Archive for June, 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
