Hello!
I know it's been awhile, but this is the first chance I've had since I've been in the "box" to send an e-mail.
The stem cell transplant took place on Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving!) I was in awe as I watched the nearly colorless, almost wispy looking stem cells drip down through my IV. It is incredible to think of the healing that these seemingly insignificant drops can do in my body.
A flock of doctors had gathered at my window to watch the procedure – some taking photos and one taking a video. I had my I-pod playing Donny's, "This is the Moment!" It was a festive atmosphere! Jimmy and Jau Fang had brought a huge birthday cake to share. (They must have done a lot of searching to find such a cake here in Chengdu!) Lon had brought more flowers to put on my windowsill outside the "box." The docs and nurses sang "Happy Birthday." All in all the process took about 45 minutes. Now we wait for the stem cells to do their magic!
I've been told to expect another 30 days in the "box" after stem cell transplantation. Yet, they've also told me that everything depends on my body. If I can recovery rapidly I can get out of here sooner. Oh, I am praying for things to be quick! The Lord has blessed us with so many miracles already, but I keep asking for just one more!!
I have felt the tender mercies of the Lord and He is teaching me so many things. For instance, this miracle in my life took place on Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving means nothing here – it is just another day. I did not choose this day – it was determined by my docs. The Lord, in His goodness, chose to let this be a day of special significance to me in more ways than one! Also, one of the greatest lessons I have felt is that of charity – the pure love of Christ. This lesson has been taught to me by all of you who have loved and served our family so unselfishly. How can I express my gratitude to you who have done so much? I will forever be grateful for your Christ-like love and service.
I also want to express my love and gratitude for Lon and his love and devotion. He lifts me up and blesses my life. He tells me I'm beautiful even though I've seen myself in the mirror! He has been a great strength to me through all of this.
Well, I love you all!
Sheryl
Friday, November 23, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
2 Days Left
Nov 20, 2007
9th day of Chemo- 1 to go
Well- Sheryl started losing her hair 2 days ago. Also, her face looks like she just had her wisdom teeth pulled - but talking to her you would never know she even has a problem. She has written so much in her journal that I have to keep replacing her pens. She has truly created a sacred environment in her 7 X 8 room. Her room with the 1 glass wall is extremely quiet other than when the sweet nurses come and check in on the 2 IV's or wanting to learn some English.
Sheryl spends all day long and even into the night in her scriptures- journal- and praying. I so desperately want to hold her and go for walks with her- but I have to be patience because she will be in the box for another 30 days and then in the hospital for observation for another 30 days.
Her red blood count yesterday was 3.0 goal is 3.0 to 1.5
White blood is 1.5 goal is 0.5
So Wednesday back home, November 22, (Thanksgiving day here) she will be reborn physically. I challenge any and all to make that a day of rebirth spiritually and celebrate God's mercy and love to all of us.
We feel so blessed at the wonderful season- a season of Thanksgiving!!! For we are all truly blessed in the trials that we are faced with.
Well I need to go find some Chinese food for Sheryl for lunch. The only food she seems to eat or want is Chinese!!!! Ha Ha (No other options)
We love you all,
The Chengdu connection: Lon & Sheryl
9th day of Chemo- 1 to go
Well- Sheryl started losing her hair 2 days ago. Also, her face looks like she just had her wisdom teeth pulled - but talking to her you would never know she even has a problem. She has written so much in her journal that I have to keep replacing her pens. She has truly created a sacred environment in her 7 X 8 room. Her room with the 1 glass wall is extremely quiet other than when the sweet nurses come and check in on the 2 IV's or wanting to learn some English.
Sheryl spends all day long and even into the night in her scriptures- journal- and praying. I so desperately want to hold her and go for walks with her- but I have to be patience because she will be in the box for another 30 days and then in the hospital for observation for another 30 days.
Her red blood count yesterday was 3.0 goal is 3.0 to 1.5
White blood is 1.5 goal is 0.5
So Wednesday back home, November 22, (Thanksgiving day here) she will be reborn physically. I challenge any and all to make that a day of rebirth spiritually and celebrate God's mercy and love to all of us.
We feel so blessed at the wonderful season- a season of Thanksgiving!!! For we are all truly blessed in the trials that we are faced with.
Well I need to go find some Chinese food for Sheryl for lunch. The only food she seems to eat or want is Chinese!!!! Ha Ha (No other options)
We love you all,
The Chengdu connection: Lon & Sheryl
Friday, November 16, 2007
Out To Dinner
My wonderful friends and family: Friday night Nov 16, 2007
Sheryl is 6 days now in the box by herself - that is 6 days of Chemo with 4 more days to go.
Well it is Friday night and Sheryl and I were discussing whether to go to California Pizza Kitchen, Cheese Cake Factory, or to Happy Sumo's? We considered many other places too, but decided to dine in. I have a lovely dinning room table. 24 x 18 That is 24" by 18"- we have had as many as 5 eating around it. 2 chairs in the room but quite a bit of bed space- so anyone else wanting to join us, we have the room!!! We however had the best surprise ever yesterday. When I was young men's president 21 years ago there was this wonderful YM I had in Priest quorum- Whitney Clayton. Well it must of been a good experience because he flew over yesterday from Shanghai (where he is living with his beautiful wife Jane and their 2 1/2 children.) Jane had made the best soups ever. Homemade soups with some homemade wheat bread and cookies. Whitney had brought a package FedX from our children with pictures!!! Yea- and posters that Travis and Weston made for their mom. They are not just posters - but life size clones of themselves that now hang at the foot of Sheryl's bed. SO every night now Weston and Travis tuck Sheryl in and guard her bed from any bad guys. Pictures of the family now hang on another wall that are life savers. I stole some of Sheryl's pictures because I needed my children around me too. The Doctors and nurses love looking at these pictures. They just keep saying "Beautiful"!!! Over Sheryl's head are pictures of the Savior- about 20. Thank you Greg Olson. The nurses paid me the highest complement ever- they told Sheryl that I looked like Jesus. (We are suppose take upon us His countenance.) So maybe I have!
Ok, for all you homemakers out there- does the "Laundry" mean anything to you? It has a whole new meaning for me now. Londry.
Lon dry- yes I have mastered my name. I walk into my little shower with my clothes on, get them wet and use the soup 1st on my clothes, 2nd on Sheryl's PJs, and lastly on my body. I then wrap the clothes up into my towel and take them to my room where I then hang them up on the 3 IV hooks that hang over the beds in my room. Thus the "dry" part!!! Yea for IV hooks- I was doing it once a week but it was tooooooo long of a project and I would always get soaked- these are safety tips for you campers or those that go back in time to the 1800's. So no worries anymore- I just walk in and get it done. Now I am always caught up. Feel free to use any of my ideas if you think they might be helpful. (At least my water is warm- Sheryl has a little pan to bathe - and it is freezing.)
Dallin must be learning something in seminary because when I told him mom's room was 8 X 8- he said that is just like Noah's Ark. (He's got to be studying the OT this year.) I told Dallin- no - I am on Noah's ark- mom is like one of the animals that is locked up in one of the cages on Noah's ark. I think he doesn't totally get it. Will someone take a tape measure out for my children to help them understand that Noah's Ark was a little bigger than that!!!!! Then Dallin says, "Dad, what do you do all day?" I told him PRAY a lot- study the scriptures, read church books, and write in my journal." He then says, "Sounds like seminary to me." Bishop- you might want to work with that boy, or anyone else that feels you can get thru to him!!!!
Sheryl's Doc is so pleased with her health and progress. Thanksgiving day will be her new birthday and we will probably be eating Chinese- I feel like we are in a foreign country. It will be the Thanksgiving never to be forgotten. It will be the day I will feel more gratitude to my Savior than I have felt before. We feel so blessed once again to watch these miracles happen daily.
Jason asked me tell him all about the 2nd coming- I love when my children ask me questions. I know there's hope for Dallin.
Well Brandon goes in for his foot surgery tomorrow- thanks Aunt Suzi for helping. Thank you all again for all of your love and support. We are true and strong. The Lord has truly blessed us thru this trial.
Your brother in the Gospel.
Lon A. Wardrop
Sheryl is 6 days now in the box by herself - that is 6 days of Chemo with 4 more days to go.
Well it is Friday night and Sheryl and I were discussing whether to go to California Pizza Kitchen, Cheese Cake Factory, or to Happy Sumo's? We considered many other places too, but decided to dine in. I have a lovely dinning room table. 24 x 18 That is 24" by 18"- we have had as many as 5 eating around it. 2 chairs in the room but quite a bit of bed space- so anyone else wanting to join us, we have the room!!! We however had the best surprise ever yesterday. When I was young men's president 21 years ago there was this wonderful YM I had in Priest quorum- Whitney Clayton. Well it must of been a good experience because he flew over yesterday from Shanghai (where he is living with his beautiful wife Jane and their 2 1/2 children.) Jane had made the best soups ever. Homemade soups with some homemade wheat bread and cookies. Whitney had brought a package FedX from our children with pictures!!! Yea- and posters that Travis and Weston made for their mom. They are not just posters - but life size clones of themselves that now hang at the foot of Sheryl's bed. SO every night now Weston and Travis tuck Sheryl in and guard her bed from any bad guys. Pictures of the family now hang on another wall that are life savers. I stole some of Sheryl's pictures because I needed my children around me too. The Doctors and nurses love looking at these pictures. They just keep saying "Beautiful"!!! Over Sheryl's head are pictures of the Savior- about 20. Thank you Greg Olson. The nurses paid me the highest complement ever- they told Sheryl that I looked like Jesus. (We are suppose take upon us His countenance.) So maybe I have!
Ok, for all you homemakers out there- does the "Laundry" mean anything to you? It has a whole new meaning for me now. Londry.
Lon dry- yes I have mastered my name. I walk into my little shower with my clothes on, get them wet and use the soup 1st on my clothes, 2nd on Sheryl's PJs, and lastly on my body. I then wrap the clothes up into my towel and take them to my room where I then hang them up on the 3 IV hooks that hang over the beds in my room. Thus the "dry" part!!! Yea for IV hooks- I was doing it once a week but it was tooooooo long of a project and I would always get soaked- these are safety tips for you campers or those that go back in time to the 1800's. So no worries anymore- I just walk in and get it done. Now I am always caught up. Feel free to use any of my ideas if you think they might be helpful. (At least my water is warm- Sheryl has a little pan to bathe - and it is freezing.)
Dallin must be learning something in seminary because when I told him mom's room was 8 X 8- he said that is just like Noah's Ark. (He's got to be studying the OT this year.) I told Dallin- no - I am on Noah's ark- mom is like one of the animals that is locked up in one of the cages on Noah's ark. I think he doesn't totally get it. Will someone take a tape measure out for my children to help them understand that Noah's Ark was a little bigger than that!!!!! Then Dallin says, "Dad, what do you do all day?" I told him PRAY a lot- study the scriptures, read church books, and write in my journal." He then says, "Sounds like seminary to me." Bishop- you might want to work with that boy, or anyone else that feels you can get thru to him!!!!
Sheryl's Doc is so pleased with her health and progress. Thanksgiving day will be her new birthday and we will probably be eating Chinese- I feel like we are in a foreign country. It will be the Thanksgiving never to be forgotten. It will be the day I will feel more gratitude to my Savior than I have felt before. We feel so blessed once again to watch these miracles happen daily.
Jason asked me tell him all about the 2nd coming- I love when my children ask me questions. I know there's hope for Dallin.
Well Brandon goes in for his foot surgery tomorrow- thanks Aunt Suzi for helping. Thank you all again for all of your love and support. We are true and strong. The Lord has truly blessed us thru this trial.
Your brother in the Gospel.
Lon A. Wardrop
Monday, November 12, 2007
In the Box
Dear friends and family:
I have let Sheryl do most of the updating--frankly because she is a lot better at it--but we are not comparing. What a brave and valiant young lady this daughter -mother- sister- wife and friend she is. I have been in tears more this past couple of weeks than I have in my entire life. It is rare that I am so often on the surface with my emotions but the love I have felt (we have felt) melts our very heart strings. I am not crying over Sheryl when she has a tube the size of my little finger go into her leg 4". No anesthetic- nothing but courage and faith from Sheryl and all of our beloved friends and family. To see her going through chemo does not bring me to tears. To watch her head being shaved does not bring me to tears. The emails melt my heart--thank you all, for it is our lifeline to the world.
My whole married life I have told Sheryl that she is so beautiful that she would even being bald. (No joke she is!!!) But she is so vain that she had to prove it to me. I told her that I could be on a deserted island with just her and I would be completely happy and the luckiest guy out there. So- here we are in Chengdu (our deserted island) and once again I have never been happier. I am so grateful for this time in our lives to climb Mount Sinai. Sheryl will be in to box about 40 days. 10 days of chemo and another 30 days of recovery. November 22, 2007 will be Sheryl’s new birthday. That will be the day they will put the stem cells back into her body. The doctor came into my room last night at about midnight so excited. They had gathered more than 100% of the stem cells they were looking for. He said that our God must be looking after us because the process of collecting the stem cells sometimes takes 2 days but there best was 5 hours. Sheryl was done in 2 hours. He knew a miracle had taken place twice in one day. SO he woke me up like a little child would on Christmas morning.
Our lives will never be the same. Here our son Jason is very ill on his mission- in bed for at least 2 more weeks (down to 140lbs) at 6'1" tall. Brandon is going in for another surgery this next week on his foot. Weston with the flu- but unlike Job our friends and family are with us. Sheryl's and my 40 days in the wilderness (they don't let me leave my room either) has begun. Many of you, I know, also have trials. These are the times when all you can do is turn to a Father who never abandons you- a Brother that will never leave you unless you don't want Him around - They will lift you - direct you- and comfort you. I have felt His presences- Sheryl has had an Apostolic blessing from Elder Nelson- who keeps asking about her- President Hinckley prayed for her in the Temple and Sheryl has had many sacred experiences, that only one that is truly pure in heart can have. How can a disease that is so crippling and so life threatening be the greatest blessing of all to have the wonderful spiritual experiences that we are having here. I would not wish this on anyone- yet it is ours and ours alone to work through. It is a tuff way to get to know God- but one well worth the travel.
We could never be able to do it without all of your support. When you have done it unto one of the least of these - you have done it unto me. We will never be able to repay all of your love and service. Thank you from the depths of our soul for whatever you have done on behalf of our family.
God lives and knows His children. Whatever difficulty we may face if we turn to Him- He will lift us up as He has our family. I feel so blessed for all of my trials- our family’s trials and it is God who I put my faith and trust.
Thank you all so much for your prayers- your service and your wonderful examples of LOVE.
Shi Shi (Chinese for thank you)
All my love that I have, your faithful friend, brother, Uncle, Son, Father, Lon
P.S. I am teaching English to all the Doctors 30 minutes each morning. Today I taught them two words. Hurting and pain- so there are about 15 Docs in there and I went around the room having them experience those words. They now understand those words really well. I told them when Sheryl is hurting or in pain they can help her more quickly.
I have let Sheryl do most of the updating--frankly because she is a lot better at it--but we are not comparing. What a brave and valiant young lady this daughter -mother- sister- wife and friend she is. I have been in tears more this past couple of weeks than I have in my entire life. It is rare that I am so often on the surface with my emotions but the love I have felt (we have felt) melts our very heart strings. I am not crying over Sheryl when she has a tube the size of my little finger go into her leg 4". No anesthetic- nothing but courage and faith from Sheryl and all of our beloved friends and family. To see her going through chemo does not bring me to tears. To watch her head being shaved does not bring me to tears. The emails melt my heart--thank you all, for it is our lifeline to the world.
My whole married life I have told Sheryl that she is so beautiful that she would even being bald. (No joke she is!!!) But she is so vain that she had to prove it to me. I told her that I could be on a deserted island with just her and I would be completely happy and the luckiest guy out there. So- here we are in Chengdu (our deserted island) and once again I have never been happier. I am so grateful for this time in our lives to climb Mount Sinai. Sheryl will be in to box about 40 days. 10 days of chemo and another 30 days of recovery. November 22, 2007 will be Sheryl’s new birthday. That will be the day they will put the stem cells back into her body. The doctor came into my room last night at about midnight so excited. They had gathered more than 100% of the stem cells they were looking for. He said that our God must be looking after us because the process of collecting the stem cells sometimes takes 2 days but there best was 5 hours. Sheryl was done in 2 hours. He knew a miracle had taken place twice in one day. SO he woke me up like a little child would on Christmas morning.
Our lives will never be the same. Here our son Jason is very ill on his mission- in bed for at least 2 more weeks (down to 140lbs) at 6'1" tall. Brandon is going in for another surgery this next week on his foot. Weston with the flu- but unlike Job our friends and family are with us. Sheryl's and my 40 days in the wilderness (they don't let me leave my room either) has begun. Many of you, I know, also have trials. These are the times when all you can do is turn to a Father who never abandons you- a Brother that will never leave you unless you don't want Him around - They will lift you - direct you- and comfort you. I have felt His presences- Sheryl has had an Apostolic blessing from Elder Nelson- who keeps asking about her- President Hinckley prayed for her in the Temple and Sheryl has had many sacred experiences, that only one that is truly pure in heart can have. How can a disease that is so crippling and so life threatening be the greatest blessing of all to have the wonderful spiritual experiences that we are having here. I would not wish this on anyone- yet it is ours and ours alone to work through. It is a tuff way to get to know God- but one well worth the travel.
We could never be able to do it without all of your support. When you have done it unto one of the least of these - you have done it unto me. We will never be able to repay all of your love and service. Thank you from the depths of our soul for whatever you have done on behalf of our family.
God lives and knows His children. Whatever difficulty we may face if we turn to Him- He will lift us up as He has our family. I feel so blessed for all of my trials- our family’s trials and it is God who I put my faith and trust.
Thank you all so much for your prayers- your service and your wonderful examples of LOVE.
Shi Shi (Chinese for thank you)
All my love that I have, your faithful friend, brother, Uncle, Son, Father, Lon
P.S. I am teaching English to all the Doctors 30 minutes each morning. Today I taught them two words. Hurting and pain- so there are about 15 Docs in there and I went around the room having them experience those words. They now understand those words really well. I told them when Sheryl is hurting or in pain they can help her more quickly.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Things in Motion
November 10, 2007
After not leaving my hospital room for 12 days my head nurse came and told me that she would be taking Lon and me to lunch. We went to my favorite restaurant here - the one with the hot pots- kind of like fondue. It was kind of my "last supper" as all of the big stuff will begin happening on Sunday. Everything up until now has just been preparation. I also knew that they would be shaving my head later in the day. Of course, I figured they'd use clippers on me, but when the barber showed up it became evident that that wasn't his plan. He got a big bowl of warm water and soaped up my hair. Then, to my alarm, he began at the crown of my head working from the back to the front using a straight edge razor! In my mind I kept repeating the words, "Be strong and of a good courage...be strong and of a good courage." I think if I hadn't been thinking those words that I would've been freaking out. So, yes, I am now completely bald. When I looked in the mirror it was quite a shock. But I'm okay. Lon has been very sweet and supportive. In a show of support, he also shaved his head and his beard which he had been growing for the past 2 weeks. (I don't mean to be rude when I say that he doesn't look much different!) My sweet head nurse who knew that this would be an emotional thing for me had her husband stop by the hospital and bring me a huge bouquet of flowers!
So, like I said, Sunday is the big day when everything gets underway. The docs from Beijing will be here and the separation of the stem cells will take place. Chemo will start on Monday. I will go into "the box" (isolation) on Sunday. My most critical time will be starting Sunday and then for the next few weeks. I'm so grateful for all of your prayers - am I greedy to ask for more? Please know that your prayers and faith and fasting are getting me through this. I feel strength beyond my own and I know where it is coming from.
On another note, we received an e-mail from our son, Elder Jason Wardrop, who is serving a mission in Goiania, Brasil. He is very sick with dengue fever and bronchitis. We are very concerned. Could you please remember him in your prayers also? Just know that the Wardrop family will be forever grateful for every prayer uttered in our behalf. We love you all so much! Your friendship and love warm our hearts. Truly we are blessed with the most wonderful friends in the world!
Love,
~Sheryl
After not leaving my hospital room for 12 days my head nurse came and told me that she would be taking Lon and me to lunch. We went to my favorite restaurant here - the one with the hot pots- kind of like fondue. It was kind of my "last supper" as all of the big stuff will begin happening on Sunday. Everything up until now has just been preparation. I also knew that they would be shaving my head later in the day. Of course, I figured they'd use clippers on me, but when the barber showed up it became evident that that wasn't his plan. He got a big bowl of warm water and soaped up my hair. Then, to my alarm, he began at the crown of my head working from the back to the front using a straight edge razor! In my mind I kept repeating the words, "Be strong and of a good courage...be strong and of a good courage." I think if I hadn't been thinking those words that I would've been freaking out. So, yes, I am now completely bald. When I looked in the mirror it was quite a shock. But I'm okay. Lon has been very sweet and supportive. In a show of support, he also shaved his head and his beard which he had been growing for the past 2 weeks. (I don't mean to be rude when I say that he doesn't look much different!) My sweet head nurse who knew that this would be an emotional thing for me had her husband stop by the hospital and bring me a huge bouquet of flowers!
So, like I said, Sunday is the big day when everything gets underway. The docs from Beijing will be here and the separation of the stem cells will take place. Chemo will start on Monday. I will go into "the box" (isolation) on Sunday. My most critical time will be starting Sunday and then for the next few weeks. I'm so grateful for all of your prayers - am I greedy to ask for more? Please know that your prayers and faith and fasting are getting me through this. I feel strength beyond my own and I know where it is coming from.
On another note, we received an e-mail from our son, Elder Jason Wardrop, who is serving a mission in Goiania, Brasil. He is very sick with dengue fever and bronchitis. We are very concerned. Could you please remember him in your prayers also? Just know that the Wardrop family will be forever grateful for every prayer uttered in our behalf. We love you all so much! Your friendship and love warm our hearts. Truly we are blessed with the most wonderful friends in the world!
Love,
~Sheryl
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Elder Wardrop
November 4, 2007
Just a thought... if any of you want to write to Elder Jason Wardrop through missionties he would love to hear from you!
To use it go to www.missionties.com email user name is law1977@gmail.com password is wardrop
We have really enjoyed using this service. Your letter is mailed to him from Sao Paulo, Brasil and he will get it in 2-3 days. You can also send photos attached to your letter. Please feel free to use this service. I have paid a monthly fee for it and it shouldn't go unused!
Thanks!
~Sheryl
Just a thought... if any of you want to write to Elder Jason Wardrop through missionties he would love to hear from you!
To use it go to www.missionties.com email user name is law1977@gmail.com password is wardrop
We have really enjoyed using this service. Your letter is mailed to him from Sao Paulo, Brasil and he will get it in 2-3 days. You can also send photos attached to your letter. Please feel free to use this service. I have paid a monthly fee for it and it shouldn't go unused!
Thanks!
~Sheryl
Saturday, November 3, 2007
November 3, 2007
Well, it's Saturday which means that the main doctors and head nurse are off today. Yet, the head nurse still came to visit us twice with her husband and brought me flowers. Also, one of my main doctors came to see me with a friend who is a doc in Beijing.
Every nurse and doctor who comes to our room asks to see our family. We are so grateful to Jessica (Ricks) Bybee who took our family picture last June! These pictures have sure helped to keep our spirits up. We look at them all the time! All the docs and nurses are amazed at how large our family is! Here in China each couple may have only one child. If they have more than one child they will lose their jobs and be subject to fines throughout the child's life.
Our new friend, Jessica, (whom we met through Jimmy and Jau Fang) who lives in Hainan told us, "I am very happy because I have one daughter, but you are even happier because you have six children!" She says that she wishes she had had three children. She says that now that she is in her 40's she realizes that she could've found another job and that she could've paid the fines. She is an amazing person. Her father was killed in the cultural revolution. Her mother fled the city with Jessica and her 3 siblings. They took up residence in the countryside where her mother, as an unskilled laborer, worked 2 jobs to support the family. Her mother taught the children that they should get an education. Now Jessica and her siblings all have advanced degrees. Jessica actually got her MBA at Cal State Fullerton in California. When she came to the USA she did not speak English well. She studied every night until 2 or 3 am trying to learn English at the same time she was studying her MBA coursework. She has been so good to us – she says she likes to help us because so many people helped her when she went to the States. When we first arrived in Hainan it was raining very hard because a typhoon had just passed through. Jessica wrote me a note that said, "We always think life just likes the weather.. For you, it's raining now, but we believe that sunshine will come to you again, and you'll be moving forward. Get well soon. With love and Blessings, Jessica's family."
We feel so blessed with wonderful friends here in China and back home. I looked at the temple calendar and was so touched. I couldn't hold back the tears. Thank you so much! I will be forever grateful!
~Sheryl
Every nurse and doctor who comes to our room asks to see our family. We are so grateful to Jessica (Ricks) Bybee who took our family picture last June! These pictures have sure helped to keep our spirits up. We look at them all the time! All the docs and nurses are amazed at how large our family is! Here in China each couple may have only one child. If they have more than one child they will lose their jobs and be subject to fines throughout the child's life.
Our new friend, Jessica, (whom we met through Jimmy and Jau Fang) who lives in Hainan told us, "I am very happy because I have one daughter, but you are even happier because you have six children!" She says that she wishes she had had three children. She says that now that she is in her 40's she realizes that she could've found another job and that she could've paid the fines. She is an amazing person. Her father was killed in the cultural revolution. Her mother fled the city with Jessica and her 3 siblings. They took up residence in the countryside where her mother, as an unskilled laborer, worked 2 jobs to support the family. Her mother taught the children that they should get an education. Now Jessica and her siblings all have advanced degrees. Jessica actually got her MBA at Cal State Fullerton in California. When she came to the USA she did not speak English well. She studied every night until 2 or 3 am trying to learn English at the same time she was studying her MBA coursework. She has been so good to us – she says she likes to help us because so many people helped her when she went to the States. When we first arrived in Hainan it was raining very hard because a typhoon had just passed through. Jessica wrote me a note that said, "We always think life just likes the weather.. For you, it's raining now, but we believe that sunshine will come to you again, and you'll be moving forward. Get well soon. With love and Blessings, Jessica's family."
We feel so blessed with wonderful friends here in China and back home. I looked at the temple calendar and was so touched. I couldn't hold back the tears. Thank you so much! I will be forever grateful!
~Sheryl
Friday, November 2, 2007
Update from China
I know it's been awhile since I've updated the blog. It's just that things have been so slow and delayed that there hasn't been much to say. It has been frustrating, but we figure the Lord is trying to teach us patience!
First of all I want to express my gratitude to all of you for the way you are serving and blessing our family! Lon and I couldn't be here doing this without your help and prayers. We feel so blessed! Saying "thank you" doesn't seem to express the realm of feelings we have for the way you are all blessing our family so abundantly. We are so grateful for your prayers, your fasting, your temple attendance, your visits, the meals brought in to our family, the packages sent to our family, the help with school work, etc, etc... When we talk to our kids and hear reports of all that you all are doing we are so amazed and overwhelmed. I am so touched. Thank you all for your Christ-like service.
Basically for various reasons we have returned to Chengdu for treatment. We feel good about this. The only real downside is that I won't be in warm weather for my recovery, but that's okay. We feel very confident in Dr Shang and the staff here in Chengdu.
We arrived here on Monday night October 29th. The head nurse picked us up in a military car, again, arranged for by her husband. The head nurse is awesome! She really cracks the whip in this department. Even all the doctors (except Dr Shang) do exactly what she says. She is the heart and soul of this place. As strict as she is with everyone in the department, she is completely tender with me. She doesn't speak English very well, but everyday she tells me that she loves me. She treats me like she is my loving sister. She spends a lot of time in my room and still talks to me non-stop in Chinese as if I understand and might answer her at any moment! She can read English well. She picked up my little hymn book the other day and turned to the song "Abide with Me." She sat and read outloud the words to the song. I don't know if she understood what she was reading, but it was sweet.
So, after 5 weeks of waiting, my treatment has finally officially begun. On Tuesday, October 30th they began giving me IV's that are supposed to coax the stem cells out of my bone marrow so that they can collect the stem cells from my blood. Maybe today or tomorrow they will begin to collect my blood - which is a process that will take several days - maybe a week. (because of the scleroderma it is very hard to get my blood) So, we are happy that the treatment is finally underway.
The hardest part for me is that I desperately miss my family! It's been 5 weeks already and I certainly won't be returning any time soon. It all depends on my body and how I do with the treatment. It is now pretty certain that I won't be home before Christmas. Through all of this the only thing that has kept me from getting on a plane and coming home is knowing that my children are happy and well cared for. I have all of you to thank for this. Thank you for loving our kids and for helping them. We are so grateful!
I am also so grateful for Lon. He has been so wonderful and supportive through all of this. His humor keeps me going when I feel down. As you all know, he is pretty fun to have around. When people talk to us in non-stop Chinese he'll answer in English saying something funny like, " Yeah, you're right I did forget to floss my teeth this morning." or "I know, you think I'm buff." It's pretty funny because I never know what's going to come out of his mouth. So, even when we're having a hard day, we laugh a lot.
Now, that things are moving along we will do a better job of keeping you all posted.
We love you all so much!
~Sheryl
First of all I want to express my gratitude to all of you for the way you are serving and blessing our family! Lon and I couldn't be here doing this without your help and prayers. We feel so blessed! Saying "thank you" doesn't seem to express the realm of feelings we have for the way you are all blessing our family so abundantly. We are so grateful for your prayers, your fasting, your temple attendance, your visits, the meals brought in to our family, the packages sent to our family, the help with school work, etc, etc... When we talk to our kids and hear reports of all that you all are doing we are so amazed and overwhelmed. I am so touched. Thank you all for your Christ-like service.
Basically for various reasons we have returned to Chengdu for treatment. We feel good about this. The only real downside is that I won't be in warm weather for my recovery, but that's okay. We feel very confident in Dr Shang and the staff here in Chengdu.
We arrived here on Monday night October 29th. The head nurse picked us up in a military car, again, arranged for by her husband. The head nurse is awesome! She really cracks the whip in this department. Even all the doctors (except Dr Shang) do exactly what she says. She is the heart and soul of this place. As strict as she is with everyone in the department, she is completely tender with me. She doesn't speak English very well, but everyday she tells me that she loves me. She treats me like she is my loving sister. She spends a lot of time in my room and still talks to me non-stop in Chinese as if I understand and might answer her at any moment! She can read English well. She picked up my little hymn book the other day and turned to the song "Abide with Me." She sat and read outloud the words to the song. I don't know if she understood what she was reading, but it was sweet.
So, after 5 weeks of waiting, my treatment has finally officially begun. On Tuesday, October 30th they began giving me IV's that are supposed to coax the stem cells out of my bone marrow so that they can collect the stem cells from my blood. Maybe today or tomorrow they will begin to collect my blood - which is a process that will take several days - maybe a week. (because of the scleroderma it is very hard to get my blood) So, we are happy that the treatment is finally underway.
The hardest part for me is that I desperately miss my family! It's been 5 weeks already and I certainly won't be returning any time soon. It all depends on my body and how I do with the treatment. It is now pretty certain that I won't be home before Christmas. Through all of this the only thing that has kept me from getting on a plane and coming home is knowing that my children are happy and well cared for. I have all of you to thank for this. Thank you for loving our kids and for helping them. We are so grateful!
I am also so grateful for Lon. He has been so wonderful and supportive through all of this. His humor keeps me going when I feel down. As you all know, he is pretty fun to have around. When people talk to us in non-stop Chinese he'll answer in English saying something funny like, " Yeah, you're right I did forget to floss my teeth this morning." or "I know, you think I'm buff." It's pretty funny because I never know what's going to come out of his mouth. So, even when we're having a hard day, we laugh a lot.
Now, that things are moving along we will do a better job of keeping you all posted.
We love you all so much!
~Sheryl
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