huge - fancy hotel that had a limo at the front door. (that's the only limo we have seen since arriving here). As we walk into the hotel, we all feel a bit under dressed - we're all in shorts & Nick looked like a homeless child. The buffet was pretty good. We couldn't force ourselves to eat the mixed meat (there was literally a sign stating "various mixed meat" next to the platter - we think it was octopus amongst other meats that weren't quite so obvious) or the squid but we found something that we think was steak (that's what we kept telling ourselves anyway). They had a great selection of fruit, salad & desert so the kids stuck with that. John & Mom ate lamb which I couldn't do because all I could think of was sheep. That dinner was surprisingly quite a bit cheaper than eating at the Shangra La. Which we were happy about - it was a welcoming relief from pizza & chicken. We have given up on the laundry service here. It is expensive & the clothes still come back dirty (with an added stench). So we started washing our clothes in the shower. We bought some detergent and our neighbor gave us their wash bin since they left today & wouldn't be needing it anymore. Anyway we wash them in the wash bin & hang them on hangers in the shower. We did a "load" tonight & we're hoping with the help of our fan that they will dry in a few days. I can't believe people are still washing their clothes like that - I miss my washer & dryer! Brandon's next treatment is on Wednesday. Apparently last Monday's treatment counted since they injected growth factors. They didn't give him the actual stem cells that day due to his high intracranial pressure. It isn't Beike's fault that Brandon had unknown health issues so we're okay with the fact that Brandon doesn't get another treatment to make up for Monday's failed attempt. They covered the cost of the MRI and we will not be charged for those extra services. So it looks like we'll still get home on the 15th which Brandon & I are happy for. 3 treatments down - 3 to go!! Photo's: 1st - Brandon today at the hotel. 2nd - photo of John taken yesterday as we were heading to the park. 3rd - The hospital lit up at night. 4th - Brandon with another patient who is the same age as him. They are so much like that it amazes her family as well as John & I. Brandon with the group standing in front of an Olympic decoration at the park last night. 5th - Kirshner, RaVana & John at Jimo yesterday. We are falling in love with that place! 6th - "FRUIT BOWL" with fruit & cooked beans.... YUCK! They make everything sound so appealing but then they deliver it to the hospital, it looks like this. I thought I was ordering a bowl of watermelon, pineapple, etc.

NOT beans.