Well it’s been almost two years. I still have increased sensation, but if I would have continued with the accupuncture and intense therapy I’m sure the slight flickers of random muscle contractions would have amounted to something. I just didn’t figure in the cost of the continued treatment when I returned home.
Add comment August 21st, 2009
We made it, but of course there were a few minor bumps. We scheduled a short trip to Beijing before coming home. We left the hospital two hours before our flight was to take off, we ran to the gate with one minute to spare:( I think everything would have been okay, but we thought you could have two bags per person 20kg each. We figured this out after we had put the two lightest bags on the scale and they were sent off. So our translator Amanda, poor thing, was trying to explain to us while we were freaking out because we didn’t have 18RMB a kilogram for the 90kg of our other two bags. After 20 minutes of “communicating” to the shift supervisor we needed our bags back so we could repack and redistribute the weight. It turned out that our tickets to Beijing weren’t booked as international, which is why we were only allowed one check-in and five carry-ons, yes five. After we solved the luggage issue it was time to check the power chair in.(25 minutes before take-off) Fortunately we didn’t have to pay. The check-in guys couldn’t pick up my chair so they basically said sorry it’s too heavy, there is nothing we can do. I lost it, I mean some how my chair got their, I obviously flew into HangZhou w/ my chair. Amanda stood her ground so with three minutes to go the person on the walkie talkie said something and we were ushered through security and onto the plane. Once we were to the plane the staff knew exactly what to do. We only caused the plane to take off 13 minutes past the original time. Once we got to Beijing we had smooth sailing. We had booked our tour w/ an accessable tour group so the hotel was great, along with comfortable safe travel for my power chair. We had no travel issues from then on out.
We arrived home to an unexpected welcome home. All of our friends and family where there, And my sister’s boyfriend purposed at the baggage claim. Aaaah, how sweet:) Being home was great. I was so tired I slept for two days only getting up to eat. Then after about three more restful days, I am now caught up, and feeling back to my old self. Now I am ready to start the next step in my adventure. I have begun the process to start PT, along with some other obligations to help my new stem cells to have the best possible chance at reaching their full potential.
So far I haven’t noticed any major muscles working, but my sensation has improved immensely. I have new feeling and different pains than I have ever had. It’s hard to tell if the stem cells are changing my body or I’m just imagining. We’ll see. I’ll let you know if anything changes. Until next time.
1 comment October 23rd, 2007
Let’s see where to begin. For starters I’m in a much better mood. We took a trip to the traditional market in the handicapped van. It was nice to have power to move as I pleased. Now of course I couldn’t get into any of the shops, but if I saw something I liked my sister would show it me. Plus there are also cart type kiosks throughout the middle of the street that had a lot of unique items. All in all I give the outing a nine, I could have stayed longer, but that’s just me. I still have my fingers crossed for the trip to the West Lake!
October 1st is China Day. A lot of the staff have taken small 4 day vacations, and a lot of patients are leaving or have left. There are a lot of empty rooms. Fortunately we have made friend with some people a few doors down. It’s a brother sister combo, the brother is the patient from Pennsylvania, and his older sister who lives in Colorado. Our friends from Minnesota have gone home:( I definitely recommend making new friends with the other patients! I personally enjoy meeting strangers and learning new things from them.
I have my last two treatments this week. IV on Monday and spinal injection on Friday, then we leave the 10th. My sense of time and dates are all backwards, all I know is I can’t believe it’s almost over. I think coming to China was the easiest part, the hard parts going to be being patient to see what these stem cells of mine are going to do. I hate being patient!
Add comment September 30th, 2007
When we first arrived here at the hospital, we met some patients that were on thier last leg of their trip that were doing a lot of complaining, in a round about way expressing that they were ready to be home. I was like, wow, why are they complaining? Don’t they realize it’s going to be different, it’s a different culture. They should just get over it and realize the blessing they’ve been given and adjust! Well today I started in on the complaining. Don’t get me wrong I count my blessings, I think I just got up on the wrong side of the bed! It’s just funny because the patients said bye the fourth week, your just ready to be done. I haven’t looked on the calander, but today felt like the fourth week has begun.
Thats enough negative! I really do like it here. I know that it could be much worse. Plus the handicapped van got here today. I haven’t been able to get a great look at it, but the color is really pretty. It’s like a baby blue color:) Wendy is being so great! She has put together a trip to Wushan Square for tomorrow for me and two other patients in the van. It should be very fun. From what I have gathered, the van will be used for airport transfers. Personally if I used a manual chair I would feel safer sitting in a regular seat, but like I said I haven’t been able to look inside, So I don’t know if there are tie down straps or not. Oh-well the important thing is all types of power chairs are able to be transfered to this hospital. Yeah!
Ooh- tip for coming here, bring a vegetable peeler. And be very specific about your bathroom/shower chair needs.
Add comment September 28th, 2007
Tuesday Sept. 18 the largest typhoon in 10 years hit the shores of China. We survived just fine. The rain washed away the pollution and we were able to take advantage of our view. This week has been good. The bad weather affects my blood pressure so I wasn’t my best. Either that or I did WAY too much this weekend, probably both. Needless to say my adventures are no longer going to be back to back with no time to breathe. We had a great time though. The opera was nice, the staff treated us like royalty. For the most part we understood what was going on. I really enjoyed it! We didn’t make it to church Sunday morning, 6:00 am came pretty early. We did however make it to the fancy shopping mall where they sold Gucci, Fendi, Dior, and what not, but the prices where the same as in the states. Then we went to the West Lake which was really beautiful. Most of it was accessible, except as a quad pushing myself was pretty much out of the question. Sunday was very tough on me emotionally. I like to be in “control” I guess you could say, and between the language barrier, the confusion with the drivers, and being pushed all day, it was more than I could cope with. Even after everything I’ve been though I felt very defeated! It reminded me of how much I have to depend on others, and reinforced the whole reason I’m here. I had a reality check and realized that I have to focus all of my energy on my treatment.I will still go out, but probably shorter trips. oh to be able to take my powerchair. This is one thing that needs to be addressed, a wheelchair accessible van!
I have my 3rd spinal injection today. I have noticed a few changes. I am sweating a lot, plus the small of my back is sweating as well. Baby steps. I really hope to find a PT that works me as hard as they do here! Until next time.
1 comment September 20th, 2007
It’s the weekend. So much to do so little time! I am definitely one that enjoys experiencing everything to the fullest! Before I came I researched the city, the culture, the food, shopping, and anything else that struck me as fun.I completely recommend this, because I have learned in past travel experiences (pre-injury) that going to a foreign country with no basic understanding of their way of life is a huge mistake! When we got here I had a whole list of places to go, things to see, and food to taste. I was a little disappointed to find out the hospital isn’t in Hang Zhou it in a suburb just outside of it, oh-well small adjustment! Last week we went to the West Lake and ate at Lou Wai Lou, a fabulous tourist spot. They are famous for their Beggars Chicken, so of course I had to go! Everything was wonderful, the different flavors danced on my taste buds! Sounds corny I know, but it really was worth it. We went with our new friends from Minnesota and two staff members Alf and Jonny. I was sort of worried when the bill came because we ordered whatever sounded good. the total was 653 RMB for everything which is less than $100, and this is an expensive place. You get more for your money here than Pizza Hut. Regardless it was awesome.
On Friday we decided we needed a massage so we walked or rolled there and settled in for the treat. It was mainly a foot massage, but they did some hand, arm, and neck rubbing too. The best part was when they accidentally caught my foot on fire:) No worries, they do this treatment where they put flammable fluid into small jars, lite it, and somehow they get it to suction onto your foot, maybe to pull out bad chi or something. I guess some of the liquid spilled and next thing I know, flame on. I think he was more worried than me. Tonight we are going to the Chinese Opera because this is the only performance this month. It should be interesting at least. Sunday our plan is to go to West Lake and sight see, maybe some shopping too, who knows.
Everything went well this week I had my 2nd spinal injection followed by a severe headache. After many attempts to ease the pain I finally looked up sedative and showed the nurse so I could at least sleep. The next day the pain wasn’t as severe, but still present so no PT for me. Friday I was back to my old self. They have been putting me on the standing table during PT, needless to say I know how to say dizzy in Chinese:) I still haven’t seen any change in abilities, but there are small differences in certain muscles. Until next time.
Add comment September 15th, 2007
Hello my name is Elizabeth and I am 26 years old. I live in Nashville, Tennessee USA. I have a C5-6 incomplete spinal cord injury. I was injured six years ago in a car accident. I have been in Hang Zhou for one week today. The flight over was as smooth as can be expected bringing a 350 lbs chair across the world. When changing plains in Beijing (to a Chinese airline) they wanted me to pay extra for the weight of my chair. After much discussion, they finally said, “No charge.” Once we arrived at the hospital Jonny ordered us some Pizza Hut, which was pretty good, and we settled in for the night. The next day was mostly resting and blood work.Our second full day I met the doctors, I have Dr. Mike.I also had the physical tests to see what I could and couldn’t do, and a CT scan. Thursday (3rd day) was my first day of therapy, electrodes on my legs, acupuncture, and PT. Let me tell you, I haven’t worked that hard in a long time! Friday Sept. 7 I had my first stem cell injection. The procedure was a piece of cake. The laying still for six hours was easy because I had sleeping meds that kept me asleep for most of it. I ended up getting a major headache which lasted throughout the weekend. Next time I’m going to drink more water and see if that helps. I’d have to say my first week has been great; the staff is wonderful as well as the hospital itself.
4 comments September 10th, 2007
