Day 2 10/16/08
October 17th, 2008
Getting settled in. Flight was too long, but OK. United told me I had disabled seating. When I got on the plane, the flight attendant said there was no such thing! If your airline has it, get economy plus. For an extra $180 (I think) you get a bulkhead seat. The extra leg room is key for the getting vertical-challenged.
Chinese customs is very thorough. After the search, I felt like they shoud’ve at least bought me dinner first. They confiscated my shaving gel. I’m taking it as a sign from my father to grow a beard (as well as some cerebellar cells) while I’m here.
Didn’t sleep on the plane (watched Hancock 4 times, memorized the lines) so I slept like a stone last night…or this morning, still not sure. Today, I got an exam, a physical therapy evaluation, and went with Jack (one of the interpreters, nice kid) and a fellow ataxian named Jim and his wife to go shopping.
Qingdao is nice, if a bit on the industrial side. Traffic is nuts, I thought we bought the farm more than once, but apparently, it was S.O.P.
Another point: be careful with the outlets; I plugged in an adapter and blew out the power on half the floor, way to make a 1st impression, but no one was bugged, apparently it happens a lot. And the internet is a bit iffy.
Anyway, my first stem cell treatment is Monday, the 20th, until then, PT, OT and waiting.
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized
15 Comments Add your own
1. Richaqrd | October 18th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Oy-yo!
2. warren | October 18th, 2008 at 9:45 am
hi mikie have to say that this is one of my worst things to do is type (that’s why i have Robert smith) but I’m glad to here that you got to your destination safe and sound. I will keep you in my prayers .and i will vote the brother into office for you(ha ha) stay strong and stay positive. Warren
3. Jeff Crowe | October 18th, 2008 at 11:18 am
YOU MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
You are in good hands over there…EVERYONE is extremely nice and caring and will usually do anything for you.
Sorry about the flight issues you had. Bulkhead is DEFINITELY the way to go. We found that out on the way home. I gave the stewardess a sad story and she promptly moved us to the front. Much better. As far as Qingdao, I told you about the lack of experience the drivers have….be careful….they’ll run you over and not think twice about it. By the way, what room are you in? That usually had something to do with the wireless internet. If you’re plugged in, I don’t know what to tell you.
Tell Jack that Jeff, Leslie, and Dave (Leslie’s brother) said “hi.” See if he remembers us…I’m sure he will…he and Dave became nightclub buddies before we left…
Let me know if I can offer you some advice….You know I’ll try my best!!!
Talk to you soon,
Jeff
4. sylvia | October 18th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Mike, did you take your camera? Can you send pictures through here? Geeeeeeez…try not to electrocute yourself, or get runned down! I gotta look up “Hancock” now…never heard of it. So you went shopping, eh? Ya buy me anything?
xoxo…..sylvia
5. Brad Boden | October 18th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Hey Mike. You don’t know me, I was sent this link BY JEFF CROWE. I HAVE ATAXIA AND AM IN HAANGZHOU WITH MY MOM. I JUS HAD A BMT YESTERDAY AND HAVE HAD 2 SPINAL INJECTIONS AND 1 INTERVAEINIOUS. JUST EXPECT THE BEST!! I ADMIRE YOU FOR COMING YOURSELF AND I WISH YOU THE BEST.
6. Al Vergona | October 19th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Hi Mike,
My name is Al, and I’ll be in Qingdao the 13th of Nov. Will read your blog with interest for pointers about the internet and food, etc.
I also have Ataxia so I’m hoping for great results for you. Good luck.
7. Chris Kollmeier | October 19th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Hey Mike! Good luck and I’ll be looking forward to reading! Be well and take care… At least you wont have to worry about missing post-season Mets games!
8. Esther Grigorian (Cousin Esther) | October 19th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Got this from your Aunt Sylvia. I wasn’t aware you were having problems and don’t understand what it is. I will google it on the computer as soon as I sign off. Vahan and I wish you much luck. Love,
Cousin Esther
9. Sandy Coutsakis | October 19th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
This is great – Ill let Mom know it’s up and running – I’m upstairs and she’s down – freezing here this Sunday morning. Hang in there —- Love ya, Aunt Sandy
10. Sandy Coutsakis | October 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
This is great – Ill let Mom know it’s up and running – I’m upstairs and she’s down – freezing here this Sunday morning. Hang in there —- Love ya, Aunt Sandy
11. Geoffrey Goz | October 20th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Hey man- Glad to see that so many folks have sent their thoughts and opinions. Lots of folks in the same situation. There is strength in numbers. The DVD thing with your comuter sucks. Am I allowed to say “sucks” on this blog? Oops I said “sucks” again. Damn I said it again! So I guess “damn” is completely out of the question.
The entire group down here in North Carolina are pumped up about your progress. I love the web cam. We got a new Mic….Mike.
I could’nt resist that….It works great, I will Skype you tonight our time. I guess thats egg foo young overeasy your time! Cathy, Cam, Stephanie, Mike Sarah and yours truely send our love…..Talk to you tonight.
12. Michelle | October 21st, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hi Mike,
It’s your cousin Michelle in Boston. Sandy told me about your trek to China. Just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are sending you good energy for good results with your treatments.
Love,
Michelle & Mia
13. Deb | October 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 am
Michael… It seems as though you have some great support and have made some contacts through your research with others that are in a similar situation. That sinergy is sure to be meaningful through this journey. I know the decision to travel to China for this treatment was a difficult decision, made against the recommendations of many of the “best & brightest”. I hope the “buyers remorse” is gone, as you are making an investment in yourself and your family. There are lots of us out here that are sending positive energy and prayers in your direction. Hang in there…your future holds several walks down the aisle with some beautiful young women !! Hugs…
14. patryce wiseman | October 24th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Hi MIke!
Your blog is great…I think I would definatly starve over there..I’d be looking for edible AND vegetarian…forget it
AFter the first week of plain steamed rice and veggies, I’d be going nuts.
So glad to hear about the progress and that it is going as well as it is so far… Kudos to you for giving it your all and going with the whole program…hope the spinal goes okay and has a great effect. Dont forget to rest, and enjoy the delicious corn pizza (!!??) Lots of love from your colorado cousins,
-p
xoxo
15. Richard | November 1st, 2008 at 1:13 am
Well, all these wishes are nice and good, but…
I’m going to be more than a little disappointed if you don’t come back with a better recipe for General Tso’s chicken and well, maybe drilling rights to some oil and gas reserves.
After all, you’re a big guy and it’s still an authoritarian country over there. A few well-placed words about your cousin, the party Chairman, and well, I’m sure you can manage the rest. And if a few courageous types try to get in your way, well, they have a lot of people over there, and it’s still authoritarian as I say. A few missing bodies one way or the other…
Lemons to lemonade.
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