Doug says tomorrow is “make or break day” as he gets his own bone marrow(cleansed and cultured) injected through lumbar puncture. This is supposed to be a much larger concentration of stem cells, so hoping to see some improvement. The doctors keep reminding that these have been baby stem cells and babies do not sit, stand or walk immediately.
2 days in a row Doug has eaten supper without dropping even a single piece of rice, to me that is progress. He is also getting stronger with his physical therapy- keep those prayers coming our way.
Doug has decided to get an additional stem cell treatment the final week we are here. It will be by IV. We are here already so we are going to take advantage of what can be done in the time that we are here.
Until tomorrow, good night and God bless……Dar & Doug
June 3rd, 2008
We are into a new week with a full schedule.
Doug’s day starts at 8:20am with PT followed by Standing therapy and then Occupational Therapy. We snuck out to enjoy some sunshine and befriended 3 young boys at the park, they did not speak English but were very curious about us. They were probably 8 to 10 years old and smoking. We were making conversation with them with lots of sign language, they offered Doug a smoke and he tried to tell them they shouldn’t be smoking. One of them showed him that he understood by throwing the package on the ground, another was quick to pick it up. All the time they had smiles from ear to ear. They left and went about their business and when we left the park they all said “bye” from different areas of the park.
After lunch Doug had acupuncture and electric wave treatment, then we took some pictures in to be printed and thought that we would grab some drinks while we waited and head back to the park. Low and be hold as we near the park there are the same 3 boys sitting on a bench waving to us again all smiles (This is probably 5 hours later). So we talked to them a bit and said they should stay there and we would get them drinks too. It took a little bit to get them to understand “you stay-we go”!!! We got the drinks and came back, there they sat all 3 on the bench. All of us had our drinks in the Pagoda style rest stop and then were on our way. I don’t know- these people really warm your heart.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring????
Until then, love to all………D & D
June 2nd, 2008
It was a free day for Doug so we headed out to West Lake with our driver Mr. Lee. It was a cloudy day and a little drizzly, a good day for Doug to be out but not a great day for pictures around the lake. However, it could end up to be the highlight of Doug’s trip. While we were wondering around the Lake an elderly Chinese gentleman came up and asked where we were from and said that they gather in the park on Sundays to practice speaking English and could they have 10 minutes of our time. Doug was in his glory (you all know how he likes to visit), within seconds there were no less than 20 Chinese people of all ages encircling us. Asking questions about our country, about Doug’s condition,what hospital and treatment he is getting. Anything to practise their English. It was a very interesting experience and in about 10 minutes the elderly gentleman said you can go now and the others slowly backed away and we continued our journey around the Lake. We walked a little way and the elderly gentleman came and said “one more question”, “Who is referred to in these sentences?”
He said I should do this.
and
He said”I should do this”
Interesting how the context changes and I am not sure I got through to him or maybe he was testing my understanding of the English language!!!!!
We also stopped at Wushan Square and I did a little bartering. It was not the best for Doug as the shops are not wheelchair accessible. He and Mr. Lee were pretty patient with me, however when there were a few spits of rain Mr. Lee suggested that he and Doug go back to the car while I finished shopping. I got the hint and went back to make my final offer on somethings that I wanted. I was beginning to think I was going to go back empty handed. But she chased me down to get my money, it seems if you get the money out that you have offered and then walk away they know you are serious and will come after you. If you have just made the offer and walk away they let you go. Interesting stuff. Not really my cup of tea, so to speak, but I am getting on to it.
It is Children’s day in China today. There were families out with lots of children everywhere. Doug and I really get a kick out the curiosity of the children. They know that we are different and are not afraid to look at us. We had our picture taken may times today.. funny, eh!
We are definitely in a very rich part of China. There are banks everywhere. There are skyscrapers as far as the eye can see in any direction and thousands more going up all around.
We have Doug’s schedule for the week. They have added 20 minutes of the Standing machine to his daily routine. He will have his bone marrow ,which has been cleaned and cultured. injected back into his spine on Wednesday and an IV stem cell treatment on Friday. So it is going to be a busy week.
Bye for now, love to all…….Dar & Doug
West Lake
Children’s Day at Wushan Square
Ginseng
too funny- even in China
Click on photo to enlarge
June 1st, 2008
No headaches once again after stem cell treatment, Doug is a text book patient, too bad he doesn’t follow my instuctions as well at home!!!!!!!
After a full day of treatments we went for a walk, visited the park a couple of blocks away. Then returned to the hospital to say goodbye to some special people who are leaving tomorrow. Doug is going to miss Alice as they have so much in common and it does wonders to talk to someone who understands what you are feeling. Alex is also leaving, he won the hearts of everyone. They will both go home and wait for the stem cells to grow and multiply, along with keeping up their therapy.
Tomorrow is a free day, so are plans are to visit West Lake.
Signing off for tonight, love to all… Dar and Doug
Alice and her sister Maryann from North Carolina
Alex and his mother Marissa and Grandmother Judy from California
Restaurant in the Park
May 31st, 2008
Friday already, I can’t believe the way time is going. Doug did Occupational therapy and Physical therapy today, followed by electric wave and the 3rd stem cell treatment(lumbar puncture). He said this one hurt a bit so hopefully when he is up on his feet again, he will not have any pain.
There are 3 new signs on doors so there must be 3 new patients coming in. I think that will make it a full house on the 20th floor (the floor reserved for foreigners). The treatment and care here is top notch. Very professional and caring people. Alice (one of the other MS patients) is a former lawyer as well as nurse and she also has nothing but praise for the work done here. The room is cleaned daily, they even put out air fresheners. One of the interpreters comes around and takes meal orders at lunch and supper time, so there is no need to leave your room if you choose not to. The choices are Chinese Food, Taiwan Food, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and KFC. How tough is that!!!!!The delivery girl is trying to teach us Chinese but we are not the best students. There is also a laundry service that comes around every 2 days. Your laundry comes back clean and nicely folded. … Do you think they do it by hand, on the scrub board like the lady in one of my last pictures??? Could be, but they come clean that’s all I care about.
Well, I have to find something to entertain myself with while Doug is down for another five hours. I am sure he won’t sleep that long but the longer the better. He still has to keep his head down that long. Thanks for the iPod Drake, listening to music relaxes him and also keeps the rest of the noises out.
We have asked Mr. Lee to take us to West Lake and Wushan Market on Sunday. It is supposed to be cooler so best we take advantage of that or Doug may not get a chance to get out.
Until tomorrow, love to all and thank you for all the comments and e-mails……….Dar & Doug
1 & 2 PT with James
3 standing machine
4 This little lady is Doug’s attending doctor, his favourite. In his words “huba huba”
Click to enlarge
May 30th, 2008
Well we were back on track today, with Physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture and electric wave treatment.
It was a little cooler today so I was able to get Doug out for a nice long walk. We stopped a KFC on the way back for lunch.
Tomorrow is stem cell treatment day. This will be the 3rd lumbar puncture. Doug is out doing his second round of occupational therapy of the day. The therapists are gone for the day but he can do that on his own. I know that he is going to want do a little physical therapy tonight so he will need my assistance with that. Just working hard hoping for results.
So for now, good night and God Bless……Dar & Doug
May 29th, 2008
Not much to report today. Doug was unable to get out of bed until noon today after having the bone marrow extraction yesterday. He got up after the 24 hours and is doing fine. He had acupuncture and electric wave this afternoon and is now doing Occupational Therapy. He should be back on a full schedule tomorrow. Doug is only the third patient to have the bone marrow stem cell treatment done at this hospital. The lab was opened here after the hospital in Shenyang was close to foreigners.
There are 2 other Canadian patient here, Justin, 18 months old form Montreal being treated for SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) and Maureen from Calgary being treated for MS. Alexander a 2 year old from California is being treated for Cerebral Palsy, LouAnn from Wisconsin being treated for a head injury suffered in a snow boarding accident and Alice from North Carolina with MS. There are patients here from Hungary and Romania that I do not know what they are being treated for. A little boy came in yesterday from Australia, we haven’t met them yet but, I believe he is being treated for ONH the same as our friend Devin. There are also several Chinese patient that I do not know what they are being treated for except the young boy that I met in the elevator is being treated for his vision. It is so sad to see the children but they are fighters and will do just fine.
It rained all night and most of today so we didn’t venture out at all. Hoping for a brighter day tomorrow, love to all…. Dar & Doug
May 28th, 2008
We started out in occupational therapy and were called back to the room as it was time for Doug’s back to be shaved(from mid back right down to the back of his knees). A nurse on each side giggling that he was very hairy (Chinese people do not have hair on their bodies). Doug says they are lucky they didn’t have to deal with Trottie’s fur pants!!!!!!!!!
Then off to Physical Therapy, no sooner finished there and the nurse was in to start the IV and he was scooted off to the operating room. All went well and he was back in the room by lunch time. He has to stay in bed for 24 hours. He can sit up but as one of the nurses said “no feet on wood”.
I slipped out a couple of times today with other caregivers, so have some pictures to attach.
Thanks once again for all the comments, Love to all
May 27th, 2008
Hello again… our day started with OT and PT. Doug took a fall in the shower on Saturday(he says he is out of practice falling since his drinking days!!!!) and that has set his PT back a little. He injured both knees and twisted the sore ankle, so they are treating him with Chinese medicine. It is in a heating pad and is quite smelly. They didn’t work him as hard in PT but hopefully by tomorrow he will be back in full swing.
They have drawn blood in preparation for tomorrows bone marrow extraction. He will be under anesthetic so will have no pain when the bone marrow is extracted from his hip. It will be cleansed and cultured for one week and then injected into his spine. This is so that his own stem cells are administered into his body. The count of stem cells in the bone marrow is much higher than that of the umbilical cord.
Both the doctors and I have noticed that Doug’s shaking is starting to decrease. So keep those prayers coming our way. In the doctors visit this morning they said that they noticed a decrease in the shaking. A young Chinese boy was clapping for Doug during PT this morning. I met him the elevator when I was going for my walk and to my surprise in very good English he ask where I was from. I will have to talk to him a little more tomorrow to find out his story. I have seen him walking the hallways with his mother. I believe she is the one getting treatment.
I will sign off for today, love to all………..D&D
We are on the top floor of the curved section, second set of windows from the right.
They have each patients name and where they are from by the room number outside each door.
May 26th, 2008
After signing off last night we went and said bye to 3 gals from New Jersey. Devin Riley, her mom DeAnn and grandmother Judy. Devin was a patient here, she suffers from ONH (Optic Nerve Hypoplasia). She has no vision in her right eye and limited vision in her left eye. When she left here she was seeing light in her right eye, so hopefully the stem cells continue to grow and she will see. Devin is a 20 year old with a very powerful voice, expect to see her on the Country charts some day. Her motto is “Dream Big”.
After doing Occupational Therapy today we went out for a bit. Strolled through the park again and received lots of stares….we are foreigners. One little guy was waving to us and threw us a kiss, pretty darn cute.
I was wrong about the no therapy on Saturday. Doug just wasn’t scheduled for any this Saturday. We got his schedule for next week and has therapy on Saturday. He will have bone marrow extracted on Tuesday and another Stem cell treatment (Lumbar puncture) on Friday.
Thanks for the comments, love hearing from home. Good to hear we are getting some rain. Doug wants some lawn to mow when we get home.
Love to all………Dar and Doug
Doug & Devin
Doug & the Jersey girls
Pagoda in the park 
Squattie Pottie
Bike path that we travel on.
May 25th, 2008
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