David's SCI Treatment Blog

Second Trip to China–First Letter!

May 23rd, 2008

Well, let me begin by telling you all that David and Norma are safe and sound in Qingdao. The Earthquake that occurred so tragically is a great distance from them and they did not even feel the tremors where they are located. Dave emailed this am, and said that they took a collection for the earthquake victims on the Stem Cell unit and over $1,500 RMBS were collected from the patients! Such a tragedy, but we are grateful our loved ones are okay! Foremost in this broadcast email, I need to send a heartfelt thank you to Norma for her dedication to David, and for once again putting her own life on hold, while she makes the commitment to David for a second journey. She has walked beside David as a source of strength in his pursuit of his dream to stand and walk once again and to become more independent. His dream is that he can accomplish this monumental task with the help of the power of stem cells.  Also, thank you to everyone who made donations on David’s behalf to fund this second trip to China. Without your undying emotional, spiritual, and financial support, David would not have been able to make this dream come true. Your investment in David’s spirit will grow far more than any of us could ever imagine! Your investment in David’s spirit will extend far beyond any boundaries you could ever imagine. This second trip to China has been more than just a dream for David, it was a goal and a promise he had made to himself before he even left China on the last trip. Through your support and kindness you have made this goal one that Dave could turn into reality. Dave remains forever grateful for your selfless gifts. For a moment rewind to the year 2006……the first journey of hope. David, Norma, Paul and I journey to a place unknown, David being the 14th individual from the US to arrive in Shenzhen, China, in hopes of a miracle. It was a gift of life, love and hope from Paul to his brother David, and what a gift! From that journey Dave went from legally blind to being able to see, and to developed better strength so that he could drive his own wheel chair, and use a voice activated computer! He has been the source of inspiration to so many others in these last 2 years, and those are the endless gifts of love and life that have become David’s and his to share with all who also needed hope or to hear of hope. He has touched the lives of many in that period of time. Now, come back to the present, 2008, 2 years later and David who literally could do little for himself in 2006, has now organized and arranged all of his second journey to China!!!!  How amazing is that? David organized the flights through Delta Airlines, and they never fell short of their commitment to insure that he, Norma and all his personal belongings and equipment arrived safely, and undamaged in China. Traveling alone with Norma was a big undertaking, and was an area of some concern before they left, but transfers, and all that is involved went smoothly and was seamless. In David’s own words, “Delta was outstanding, we had no problems with my wheelchair with any damage. Except for a couple of flat tires that are affected by air pressure on the plane, (it happened on last trip too) the flight and the crew were remarkable!” The hospital where the new Stem Cells unit is located is in a more remote location in Qingdao than David and Norma had expected. It is in an actual medical center, which has the existing old hospital and the brand new hospital addition. The hospital makes all the arrangements for transport. The handicapped van is the hospitals, so all transportation has to be arranged through them. It is a full scale hospital according to David and Norma. Unlike the Nanshan Hospital in Shenzhen which is a bustling city, Qingdao is quaint and remote. The facility is located some 45 minutes from the nearest Walmart, and 15 minutes from the nearest grocery store. There currently is construction across the street of a new restaurant, Hotel, and shopping center with an anticipated completion in about 6 months.  They were the first people in their room and their unit is located on the 8th floor of the hospital. There are more English speaking people there than there were in Shenzhen which is very nice. On this facility it is much more of a family atmosphere than it was on the unit in Shenzhen. There were a number of Australians there when they arrived, as it is only an 8 hr. flight for them. The unit is set up for spinal cord injuries, and there are 4 American’s, one child with Spina bifida. Everyone there helps each other. It is much more of a social environment. The 9th floor is the entertainment room. Dave and Norma have made a lot of friends, and the Stem Cells video produced by National Geographic, and David’s own Christmas video are part of the DVD collections that everyone has watch, and is generally a topic for discussion. Dave even did a talk at a gathering and was sharing his story with others for over an hour. He was amazed at how much hope he was able to offer others who were there. So many new relationships have developed and it has made the facility feel more like home. The friendships and common bonds are stronger than words can ever express. Y ou will have to wait to hear the voice of David when he returns to enjoy all the stories I am sure he will share about those personal relationships he shared during his stay. Here is David’s stem cell schedule going forward, he has already received one injection and one IV, since his arrival.5/19 injection5/23 IV5/28 injection6/2 injection6/6 IV6/9 IV He attends rehab daily where he has several hours of physical therapy. There is not occupational therapy here like in Shenzhen. He has been on the standing frame, and they come to his room and do his e-stim in his bed, and the acupuncture in his room. It is more private for those types of treatments and services, verses the group atmosphere in Shenzhen.  There is less staff in the rehab. department here. The other rehab department was like a bee hive, this one is more quiet. David called me yesterday and told me that his vision is improving even more, especially for distance and he is feeling stronger in his core, and is able to arch his back and lift his buttocks off the bench!!  He has had NO pain medication for one week and his spasms have greatly reduced if not almost non existent!  He is noticing increased strength as well. He can even roll over without assistance. Yesterday’s stem cells went great and he had to use his bipap machine for breathing for the first time for several hours, but has not had to use it today. The thing about the stem cells, and the changes that occur, they are so subtle sometimes that all of a sudden you will realize Dave is doing something better or faster. He may do something several times before you realize, heh I didn’t do it like this before! He is pumped and we all know David, he will give it 150%!He will get the most that anyone can from this treatment! In their leisure time, they found a wonderful park, one bigger and better than the one in Shenzhen. They all visit one another in their rooms as well and share heartfelt stories, and often head to the park when the weather is warm and sunny. David goes to rehab daily, and his buddy Martin, who was in the rehabilitation department in Shenzhen is working there in Qingdao. Martin worked so well with David the last time, and Dave was thrilled that Martin is there at this facility.  The bond they developed was not lost with the distance nor the time of 2 years. It didn’t take long for those 2 buddies to catch up. Martin has invited Dave to go out this coming weekend for a boys’ night out! David is looking forward to that one. Norma was invited, declined, and will take the evening off and perhaps just relax and re-charge her batteries!  The nurses are all so tiny, and they are not strong enough to really lift David. Pretty much like in Shenzhen. They have hired a Chinese helper, and his name is Wong. Wong is strong, and anticipates things without having to be told. He has been a great help to David and Norma. Norma does all the shopping and the cooking, because they do not like the food in this area. In Shenzhen there were many choices for good food, but in this location they do not feel the food measures up. They have been cooking a lot of chicken and broccoli! All the supplies are of course written in Chinese and it does pose more of a challenge when it comes to shopping and food prep! David, the forever techy has helped Norma enhance her technology skills, on the computer, as well as operating the iPod and other gadgets that Dave so does enjoy, and knows them inside and out! I bet she will use her computer more when she comes home from this trip! Anyone who would like to call David can do so at this number:0118653280653395. You should call in the am our time or the pm our time. During the day, he is in therapy and having his stem cell treatments. I have found the best time to call is 8-9am and 7-10 pm our time. Their time is 12 hours different from ours. Please remember you can email Dave directly at the email listed at the very top of this email. He is looking forward to hearing from all of you. It is your encouragement and emails of hope and love that power his battery for success. Love and kisses to all from David and Norma!Bless you all!Love,Sally

Entry Filed under: sci,Uncategorized