Day Three . . . .

We started the day off with breakfast on the terrace of our hotel - the boys took the opportunity to kick back and relax!
Today we had therapy services and it went very well. The doctor told Wyatt that he "was brilliant"! They video taped him on a treadmill and was able to mark his steps, stride and gait - very interesting to see. The therapists would like us to come back for a very intensive 2-week therapy session to focus on his speech and balance. I will have to discuss this with Danny once we get back and also talk about a third treatment if we see some positive results from the second.





After that we decided to go and tour the Benrath Palace, which was about a 20-minute train ride. The palace was amazing and we had a nice quiet, leisure afternoon. Once we were done there, we went back to our hotel and ate at a nearby Greek restuarant. The food was very good. We were all ready to make it a short evening and get some rest before Wyatt's big day tomorrow.

Day 2 at the XCell Center

Wyatt and I were picked up for our appointment for his stem-cell extraction and proceeded to the clinic. Just like any other clinic - hurry up and wait. They were running an hour behind and just when I was running out of ideas to entertain Wyatt, it was his turn. We were gowned up and off to the collection site. After getting the IV in and many tears, Wy fell asleep very fast in my arms. I was escorted out of the area and the Doctors started their procedure while I waited. After a mere 15 minutes, Wyatt was wheeled out of the OR and we were off to the recovery room. There we were with a family that we met from NJ - actually a Japanese family that lives in the US. It was very nice to have someone to have near by that is going through the same journey. I have met other families from Yemen and Denver as well and hope to continue the realtionship as we all hope for progress with our children. We are all trying to do the same thing for our children - provide them with every possible option in the world to make their life that much better.
Once in recovery, Wy woke up mad and crying. He was pulling at the IV and wanted it out NOW. I asked a nurse to get it out his way or it would be Wy's way. Once the IV came out, Wyatt settled down and I was able to get him to eat and drink. That is a sign that he is ready to be discharged.
Once we got back to our room, Wyatt was ready for a nap. We were woken by our two world travelers returning from Paris. Wy was so excited to see Grandpa and Dwight, so we all got ready to go and eat at Schumachers Brewery - Sehr Gut!! Wyatt ate a ton and that made me feel very good. After our home-style meal, it was off to bed.

After 15 hours of travel . . . we finally made it!

The trip to Dusseldorf went very well, but very long. We were able to get a little sleep on the plane, but not much. Wyatt did great, like always.

We settled into our hotel and took a nap. The sound of honking horns and crazy soccer fans woke us outside of our room. Once we made it to the streets, we were able to witness first-hand on how the Europeans take soccer so serious. We walked through the streets and took it all in - Wyatt covered his ears several times because it was really noisy.

We made it to the Rhine River and found a quiet restaurant to have something to eat. A stroll along the river lead us to an outdoor flea market. Wyatt spotted the trampoline immediately and had to try it. He loved it and didn't want to get down. Once we got back to the hotel room, Wyatt took a bath and was sleeping in no time. I had to wake him in the morning.

Grandpa and Dwight left this morning with no place in particular to go - they just told me that they would be back by tomorrow night - how cool is that!

Wyatt had his first appointment today. We met with both of his doctor's and did lots of paperwork. His next appointment is tomorrow and will be when they with draw his stem cells. Then on Wednesday, we go back for a consult with several therapists for the doctors to video tape Wyatt. This is something new that they have started. The tape will provide us a visual to use for comparision purposes in case we come back for a third treatment. Thursday will be his last day at the doctor and is when his cells will be re-implanted.
Well, so far so good. Everything is going fine. Time to get Wyatt settled in for a little nap before we go out for the evening.

The Countdown Has Begun . . .

. . . . 22 days and counting until we board an airplane to Dusseldorf. Wyatt is very excited about the upcoming trip - Grandpa Bernard will be traveling with us again and Wy's cousin and buddy, Dwight is also coming with us. Dwight just finished his first year in college and wanted to travel this summer - what a great opportunity for him. He is super great with Wyatt and Wy loves hanging out with his older cousin.

Wyatt's appointments are all set - we just received notice that one of the appointments changed from 8:30am to 2pm. Thank goodness this is just a consultation because he needs to fast for six hours prior to his treatments. That would be a very long day for both of us . . .

I need to start thinking about packing for the two of us and getting everything else in order for Daddy, Whitney & Waylon while we are gone. Whit & Way are so understanding and are Wy's biggest fans - I am soo blessed with three of the most beautiful children in the world.

LIFE IS GOOD!