Rachel’s Ataxia Treatment Blog

January 2nd

January 2nd, 2007

Last night we went out with Jon again to a Japanese restaurant it was very yummy. Afterwards Jon took us to a Chinese Bar. I haven’t been in a place like this since uni. It was dark, loud and smokey. I had trouble breathing at first until my lungs adjusted to the lack of oxygen in the air. I will attach some photographs at the end today. We talked a lot (in the restaurant not in the bar as conversation was impossible in the bar) about stem cells and how they are supposed to work. When I have stem cells via a lumbar puncture they are meant to work there way up to the brain and wake sleeping brain cells whilst the stem cells via IV get pumped throughout the blood stream, hopefully helping with the chronic fatigue associated with Ataxia and fingers crossed some relief from my arthritis.

There was no rehab yesterday or today so Garry & I have been doing exercises on our own. He was throwing a ball to me, I missed it of course, it nearly went out the window. We are on the 14th floor. I was practicing lifting one leg in the air & Garry made me move away from the window in case I fell out. Try explaining that one to family back home. There are no guards on any windows, OH & S is non existant, I don’t think they would have even heard of the word litigation. Going for a walk outside the hospital is like a 5 hour stint in rehab. I have been nearly run over by a bus twice, dodged numerous spits on the so called footpaths & have had to walk quite a way to find a western toilet. Garry says we will know when you are getting better as I will be able to use a Chinese toilet (a hole that you squat over, it does however flush but I don’t think they use toilet paper unless they bring their own).

I finally got through on the phone yesterday to my family via skype, the phone lines are still not operating properly. It was great to hear my Harry and Jack. I will try and call again today. I miss the boys so much.

After each blog there is space for all readers to leave comments which I can access more easily than emails. Internet access over here is very frustrating. Even more frustrating than dial up access in Australia. For anybody who knows me they understand what I’m saying.

Best go and have my IV for today. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of………

Entry Filed under: ataxia