An uneventful ‘free day’ today. We went shopping (again) this time to Jimo Lu’s Market. Came back, goofed around, I did some PT exercises on Deana’s bed (otherwise, it’s the marble tile floor – unforgiving, to say the least).
Shawn asked me a question before I left,”Are you prepared to come back exactly the same as you left?” I thought about it. “No”, I said. After the day I had today, I think, “What a brilliant question.” I got my schedule for next week, spinal treatments on Monday and Friday, accupuncture, PT, and electrocution every day… BRING IT ON! - 10 days left
October 4th, 2008
Today was a ‘free’ day. Nothing scheduled. We went to the market, we found pasta and Hunt’s Spaghetti sauce! I’ve got a really good story to tell. We were all done shopping, came outside to the taxi line to get a taxi to the hospital, well this taxi came right in front of us to let people off, so after the people got out, I showed the driver the hospital name and address written in chinese (that’s how you tell the cab driver where to go). The driver hands it back to me and shakes his head ‘no’. So, I’m thinking he just doesn’t know where it is…So then we proceed to the cab line, I show the 1st cab the card, he shakes his head ‘no’, and then proceeds to open up a paper and read it. So, I go to the 2nd cab in line, doesn’t even look at the card, and shakes his head ‘no’. Okay, (Deana’s starting to get nervous) I figure out we must have pissed off (sorry graps) the first taxi guy by trying to take a taxi not in the line! So, I take out my translator, find and show the driver the word PLEASE (my translator seems more effective by showing the chinese word/phrase rather than saying it). He shakes his head no again (and goes back to reading the paper) I ‘m flipping through my ‘please’ phrases and come across “Please forgive me” I showed him that one and he motioned for the (address) card, popped the trunk for my walker, and off we went! I will never misqueue a cab line again.
Today was an okay day. I definitely feel ‘off’. I am still using my walker, and today I almost wiped out WITH it. I’m tired & off balance. Good Days, Bad Days, that’s what I keep reminding myself. You need the bad days, so you can tell the good ones! Exercised on the bike for 1/2 hour !
October 3rd, 2008
Just a couple of things to brag about. At PT today I stepped over all the ‘PT-step over thingees’, and didn’t have to grab the bars once! I went back and forth 2 times! (it’s the little things) AND I went down one side of the steps without holding the handrails. It wasn’t pretty, but I did it! I made it up a couple of steps (a couple of times) without the handrail…it seems I’m definitely more coordinated leading with my left foot. Walking heel-toe-heel-toe is still a disaster. Seriously, my thighs get in the way! That’s not an excuse. That’s like when they have you stand with your feet together, they always have to tell me again ‘your FEET together’, It’s just not natural, my feet don’t go together naturally because there’s something between my hips and my feet called my thighs! I told Deana , “I never trust a girl whose thighs don’t touch in the middle” – something to think about.. good night
October 2nd, 2008
The spinal treatment went well yesterday. This time, I was asleep for only 1.5 hours! I had to lie on my back for 4.5 hours. (you’re allowed to roll on your side, but you have to remember to not lift your head. I couldn’t sleep. Poor Deana, she didn’t get a break. She stayed with me the whole time! There’s definitely a place in heaven (next to Mom) for her. I wouldn’t doubt it if she’s hiding wings somewhere, ’cause God must have sent me an angel! I could eat after 4 hours (lying flat, head down, of course) I was starving! We had ordered a hawaiian pizza. Let me tell you, it was the first thing I’ve tasted here that didn’t have an iota of Chinese flavor. It was an American Masterpiece! Close your eyes and imagine eating pizza (cut up of course) lying flat on your back, no pillow, head flat back. It wasn’t pretty, but boy was it good! We watched the Bucket List w/Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Good Movie
I feel good this morning. My back’s a little achy, balance is good, steps are bigger. My head still isn’t multi-tasking when I walk. I have to concentrate on walking too much. I’m picking up my feet more when I walk, instead of dragging (especially the right one.
Deana and I are going back to the market we went to a couple of days ago for a short time. I had accupuncture this morning already, and PT at 2:00 (although my schedule they give me says 3:00 – but my therapist says, that’s approximate, it’s 2:00) Don’t ask me, I’m just doing what I’m told (can you believe that??). after PT, I get ‘electrocuted, then I anticipate a rest. I’m still getting up at 4:30, what’s up with that?
Thank you for all the well wishes, it is getting me through this with a smile on my face. I miss you all, and can’t wait to return ( a new woman). If you see Shawn and/or the kids, tell them I Love them and we’re half way there!
October 2nd, 2008
Today was a free day, so everyone went their own ways. We went to an open market nearby with Larry and Josh . We shopped, and looked, and pondered the question, “How many pairs of jeans can one person own?” I had a really good day (balance-wise, walking-wise, and attitude-wise) Tomorrow I have my third treatment (second spinal)… I say BRING IT ON !
September 30th, 2008
Kind of a lazy day today. Accupuncture was cancelled this morning, so I got ‘electrocuted’ instead. I took a nap until it was time for PT. I was up during the night- for about 2 hours. I realized I was walking really stiffly because I wasn’t taking my medication all the times- dummy drill. My back still aches a little. Nothing a little ibuprofen can’t handle… Deana and I noticed a difference today in my steps! They were bigger today. bye bye baby steps! Of course, my medication (which I took conscientiously) helped a ton with my ‘stiffness”. Walked the halls, played cards, sat and read. Tomorrow is a free day. We’re planning on going to the open market. Next treatment is Wednesday…
September 29th, 2008
Deana and I went to the market today AFTER I had an hour long, little old strong-hand (and elbow) man traditional (aka NOT in a spa-like place) chinese massage (for about $17US). Deana wimped out of the authentic experience. It was fantastic. He even pulled my toes! Deana and I are getting around the market pretty well now. We can navigate up the conveyor belt (it’s a trip with my walker), find our way through electronics, sneakers, appliances, to the snack section, go around the corner to the one American Dairy Case (american cheese), then take the other conveyor belt downstairs to get fruit and bread, checkout, go around the ‘mall’ to find the way out, and get a cab back to the hospital. Phew! All before I drop from exhaustion. Balance still horrible (worse than when I came – I feel) Been told speech is a little better…say it with me- BALANCE , WALKING, BALANCE, WALKING!
September 28th, 2008
9:05 A.M. Woke up at 5:00 a.m. Couldn’t sleep anymore. Went to read in the common area so I wouldn’t wake Deana up. My lower back was really sore. Apparently another common side effect of the spinal, only the doctors seemed to be a little surprised that pains in my legs didn’t accompany the back pain. I’m starting to feel like I’m 90 years old. I found an ’amusement room’ with a stationary bike, and lots of room for stretching, push ups, leg lifts, etc. I told the doctors this morning I felt like I needed to stretch my back out. It took a little bit to get my point across, but then they suggested going to the pt room and getting assistance….rookies…(ha,ha). Anyway, I took some ibuprofen and feel a lot better. I realized that I didn’t write yesterday…I’ll sum up the good part…When the doctors came in in the morning, they did another assessment..close your eyes, touch your nose: tap your hands switching sides: squat down and come back up…They said there was definite improvements! Not enough for me however, but they seemed pleased. PT went pretty well too! I don’t know if it’s because I’m learning the balance exercises, or my control is getting better. I guess learning is part of the ability of control!
I got my schedule for next week. Not Happy. Apparently next week has Holidays, so we have 3 days of NOTHING. I do have another Spinal on Wednesday , .. it’s getting late in the a.m, Deana and I have a massage planned today. blog later…
September 28th, 2008
6:18 a.m.
I had my first spinal treatment yesterday at 3:00. The hardest part is staying flat on your back after for 6 hours. The best part is they put you out while they do it and you stay out for about 4 hours. So, really, we’re talking 2 hours – piece of cake. I feel really good today. I made a decision last night to be always up and positive! I was starting to get stuck in a ‘poor me’ mode. I found an exercise bike on the floor above me, and I’m going to start excercising (walking the floors, push-ups,etc) other than the 45minute PT time each day. Deana and I have not been out of the hospital for 2 full days. We’re going crazy! It’s tough with my walker, I’m pretty slow (and jerky). I told Deana I’d suck it up and grab a wheelchair just to get out. Everyone keeps reminding you of 75 days for maximum improvement, but I’m hoping to see a little (even a small percentage) soon. But then again, I still have 3 treatments left! Well, gotta get ready for accupuncture…write later
September 27th, 2008
I woke up this morning at 4 a.m., couldn’t sleep… I did push ups, sit ups, leg lifts..still wasn’t tired. I didn’t want to wake Deana up, so I went into the ‘common area’(I didn’t fall OR make a lot of noise) I feel good. It’s just after accupuncture, my head feels ‘loopy’. I think it may be my medication. I’m not going to take it until AFTERaccupuncture tomorrow. They’re now only doing 4 needles on me, to increase my energy, Dr. Frank said. I also started “Electric Shock Therapy”. I call it ‘electrocution’. When I asked what this is for, I was told ‘to stimulate and break down your muscles (calf). I told them I’ve been working out for 25 years to build those muscles! I like them, I want them! I am definitely going to sit down with him today and get the whole meaning/story. I am sure I misunderstood.
7:15 p.m.
Physical therapy went okay today. Boy, it makes you realize how far you have to go. Andy is my therapist who doesn’t speak much English, he is very funny. When he shows me something to do, he can tell by my reaction and he says (in perfect english- mockingly) “I can’t”, and then proceeds to help me do it.
I did learn that electro therapy (aka electrocution) STIMULATES the muscles to help them work better. Phew! that’s a relief. Tomorrow I have my first spinal treatment (between 2 and 4). I am excited and nervous. Excited because this is why I’m here: nervous about lying still for six hours after (I told Deana she’s gotta sit with me and hold my head down for the 6 hours so I don’t forget and lift it) also nervous about what if it doesn’t do anything? It’s gotta work, I came to China (and dragged Deana with me)!! I probably won’t be blogging tommorow, wish me luck!
September 25th, 2008
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