Final stem cell treatment went well, although I had an headache…It’s ironic that after my last treatment I encounted my first side effect.
On the final day we said our goodbyes, its a shame we didnt meet some of the people earlier because they semt really friendly. Set off for the airport at 9am. Very quick check-in process…. thats when things started to go wrong. We went over our baggage limit, a bottle smashed in the case (52% & very stinky!). Then borded the flight from hell! It was a local flight to Hongkong, the seats were very cramped & it was very warm. I felt abit rough anyway & when I borded the flight I had a banging headache and started vomiting. The airline staff were very good and lowered the cabin temperature, brought cold water ect. On arrival to Hongkong I soon realised that bording a 14 flight may not be a good idea. Informed cathay pathific staff and they advised me to reschedule the flight. The staff booked us into the airport hotel for the night. The next morning the airport staff met us from the hotel and escorted us to the medical office… I had picked up a virus. I was issued with a fit to fly letter and some medication. The airline then booked us onto the next flight and allocated us 2 extra seats which meant we had a full row to ourselfs which made the journey alot more comfortable.
Arrived safely in the UK. I just need to rest and take it steady. Hopefully a month down the line the stem cells will have kicked in!
July 25th, 2008
We will soon be on our way back home, although the thought of flying 14 hours is abit daunting. Taken video footage of physio today, as I want to keep up a routine when I get back home… I believe this is a major part of the stem cell process.
I had a stem cell injection today, which went well. Just one more to go and thats on Friday. Planning on keeping off the cigarettes, so far it’s been 20 days without one! Hopefully my appetite will increase as I would like to gain some weight.
Overall I am happy with the treatment. I believe it is very important to remain positive and be open minded and try potential treatments/therapys.
We will next update on Saturday (Our last day…yaaay! )
July 16th, 2008
Had stem cell on wednesday, all went ok. It wasn’t as bad lieing flat for 6 hours this time, I think the sleeping medicine they gave me was stonger than last time. It’s a rest day today and Me & Nikki have just had a chinese massage. It was very relaxing and only cost £6 each for 1 hour! As it is a rest day we are both going to go the the park, going to soke up the scenary along with a few corona’s and bacardi breezers : ) …adding our little bit of culture!
Still not smoking, it’s been 15 days! I havn’t noticed any improvements in my arms, but my legs and neck definatly feel stronger and headaches are a thing of the past. The Dr’s said they hope there are still more improvements to come.
July 11th, 2008
Can’t believe 2 weeks have gone already (although Nikki can!) I had my 3rd stemcell Friday. Which was ok becuase I had the weekend off. Fortunatly I haven’t had many side effects compared to other people. Here’s a picture of me having the stemcells injected into my spine: Stemcell photo
It was red hot this weekend. The chinese have umbrella’s to block the sun! Had a good day on Sunday, we went to west lake again and found a nice spot in the shade to relax with an ice cream. We went to a night market last night…. packed solid, not the place to go if your clostraphobic.
I have had my treatment timetable and have a futher 3 stemcells over the next 2 weeks…. The next one being Wednesday. Feeling ok in myself and find the physio/acupuncture is very motivational. I feel quite relaxed and positive about the treatment. I feel like im doing quite well, especially as I haven’t had a cigarette for 10 days! I have realised that smoking could be damaging my lungs and impair the treatment process.
My appetite has improved since I have been here. I have fallen into a good routine of going to bed early, getting up early and having food instead of a cigarette for breakfast!
Will next update after stemcell on Wednesday.
July 7th, 2008
The stem cells went well on Monday, although a little bit tiring. Working hard on physio and my legs seem to be getting stronger…. good news!
Today I was a bit dissappointed – was told that I could not have a bone marrow transplant as it would be too dangerous (my lung capacity is too low)…. bad news!
The bone marrow transplant helps the stem cells to work at a faster rate, but not necessarily essential. In place of the bone marrow transplant I will be having 2 additional stem cell injections bringing the total to 6. Hopefully, the extra stem cells will do the trick!
Off now for a well deserved corona… and lime! : )
July 2nd, 2008
A few Pics from today: Me & Nikki and West lake Scenery
Just got back from a very hot trip to west lake, which is a well known tourist attraction in China. We taken some great pics and we will get them all uploaded to facebook soon.
We also went to the zoo, Nikki had her pic taken sat on an elephants trunk. It was a great day although not particularly wheelchair friendly.
We are very tired now, im planning on having an early night ready for my stem cell injection tomorrow.
Finally had a poo today! (it’s been 7 days!!!)
June 29th, 2008
Thank god im feeling better today… yesterday was the worst yet! I suspect that the severe pain in my legs was a side effect from the stem cell injection. I had to have wave therapy, drugs and an IV drip.
Today everything is fine and my legs do actually feel stronger than ever. I have had my time table for next week and my next stem cell is Monday. I also have a bone marrow transplant on Wednesday.
Sunday is a rest day and so venturing out to a major attraction in hangzhou along with another patient and her mother who are also from England.
The physio has taken quite a shine to Nikki… when she’s there my treatment sessions seem to last longer!
Here are some links to photo’s which were taken today during and therapy: Acupuncture & Physio
Will update tomorrow.
June 29th, 2008
Hi all, as u know I had my first stem cell injection yesterday. The procedure only taken about 15mins via lumbar puncture into the spine. The hardest part was lieing on my back for 6 hours wired up to a drip. It is common to get an headache and back ache after the procedure but I was quite lucky and only had a mild headache. One girl on the ward who had her first stem cell injection 4 days ago is still suffering terrible back pain, headaches and sickness, this has resulted cancellation of her 2nd injection! So clearly different people react differently. My next injection will now be next week.
Today has probably been the most strenuous. Starting off with physio which is getting tougher! Wave therapy was ok, but the accupuncture left my legs feeling extremely painful and achey. To top this up I have had to have an enima – Due to the fact I have not been for a poo for 6 days!
Me and Nikki are both pleased that the local supermarket sold both malibu and corona. So we are having a drink tonight due to it being a rest day tomorrow.
Al.
June 26th, 2008
Today I was up at 7! Which is really early for me. Been having naps in the afternoon, the treatment combined with the heat is very tiring. Had physio again today which was at 11am, did alot of work on my arms but they do need loosening up.
After my physio I thought I deserved a big fat pizza from pizza hut : ) Pizza hut like Mcdonalds just tastes the same as back home. But even better, the food gets delivered right to my bedroom door!
My next treatment was electro wave therapy. It is like a tens machine but on a much bigger scale. It aims to relieve pain and strengthen muscles. You can feel it working, its really good. This was followed by accupuncture. I have had accupuncture a few times at home, but it is on a much bigger sclae here in China. I had a total of 20 needles in my arms and legs (At home I usually have a total of 4 needles!). The needles were then connected to an electronic device with sent electric pulsating signals through my body….abit like being electrocuted and it lasted 30mins! This was quite painful : (
Tomorrow I have my first injection of stem cells. I will be put under local anesthesic for the procedure. I then have to lie flat with no pillow for 6 hours! This will be very uncomfortable for me, as i usually need a descent pillow to support my head and neck. I am going to ask the Dr for a sedative to help me sleep.
Off now for a snooze, will update how the stem cell treatment goes soon.
Al : )
June 24th, 2008
Hi everyone.
All is going well. Today I had my physio, they dont mess about, thought they were going to pull my arms off! It was abit painful – no pain no gain!
It’s been very warm today – 30 degrees! but the air con in the room is good. Just started thundering ang lightning, never seen anything like it!
So far the furthest we have been is the supermarket 5 mins down the road. The chinese people are not used to tourists, this is probably why they stand and stare at us as if we have 3 heads!
The hopsital staff are very friendly, and suprisingly all have english names like, Kitty, Emily, Amy, Lucy and Johny!
Today I received my treatment timetable – it is very intense! It consists of accupuncture, electric wave therapy, physio and stem cells. This starts from tomorrow….get friday and sunday off!
Bye for now! x
June 24th, 2008
Previous Posts
