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!

It's Potty Time!

So how excited should a mom get about "poop"?! Well, when her 8 year old has success for the very first time is definitely a reason to celebrate!!

We have been working very hard at school and at home, hoping that Wyatt will make the connection of using the toilet and we are now on the right track for more success.

Sorry, no picture to post here :-)

A proud Mommy moment . . .

A proud moment indeed! It was time for a team meeting to evaluate Wyatt's progress at school and talk about his summer school program. I was presented with this image that he had done that very morning. I couldn't believe it - Wy could not write his name at the beginning of the school year - and now look! He did everything on his own with just a little prompting from Amy, his OT. She made the tulip a dot-to-dot for him and he traced it, colored it and even drew the grass at the bottom on his own. We have been doing the "blue sky/green grass/red fence" concept to help guide him orally on how to write his letters versus the hand-over-hand and it's working great!

His summer schedule should be very busy - just how he likes it. He will be participating in a Summer Camp for two days, he will play on a baseball team, and go to several other summer rec programs locally as well. Some include "Kids in the Kitchen", "Ooey-Goey Science", "Computer Time", "Gardening & Games", and a session at the public library. I am so fortunate to have such great people in the community willing to accompany him at these sessions. Without them, he would not be able to participate because of my work schedule. He needs someone to be available for safety issues as well as other hygiene issues.

Wy has just a few weeks of school before we start planning for our trip to Germany. We are so excited to share his advancements with the medical team in Dusseldorf and of course, are hoping to see more results.

Father - Son Bonding!

Ready . . . . . . Aim . . . . . . Fire!

It's a Daisy . . .

just what every little

8-year-old boy needs!

Wyatt was so excited about getting his very first BB Gun for his birthday.