Awoke feeling a little brighter, although still extremely weak. However, I did a least manage to get out of bed and get a shower before being pumped full of more drugs, it’s a wonder I don’t leak with all the holes they’ve managed to produce! I was not strong enough to go to rehab today which has given Richard a chance to pack and me to write this final blog as my computer will shortly be packed away. I will remember Shenzhen and its people and the heaps of culture I’ve been privileged to share. The Stem Cells
March 28th, 2007
Went down to rehab with renewed energy and I was determined to try harder today. Judy decided not to use the inversion table today so went straight onto the limb table but this woman shows no mercy for it felt as though she was bending my arms behind my back whilst stretched out straight! She went through the usual warm up techniques and massage and then sat me up and stretched my back with both hands on a medicine ball, I didn’t realise how much my muscles had contracted. It was complimented by throwing a football from all different directions to further stretch both my arms and legs. My time had quickly come to an end but asked if she could do a little more as although it was strenuous I felt I needed to do as much as I could whilst I could (I must be mad!) I really enjoyed today and felt content with the effort I had put in. I returned to my room had some lunch and to kill time before my bone marrow Stem Cell injection into the spine decided to go strolling and enjoy the fine weather. My time for my op was 5pm and yet again they were spot on time, although this time I requested a muscle relaxant. The next I knew it was 7.30pm and I was garbling such rubbish (No change there then!) and it was reported that my neighbours carer Marie popped in to see how I was because she just couldn’t believe how loud my snoring was!! There I lay on my back for some six hours listening to my MP3 just to pass the time before getting out of bed at 11.30. This I was dreading as I was expecting the migraine that followed, but alas and thank heavens didn’t occur.
March 25th, 2007
My get up and go seemed to have escaped me today and my arm exercises with the weight bar seemed even harder this morning even though the weight was the same. Never the less Richard kept pushing until I continued on the limb table. Here Judy after massaging my arms connected a muscle stimulator o m left arm which sent an electric current through to my wrist in a bid to get my fingers stretched out right. I had to put my own effort in as well whilst Judy continued to massage my leg muscles. The machine seemed to go on forever and actually measured how far my fingers were stretching out. I went on to try and do some pull ups and by the end I was both physically and mentally drained and completely fatigued. I returned to my room to try and rest before my afternoon acupuncture and leg muscle stimulation. I said try because every 10 minutes someone was coming in to do blood pressure, temperature etc, so turned out to be a lost cause! Went into OT for some further work on my hands but by this time had lost the plot and my energy levels had plummeted. I think I had been worked too hard in the morning session but I’m sure with rest overnight I will feel the benefit! I only have one session of rehab tomorrow as my bone marrow Stem Cells are being injected into my spinal cavity so will be on my back most of the day. Thanks again for all the comments and encouragement, believe me they’re keeping me strong!
March 22nd, 2007
Had another late night last night as Richard wanted to do a little shopping, the shops never seem to close always wanting to do some deal or other! So 12 midnight went and 6.30 came but wasn’t too bad considering. The rehab again was increased with weight bar going up a further half kilo with another weight strapped to my left arm. I really wasn’t in the mood if I’m honest but to my surprise I lifted the bar further than yesterday and was spurred on by Richard who seems to have the knack of keeping me motivated. It followed as usual by the limb table with my arms and legs being stretched even further Judy must think I’m a flamin’ wishbone. I ended up sitting on the edge of the table again and was given a large medicine ball to stretch out with my arms stretching my back whilst trying to keep my balance, well I nearly did it! Judy must think I’m superman
March 21st, 2007
Well I had a relatively good nights sleep considering, but awoke with lots of energy and raring to go, so I did just that! Went down to the rehab room where Judy was waiting for me. My sessions were booked for a.m. & p.m. but persuaded her to combine the two in one morning session. The exercises were again tough and demanding but I could see the benefits of the Stem Cells. I was able to do more for longer without so much fatigue or indeed pain. Richard assisted with the muscle stretches in freeing up the muscles in my left arm. Looking back I’ve not had any pain in my legs for some time now so something is working; I do hope it’s the Stem Cells it’s giving me a greater confidence not only in my self but to brave the undulating streets of Shenzhen!
As my treatments were now complete Richard and myself went exploring around the shops although many are totally inaccessible as they are raised by about four or five steps with no ramps. I think this is due to the high rainfall in Shenzhen. But the staff are most helpful in bringing items to me or helping lift my wheelchair into the shops. We later met up with fellow patient Dave and his wife from Scotland and went to a restaurant where by now they were getting to know us and were assigned our very own waiter! Dave suffers from Ataxia and has also seen great benefits from the Stem Cells. I have met many challenges upon arriving in China but I must say that any issues I have voiced have been met with understanding and empathy and if possible changes have been made not just for now but for the other patients that follow in the future. Nothing is too much trouble and the Stem Cell Ward and research are striving for excellence and some how I think they’ll get it!
Day 21
The feelings of yesterday had not left me; I still had lots of energy and wanted to fill the day with as much as possible. About nine of us piled into taxis and went to a place called
March 19th, 2007
Stem Cells China Day 19 16.03.07
As expected I was awake at 2.30am and hardly slept a wink after that. Had the usual entourage of Doctors and nurses then the patient coordinator oh and then promptly followed by Aggie & Kim the cleaners and all before 9 in the morning! The inversion table today I was strangely looking forward to as I seemed to progress n this yesterday quite well. Then my mood changed as Judy the therapist promptly positioned a 2kg bar in my hands instead of a 1kg I had yesterday. This I found tough and completely exhausting but Rich kept spurring me on to do one more lift then one more and I’m slowly loving to hate him! Onto the limb table and again more and more was expected but I was usually brought back to reality that, that was why I was there.
Went and had a bite to eat as I couldn’t have anything by mouth after 12 noon. My Stem Cells were booked for 4pm and I know they’ll be punctual and so won’t be able write much more as I have to lie flat on my back for six hours afterwards by which time it will be 10.30 pm so I’ll see you tomorrow!
March 16th, 2007
Stem Cells China Day 18 15.03.07
I was so glad to get into the shower this morning and got down to the fourth floor in loads of time. As usual I started on the inversion table, but today I had a 1kg bar strapped to my left hand and to lift as high as I could, again and again and again. Then Rich believed he was a physio again and made things ten times worse and by the time I reached the limb table I was absolutely shattered! The physio didn’t let up she still wanted more and more effort in lifting my butt off the table using the upper thigh muscles which by this time felt they could hold a bridge.
Upon leaving the rehab room was approached a Romanian lady who had lived in Australia for twenty years and at the hospital with her husband who was undergoing checks after a car accident and had incurred a spinal injury. She was so curious and anxious as to what to expect at the hospital and things o bring. It was as though she couldn’t get her words quick enough as though we were going to leave her stranded. We found a quiet corner and briefly went through my own personal experience of organising the flights, money, equipment etc, so I new exactly what she was going through. I felt so for her as she appeared so isolated. Eventually, calmed her down and arranged to meet up with her later.
The afternoon went quite quickly and had two therapists working on me at the same time. One at each arm and hand and again put me through the mill. I returned to catch up on my emails and blog, at which point I must thank everyone for their comments through my blog and emails, truly, they’re keeping my spirits up, so please don’t stop! On the spur of the moment we decoded to go to Sea World a trip I missed out on early on in my treatment as I was ill, so I couldn’t wait. Dolphins, sea lions, fish
March 16th, 2007
Stem Cells China Day 17 14.03.07
Got up relatively early this morning considering our late night last night and Richard reminded me that I was not to take a shower this morning due to getting the wound wet on my back so had to make do with a cat lick! Went for my usual treatment, which seems to get harder by the day.
A pretty none plus day really but we were delighted to hear of a good restaurant just a few blocks away so guess where we went tonight. When we got there it would seem that nearly all Stem Cell patients were already there! We decided to go along a few back streets to see the various stalls, my god do they sell some tat and mountains of it! We noticed on out travels that they intend opening the new bridge between Hong Kong and Shenzhen which will save a mountain of time for travellers. We ended the night with yet another DVD and within ten minutes or so I’m told I’d gone, see you tomorrow.
March 15th, 2007
This is me having massage of hand & arm before undertaking exercises.
Stem Cells China Day 16 13.03.07
I think, understandably, I had a restless night for whilst I was looking forward to my Bone Marrow extraction I was somewhat apprehensive not knowing really what to expect. Having showered and dressed the theatre staff arrived again spot on time and took me directly into theatre where I had to wait a further 20 minutes as Doctor Yang had been delay in the emergency dept. This compounded my apprehension whilst I waited as I just wanted to get this procedure over and done with. I was told prior to the operation that I would be given a general anaesthetic, great I thought I wouldn’t know a thing until waking up in my bedroom
March 15th, 2007
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