June 17th, 2010
We are in Nanjing, China and what a trip to get here. We took a flight to San Fran and then connected to a direct flight to Shanghai. So we are 4 hours into our 13 hour flight and Noah looks over at me and says, “what do you think- about 5 hours left?” It was all i could do to not laugh or cry because i could have easily done either. We only had about 3 hours of sleep the night before and we were both a bit delirious. So i calmly told him we still had 9 hours left and in all seriousness he looks at me and says, “should we just parachute out?” So needless to say we spent 2 nights in Shanghai- and all we did was sleep. The hospital picked us up at noon and we were off for a 3 hour drive to Nanjing.
This city is much different then Qingdao- where we were last year. There are so many people here and we are only 15 minutes from downtown. It is a very old city- 2000 years old and they are celebrating the founding of the city starting this weekend. WE are told that the holiday runs for 5 days and most don’t work, but we were assured there would be staff here in the hospital. I guess they just party in the streets for 5 days. Not sure how they will fit everyone because the streets are so narrow and there are soooo many people here. So party on Nanjing- i guess we’ll be partyin’ too.
I successfully made it through my first IV and spinal- yep i made it laying on my back for 6 hours. but it almost didn’t happen. My spine is tricky and they had me on my side in the fetal position for an hour while they kept feeling my spine and there were about 3 doctors and 3 nurses all talking and of course i don’t know what they are saying- but the head doctor tells me they have to call the head head doctor because they cant find the right spot. So about 10 minutes later i hear another voice because i am facing the opposite direction in the fetal position and this guy feels my spine once- they numb me up- shoot some valium in my IV and then a 5 inch needle into my spine and the stem cells are where they need to be- in the spinal fluid. At one point, when they were all just talking and i am laying there thinking, ”what the hell i am doin in this place?” But i quickly remembered what the benefits are and i pictured my self walking into UT in August healthier and stronger. Then that other part of me was still pretty scared. The doctors here are less fluent in English so they were not telling me much- while i was laying all tucked in- i just wanted my mom! I think the fetal position just does that to a person. Same thing happened when i was given an epidural for Noah’s c-section and was in the fetal position, but luckliy my mom was right there- trying to keep me in the fetal position, because when you are 9 months pregnant that position is not one you can nor want to be in.
So we are happy to be here and getting the treatment i need to stay strong. We are both homesick though- but we will be home soon enough and I’ve got more to do here.
So we obviously did not parachute out of the plane or the 17th floor of this hospital when i was left alone in the operating room. No we’re coming home safe because i am going to make sure we have plenty of sleep before we board that plane.
Our love to all! We miss you and thank you for everything!
Entry Filed under: pls
3 Comments Add your own
1. Michele L Ruthey | June 17th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
SO glad yo are finally up and blogging! You really should write a book someday. Your stories on so engaging. I hope all is well. Hang in there babe and be strong. We are all waiting for you and Noah to come back to us safely and healthy!
Love Shelly!
2. Rhonda | June 26th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Mia, I was hoping that the blog was up and working again! Thanks for the tip on facebook. You know your UT family and girlfriends are all thinking about you and praying for you during this second trip just like we did last year. Jeannie, Glenda, Cheryl and I were all together last week for a quick trip to Galena and then to a vineyard in Hanover…..we quickly thought about our time in Beaune in France! Lots of love, lots of hope. Rhonda
3. Tony Ruthey | June 29th, 2010 at 1:36 am
you guys hurry and get home i miss you soooo much
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