November 28,2008
The stemcells arrived late wednesday night, around 8pm. I was wheeled up again in the elevator with the usual bunch of chinese trying to look nonchalant with someone lying in bed next to them. When we got to the ninth floor, Anthony who was ahead of me was being wheeled out and I was next. Dr. Tony was doing the spinal that evening. They injected the usual amount of valium and the local anaesthesia in the back. I did not go as deeply unconscious as I did the first time. I thought “holy crap” I’m going to feel everything. But then the local and spinal kicked in and when the needle went in I didn’t feel a thing. The whole thing was over in a few minutes, no pain. I thought to myself that having the spinal in the evening would be good because the six hours in bed would overlap with my sleep time. Unfortunately, after five hours I woke at 2am, and the neural growth factor seemed to act as a stimulant which kept me awake for the next five hours. So not much real sleep. The next day, a mild headache, not too bad. Because I was tired, PT session went really bad. Probably due to lack of sleep and the headache. In the evening we all went to a Thanksgiving dinner which Joanne will describe later. The following day I had a good night s sleep and pt was moved up to 9am on friday. I don’t know whether it was the rest or the 3 stemcell treatments, but my dizziness is slowly getting better and the PT session went very well. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. – Al
First, a little background on a meal in our room in the hospital. Plates in our lap with plastic utensils. Thanksgiving dinner at the 5 star Holiday Inn which has only been open for two months was an experience we will never forget. The menu was sweet corn salad, mixed mushroom salad, green salad, cream of pumpkin soup, Roasted Turkey with stuffing and giblet sauce, Gama Ham(fresh ham), sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie (really a torte that was to die for). The manager would stand at the head of the table and ask permission to clear the table for the next course. Merlot wine was also part of this extravaganza. The gal who organized this event suggested we go around the table to say what we are thankful for. I will never forget what Al said – he was thankful that his wife was here with him. He couldn’t imagine being here without her. We all were grateful to have the opportunity for hope where there was none, for meeting extraordinary people and for stepping out of our comfort zones and experience life so different from what we are used to. To top this off, the manager arranged to have the hotel cars take us back to the hospital. Don’t think we didn’t go home with doggie bags. He had so much food left over that he packed us each all the leftovers as well as a beautiful package of cookies. The cost of this sumptuous meal was 555 rmb which translates to approximately $75.00 american money for each couple. -Joanne
P.S. I forgot to mention that two chefs carved the meat at the table and plated our dishes which were served by the manager and staff. How elegant. A little aside, I met a chinese female doctor who is visiting this hospital and I mentioned to her how impressed we were with the chinese people who were so anxious to please us and make us comfortable and help us any way they could. She said “it is our duty”. And they perform their duty so very well.-Joanne
5 comments November 28th, 2008
