Hello all, we’ve arrived safe and are just spending our first night in th hospital. It’s 4.30 am here and i can’t sleep so thought i’d catch up with you all while Michael and Grace sleep.
The journey from Manchester to Beijing via Charles De Gaulle was fine with Air France being very good. Arrival at the hotel in Beijing was fantastic and we were glad we’d come the day earlier and chosen to rest in the hotel. We stayed in the Crowne Plaza just 10 minutes from the airport and everything about the hotel was excellent. We arrived very early and they let us check in at 8am at no extra cost so after a quick breakfast we slept the day away. Breakfast was fantastic with everything you could possibly want, from full cooked breakfast to chinese Congee. The whole stay cost less than £200 and that included 2 breakfasts and dinner for the 3 of us, pre dinner drinks (Michael managed to get Jameson) after dinner coffee and also the room rate.
We were picked up from the hotel on sunday morning by Sid, a translator, in a minibus for our journey to Shijiazhuang and the hospital. This took 5 hours and was awful. I try not to use western standards over here but this was tough, Grace however slept on Daddys lap for most of it so it can’t have been that bad. I might get the train back to Beijing on our return, it only takes 2.5hrs and i hope is less cramped and bumpy.
Arrival at the Hospital was a mixture of emotions with some big improvements compared to the previous hospital and some differences which i’m unsure wether they are improvements yet.
The ward here has much improved security with finger print access and your own key to your room. The security in Hangzhou was an issue for many westerners. Our room is huge! with a big living room/dining room, big bathroom with bath, shower, toilet and double sinks and finally th ebedroom with walk in robe. You’d be paying a fortune for similar size flats in Chester. We’ve got 2 tv’s, Dvd player, internet access in room a large fridge freezer in room and kitchen down the corridor. The down point- they’ve just had the carpets cleaned and it smells damp so i’ve got air fresheners everywhere that are doing little to mask it. Hopefully they will dry out soon.
On arrival Grace had her temp, pulse taken etc. We were given a tour of the ward and our dinner order taken and then we were left alone to rest, a big contrast from last time where blood tests and MRI’s were all crammed in the first day. The day starts tomorrow at 7.30am and i’ll try and update tomorrow evening.
Thankyou for all your comments it’s lovely to get them. Keep in touch.
Leanne, Grace, Michael.
Hey glad to hear the journey went well except the final bit on the bus!!! That’s great news about all the improvements and i hope they continue while ye are there!!! Best wishes, hugs and kisses from all the McGraths xxxxx
glad you all got there safely – wow what a bargain on the hotel!! You need to book my rooms in the future ;o)
glad the security’s better to it that’s one less thing to think about.
sounds like you hit the ground running i guess that’s a good sign that they are ready for you & are prepared
lots of love to you all – give Grace a cuddle for us xxx
PS: leaving the new owners of our house the joy of finding little Miss Rose hand prints on the glass ;o) ha ha ha ha
Hiya
It’s good news that you are more comfortable at this hospital and you certainly got a good deal in Beijing. By the way, the Miss Rose handprints at Matt & Polly’s are Peperami ones!!!! However, I have had to promise Rose a bubble bath tonight with her new Bucket and Spade (thanks Matt).
Rose is doing brilliantly and is a very good girl, not sure that the cat is impressed with all the extra attention Rose is giving her or with the left over popcorn chicken that was deposited in her bowl. But it keeps Rose happy, after all, she is helping to ‘look after’ the cat and Nanny while Mummy, Daddy & Grace are away.
Hope today isn’t too busy for Grace and that she is well and rested. Give our brave girl a huggle from Nanny and Grandad.
xx
Hi to you all!
Really glad to hear you have arrived safetly (eventually!).
Lovely to be able to keep up with your progess.
Hope everything goes well and that you soon get sone sleep Leanne!
Take care and sending you lots of luck and love, Lianne xx
Hi,
I hate being late replying coz everyone else has already said everything! (God, what a spoiled brat!!!)
Glad everything is going smoothly, except the bus. Sounds like your room is great too.
Typical Daddy finding Jameson in China! I am surprised he didnt manage to find putcheen!!
Hope everything goes well for Grace on her 1st day.
Lots of love,
Siobhan & Gary X
Thanks Ethan now has chicken pox and I blame you entirely!!!
Have this one on me Siobhan, I will be last!. Glad to hear all is OK, how are the local’s going on with the Irish Giant? LOL. If I can work out how to do it I will put some pictures of Rose et al on here. It is a big IF though. It may be easier for me to get Polly to do it.
hi leanne, michael and grace we are all thinking of you lots and lots and lots. hope everything goes well Kat signed up for the RSS feed so we will be up speed on all your doings. Krys is still playing basketball and Inline hockey and Carly is out on the razz through manchester. Auntie Kat and Auntie liz are currently under the influence of alcohol (mothers ey who would have them
) and Nan……….
just wanted to make our pressence felt and we will send more messages soon
Hi
I just want to let you know that I am thinking of ye. I have been very busy and haven’t had much chance to log in. I will be gome early this evening for the joy of packing. I will leave the computer on and be logged in so if you need a chat anytime just give me a shout. I hope you are settling in well.
Lots of love,
Orla
ok Uncle Matt is now going to be gutted as he wrote a novel last night and its not here……
Hi hun spots arent too bad thank god. How are your first few days? What have you all been up to?
Hi Leanne,
Sorry I missed you last night. I hope the shopping trip was productive. You must have been boiled in that humidity. Once We have the internet set up in the new house I’ll be in more frequent contact (that sounds like a threat!). I won’t lose the internet until Sunday anyway so you have a few more days to put up with first. From what I can find out we are only ywo hours ahead of you so we should be able to catch one another pretty easily.
I hope you are managing well, and won’t be too lonely without Daddy. The time will fly by since they keep you so busy.
Lots of love,
Orla