Back to normal….
November 30th, 2008
Thursday, November 27th
With bed rest still in effect , Kevin woke when the alarm went off at 6:30…..he still had no pain or soreness and was amazed that he had slept all night. He kept saying that they had given him a sedative but no, once his legs relaxed, he fell into an exhaustive sleep. He didn’t even wake for the sedative that the doc had ordered. He was weak but said he felt 100% better than the day before. He said ” if that happens again, take me out and shoot me”…..buddy, just let them know a little earlier next time…..IF there is a next time. All of the doctors came in to see him first this morning as they were concerned with how he was feeling. Dr. Mike and Dr. Mary made him go through a few tests to ensure the pain had really subsided. Whew….passed…Big smile by all including Kevin…Back to normal. Andy did very light physio today as Dr. Mary didn’t want him to exert himself. It was amazing to see each of the 15 people on the medical team coming in to see him and make sure he was ok….we’re really going to miss some of them when we leave. Casey and Catherine just make his day. They are two favorite nurses. There is actually only one that doesn’t really connect with him but C & C tease him like the girls at Maid Marians! (He loves Fridays too girls and he’ll be home before you know it…..we fly in on Friday the 12th and he wanted to know if we would be home in time to go and surprise you all!….ummmm no.) Casey was on one day when Kevin was getting his acupuncture. He makes me hold his hand as it gives him great pleasure to see me in as much pain as him when the needles go in…..”Kevin, why you hold hand?” ” because , Casey, it hurts! “…..Casey: “You biga baby”…needless to say, that’s when the nattering back and forth starts….”I come give you accupuncture”…..have you ever done it before, Case? “no, but I try on you”…..not very likely…..”biga baby”…..and the day goes on 
…she told him that she is going to come in tonight and stick him with the acc. needle….NO you won’t….Yes, I will come…you sleeping…hahahaha….No Casey, I’m sleeping in Tracy’s bed then…with this, she pulls out a tiny flashlight…” That’s ok…I find you………Catherine really understands the best English and has a wonderful sense of humour and a huge belly laugh….and no, none of them are much bigger than a minute. They were both so good with him yesterday that we gave them their gift early. Now, gifts are optional but something we felt we wanted to do and since coming here, I am soooo glad that we made that decision. I asked Yan what to bring as everything I picked up from home said “Made in China”….she mentioned that she always brings cosmetics like Clinique or Estee Lauder….you can buy them here but they are sooo expensive….so I hustled off to Sears a month before we left and hit a great salesclerk there…..they had some great gift sets on and if you bought so much in came a bunch more free gifts….I told her why I was buying and she threw in some more sample perfumes and stuff….Let me tell you, I was some glad to have all of the stuff when I started putting their gift bags together. There are 10 nurses that rotate through the shifts but 6 were extraspecial to us so they got the best stuff. But nobody suffered! I also made sure that nobody got a clock as this is NOT done in China…..if you give a chinese person a gift of a clock, it means it is their time to die….who knew….I googled “chinese gift giving customs” and also learned that “4″ is a very unlucky number so I made sure that in the gift bags, there was never 4….always more or less. I have checked it out….there is no room 4, floor 4 or 14 and I have yet to see a license plate with a 4 in it…..interesting. C& C were estatic with their gifts…..that night, (Miss) Kitty was on and we gave one to her also….she is an absolute riot too….we’ve invited the 3 of them home to visit . I really hope they do some day. As soon as I can get the pictures uploaded somewhere, I will post their pics..
Today was American Thanksgiving dinner and there were so many of us going to the restaurant for this so called traditional meal that Beike hired two vans for us and paid for it….it was wonderful to get out and yes, there was turkey ( we were all deathly afraid it was going to be pigeon) but no stuffing or anything else resembling thanksgiving dinner….I think our first inkling something was up was on the sign at the entrance “welcom to thanksgiving dinner a la Paris”….Paris?? Since when do they celebrate thanksgiving in Paris??? They don’t even know about it in Quebec! I went up for more turkey 3 times…..look at your palm…divide it in half…..we were lucky if we got that big a piece……The last time I came back to the table, Kevin asked me ” I thought you wanted more turkey?” Well, buddy, I did…..I even asked him for two pieces….oh well…..the desserts and the chocolate fountain made up for the braised eel I didn’t eat…..We did have a great time with the group and one tired boy has just crawled into his bed…..belly half full but happier than the last few days……night….
PS…many thanks for the comments….we check first thing everyday and Kevin just waits to see who has written nd the comments, jokes and support you all send…..it makes our day…thanks xoxo
Entry Filed under: ms,Uncategorized
12 Comments Add your own
1. Jeanne MacPhee | December 1st, 2008 at 1:08 am
Hi you two!
I’m hoping that this note gets through! I’ve tried several times with no luck. My old “dial up” just can’t keep up.
What an adventure you’re going through & Tracey, thank-you so much for keeping us in touch. I look forward to checking in each day.
Tues. is our “Drop-In” & you know who we’ll be talking about. Kevin your ears will surely be burning!
You’re in my daily thoughts & prayers. Wishing you nothing but the very best, Jeanne
2. Heidi Hutchings Kays | December 1st, 2008 at 1:40 am
Hi there, not sure if you remember me – I have run into you folks at some of the MS Meetings/MS Walk. One of my co-workers, Shelly Frances, led me to your blog, so I have just sat and read the entire thing
– What an amazing story.
It sounds like you are being very well cared for – I look forward to reading more about Kevin’s treatments and how you are both doing.
Take good care, cheers, Heidi
3. Ron and Betsy | December 1st, 2008 at 4:03 am
Hi from the Smith’s next door, I’ve just read all of your blog. It’s been quite the adventure for the both of you, so far….I can’t even imagine the emotional rollercaster ride you’re on….but what I do know, is that you are both, strong of character with lots of heart…so we know you will be more then fine….we miss you guys, and can’t wait for your return home….And Tracy, you could and should consider putting this in print….ah, leave that thought till summer, then I can kid you about it, in our back gardens…..Take care, Betsy.
4. Amber Lund-Thompson | December 1st, 2008 at 6:06 am
Glad everything is back on track there guys. I was getting more and more nervous as I read through yesterday’s entry. Seems like a pretty extreme case of ” No pain, no gain!” eh Kevin!!!
Thinking of you guys,
Amber
5. kathy & Steven | December 1st, 2008 at 8:36 am
HI
Just got off the phone with your Mom, she says Hi. She is looking forward to the 12th. She sounds good and is feeling much better. I hear you were out sightseeing this weekend. Make sure to take lots of pictures. Steve says to keep your chin up and the pins out of your arse. Look forward to seeing you soon.
6. big dog | December 1st, 2008 at 9:26 am
good to hear you are feeling better you biga baby. usually 2 things that make you smile, a full belly and and and oh you figure it out. kevie c. says hi. rocket are playing awful with 3 losses in a row. not much else new. cheers.
7. Marla | December 1st, 2008 at 9:30 am
hey guys, so glad to hear your feeling better.keep up the good work kevin and tracy.and thanks again for the blogs,it’s awesome.love your stories. talk soon
8. Margi & Bob | December 1st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Hi guys!
(Wonder what this security word means???)
Glad to hear that you finally had your Thanksgiving Dinner…I imagine you were both giving thanks that Kevin is feelin’ fine again.
Love reading your blogs too and, looking on the calendar, there is a full moon the night you arrive home. Bet even the man in the moon will be smiling on you both….M
9. Emily | December 1st, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Hey Guys, Glad to see you are still doing good!! Sorry for the lack of comments from the Johnston household as of late. Eva had her 4mth check up and needles, and has been pretty fussy as of late. I think it might be a growth spurt! She just doesn’t want to listen when I tell her she can stay little for ever!!! I think it’s safe to start the count down for when you guys come home now! It’s Dec the 1st, and Christmas decor is going up, Christmas lights and all! So it’s 10 more sleeps?! Hope you are feeling well! Love and Prayers for you both!!! Can’t wait to read more!
10. Virginia Thompson | December 2nd, 2008 at 12:50 am
ohhhhhhhhhhhh too bad about the Turkey Dinner…Kevie will have to take you into Maids for a REAL one when you get home… Only 11 more days….oh we the girls at Maids can’t wait….we have weeks of teasing to catch up on…I can’t believe that he sent you out to the Tea fields to work…haha…poor thing…You are an amazing woman…your blog entries are amazing…to be able to remember everything and write it down for all of us to read…WOW…so glad that everything is going well…can’t wait to see you back home…will save a BIG piece of Pie for you both…take care
Virginia
ps. Would Love to be able to take the credit for the chop stix but it was Jeanette that presented those.;)
11. glenn mac ausland | December 6th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
hey guys
Glad to hear everything seems to be going well
See ya when you get back..Take care
Glenn
12. Rihn Robinson-Tippett | December 8th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Greetings.. ( this is your salesclerk from Sears,I am at Lancome now ) ,just been trying to get updated and have greatly enjoyed reading the blog and all about the journey emotional and physical. Please know I am keeping you all in my thoughts. Take care and here is to hoping you have a lovely and blessed holiday season. Many warm wishes to you and yours.
Rihn
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