Mike’s Ataxia Blog

Day 31 11/15/08

November 16th, 2008

     Time to go home.

     There were times during the last month when it seemed like I never would be saying that, but here it is, and it seems like I got here last night.  I have had a somewhat frustrating day, but that pales in comparison to how much I have gained physically and to the fact that I am going home.

     I spent another 3 hours on my feet shopping.  I hated that before the ataxia.  I didn’t get what I wanted, but I was able to cover everybody.  I lost my bank card, and can’t tell my bank to cancel it.  My arrival home has been delayed 3 hours, ruining my plans for dinner with my family.  And it doesn’t matter.  It’s interesting how a life changing disease can put things in perspective.  Healthy people are always saying, “don’t sweat the small stuff” and, “stop and smell the roses”.  But they often don’t follow through.  I know I didn’t.  So far, for the most part, I have been able to.  We’ll see how long it lasts.  During most of my life, I wasn’t a very patient person.  Ataxia forces you to be patient, or you go crazy, not to mention fall down a lot.  I’m not trying to say I’m perfect at it.  Gandhi I’m not.  But I’m certainly better than I used to be.

     By the time I got back from shopping with Jack, it was about 6:30 and I had made him delay his dinner date.  I wanted to help him pay for dinner.  In fact, I really pushed it.  Once again, he smiled and refused it.  When I realized I was making him uncomfortable, I backed off.  In the states most people have their hand out, expecting a tip.  Here, if you offer, they generally smile and shake their heads.

     It was too late to order dinner, but I still had some stuff, so I went to wash my dishes, and was invited to a pot luck dinner, even though I didn’t have a pot. About a dozen of us sat around the table, and I thoroughly enjoyed my last meal in Qingdao. Finally, it was time for goodbyes. They were bittersweet, particularly when Jessica and her mom Dannie got a bit teary eyed. Then I went to say goodbye to my sweet Sophia, and then I went to my room, packed, and wrote this. It’s 1 AM now, so I’ll leave the progress report for another day.  I’ve tried to add to this everyday, but in the transition to home, I’ll probably miss a few days.  But (with apologies to Arnold Schwarzenegger) I’ll be back.

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