Mia’s PLS Blog

“hold the line…”

July 4th, 2009

So once again song lyrics come into play here in China from Toto- one of my all time favorite 80′s band, but so appropriate for the journey we are on and the one I will embark once I come home and put all of the knowledge I have been taught from this beautiful culture.

On Thursday during my PT with Jason I was trying to do the hardest thing I have done in therapy which is getting up from a step that is about 18-20 inches off the ground.  This is very difficult for me because I have no strength in the my thighs.  I have done it once or twice per PT session and today I was a little worn out and when I went to try my second time I was off the step and couldn’t get up and my knee buckled, but Jason was there to catch me- but in that split second I felt the same feeling I felt a couple of years ago when I fell and my knee buckled and no one was there to pick me up and I ended up in a wheelchair for the next 3 weeks.  So as he grabbed me and pulled me up, I was so very thankful to him- and as I looked in his eyes he said, “it’s ok, ok, ok.” Jason knows very little English, but he knows- “pain, a little bit more everyday, where’s baby, baby good, baby strong, Obama, Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee, you stronger, tired, all done- among a few other words. I welled up with tears (no surprise, right?) and he said, “all done!” and walked me back to my room and came in and sat down.  He has a little computer about as small as a phone that he can write something in Chinese and then shows me in English.  That day once I got to my room- I started crying and he was consoling me and even though I could not explain to him why, he knew.  He started typing and then showed me his little computer and I saw- “hold the line.”  Something that my father would say although in his words it be, “bump and grind” or “when you go to the altar, bring back the fire and not the ashes,” among many other Tonyisms.  But I knew that he knew what I was feeling and we know each other in a way I have never known anyone else.  He will be the person I  miss the most- and I want him to know that, so we are thinking of what we can give him to show our appreciation for helpiing me to see my potential- helping me to do things I never thought I would do- the whole time cheering me on in his own special way.

Later that evening I talked Noah into going to a restaurant called, Yo Yo Hot Pots- a place where the menu is in tanks because it consists of all fresh fish and  they have an area with fresh veggies and noodles and beef and poultry, but to order you walk with the waiter and point at what you want.  A few people here had gone last week when I wasn’t able and I had not been out for a few days and knew with my spinal on Friday I would not be able to leave again until Sunday- so we we’re off with the offer that if he didn’t like it he could order a pizza when we got back.  As we were heading to the elevator we saw Jason and asked him to come with us- and he did!  What an experience- I only recognized a few things: live lobster, prawns, noodles, and very thinly sliced beef.  Jason ordered and we sat down where we each had our own “hot pot” with boiling chicken broth.  First they brought out a clam for each of our pots and then the food came.  Jason had us open our pots and started putting things in for us- the we covered the pot.  They also brought a bowl of very watered down peanut sauce and hot red peppers, cilantro, garlic and scallions to add to the sauce which I gladly did.  Then we watched Jason take out the different meats and veggies and put into the sauce and eat.  I did pretty well with the chopsticks for about the first 10 minutes and then we asked for a fork.  The food was good and fresh, but bland. At the end of the meal you then took your spoon and drank the broth in the hot pot.  Noah ate the beef and was still hungry when we got back and so he had a pizza. Jason was such a gentlemen making sure I had his arm the whole time we walked in and out and making sure I was comfortable.  Normally when you have someone join you for dinner it is a translator so they can help order, but our Jason was the perfect dining companion!

My spinal was on Friday- as I sit here today it is Saturday at 12noon.  Dr. Chen was the DR on duty as Dr. Tony #2 was at a seminar.  It took him several tries, but he got it!  My back is very sore today, but no headache or leg cramps- yet so I am praying I will feel better tomorrow for the zoo!  Noah is off with yet another new family showing them around the Jima Market- he is the official tour guide of the Jima!

We are counting down the days and pouring on the prayers for all to go well- my last IV infusion is Monday and we leave Tuesday! 

Our love and prayers go out to our family and friends as we are taking Jason’s and my Dad’s advice and “holding the line”  here in Qingdao, China.

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