Sorry it's taken so long to update. We wanted to find out as much as we could and create a game plan before we did another update. First of all let me put every one's mind at ease - Brandon is
ok. We took Brandon to another hospital 40 minutes away by taxi where they did an MRI. We had a Dr & a translator with us so it helped. While we waited for the MRI scans, the translator (Jessie), John, Brandon & I went to McDonald's for lunch. That was the first time we had been so close to McDonald's so we couldn't pass up the opportunity. Everything tasted similar to McDonald's back home (not quite but pretty close). We ordered plenty to take back to the hospital & that's what we had for dinner. Anyway once we got the MRI scans, we headed back to the hospital. The taxi driver took us on a "short cut" which only aggravated Brandon's headache even more. We took dirt roads filled with pot holes, paved roads filled with pot holes. It was rough! The translator informed the taxi driver that we don't care about short cuts, just get us on smoother ground so Brandon wouldn't hurt as bad. Once we got to the hospital, we were informed that the Dr's would l
ook at the MRI in the morning. So we had another sleepless night wondering what the report would say. Around 9 am this morning we found our room full of Dr's & one holding a camcorder. They talked but we understood very little. We eventually asked
Kirshner if she would come in and help us understand what they were saying. She said that because of Brandon's scar from his surgery (when he was a year and a half) there is now pressure on his brain. She said that the scar has created a narrow passage & that's what is causing pressure - NOT fluid which is kinda good news. She also informed us that Brandon has
demilization (probably not spelled right). It means that he has some white brain matter that has either died or was never there. There is a couple of theories about that. We were told that part of Brandon's brain died either when the sutures closed too soon in his head or it's dying because of the
intracranial pressure. Now does that mean his brain is becoming worse over time with the pressure & it will continue to get worse? We don't know. We were left with
alot more questions than answers. We were also told that if we choose, we can continue with Brandon's stem cell treatment (IV only). Brand
on is no longer a case study due to this latest development but we're still able to continue. We were told that we probably won't see results like the others simply because the stem cells are like magnets. They will find the part of Brandon's brain that is damaged and will try to repair that instead of going to his optic nerves. There is also the chance that part of them will go to the damaged area of his brain & part will go to his optic nerve. I spoke to a very good neurologist back in Colorado Springs a little while ago & asked what his opinion is. He said that the spinal test isn't that accurate and although he is "alarmed" with that high of an
intracranial pressure (if indeed it is that high), he would want to do more testing. He also said that he is finding more children who has had surgery to fix the cranial
stenstosis (also probably not spelled right) is having problems now (5-10 yrs after their surgery) with
intracranial pressure. He said that the original surgery was not performed correctly & they're having to go back in and "redo" it. He said that in Brandon's case since he is too old to essentially "grow" bone, they would have to completely reconstruct Brandon's whole skull. But again
we need more testing before we actually know what's going on. In the meantime I wasn't able to get an appointment in to see the neurologist until Sept. 16
th. He said that the stem cells couldn't hurt Brandon & that since we're here, we may as well do it. After a long discussion, John & I agree. It may not help his eyesight but it may help the damaged area of his brain. Any improvement will be good. We are deeply saddened by the latest events but are happy that we are now aware of problem with Brandon that
could've been fatal if not diagnosed / treated. We don't know what's in store for us in the weeks and months ahead but we know that we have a huge group of people who have Brandon in their hearts & prayers. John will still be leaving China September 1st however Brandon's treatment end date has changed & we will now leave 6 days sooner than originally scheduled. Brandon's last treatment will be Sept. 6
th & we will be able to leave on Sept 9
th. ** PS. ** We sadly discovered that the women here go all natural under their arms. John is disgusted.
Photo's : 1st - Our hospital room with Brandon & John. 2nd - Just outside of McDonald's in a shopping center. (see the McDonald's on the left?) 3rd - John holding Brandon with Jessie the translator outside McDonald's. In order to cross the street, you must take an escalator up to a walkway above the street & take another escalator down on the other side. 4th - Above the street view on the walkway near McDonald's.
Brandon made it through the initial six hours without a hitch so he's up & ready to start the day. Too bad it 11:07 pm here & time for bed. He hasn't had any other reactions so we're very happy to have good news to report. Now it looks like our stay here will be longer since Brandon's last treatment was scrapped. I should know more about the scheduling either tomorrow or Monday. They really don't do a whole lot during the weekends. It's usually pretty quiet here. The cleaning ladies will still be knocking on our door at 8:00 in the morning wanting to clean to room. They are getting used to me turning them away but they still try to clean. We ask them to take out the trash & sweep - that's it. I brought disinfectant wipes from home so I can clean the room myself. Everyone of the floor believes that the cleaning ladies use the same rag on every room without 
using a cleaner or changing rags. That's pretty disgusting.... Brandon has to stay in the hospital tomorrow. In fact he can't leave the floor at all so it's going to be a pretty uneventful day. We try to relax but the nurses or cleaning ladies are in here quite often. They're having some sort of celebration here in the city & we have heard fireworks go off since 8 this morning. (nice alarm clock) Apparently they believe that if you shoot fireworks up to the Gods, then you will have wealth. Hopefully this is a once a year type of thing because the fireworks sounded like cars backfiring all day. Up on the 8th floor we were able to see them through out the area. Tonight after it got dark, it was nice to see the show. I took some pictures & managed to get one good one which I posted on here. In the picture above you can see the
m in the distance. It's nearly midnight & they're still going off. Probably won't get too much sleep tonight. Photo's: 1st - Brandon during the 6 hours of bed duty. He is only able to lay on his back or on his side. He cannot lift his head for the entire 6 hours nor can he use a pillow. 2nd - The view of the fireworks from our window. (Look above the neon sign - you can see the fireworks in the sky) 3rd - A picture of Nick taken yesterday at the hotel.
Brandon had the spinal!! He got out of recovery about 30 minutes ago with a red rash on his face. The Dr's think he had an allergic reaction to either the anesthesia or the stem cells. Currently he is on oxygen & connected to a machine that constantly checks his vitals - just a precaution measure. We are so excited that they were able to do this spinal stem cell treatment! They did say that his intracranial pressure was still high despite changing the anest
nty of fluids so he is having to pee in a duck urnal. He likes that! He said that he wanted to take it home so he could pee in bed. He really acts like his dad!! 
