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
2-17-09
Today about 2:00 p.m. they wheeled Joey into the operating room for his first stem cell treatment. He was very nervous and afraid it was going to be painful. He was gone about 15 minutes then they brought him back to our room. He was smiling and said it didn’t hurt at all. Two hours later he started feeling pain in his legs, then in his feet, head and eyes. The pain got worse and worse as time went by until he was in tears. The doctors came in and gave him a pain pill and after four hours, he started feeling better. I was up all night watching him but he did manage to get some sleep. Joey opened his eyes after several hours of keeping them closed and he said he could see much clearer than before, this thrilled us. There was no OT or massage today but he did have PT with Mark this morning at 9:00.
More later.
February 18th, 2009
It is Monday night and Joey has his first stem cell treatment tomorrow. He is pretty nervous. The doctor came in to give him something to relax him and help him sleep because his blood pressure is a little higher than normal. The doctors and therapists are so nice here. We just love everyone we’ve met.
I will write more tomorrow
February 16th, 2009
Joey and I arrived in Beijing China on Feb.10, 2009. We were greeted at the airport by Greta from the Tiantan Puhua Hospital. Shortly after we checked in to our room, Joey’s doctors came in to meet him and assess his condition. They would do bloodwork and more evalutions early the next morning.
For the entire duration of our visit, the doctors have customized a schedule for Joey:
At 8:00 a.m., Dr. Amy comes in to check Joey’s senses before he gets out of bed. At 9:00 a.m. Joey has Physical Therapy with Mark where they work on the muscles, strength and coordination in Joey’s legs and feet. At 10:00 a.m., we go back to our room where Joey has two IV’s and lunch. At 1:00 p.m., Joey has a massage to loosen up his joints and muscles. At 2:00 p.m., it is Ocupational Therapy with Cindy, where they work on the muscles, strength and coordination in Joey’s upper body. The rest of the day is free. Today is “Day 4″. Our first weekend here and all the doctors and therapists are off until Monday. Joey has already gained some strength and hasn’t even had the first stem cell treatment yet. Tuesday the 17th will be Joey’s first stem cell treatment.
February 16th, 2009
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