We made it home safely everything went as scheduled. Doug has not seen any further progress since we returned home. He has had trouble sleeping since we got home. We e-mailed Dr Hong last night and she got back to us today that it is OK to take something to help him sleep as it is important to get sleep to aid the stem cells. So hopefully once he is better rested there will be more progress to report. He is doing his Physio faithfully so it is just a matter of time. Keep him in your prayers. Bye for now, Darleen and Doug
June 28th, 2008
It has been a difficult day, packing up and saying goodbye to some very special people. Everyone including hospital staff, patients, caregivers and the people of China have been wonderful and will be sadly missed.
Although the improvements that Doug has seen so far are minimal they are a step in the right direction and he will continue to fight this disease and wait for the stem cells to find their way to the problem areas and do the repairs that are necessary. He is certainly stronger and will continue to work at maintaining what was shown to him in China.
We will be leaving the hospital around 9:30 am and driving to Shanghai before catching our flight to Vancouver and then on to Regina. Then the longest 2 hours into Estevan. If all goes on schedule we should be home in 22 hours. Yikes!!!!
Doug and I are so very grateful to everyone for all the love and support we have received through this journey. We have enjoyed all of the comments and emails with words of encouragement to keep Doug positive. Continue with your prayers as we wait for further developments.
Once home I will try to keep you informed of any further improvements.
Love to all, Dar and Doug
June 15th, 2008
Hi everyone, today was the final IV stem cell treatment so all that is left is therapy for the next 2 days and we are on our way home on Monday. The time has gone by so quickly it is hard to believe that a month has past.
I am so proud of Doug, he made 2 full laps around the entire 20th floor today using his walker. When Cody saw Doug using the walker he had to show Doug his mechanical walker. They are buds!! Cody loves the girls, Doug calls him the “chick magnet”.
I sure hope that we can keep some kind of physical therapy going at home so that he keeps the correct muscles strong. As the saying goes “Don’t use ‘em- you lose ‘em”!!!!
It was another rainy day but it was an IV day not a Lumbar Puncture day so there was lots of visiting in the halls. There are a few of us planning to go out to an Italian restaurant tomorrow night, so looking forward to that.
Until tomorrow, Love andGod bless, Dar and Doug
Buds
A few of Doug’s favorites
June 13th, 2008
First thing this morning Doug was told that the head neurosurgeon was here and that he had been chosen for them to do their assessment on. Doug’s comment when told was “Oh, did I win another 30 days of treatment”. It was actually Doug’s assessment as well as an assessment of the medical staff’s procedures. It took about 45 minutes and there were 11 of them in the room at once. Sure wish we could have understood what they were saying as Doug’s doctor sure said a lot, as well as 3 other doctors who have been seeing him through out his stay gave their comments. They then put him through the same drill that they put him through when we first got here. Everything was video again so I hope that we get to see the videos. I can see the change but Doug doesn’t.
The sun broke through today so we were able to get out. I went out for a bit while Doug was getting acupuncture and electric wave. When all of his therapies were finish we went out for a couple of hours. Visited the park, RT mart and KFC. It was nice to get out for a bit.
Love to all, Dar and Doug
What do you think? Center of attention !!!!!!
June 12th, 2008
Well the last Lumpar puncture is finished and Doug is doing well. He only has 2 hours left to keep his head down. He did physical therapy, occupational therapy and standing therapy this morning and was taken to the stem cell treatment room at 2:oopm. He was back in the room at 2:30pm. So we will see what tomorrow will bring.
We have been watching the farmers in their gardens below us since the day we arrived. Just on Sunday morning Doug and I ventured down the lane to get a closer picture and this morning they are flooded. It is so sad as I am sure their crops are finished for the season. I will attach pictures.
I hope there is no rain tomorrow so that we can get out a bit. The days get pretty long when you can’t get out especially on treatment day there is no one in the halls as all the caregivers are staying close to their loved ones to encourage them to keep their heads down. Can’t imagine doing that with a child (maybe you have to sit on them !!!!)
Until tomorrow, love to all …Dar and Doug
before
after 2 days of rain
June 11th, 2008
Hi everyone, it rained all day again today. Doug’s therapy didn’t end until about 4:45 so there wasn’t much time to go out anyway. He stood on his own for over a minute today so each day gets a little better. Keep those prayer coming, they are helping. Tomorrow is Lumbar puncture day and he is dreading the 6 hour lay again. It is the last one, he has managed without a headache so far and I am sure he can do it again.
I was out in the hall tonight visiting with another caregiver and David (the young Chinese boy that is being treated for his vision) and his mother walked by. She is looking at me and pointing into our room where she could see Doug and saying what sounded like “ginger” to me. But David said that she was pointing at Doug and saying “he wants to walk”. I guess it is pretty obvious!!!!
We said good bye to the Leroux’s from Montreal today. Their little boy was being treated for SMA. They believe that he has made progress while here. He is only 18 months old and just a sweetheart.
Luca was also by to say good bye as he is going back to Italy for 3 weeks to work on his visa so that he can return to work in China.
That is about all the news for today. Thanks again for all the comments and emails. We check them first thing every morning. It is amazing what a word from home does for the spirit.
Love to all, Dar and Doug
Becky, Lucy says “Ni hao”. For the rest of you this is the welcoming face that met us at the airport.
Goodbye to Luca.
June 10th, 2008
It was a quiet weekend. James was off so Doug was unable to get acupuncture but was able to do all of the other therapies.
We were advised on Saturday not to plan any big outings for Sunday as they were expecting heavy rains. We were told that they shot CO2 into the air to make it rain. True or not, I don’t know!!!! We did wake up to rain Sunday morning but only light rain. I did get brave enough to take Doug to the farmers market so he now has a feel for the true Chinese way of life. We learned today that the Chinese food we have been ordering in is coming from there……somethings you are better off not knowing.
Doug has been able to stand on his own for a short period of time and this morning he was able get to a standing position from sitting on the edge of the bed with no assistance. He is pushing himself to the limit, he wants this so badly. The doctors keep reminding him he has been sick for a long time and not to be so impatient……that goes in one ear and out the other. Doug will get his final Lumbar puncture on Wednesday and the final IV injection on Friday.
The skies did open up over night and it has rained all day today. So we did not get out at all today.
There is little boy here from Australia named Cody who has really taken to Doug. Cody has a form of MS they have not given a name yet as they believe his myelin quit growing at age 2. He is so sweet but has limited control of his limbs, head and speech. He and Doug are good therapy for each other.
Wheelchair buddy, Cody
Yesterday was Dragon Boat festival in China. It is celebrated to commemorate Qu Yuan, a poet who drowned for his country. Zonzi is eaten in his honour and the hospital gave each of us one. It is a sticky rice with either pork or a sweet bean custard in it wrapped in bamboo leaves. I enjoyed it but Doug is a little fussier than I am.
June 9th, 2008
IV stem cell treatment day was a good day. Doug was able to do all of his treatments except acupuncture. So all and all it was a good day.
There are so many children here now. When we first came it was mostly adults and now it is mostly children. It sure makes you look at life a little differently when see what these children are going through and how very difficult it most be for their parents.
We didn’t venture far today, just out for Pepsi and an Ice Cream cone and then back to the hospital.
Thank you to everyone for your comments and emails. It is always good to hear from home. Love to all, Dar and Doug
Doug and Angela receiving IV stem cell treatment with Dr. Hong
Box that IV bag with stem cells came in.
IV bag containing stem cells
June 6th, 2008
Today was another full day with physical therapy, occupational therapy, standing therapy, acupuncture, electric wave and walking therapy.
After this was completed we went out for a stroll in the park and ventured as far as the New Grand Century Hotel for a change of scenery.
Doug will get his first IV stem cell treatment tomorrow. This should only take 45 minutes so should be a piece of cake compared to the Lumbar punctures.
while Doug is doing arm exercises to control his shaking, James is working on his ankles and knees.
rickshaws lined up outside hospital
They literally scrub the street here
June 5th, 2008
Hi everyone,
Well Doug only got PT in today before it was time for the bone marrow transplant. That all went well and he was up in time for supper after laying for 6 hours. So once again we wait for those little stem cells to get to work. Doug hopes this own stem cells are as stubborn as he is!!!!
It is dark here by 7:00pm so did our walk in the dark tonight. It was every bit as busy in the evening as during the day. No close calls, lots of bikes with no headlights or tail lights either, the paths are well lit. Well, not much more to report talk to you again tomorrow.
Goodnight and God Bless… Dar and Doug
June 4th, 2008
Previous Posts
