We have been home a month now. Jim continues to do physical therapy twice a day on his own. He is noticing some interesting little subtle changes. Suddenly he can smell – hasn’t had that sense for years. He hasn’t had a fall since we were in China. His balance seems better, his gaite seems a little better and his handwriting is very much improved. Those little stem cells seem to know their business.
Add comment May 16th, 2009
This is our last day in China. Jim has done his physical therapy and again the doctors are telling him they think he is stronger. I am even starting to notice more strength in his legs. One thing that has certainly improved is his allergies. Normally his eyes run until he can’t see the ground and he sneezes 40 times a day. We have had none of that for a couple of weeks. At first we thought we might need to get a humidifier when we get home. We were attributing it to the humidity here. I don’t think that is it at all. I think the stem cells are kicking in. Should be able to tell more about that when we get home.
We have been able to talk to Roy and Ed, Carol and Mom along with a few other people on Skype and that has been a very good thing. Can actually see them and know that all is well. You guys with your emails and comments on the Blog have certainly helped us over the hump as well. A great big thank you to all of you.
We leave here at 6:00 am and are looking at about 31 and a half hours to get us home. That is going to be a real fun day! We are not looking forward to the Beijing Airport. That is the biggest place I have ever seen. I’m sure it was greatly expanded for the Olympics. Roy said he had to take a bus and a train to get to the International terminal. The only thing that will save us is that we have requested a wheelchair and the young lady with the wheelchair hopefully will know where to take us. If not, I guess we’ll find a place to obtain a permanent resident card.
Heading Home
They encourage us to continue posting to the Blog when we get home as we see improvement so we will be updating from time to time. Just not nearly as often.
Jim is getting his last electric wave treatment and acupuncture. It is 73 degrees here today. Time to go downstairs and take a walk. They have lots of trees planted around the hospital and little cement paths. The forsythia is blooming as well as some beautiful pink blossoms on some trees. Remind me of cherry blossoms. Don’t know if that is what they are or not. The willow trees are greening up so I’m sure it is going to be beautiful here by the end of the month.
Add comment April 8th, 2009
Yesterday we hired a van with the Canadian couple, their two boys, Perry from Australia, Amanda, one of our interpreters and Jim and I. We went to downtown Qingdao to Jimo Road Market which is a huge indoor marketplace where the Chinese shop. It consists of many many little booths where they hawk their wares. it is much like our flea markets but it is a permanent thing. Of course very few people have cars so people arrive all day long in taxis. Everyone from grandma to very small children. No one over 70 years of age is allowed a driver’s license and I can certainly understand why. Your reflexes must be excellent to drive here. At any rate this market is three floors and there must have been everything made in China displayed. Most notable are booth after booth of knock-off watches basically Rolex, pearls of every kind and color and in many strings from which you can choose your pearls and have them strung. We also saw lots of jade. There were many booths containing decorations for your hair – very sparkly and colorful.
Jim and I spent an hour or so sitting on a bench outside just watching people. The young people get all dressed up to go shopping. All of the young girls wear boots to the knee with high heels and most everyone wears leather jackets. It was interesting to see all of the western dress. We did not see a single traditionally dressed person. If the men aren’t wearing leather jackets they are in sport coats. The women are all in western jeans but they are usually decorated down the leg or on the pockets with embroidery or sparkles.
Watching people at the beach
The most interesting thing is the ride there and back. It takes approximately an hour each way. Jim was riding copilot and his knuckles were white. His only comment when we got back was “Well we cheated death one more time.”
After our shopping spree we went again to the Yellow Sea. They refer to it as the seashore which it is. We went back to May Fourth Square which is where that big red sculpture is and to Zhan Pier. Our last visit when Roy was here was on a weekday. This time we went on Sunday and couldn’t believe the people. I guess when you spend your life in a high rise apartment you go to the seashore or the park whenever you can. Thousands of Chinese people everywhere you look.
Pagoda on Yellow Sea
Back at the hospital today the interpreter (Lucy) tells me that this is a three-day holiday called “Tomb Sweeping Day.” Apparently it compared to our Memorial Day. It is a day to honor the dead. Lucy said during this holiday they eat steamed eggs and bean curd and leeks. Think I’ll pass. Oh yes, another thing – they sell “100 year old eggs” in the little stores downstairs. Again, I’ll pass. We just heard a lot of fireworks going off. I asked Lucy about it and that is part of the celebration to honor the dead. They don’t wait until dark, just let ‘er rip. We could see the clear flashes from the window.
Roy's ghost in China
You might wonder at the names of our caregivers here as I did. They take an American name of their choice to make it easier for us. Jack and Lucy both told me what their Chinese names are and they are right – it is much easier for us to manage the American names.
Jim has a free day today as his physical therapist (Jason) is off today. He will go back to his regular routine tomorrow and Wednesday and then we head for the airport at 6:00 am on Thursday.
Add comment April 6th, 2009
Jim received his last treatment at 4:50 pm. He is in his lay flat for six hours stage. He normally doesn’t make the full 6 hours but has always made 5. He gets rather cranky when he has been flat on his back that long. The correct terminology for this is “Lumbar Puncture Stem Cell Transplantation”.
I was reading an article today and I will quote from that article as I think you will find this information interesting. “The USA is 12 years behind because they don’t want to use embryonic stem cells. China is not using embryos because they are not as good as the umbilical or the adult stem cells. Beike is a biotechnology company that is contracted to provide stem cells for treatment at 24 hospitals in China.” The facility where we are staying is Qingdao Chengyang District People’s Hospital. “They have been commercially treating people since 2005, so there is no long-term information on the results.” The stem cells are infused into the spine by performing a spinal tap where they will tap the existing fluid out and inject the stem cells into the spine. They must lay flat for six hours to let the infusion migrate to the brain.” The success of the treatments depends on doing daily therapy to train the new neurons to perform. Beike says that it will take up tp six months for the stem cells to engraft and the final results of the procedure to be revealed.” This was in a newspaper clipping I found and I don’t know what paper it is from.
On to some other interesting information I discovered today. The huge center being built across the street that houses the market I referred to earlier is coming along nicely. There are many, many shops, restaurants etc. going in. The signs say “Waiting for You” which I took to mean coming soon. Two of them that we could recognize are Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds. The complex takes up the entire city block. Behind the shopping center they are building a hugh amusement park and I was told it is the largest amusement park in Asia. There is a huge steel dome we can see over the top of the center and they are welding in it all day long. They also pour concrete everywhere day in and day out. That would be an excellent investment over here. The whole complex is scheduled to be open in August. This may not be a tourist city now but “If we build it they will come”.
Add comment April 3rd, 2009
Well today is April Fool’s Day and if you think that is just an American thing – think again. Jack – remember the picture of Jack and the other translators – is in his element. He started early this morning and is having a great time.
Jim did real well in physical therapy today. Jason kept high-fiving him and telling him in what little English he knows how well he was doing. After he got back to our room, we got the Professor and his contingent of doctors. They have Jim lay down and all gather around. The Professor puts him through some simple exercises and then lectures to the other doctors. The Professor told him he was making progress. Jim asked if he was going to get the use of his right arm back. They Professor nodded and told him he has to exercise every day and he feels sure he will get it back. (certainly hope that is the case). As we reported before, they say the stem cells are active and splitting and working for a year so who knows what can be accomplished with a little work.
I must tell you about the school kids here. There must be a school down the street from here because the kids go by morning and night. They are all in the same clothing so I assume that is a uniform. They have dark blue pants with a stripe down the leg and white jackets with a blue stripe. Male and female. Some are riding bycicles, some are jogging, some just walking and a few riding on the back of a motorbike. None of them are being driven and dropped off at the front door by mom and dad. They go toward the school (and from the look of them, I am assuming they are junior high age) at 6:30 am and they go back toward home at 6:00 pm. How is that for a day at school? I don’t think half of that day is spent in football practice either. We saw one gentleman riding a 3-wheel bike with something that looked like a pickup bed on the back. A youngster was sitting in the bed, back to his father, and what was he doing? Reading a book! They really put a great deal of emphasis on learning. I think some people had better start looking this over and taking a lesson from it.
Oh, another thing. Kite flying is very big over here. How long has it been since you were out flying a kite? I think Roy got a good picture of one when we were at the seashore. They were flyng all over the place. Really interesting looking kites.
Child's Kite
Add comment April 1st, 2009
Jim had his fifth treatment yesterday – IV. All is well. There is nothing new to report in the way of his treatments so will just have to chat aimlessly along. If you begin to nod off, I’ll understand. I think I am beginning to see a little more strength in his left arm. Right one isn’t responding yet. His legs seem to be a little stronger as well – that is until he gets cold. When the cold hits him it’s just like you stuck him in an ice bath. Nothing responds.
We got a picture of our translators. Roy will post it on the Blog for me. They are all young – 21 to 27 years old. They love to practice their English on us. As you can imagine, some do better than others. The guy in the middle (Jack) is a real character. He does excellent with language. Most of the others don’t understand what you are asking when you need something. You must use sign language and anything else you can think of. Wendy and Amanda usually translate for the doctors when there is a consultation. They do real well. These kids and most of the other young girls we see over here wear jeans with lots and lots of embroidery, glitter, and sparkles. One of the girls had on camoflauge (I don’t know how to spell it) jeans with embroidery all down both legs.
Our Translators
We also got a picture of Roy in front of an entrance gate with a lion. Pretty cool.
Roy in China
The only other notable thing I can think of is we have been without hot water for 3 days now. Can you imagine a hospital without hot water? They said a pump or something went out and they have been working on it. They turn ALL of the water off about 9:00 pm and we get cold water back about 8:00 am. Sponge baths were getting a little old but you’ll be glad to know that we got hot water this morning about 10:00 so we smell a little better.
Roy got us hooked up with Skype and we were able to talk to Jim’s brother, sister-in-law and mother this morning. I couldn’t get my camera to work but we could see them. They didn’t need to see me anyway. Again, Roy will have to come to my rescue on that one. Skype software is FREE. If anyone wants to download Skype so they can commuicate with us in China you may download the software from here: Skype If you wish to Skype us be aware that China is across the International Date Line and 15 hours ahead of Arizona time or 12 hours ahead of US East Coast time.
We are fascinated watching the people from our 8th floor window. Many many many ride small motorbikes and there are also many bicycles. You can’t believe the loads they can tie on a bicycle and still get down the road. Bicycles, motorbikes, pedestrians, buses, etc. share the same space and there doesn’t seem to be any rules. Anyone can go anywhere. The intersections are a riot. They are turning and going every way from Sunday. Pedestrians are just on their own. They do have crosswalks but they don’t mean a thing. Cars do not slow down for anything. Of course they are not driving as fast as we do in the first place.
We have a little boy here from Canada who has spinal bifida (his spine didn’t close in the womb). He is 4 years old and just a little doll. He had his treatment with Jim yesterday. He is paralized from the waist down and as you can imagine, cannot walk. He has an older brother and they keep us entertained from time to time. It is good to have someone around that you can actually talk to.
More later.
Add comment March 31st, 2009
Not much to report to you’all or is it all’yall?
Jim had his 4th spinal stem cell treatment this afternoon. He is in his lay flat for 6 hours session. This is the part that is hard for him. He seldom makes it the full 6 hours. Don’t know if he can’t stand the lay flat or if he is starving to death. He can’t eat or drink for 3 hours before and 4 hours after and you know Jim – when it’s dinner time, it’s dinner time.
The doctors are changing his schedule a little. He gets his next treatment IV and the last one spinal. They think that is the most beneficial way. Guess they know best.
Took a little walk across the street (you can’t believe how dangerous that is) to the new market. What a place. It is absolutely huge, and that is just the market. The rest of the stores in the mall are not ready to open yet. I had to take the escalator to the second floor to find groceries. There is no way Jim could contend with that so got him a cup of coffee and left him in the food court. There was a courtesy clerk at the end of every aisle who said “good morning” but that was the extent of the English. One kind girl asked to help me and I asked her for kitchen towels (paper towels) and of course we were both language impaired. No I didn’t find the kitchen towels – we’ll do without. Did find some coffee (instant) – They all drink tea. Fortunately for me there are signs in Chinese and English on the floor that say “Exit” and I was able to follow those and get myself back downstairs. We are still stared at everywhere we go. The children are really curious so we simply say to them “kneehow” which is hello. They love it.
All for today. Thanks again for all of your comments and emails. They sure brighten our day.
Add comment March 27th, 2009
Jim had all his usual treatments today without incident – yahoo. He has suffered no significant injury from his fall the other day. Has a bruised bottom complete with the knot you get when you hit hard but he is okay. But don’t worry about the small bumps and bruises as Jim is being well cared for by the excellent nursing staff here.
Jim with his nurses
We had the Professor and his contingent of doctors in this morning. It goes pretty much like a teaching hospital. He has Jim preform some tasks and then lectures. There were 7 or 8 doctors and students here. He speaks a little English. At any rate, he told us that he sees progress in Jim’s reactions. Certainly hope he is correct.
We are watching out our window with great fascination the preparations for the grand opening (tomorrow) of the new market (Lotte Mart) across the street. They have banners flying from the buildings, huge balloons complete with long red stringers all up and down the street and all around the building. There are many people milling around and many cars on the street – must be dignitary day. Should be even bigger tomorrow. They certainly know how to celebrate. Here is an earlier picture of the Lotte Mart during the construction phase.
Lotte Mart under construction
They just brought in a Korean television crew to interview Jim. They wanted to know why he was here and how he discovered this place. Said they would get us a tape. Interesting.
There is a couple here from India. She speaks a little English. Twice a day she makes these wonderful looking “breads” as she calls them . Looks very much like small tortillas. She fries them in a frying pan. I told her I would like to make some at home. She is going to give me lessons this afternoon. My counted cross stitch is getting boring. Will welcome the change.
Add comment March 25th, 2009
Well, Jim got their attention today. He was in physical therapy doing his routine on the stairs, surrounded by three doctors, two physical therapists and three translators when he got distracted by one of the doctors, lost his balance and fell. Boy did everyone come to life. The doctors are all four feet nothing and they are trying to lift this 6’5″ guy off the floor. I had to make them get away from him so he could roll onto his stomach, get his knees under him and then we can lift him up. They hustled him right to his room and put a heat lamp on his fanny. They want to take xrays – all we need is another broken hip. We are quite certain that it is just bruised. Fortunately he had one hand on a railing and didn’t go flat out on his head like he usually does. All of the buildings here are solid concrete. They walls, the floors, the stairs. Everything is poured so there is no soft place to land.
Jim is feeling good. After his treatment his neck is usually stiff and the back of his upper legs are sore for a couple of days. The doctors say that is normal.
Roy hooked us up to Skype while he was here and I talked to him on it today. He was in Tucson. Could hear him like he was standing next to me. Aren’t these things wonderful?
It is raining here today and for us, very cold. It is 39 degrees. It has been windy for a couple of days. The wind and the rain don’t have much influence on the polution. Will be great to breath some clean air again.
Add comment March 24th, 2009
Well it is the start of a new week. Had all the usual – physical therapy, acupuncture, electric wave . They took Jim for his stem cell treatment at 2:50 pm. Makes a very long afternoon and evening when he must lay flat for 6 hours. Nothing to eat or drink 3 hour prior and 4 hours after. He seems to be doing fine. Temperature normal. Blood pressure a little high but not alarming. Will Blog any new developments tomorrow. Keep those emails and comments to the Blog coming. The days are very long over here and hearing from all of you certainly keeps our spirits up.
To help all you geography challenged Americans, here is a map depicting the East coast of China and showing the location of Qingdao the city in which Jim is receiving his treatments.
Map of Eastern China
PS. Click on the map to get a full size image.
Add comment March 23rd, 2009
