Archive for October, 2008
Brad had his final treatment of stem cells today. The head doctor saw him today and made the comment that some people respond slowly. In fact, he wants Brad re-evaluated in the states in three months. This hospital is supposed to give me a copy of his medical records and orders for this evaluation and physical therapy and acupuncture. Pray that they do please. Brad is a little discouraged. Two more days of PT, standing tx, acupuncture and electrowave therapy and then we are heading home.
October 27th, 2008
Today is Sunday and Brad and I wanted to worship at our new friend’s church in Hangzhou. This church was written about in Billy Graham’s Decision magazine after Franklin’s visit to China in May. It numbers about 7,000 members. We dressed and checked out of the hospital. The taxi drivers in this section of the city were not interested in taking us across the river to a church. Repeatedly we were told no. Finally one of the 20th floor drivers appeared and asked where we wanted to go. He reluctantly told us OK but wait. Another driver appeared and we were on our way. Upon arriving to the church, Mr. Chung drove up to the front steps (like on the sidewalk!). We were met by a Chinese church member who wisked Brad in the wheelchair up a ramp (which I was so thankful to see!) and into the sanctuary. We were told the service (traditional at 7:30AM- more contemporary later) started at 9:30 AM. The traditional service went over so we participated in the end of this service. I stood there with tears streaming down my face singing “And I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able” in English while the Chinese made a glorious praise to our Lord. The believers there shone with the love of God. They brought me a Bible and I showed them ours. A beautiful young woman sat beside me and we tried to converse before the second service began. She wrote down her name in Chinese and phone number. Then she wrote down a question and asked me repeatedly. I gave her the business card I had with the hospital name on it. When the second service began a praise and worship team led us in praise songs…I hummed along and clapped. Then we turned to the Scriptures. I saw “33″ one of the two screens on either side of the pulpit so I looked at my new friend’s Bible. I thought it looked like she should be in Jeremiah so I turned there. Brad and I were reading this until one kind man brought us a Bible written in both Chinese and English. We were in Psalms 33-Ha! They made me stand up (and I whispered-visitor- they shook their heads-yes). Then we prayed. The Scripture was read again and a gentleman showed me that we were reading in Genesis about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. After the sermon, we sang “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”. This time a hymnal was given to us that was all in English so I sang all 3 verses. What a delight to worship with other believers. My soul was thirsty for this. As we left I was encouraged to go up front, but our driver was there to pick us up at 11:30 right in front of the front steps again. Someone told me, “God Bless You (in English)” as I followed the kind man who was wheeling Brad down the ramp again. I was almost embarrassed as our driver blew the horn loudly at the church members who were exiting their church walking down their steps and sidewalk to the bus stop. All the drivers beep at each other constantly. Once when I was pushing Brad in his wheelchair and needed to be heard I said BEEP myself!
On the way back to the hospital I pulled out a magazine called “More”. There is a website called www.morehangzhou.com Until I read this article I had no idea just how popular this city is to the non-Chinese who come here to learn Chinese. This includes Americans, of course, but apparently there are many nationalities represented. One article said to this group of young people, Beijing is too expensive; Shanghai is too polluted. Hangzhou is a recreational area for this group to exercise (biking, running around the West Lake), is a shopping paradise (in that the prices are very reasonable) and is diverse enough to offer great dining and friendly atmospheres to meet others who want to expand their knowledge of China. This reminded me of the sign I saw in Beijing upon departing the plane. A hugh banner from the Olympics read, “One World, One Dream”.
Brad’s last SCT is tomorrow, IV in his hand. He had a rash today. Dr. Mary told me that she did not give him any dexamethasone with the last lumbar since it was his own marrow. She said she would observe it. We pack Tuesday, go to the hotel Wed. and leave Thursday. RBC here we come!
October 26th, 2008
For those of you who are brave, I have posted several videos of Brad having acupuncture and PT.
Go to www.youtube.com and type in “canoeangus”
The can opener story has another dimension. Marcos, from Venezuela, brought the exact can opener into the kitchen to cook with..he brought his from home. Ha!
As far as the mouse trap…..the other day I was told that our drapes would be removed to be cleaned and returned that night. I said that would be great, but just watch the mouse trap. (I had already stepped on accidently one day while making up the bed-Ugh!!!) I think it was a different man who returned that night to re-hang the drapes. Yea, you guessed it, while climbing down the ladder this man stepped right square onto the trap..I imagine if I could have understood him, his language might not have been appropriate in a lady’s presence!
October 23rd, 2008
The Chinese can pack much into their space.
October 23rd, 2008
Before leaving for China, my daughter, Brecca, loaned me her manual can opener. Upon packing it I read “Made in China” on the handle so I returned it telling her that I was sure I could find one in China- thanks anyway. Well, I brought canned ham and chicken and went to the kitchen here to open one of the cans…only can opener was a rusty old thing that does not work properly. I took Brad to the RT-Mart today in pursuit of a clean new can opener. There was none. The translator told me when I returned that the Chinese do not use canned food hence there is no need of a can opener. Ha!
Today the patient advocate, Luca, told me that he would get the video man, Alf, an American who has lived here 4 yrs (he married a Chinese girl),to video Brad while he has his therapies. This way I can have a record to take back to the states not only in writing, but visually to show Americans exactly
what Brad needs when we return.
He and I returned to the tea house and had green tea, watermelon and sunflowers seeds again. It is a delight!
He worked very hard in all his therapies. Today was Kerri’s birthday-she is the cute therapist whose photo is on this blog. He gave her his Montevallo sweatshirt and then asked for a hug. She embraced him warmly.
October 21st, 2008
Today Brad had three of his therapies. James was gracious enough to include acupuncture even though it was not scheduled. He and Brad laugh as he inserts the needles. Today he teasingly acted as if he would let Brad insert a needle himself. Instead of 26 needles we are back to 23 again. If I understood James correctly, the physical therapy and standing therapy HAVE to be given to Brad before he can have the acupuncture. He then had his 4th SCT in the lumbar area. No side effects-there is gratitude. I am praying for these stem cells to cross the blood brain barrier into his cerebellum. This is the area of his brain that has atrophied. From what I have been taught, these cells have the ability to differeniate into neural cells in the brain. A blessing today is that Dr. Mike, the head doctor, gave me a moment of his time. He approved the 5th SCT the 27th of Oct- this will be IV. He also told me that it will be important for Brad to continue this therapy in the states…he will give us an order for the 4 treatments. We have already located a Chinese doctor in Anniston that practices acupuncture. Dr. Mike told me that though we are not seeing much improvement now, the effects of SCT & BMT will last for 75 days after we get home. Having just finished The Shack, the last chapter quotes Oswald Chambers, “Faith never knows where it is being lead But it knows and loves the One who is leading”. This describes my persective of this journey Brad and I are on…though we do not know the outcome, we know the One who is leading. Hallelujah! Pray that we would love Him more deeply. Shi Shi Ne
October 20th, 2008
Today on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Lee, a driver here, took Brad and me to the West Lake. There is a causeway one can walk across and watch the people and boats. Mr. Lee left us and we said to meet at the hotel at 3:30 PM. Along our stroll I asked several people, even an English speaking one, where the hotel was. If they didn’t understand me I folded my hands under my ear and pretended to be asleep. No one knew so we kept walking to the other end of the causeway. There on top of a hill was The Shangri-La Hotel. We waited for over an hour for Mr. Lee. We saw him pass by twice by could not flag him down. I finally went to the hotel lobby where they spoke English. They were kind enough to call the hospital and ask for the 20th floor. We got Rebecca, the translator, on the phone. She told me she would call Mr. Lee’s cell phone and tell him to go to the Shangri-La Hotel. When I got back to Brad, he and Mr. Lee were in his car and let me in. Mr. Lee explained that he had the police looking for us. They had also passed by us but never stopped. Adventure….next time I go out I will take the phone number of the hospital with me. Just glad the police didn’t pick us up!!!
October 19th, 2008
Jeanine Bell left today..we miss her already. Brad has finished his 24 hours in bed. He’s at the computer beside me doing good. He is sore, but not in pain. We are considering a 5th treatment because we are here and have to time to do so. #4 is Monday the 20th. Friday, the 24th is when he gets his own bone marrow back….all these are lumbar injections which require the 6 hours on his back-head on the mattress- not even a pillow. Brad has exemplified a courageous man with lots of perserverence. Tonight is a birthday party for a 1year old beautiful child from London who has CP.
October 18th, 2008
Hi friends and family,
Thanks so much for your prayers for this important day. Jeanine Bell was with me during Brad’s surgery which was much comfort to me. We followed him down to the floor of the OR and even got to go with him behind the first double doors. There the translator told me that they were checking his chart to see if he had any allergies. While we were standing there a nurse came out of the OR area with a bag- inside was part of a bloody body part. Brad was then wheeled away and we were escorted back to our room for about 80 minutes. This was Brad’s first time in an operating room- a little intimidating when you don’t speak English. Dr. Mary went with him. He had to lay flat again for 6 hours, but now has his head elevated. We saw the needles they extracted the marrow with..in fact there were 3 in a bag on his bed. Dr. Mary was relieved when we returned them. Pizza Hut is his food tonight since he hasn’t eaten all day. The hospital sends someone out to get it for us and bring it back in. In fact every day at lunch and dinner we are asked what we want to order. Brad has to stay in his bed til 12 noon tomorrow. We are hoping to go out Sunday. We feel so much love and concern from all of you. You will never know how great it is to hear from home being this far away…thank you for taking the time to write.
Want to share a photo of Kerri, Brad’s therapist who gives him the electrowave therapy. They are very kind to Brad.
October 17th, 2008
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