Getting to the fourth injection
Ok. We are in the down side of this adventure and getting close to going home. Jane made it through the third injection with no side effects with the exception of fatigue from laying on her back for 6 hours. That is tough for anyone to do let alone one in recovery from strokes. She was in surgery longer this last time, she said they had a time getting her into the right position. The doctor told me that she thought that that was the case and not too uncommon. She had a smile on her face being brought back to the room on the gurney(sp).
Jane has not been able to get her limbs moving like we had hoped yet but her therapists agree that her muscles in her right arm and mid section are moving under her control more but are very weak. She has had to stay quiet and bed rest after two EKGs in this past week for chest pains. It turns out to be Atrial Premature, a relatively non threatening condition but the doctors want to prevent any other problems by Jane pushing herself too hard with PT. So we are not doing that till after her 4th injection next week. They will determine if she can go back to therapy after the injection. For the past two days our caregiver and I have noticed some good changes in Jane in her sleep and her appetite and her speaking. She is talking more than before and in more connected sentences. She is now initiating this too. Her leg spasms have deminished a little and she is feeling pain in her left foot toes. But not in her right leg and foot from the hip down. She has almost equal feeling in her right arm and hand and left arm and hand. Her stomach problems have really subsided but we are watchful.
She has started different medications mostly for the Heart and hope will solve that problem before we go home but her doctor will schedule an appointment for a cardioligist when we get home anyway. All we can do is wait and get thru all this and get home to start the real rehab.
The siteseeing has stopped to get her through the next two weeks. The stress of crunching into taxis and crowds and outside air conditons and heat are too much for Jane so no more till we come back here for more stem cells in the next year. Jane is responding well to e-mails and phone calls from family and friends from home. She seems to get a lift from all the well wishing and proding to ‘hang in there’. But she is still home sick and is looking forward to being back on US soil. The Chinese people are wonderful but some of the cultural differences would take a little longer to adjust too. The Chinese food is great and is unlike Chinese food in Charlotte, NC, but not always suitable for a patient in Jane’s delicate condition. The hospital has been taking some steps to address this issue. I hope they will continue to see the food needs of the patients and families as vital to the overall Physicians plans for the health of the patient. Also, many different cultures make the food issues a prominent topic and will be difficult without the expertise of an understanding Chef or food service professional. I believe the leadership of Puhua hospital will succeed to create an outstanding environment which will be broadcast throughout the world by homebound patients and family members raving about this experience and the great results our loved ones will get from the stem cells received here.
Shopping, Jane would love to do more but knows the need to stay focused on getting the last injection, so our caregiver and myself are still going out to shop for necessities and keepsakes. Visiting Wal Mart, Carrefore, and Panjiayuan Flea Market, Liulichung antique market, Pearl Market and Silk Market. Must watch our weight limits for the plane and our budget. That is hard to do when you can really save on goods here. Wal Mart seems to have the best prices for Protective bed Pads and diapers. So take the #120 bus and save. You really need to get to the Flea Market huge.
See you later after the 4th injection. Signing off.
Jake and Jane
Add comment August 19th, 2007
Now we have something to talk about concerning improvements. Still no significant lifting of the arm or legs but we do get reports from the therapists that they feel some strength in them. But only a little. So we are encouraged to see what she will get back with the third injection next week, maybe on Tuesday. The doctors think that her arms moving when yawning indicates that with stem cells moving to the area of the brain for the arm movement, she may see more movement soon. I think thay are going to infuse stem cells to the muscles of the right arm but do not know for sure. They will tell us next week. They think she has more feeling in her right arm and a little in the hand. Jane was sitting in the room chair when they came in and I think they were pleasantly suprised and encouraged. We have been putting her in the WingBack every day this week at the urging of the therapists and the Message doctor. She sits in the chair for about 30 to 45 minutes and then back to bed to rest.