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Well my last 2 spinal treatments have come and gone. The first was Monday and lets just say I had a bad day. First the valium didn’t work and so was awake and felt EVERYTHING!!!! bu hao. Then got a wicked headache. The medicine they gave me didn’t work and I couldn’t sleep. The poor night nurse took my blood pressure which had tanked, even lying down 88/44 ( that was for you Chowda), and so I got another little pill that really helped with the headache and my blood pressure. Don’t know what it was, and frankly don’t care, it work and thats all that mattered to me.
My last spinal was yesterday and it went very well. No headache, no backache, and no drop in blood pressure. I couldn’t fall asleep last night to save my life but actually feel good today. So with no more spinals means no more valium………its bitter sweet 
Going to take it easy today anyway but tomorrow we plan to go out and about for the afternoon as we only have a few days left before coming home. 5 weeks really flew by but excited to see everyone back home, not so excited about the plane ride though, oh well, a means to an end.
December 13th, 2008
5 down and 2 to go. The last spinal stem cell left me feeling like I got run over by a truck……..a small truck but a truck none the less. A minor headache and a little back pain but feel much better today. The next one is Monday and then Friday and that the end. Almost at the end of this journey, its left me in high spirits but I feel so very, very tired.
Now that I’ve been feeling better we’ve gone on a few outings. One was to the Silk Market and Silk Factory……….lets just say I bought some silk It was actually very interesting, they took us through a little tour on the silk making process. They boil the coccons, take out the silk worms and spread the wet silk. The woman who works in the water with the silk is over 70 years old, they call her grandma and her hands look so young, very soft and smooth, amazing. We asked what they do with the dead worms, they use everything, and so its grounded up to make skin care products………yup I bought some of that too.
Today we took a drive up around tea mountain, absolutly beautiful and then to a pagoda that overlooked West Lake. This place is truely beautiful, I’ve never seen anything like it. I think sometimes we forget to appreciate the opportunities that happen to fall into our path, myself included. I try to remember that whatever misery life throws our way, we are surrounded by so much beauty, we only have to look to see.
Missing you but not the snow
December 5th, 2008
In less than 24hrs my bone marrow cells along with a massive dose of other stem cells will be put back into me via a lumbar puncture. I must say the lovely dose of Valium makes this medicine go down smooth as silk. Honestly they could probably do anything and I would care in the slightest. And I think the resting fetal position helps keep that nasty headache away…….not to mention its easier to watch movies that way.
Its American Thanksgiving today so happy Gobble Gobble to all you who celebrate this occasion. Most of the floor has gone out for dinner but I felt a little under the weather…….bladder infection…….and with stem cells tomorrow I thought it better to stay closer to home. Secretly I hope their eating pigion, not turkey ( cause its my favorite)………just kidding of course
Well there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of trouble to get myself into around here, but I promise to look harder in the coming weeks, until next time….
missing all you back home
Luv Les
November 27th, 2008
Smooth as a baby’s bottom……..literally. That’s right people I got my entire butt shaved. Why you ask. In preparation for my bone marrow extraction, but not to worry the nurse said hardly any hair……..I wouldn’t want to spoil the girly girl image you may have of me, HA.
Sorry it’s been awhile, but they were having problems with the bog site. So this may be a little long winded. Well I had my first spinal stem cell treatment on Wednesday; it went well although a few things were different from the last time. First I got an IV drip because I’m not aloud to eat. Second I got anti-allergy shot. Third, I got a shot of Valium, weeeeeee, which took effect immediately. My parents said I wouldn’t shut up J what can I say it was doctor prescribed. But seriously the procedure went well, the lying flat for 6 hours sucked and as hard as I tried not to move, I got that headache that comes with spinal leakage. Wicked, but it only lasted a day.
The next day I went for my bone marrow extraction, which they were able to take from the back of my hip and not my sternum as I had feared. This one required anesthetics and so I was taken to another floor where as soon as they gave me the goods I was asleep and before I knew it I was tapped on the shoulder and all done, nothing to it. While I was under I had a dream about my physio guy, Andy. He was teaching me Chinese and I understood everything. But when I woke up I couldn’t understand anything again. What I didn’t realize was some of my preliminary tests the week before determined whether I could have this done or not. I learned a lot about my internal health too. My heart is slightly enlarged…which increases risks, my heart rate is slower than normal, my lungs are better than they should be….pretty normal in fact…..who knew, the technician made a joke about how I did better than most Chinese patients. I did have to stay on bed rest for 24 hours and I can’t shower for 3 days. The only mark is a very small incision, it doesn’t hurt at all. Today is a regular physio day and tomorrow off. My next spinal will be on Monday…..until then, enjoy the snow back home suckers!!!!!
November 22nd, 2008
Well most of you know this is my 2nd trip to China, this time in Hangzhou. So far its been lots of initial testing and setting my schedual up. I’ve had blood tests, x-ray, breathing test…..which I’m happy to say I did’t totally suck at. I’ve also had my first stem cell treatment already, it was an IV treatment so nothing seriously unpleasent. My first lumber injection is on Wednesday and they have agreed to go ahead with the bone marrow transplant. I’m not sure of all the details involved but I’ll keep you posted.
Just in case I had any doubts of how small this world is, my physio guy here was in Shenzhen when I was there the last time and recognized me when I came in. His name is Andy and he is very nice, but I’m saying this after only one acupuncture session:) The nurses, doctors, and interpreters are all so nice here. I’m just starting to get to know people but so far so good. Monday is really the beginning, starting with 2 sessions of Electrical Wave Therapy, Acupunture, Physical Therapy, and standing sessions. I’ll go into greater detail as things progress, but for now I’ll keep it simple. So now that your all caught up, I’ll be writing whenever something new and interesting happens or when I’m bored and just feel like babbling to whoever will listen.
November 16th, 2008
Well here I am in China again, this will be just a test post so I can send the link to friends & family and make sure everything works. I’ll post again later today
November 15th, 2008
