Help Feifei

Life for Feifei in China

Monday, February 2, 2009

There was concern that Feifei was not properly training with her prosthetic leg while she was in Philadelphia. We've learned that necessity motivates effort.

Twice a day, Feifei walks down then up the six levels of stairs to of her Grandfather's apartment to go outside and play. We have received several messages from friends in China that Shuqin and Feifei are plugged in to the local community of believers.

What's next for Feifei? In November (2009) she'll need to go back to Philadelphia, USA, America and get fitted for a new leg. At some point, doctors will need to revisit other long-term issues impacted by her injury.

2008-12-27 Feifei goes Home to China

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Feifei is amazing. Here she is walking on her prosthetic leg. Not only did she learn to walk, but she learned conversational English while here.

Feifei returned to China on December 27, 2008 (2008-12-27). Shriner's Hospital in Philadelphia fabricated a titanium prosthetic leg for her and gave her a wheelchair.
When Shuqin and Feifei boarded the airplane back to China, Shuqin asked Mingxia to tell the everyone how very grateful and thankful she is, that the entire trip was a "dream." I can tell you it wasn't a "dream come true." When we were in China, the idea of coming to America seemed impossible and unrealist -- too much for hope.

It happened.

It needs to happen again.

Feifei will need to return in November of 2009 to get a new prosthetic leg. She will continue to return annually for 3-6 weeks until she has reached her full height. I would list "credits" of thanks to those of you that helped, but how could that add to the blessing you have received? Enjoy your treasure in Heaven!

Enjoy more photos below.

News: Feifei in the News again 2008/12/04

Friday, December 5, 2008

Shuqing and Feifei appear in a New York City news story.

The Video is posted on Youtube here:

The original story is here:
http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/90058/local-non-profit-gets-youth-involved-in-the-arts/Default.aspx

Breaking News: Feifei appears in ABC News segment in Philadelphia

Friday, November 7, 2008

Feifei appeared on a channel 6 ABC News, Philadelphia, video segment about little girls with medical challenges getting a makeover! It is so wonderful to see Feifei having fun and getting pampered. She really looks beautiful! Watch it for yourself: Spatacular day for young girls!

By the way, Feifei will probably go back to China at the end of November (month 11). She will have been in America for 7 months, received 3 surgeries which, no doubt, saved her life.

Youtube link here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU7ZCUZUDfQ

Original story here:

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6492872

2008 October 13 Update

Monday, October 13, 2008

Today, Feifei receives the first fitting of her new prosthetic leg at Philadelphia Shriners Hospital. She has been using crutches since her initial evaluation at Shriners so she can be prepared with strength in her one remaining leg. Shriners will do their best to help rehabilitate her ability to walk.

Shriner's expects her needs of physical education to last about 1 month.

2008-09 September Philadelphia & New York City Photos

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

2008-September-09 - Great news!

Feifei is now at Shriner's Hospital in Philadelphia.

Shiner's enthusiastically accepted Feifei and will provide her an incredible prosthetic leg. This is no easy task. The staff stated that they she is one of the most difficult cases they have seen. IT IS A MIRACLE that Feifei is alive considering 60% of one hip was removed in emergency surgery; that she was left to die in the hospital by the medical staff because her parents couldn't afford the care; and she suffered over one year of bladder & colon infections, kidney stones, and oozing wounds. If it weren't for Johns Hopkins treating her, I really believe her condition would have deteriorated unto death.

Expect to see a Feifei's story featured at Shriner's website. There's also a possibility CNN may profile Feifei, Shriner's, and Global Medical Relief Fund.

For those who've asked, Bridge to the Nations paved the way for Feifei to be treated at Johns Hopkins. Global Medical Relief Fund arranged for Feifei's care at Shriner's hospital.

Everyone who've met them have all become Friends of Feifei and her mother Shuqing.

2008 August 14 - Feifei Kidney Stone Surgery

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Feifei had surgery on Monday for kidney stones. Doctors removed 90% of the stones, some stones which were greater than 1.5 centimeter. The surgery was successful, except for the remaining 10%. That means the doctors need to do it again next week. Despite this surgery, which is considered low to moderate risk, Feifei and her Mom, Shuqin, are doing great.

Johns Hopkins Hospital deserves of great accolades. JH has received nor sought public recognition for absorbing the + $1 million cost for helping this helpless child from China. Such charity is not because Johns Hopkins is inherently a benevolent organization, but the doctors and staff who work at JH want to help the helpless and do all they can within their abilities. This is made easier by the hospital administrators who paved the way for Feifei to come to Johns Hopkins. Many medical workers and staff have donated their professional time and given of their personal time to help Feifei. Xie xie (thank you) to all of you!

Feifei is tentatively scheduled to rendezvous with Christine and Mingxia in Philadelphia the first week of September, 2008. There, Shriners Childrens Hospital hopes help with rehabilitation and possibly a prosthetic leg.

Popular Chinese Myths: Americans want to Experiment on Chinese Children

Sunday, June 22, 2008

"People want her to come to America so they can experiment on her, that's why the Americans offer to pay for everything."

That's what medical workers and friends told Shuqin before she brought Feifei came to America. It's only because she saw a TV News story about Chinese doctors getting trained at Johns Hopkins that gathered her courage to take their first journey out of Wanzhou.

There's another child (news link here) we know who lost her right-arm and broke her left arm in the earthquake. We have spoken with her father and told him that Shriner's Hospital will treat her for free and give her a working prosthetic arm, but her father doesn't believe us because he is being told the same as Shuqin was told from the police, hospital, and his friends. I think this happens because of real kidnappings and abductions that occur in China, and because of superstition about "foreign devils." I've even heard that "Americans want to eat the children..." and people believe this! Chinese, state-controlled, media does little to shine the light of truth on any of the the myths and real dangers. The real dangers make the gov't look bad, and the myths do nothing to hurt the gov't.

Again, Feifei is doing VERY VERY well. She has learned to clean and dress her surgical areas, and she is growing up -- that is, taking responsibility for herself. For a little girl, left to die in a Wanzhou Hospital because she would never make it, she is doing extremely well.

Feifei will go to Shriner's Hospital near the beginning of July. There is a possibility CNN may chronicle her stay at Shriner's Hospital.

2008 June 12 Update

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Sorry for the delay in updates.

Feifei is back at McD's house and is doing very well. She getting Chinese tutoring every day from a church member. It is really her first real academic/educational experience. The plan for her to go to Shriner's Hospital in Philadelphia is still in the works. It should be between the last week of June and the second week of July.

2008, June 4 - Feifei Sick in the Hospital

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

From Christine:

Feifei and Shuqin had to go to the emergency room at Johns Hopkins last night, June 3, after she was sick and vomiting everything she ate during the day. They gave her a bed, put her on IV fluids and conducted some blood and urine tests. Dr. Kelly from the pediatric urology department came by to visit her. All the tests came back normal. Doctors think she has a viral infection and want to keep her in observation for a little while.

Please pray she recovers soon to be able to go to Shriner's Hospital for rehabilitation.

5/30/2008 - Feifei released from hospital

Friday, May 30, 2008

Feifei is in great condition (considering her condition). Here's an update from Christine:
==========
Hello Everyone,

Feifei is about to be discharged from Johns Hopkins. The doctors conducted some more tests today to make sure she is 100% ready to go. I also talked to the rehabilitation team at Shriners in Phili today. They are all really nice and welcoming. They have already approved Feifei for treatment but need to review her complete medical files from Johns Hopkins and talk to the doctors there to determine a suitable date for her admission to Shriners. They want to make sure she is ready for rehab. In all likelihood, it will be towards the end of June.

Dr. Stephanie R. Ried, M.D., M.A., Pediatric Physiatrist will be taking care of Feifei there. By clicking on the link you can read about her.

The patient case coordinator there will help us to get a room for Shuqin and Feifei at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. (http://www.philarmh.org/front-and-erie)

I will keep you posted on what's going to happen next.

Have a wonderful week-end.

Blessings in Christ.

Christine

5/28/2008 Update from Johns Hopkins

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

An email was received today from a nurse at Johns Hopkins:

Dr. Gearhart says he does NOT plan any future surgery for Meifei. He removed some of her tubes today and said he wants her to stay in this area for 2 weeks to follow up with him. The nurses are trying to check about if the wound vac needs to remain, as that is the only issue preventing her from going to the Ronald McDonald House.

Stay tuned!

5/28/2008 Status

Feifei is still in the hospital. She's 2 to 3 weeks over her originally scheduled stay. The good news is her bladder leaking has nearly stopped for the past 4 to 5 days. That was her primary source of infections.

I believe the next steps is that she be checked out of the hospital for a 3 month healing process. Following that, doctors will determine what, if anything, they can do next.

For those who have asked, Feifei's family lives in the area affected by the Earthquake in China, though everyone is okay. That city, Wanzhou, had only minor damage. However, there have been hundreds of aftershocks since the big Earthquake that continue to shake the buildings.

Here's a link to the approximate area (within 1 mile) of where Feifei's home is in Wanzhou.

5/7/2008 - Post Surgery Update

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Just talked to Shuqin, here is the update Feifei.

1. Dr. Sponseller removed part of her coccyx (aka tail bone) so that the bone is not poking out of her back skin.
2. Dr. Gearhart was there to see how the bladder doing and may do a follow up surgery within one or two weeks.
3. Dr. Simmons (plastic surgeon) will have to work on Feifei to graft a piece of her skin to cover her back and bottom, but cannot do anything until Dr. Gearhart finishes his part.

Photo: Dr. Paul Sponseller & Kristen Venuti

[photo: Dr. Paul Sponseller (rarely smiling, so they say) and Nurse Practitioner, Kristen Venuti]

Here's a nice bio on Dr. Sponseller, for those of you who've been asking:
http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_staff.jsp?pid=2038

[photo: Shuqin, Mingxia, Kristen, and Feifei ]

Dr. Paul Sponseller is the Chief of Pediatric Orthopedics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Kristen Venuti is a Nurse Practitioner who works in Dr. Sponseller's Office.

Photo at Johns Hopkins with Kim Miller

[photo: Kim Miller, Chrisine Spivey, Shuqin, Feifei]

Kim Miller is the International Patient Service Coordinator at Johns Hopkins.

Christine Spivey, from BRIDGE TO THE NATIONS, is Feifei's friend who helped to bring her to America and get help medical assistance at Johns Hopkins.

Both and Kim and Christine have become great "Friends of Feifei", both giving of themselves personally to help her.

5/7/2008 - Surgery

[4/4/20008 photo @ Ronald McDonald House]

Feifei's surgery is today (Wednesday 5/7/2008)at 1:00 p.m. GMT-6. Feifei should be in the operation room right now. The bone doctor and Dr. Gearhart are going to operate on her. Her nurse says that her bladder leaking is still pretty bad. So Dr. Gearhart is going to remove a piece of her skin and to patch up her bladder. It sounds like the whole operation will be a little longer than they estimated yesterday.

Thanks again to Johns Hopkins and the medical workers who are volunteering their time to help Feifei.

Stay tuned.....

May 6, 2008 - Surgery Tomorrow

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

[photo: Dr Gearhart with medical staff]

Feifei is going to have her bone surgery tomorrow morning and it looks like it's going to be an easy one (one and half hour). Dr. Gearhart is going to be there to check her bladder but no planning to do anything else. He thinks the hole on her bladder will heal by itself. Hopefully. The nurse said the leaking is much less today after the the sucking started to work.

4/28/2008 - Update

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Doctors came over to see Feifei this afternoon and Dr. Gareheart said Feifei should be able to go home by the weekend. Everything looks great.