2:49 am (Thursday morning)

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 look 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). Brandon 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. 16th. 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. 6th & we will be able to leave on Sept 9th. ** 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.