Archive for February, 2009
2-28-09
Joey and I postponed our trip to the Beijing Zoo and to the Forbidden City today but we really needed to get out of this room for a couple of hours so we went back to the Temple of Heaven again. I want Joey to get a little stronger before we stay out all day long. The Temple of Heaven was better this time since we knew where to go. We bought some more souvenirs and headed back to our room.
Joey will have his 3rd SCT on Tuesday, March 3rd and hopefully by next Saturday, he will be strong enough to go to the Zoo & the Forbidden City.
Mary Kay, thank you for the awesome comment, it made Joey’s day.
more later…
February 28th, 2009
2-27-09
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! The doctors did an x-ray to try and figure out why Joey was having so much pain in his hips & tailbone. The x-ray showed that he has a malformation that causes him pain if he lays on his back for too long. After each SCT they have him lay flat on his back for 6 hours…..Thank goodness it isn’t caused by the stem cells. I am soooo relieved!!!! Now they will allow him to lay on his side after each SCT and treat him for the bone problem. Accupuncture would not help his situation so he won’t be getting that done.
We may have to postpone our little outing this weekend until Joey is feeling better but at least everyone is aware of the problem now and he can concentrate on getting stronger. I know we both feel much better knowing the problem is not with the stem cells.
dana
February 27th, 2009
2-27-09
This morning about 5:30 a.m. Joey started having alot of pain in his hips and tailbone. It kept getting worse. He had to wait for the doctors to come in at 9:00. They all piled in our room to examine Joey and ask questions about the pain he was feeling. They have decided to do an x-ray to see if there is any malformation from sitting in his wheelchair for so long. According the the doctors, he should not be going through any pain right now. Accupuncture may be an option again. No PT or OT today.
more later…
February 27th, 2009
2-26-09
Hello everyone. The day after Joey’s 2nd SCT, he wasn’t feeling good at all. He was running a low fever but the doctors said that it was a good thing. He slept most of yesterday and didn’t have PT or OT. The massage therapist came to our room to massage Joey so he didn’t have to get in his chair. He ate pretty good and drank alot of water. This morning he got up and went to PT with Mark. He is still very sore so Mark didn’t put him on the standing table today. He did say that Joey did very well and was more flexible. We came back to our room and Joey is now taking a nap while having his IV. It is almost lunch time so I will go down to the cafe and get us some lunch.
At 1:00 Joey will have OT, then at 2:00 he will have his massage.
More later.
February 26th, 2009
2-24-09
Last night Joey didn’t go to bed until about 3:00 a.m. He was very emotional and nervous about the second stem cell treatment and not at all looking forward to all of the pain he had experienced before. He wanted to stay up as late as possible so that maybe he could sleep through some of the pain if any. He is not required to attend PT, OT or TCM (traditional chinese massage) on the day of the stem cell treatments so he go up around 9:30 a.m. We had a horrible hamburger for lunch but the french fries were ok. Joey started drinking alot of water (suggested by the doctors to help minimize the pain) and then at 2:05 p.m. they came and took him to the operating room. He was back in about 15 minutes (2:25 p.m.) and said that this time the injection hurt. During the first stem cell treatment, it took 2 hours after the treatment for him to start feeling pain, so I began watching the clock…..
It was 4:30 and he started feeling pain in his thighs and knees. It continued to get worse. All of his doctors came in to check on him and told us the same thing as the first time…..”If you can bear the pain, it is best to do so. If you absolutely cannot stand the pain, we will give you pain medication but if you choose to take pain medication, it will surprise the stem cells and may not be as effective”. Well, Joey has decided not to take the pain medication and I am very proud of him. He has been very brave throught this whole ordeal. It is 7:30 p.m. and he is sleeping right now. I will try to get him to eat when he wakes up.
Our new coordinator/translator, Diana is very sweet. She came by to visit with us this afternoon before the SCT (stem cell treatment). I think Joey and I are really going to enjoy her company. She will go with me tomorrow to WalMart and to the bank.
If Joey is feeling better by the weekend, we have plans to go to the Beijing Zoo and to the Forbidden City. Diana has arranged for a van driver to take us anywhere we want to go for the whole day. I will take lots of pictures.
Next SCT is scheduled for next Tuesday, March 3rd. More later.
Dana
February 24th, 2009
2-23-09
This morning was the same as any other….Joey got ready and I took him to PT with Mark. We came back to our room and had a light lunch. At 1:00, Joey had his massage. Right now he is doing OT with Cindy. Greta came in this morning to tell us goodbye. She brought me a beautiful scarf. We talked for a while and then she hugged us and left. We will definitely miss her very much. She said that she will try to make it back before Joey & I go home. We hope she does because we would love to see her again.
Tomorrow is Joey’s 2nd stem cell treatment and we are hopeful that his body will handle it better than the first. I will keep everyone posted.
If Joey is doing good by the weekend, we are planning to go see the Forbidden City and the Beijing Zoo. Most taxi drivers do not like picking up people in wheelchairs so we are paying the driver of the van, that picked us up from the airport, to take us. It will be easier on Joey anyway. We are very excited to have something to do. I will take more pictures and e-mail them to everyone.
Say another little prayer for Joey tomorrow.
Dana
February 23rd, 2009
2-22-09
It is Sunday night and Joey & I had an uneventful but relaxing weekend. We tried getting out of our room Saturday afternoon but the only thing within walking distance is the Temple of Heaven and we’ve already done that. The weather is still very cold. Most of the snow has melted but there are still signs of it in the shade. We bought some oranges from a street vendor and that was about the extent of it.
Tomorrow we will begin a new week with positive enthusiasm. Joey’s next stem cell treatment is on Tuesday. I will keep you all posted.
Thank you for the new comments, we enjoy them very much.
dana
February 22nd, 2009
2-20-09
Last night Joey & I both got a good night rest. We woke early this morning. Joey’s doctor came in about 8:15 to check his senses. She said he is able to feel more sensation in every part of his body, WOOHOO!!!!! After she left, Joey got dressed and brushed his teeth and off to PT we went. His back is a little sore from the puncture but it is not painful. He was able to use the standing table again and Mark, the therapist, said his feet and ankles are doing much better. Also, we spoke about getting a brace for his right foot. Mark feels that it would be better support for his ankle in every way. I will get a prescription from his doctor when we get home because medicaid will cover it there, not here. Joey’s feet (mostly the right one) are not as mis-shapen as before the stem cells. He was able to stand longer, strapped to the table, without any pain at all.
I just wheeled Joey down the hall for his massage. He looks forward to this everyday. It is very good stimulation. His feet do not stay cold all the time now.
We had some depressing news earlier today….Greta, our friend and translator will be leaving on Tuesday. She is going to Canada on personal business for a month or two. We may not see her again. In the short time we’ve been here, Joey & I have grown very close to Greta. She has been a lifeline to both of us. We will miss her very much. Hopefully, our next translator will be as patient and caring as Greta. We love you Greta.
Thank you everybody for the wonderful comments. Joey & I look forward to them very much.
More later.
February 20th, 2009
2-19-09
Last night Joey didn’t sleep at all (which mean I didn’t either). His legs were hurting again. Finally the doctor came in at 5:00 a.m. and gave him something to help him sleep. He woke up around noon ready to go. He had missed PT at 9:00 with Mark but wanted to know if he could do PT in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Mark was booked the rest of the day. Joey got up, got dressed, brushed his teeth and was ready for massage and OT with Cindy. He ate lunch first then off we went. I think i can honestly say that the bad part is over now. Since he slept so late today, the doctor has given him something to make him sleep tonight. I am to give it to him at 8:00p.m. We will get a good night sleep and wake early tomorrow for a full day, WOOHOO.
The next stem cell treatment is scheduled for next Tuesday the 24th. Lets hope and pray this next one is much less painfull.
Thank you to Colette, Patty and Mary Kay for your comments. I really enjoyed reading them. Please keep them coming.
Dana
February 19th, 2009
2-18-09
Joey has been resting all day. He is still having some pain in his neck, back and legs but not as severe as yesterday. He is weak and is hoping he will be able to have PT, OT & massage tomorrow. His apetite is not very good today but he is managing to drink plenty of water, as requested by all of his doctors. The good news is that one of Joey’s doctors told me that in her experience, the patients that experience more pain also experience the more positive results. The good stem cells are fight off the bad ones which is causing the pain and weakness.
Everyone here has been extremely caring and good to us both. I know that Joey is in good hands.
February 18th, 2009
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