Does anyone remember Haoyang, one of our Little Red Scarf children featured in our August Newsletter?
It was last Thursday , the week before National Day (October 1), when I saw Hao Yang again. Actually this was the third time that I saw him during his treatment, which lasted a long five months. Between April and September, Hao Yang had come to Beijing hoping for his first treatment, been forced to go back home and wait, make a second trip to Beijing for the surgery, and battled postoperative respiratory problems. In that time span, Hao Yang experienced more medical battles than some people do in a lifetime.
We all feared that Hao Yang would not be able to recover from his post-op complications; even I felt little hope when I saw the video of him posted by the nurse in the ICU. However, despite his desperate situation, we watched a miracle unfold. We were especially moved by his parents' joy upon the news that he was beginning to take a turn for the better. Hao Yang was moved from the ICU to the med/surg ward for noncritical patients shortly thereafter. Although he was skinny, he was no longer in grave danger
When I saw Hao Yang this time, it was time for him to leave the hospital and return home. Now Hao Yang can walk by himself and can communicate with us, though he is still weak, which shows in his voice. Through Skype, he communicates with Director Ruan, who is very concerned about him, and he sings for her. He is very young and still does not understand the amazing grace that has been bestowed upon him, that his life in itself is miraculous. He is perhaps more aware that something changed in his family. His mother is finally emotionally ready to take him home and be the mother she couldn't be to him previously. However, he will some day come to realize the full weight of everything he has survived.
We take a photo for Hao Yang’s family, and his parents’ faces are beaming with happy smiles. After that we take turns getting photos with Hao Yang. Even though all the excitement is probably exhausting for his weak body, he is polite and doesn't complain.
Before leaving , Hao Yang’s father gives us some walnuts, which he grew himself. I pat Hao Yang’s shoulder and tell him that he should take good care of his parents when he grows up. Hao Yang nods. We both agree to meet again in three months when Hao Yang comes to Beijing for a follow-up appointment. We hope that Hao Yang will recover quickly, that he will be stronger by then. Only time will tell, but in the interim, all we can do is be grateful for the changes we have already seen in his life, and hope for the best in the future.
It was last Thursday , the week before National Day (October 1), when I saw Hao Yang again. Actually this was the third time that I saw him during his treatment, which lasted a long five months. Between April and September, Hao Yang had come to Beijing hoping for his first treatment, been forced to go back home and wait, make a second trip to Beijing for the surgery, and battled postoperative respiratory problems. In that time span, Hao Yang experienced more medical battles than some people do in a lifetime.
We all feared that Hao Yang would not be able to recover from his post-op complications; even I felt little hope when I saw the video of him posted by the nurse in the ICU. However, despite his desperate situation, we watched a miracle unfold. We were especially moved by his parents' joy upon the news that he was beginning to take a turn for the better. Hao Yang was moved from the ICU to the med/surg ward for noncritical patients shortly thereafter. Although he was skinny, he was no longer in grave danger
When I saw Hao Yang this time, it was time for him to leave the hospital and return home. Now Hao Yang can walk by himself and can communicate with us, though he is still weak, which shows in his voice. Through Skype, he communicates with Director Ruan, who is very concerned about him, and he sings for her. He is very young and still does not understand the amazing grace that has been bestowed upon him, that his life in itself is miraculous. He is perhaps more aware that something changed in his family. His mother is finally emotionally ready to take him home and be the mother she couldn't be to him previously. However, he will some day come to realize the full weight of everything he has survived.
We take a photo for Hao Yang’s family, and his parents’ faces are beaming with happy smiles. After that we take turns getting photos with Hao Yang. Even though all the excitement is probably exhausting for his weak body, he is polite and doesn't complain.
Before leaving , Hao Yang’s father gives us some walnuts, which he grew himself. I pat Hao Yang’s shoulder and tell him that he should take good care of his parents when he grows up. Hao Yang nods. We both agree to meet again in three months when Hao Yang comes to Beijing for a follow-up appointment. We hope that Hao Yang will recover quickly, that he will be stronger by then. Only time will tell, but in the interim, all we can do is be grateful for the changes we have already seen in his life, and hope for the best in the future.
