We`re going home!!
I made the most of the morning by sleeping in and lazing in my concrete futon for the last time. It felt so luxurious not having to be in the PT room or anywhere at any specific time. Laurinda finished her packing and then completed her interviews with a lot of the patients. It should be a wonderful piece of work once shes edited it and put on the final touches.
Lots of goodbyes, hugs and even a few tears and it was off to the airport. How quickly a month has passed. Our Brits are flying home via Hong Kong too, so we shall spend the stop-over time with them. Our luggage was well over-weight and we havent had to pay for excess luggage but Roos gift was confiscated at Chinese customs. It had to be his gift...of course it did!
So, as we fly over the South China Sea with Laurinda snoozing beside me and the sun setting over Asia, I am smiling hugely. We did it!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thurs 20 Nov
Theres only one thing more I would have liked to ask for (an MRI), but I already feel so blessed and lucky, I didnt want to be greedy. So I was amazed when Dr Apple came to ask me if I would like to have an MRI done this morning!! The Hospital had just acquired a brand new machine and I was literally the 2nd person in it. The packing boxes were still all over the floor and there were dozens of curious staff wanting to check out the exciting new machine and the funny blonde lady going into the tunnel. The whole thing was so unexpected and thrilling. I have no ida if 4 weeks of stem cell treatment will show on film, and I know even without visible evidence that there have been fantastic positive changes, but it would be the icing on the cake if these changes could be seen.
Mt last day of therapies with Owen whom I shall miss and definitely never forget, he has helped me so much to regain the trust in my legs that I havent had for a long time. I hope my thankyou present made him happy.
We also organised thankyou gifts for the medical staff and translators, they just give and give, great workers and such caring people. We fell a litte inlove with them all.
Another long and tiring day saw me being a bit of a party pooper when almost all the patients and families went out for dinner, but I really appreciated the quiet time and had so much to think about and I also wanted to say a massive thankyou to the Universe for fulfilling my dreams and bringing me thru this whole experience. Life is awesome!
Mt last day of therapies with Owen whom I shall miss and definitely never forget, he has helped me so much to regain the trust in my legs that I havent had for a long time. I hope my thankyou present made him happy.
We also organised thankyou gifts for the medical staff and translators, they just give and give, great workers and such caring people. We fell a litte inlove with them all.
Another long and tiring day saw me being a bit of a party pooper when almost all the patients and families went out for dinner, but I really appreciated the quiet time and had so much to think about and I also wanted to say a massive thankyou to the Universe for fulfilling my dreams and bringing me thru this whole experience. Life is awesome!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Birthday and recovery
Odette:
All glammed up for dinner and decided to read my B`day emails...dumb move! Got all emotional and howled all my make-up off so still no nice photos of me I expect.
The Holiday Inn was very extravagant and the buffet dinner was so lavish. Yet another cake appeared, so of course it was only polite to sample that too! I left literally groaning and bursting out of Laurinda's pants which DID fit me before we left lol. It was so warm inside the hotel that it was easy to forget the sub zero temperature outside until it was time to leave and find a taxi home. Unfortunately, the front doors of the hospital were locked when we arrived and we had to make our way around to the side door...quite a hike on a very full tummy and feeling absolutely frozen for the first time ever! Well, the others walked, but guess who was running? Me!! I was running!! Laurinda said to her friend Pam "My Mother has MS and she's leaving us for dead".
haha. Another triumph in a list of so many.
I was woken very early by the Vampire Nurse who took lots of blood to repeat all the tests (ECG too) that were done when I arrived. Results should be in this afternoon. They will be good, no, they will be great!
Laurinda is quite the social butterfly ( Oh I wonder where she got that from?) and has headed out for the day with a group of other carers. They have ventured downtown (I always have to laugh when I say Downtown Quingdao, its as far from downtown as you can possibly imagine) again, yet more tattoos for some, shopping and sight-seeing for others. I am hoping she doesn't return with any piercings or suspensions (for those who, like me til a couple of days ago, don't know, she described them to me in detail the other day....hooks inserted into the skin so you can literally hang!) Some people hang from the Himalayas and other amazing places. Adrenalin is a very powerful thing, but not for me thanks. I'm hoping her smallish and actually very pretty tattoo will suffice. There's always hang gliding after all.
So, after a hot shower (yay!! hot water again!!) I am enjoying a few hours of rest and reflection between therapies.
What a journey. What an adventure. And I got to share it all with my beautiful daughter. A lucky and happy lady indeed!
Thank you Universe.
Birthday
Odette:
Tuesday 17 November
It is my birthday today and I woke up feeling amazing and noticed a sparkle in my eyes before I even realised the day. I asked Laurinda to take photos, hoping they would catch the moment but I guess once you hit 50, it takes a little more than a smile to look good! Perhaps later we will glam up a bit and try again.
My morning therapies are over, waiting for a Doctors visit and then 3 free hours before afternoon rounds.
2 more full days and we head for home!!
I miss my Roo, I miss my pussies and I miss my Princess bed. I miss Blisters night and I miss Facebook and my Fairyland friends and garden.
I do NOT miss the heatwave that Jarrod has informed us is waiting for us at home. Yesterday our temperature in China was -5 low and 4 tops. Of course it is the wind chill factor that you have to be prepared for, so we stick our arm out the window as far as it can reach to test it before we head outside all rugged up in our hats, jackets, scarves and my pièce de résistance....my Emma Peel gloves! No doubt they will go in the dress up bag at home, but I'm enjoying the opportunity to wear them here.
More therapy and then a huge, beautiful birthday cake arrived. We gathered round the communal area to share it with everyone. Now we must wait an extra hour before leaving for my birthday dinner at the Holiday Inn so we can fit it in.
Tuesday 17 November
It is my birthday today and I woke up feeling amazing and noticed a sparkle in my eyes before I even realised the day. I asked Laurinda to take photos, hoping they would catch the moment but I guess once you hit 50, it takes a little more than a smile to look good! Perhaps later we will glam up a bit and try again.
My morning therapies are over, waiting for a Doctors visit and then 3 free hours before afternoon rounds.
2 more full days and we head for home!!
I miss my Roo, I miss my pussies and I miss my Princess bed. I miss Blisters night and I miss Facebook and my Fairyland friends and garden.
I do NOT miss the heatwave that Jarrod has informed us is waiting for us at home. Yesterday our temperature in China was -5 low and 4 tops. Of course it is the wind chill factor that you have to be prepared for, so we stick our arm out the window as far as it can reach to test it before we head outside all rugged up in our hats, jackets, scarves and my pièce de résistance....my Emma Peel gloves! No doubt they will go in the dress up bag at home, but I'm enjoying the opportunity to wear them here.
More therapy and then a huge, beautiful birthday cake arrived. We gathered round the communal area to share it with everyone. Now we must wait an extra hour before leaving for my birthday dinner at the Holiday Inn so we can fit it in.
Reflections
Odette:
Monday.
Laying in my bed all hooked up and waiting to be wheeled upstairs for my very last stem cell treatment. I've skimmed over our words of the last 4 weeks and relived some precious moments and some great laughs. A month has zoomed by and I know Laurinda and I will take away some life-time memories with us. I had never visited a Communist country before and didn't really know what to expect, but I admire the way the Government here ensures employment and at least the necessities of life for all. We have not encountered any hungry or homeless.
The people of China have been absolutely lovely and gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and share a little of their culture with us. They are so friendly and more than willing to try and converse with us or help us out. Thats when they are not laughing at us of course...we are still cause for a lot of giggles and whispers. The only tourists to be seen are here for the same reason...the stem cell treatment. We have really enjoyed the locals and learning about their ways. They are also very polite people and seem happy with their lives.
Despite the language barrier, the medical staff have made a huge effort to explain all the procedures, even showing me the vial of spinal fluid they remove from me before injecting the stem-cells so that the volume stays balanced.
Back from my Lumbar Puncture - the Director performed the procedure tonight and was extremely efficient. The hardest part is the 6 hours flat on my back with poor Laurinda on potty duty. So, all my beautiful new cells are inside me now and many are already doing their job. Dr Apples examination yesterday confirmed the muscle strength in my legs is now.....wait for it...NORMAL!! I also have muscles, 2 of them! One in each shin. Its been too long. Laurinda is busy admiring her tattoo and I am busy checking my 2 muscles are not disappearing. I am still working on ideas for home. I need to take Owen to keep up my daily massages and therapy but he just laughed when I asked him. I can't work out why!
Monday.
Laying in my bed all hooked up and waiting to be wheeled upstairs for my very last stem cell treatment. I've skimmed over our words of the last 4 weeks and relived some precious moments and some great laughs. A month has zoomed by and I know Laurinda and I will take away some life-time memories with us. I had never visited a Communist country before and didn't really know what to expect, but I admire the way the Government here ensures employment and at least the necessities of life for all. We have not encountered any hungry or homeless.
The people of China have been absolutely lovely and gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and share a little of their culture with us. They are so friendly and more than willing to try and converse with us or help us out. Thats when they are not laughing at us of course...we are still cause for a lot of giggles and whispers. The only tourists to be seen are here for the same reason...the stem cell treatment. We have really enjoyed the locals and learning about their ways. They are also very polite people and seem happy with their lives.
Despite the language barrier, the medical staff have made a huge effort to explain all the procedures, even showing me the vial of spinal fluid they remove from me before injecting the stem-cells so that the volume stays balanced.
Back from my Lumbar Puncture - the Director performed the procedure tonight and was extremely efficient. The hardest part is the 6 hours flat on my back with poor Laurinda on potty duty. So, all my beautiful new cells are inside me now and many are already doing their job. Dr Apples examination yesterday confirmed the muscle strength in my legs is now.....wait for it...NORMAL!! I also have muscles, 2 of them! One in each shin. Its been too long. Laurinda is busy admiring her tattoo and I am busy checking my 2 muscles are not disappearing. I am still working on ideas for home. I need to take Owen to keep up my daily massages and therapy but he just laughed when I asked him. I can't work out why!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday
A quiet, snowy day in today. Mum's stem cells have been asking for lots of rest and relaxation. Even Superwoman needs to put her feet up. She has her final spinal injection of precious stem cells tomorrow night. Although we had some immediate results and her general condition has already improved, she still has the odd rough day. She is still smiling because she knows that there will be less of those days to come.
Taxis and Tattoos
Our last Saturday in China. Mum wanted a day of rest so after a lovely sleep in I went down town to Jimo Rd markets with Chris from Australia and Lu Lu from Peurto Rico. It was freezing!! Luckily inside the markets it was quite warm. The pressure was on to get the last of the shopping done and cross the final items off the list (not that there's any room left in our luggage). Feeling euphoric that it was almost over and I would almost have my children in my arms, the sun on my face, my own bed and hot water I was easily persuaded into getting a tattoo.
I know, insane. We stumbled onto Lianyuciqing a very handsome and famous tattoo artist. His work was quite exquisite (http://lianyuciqing70.51.com). So in a room no bigger than a telephone booth with a man that spoke no English, two of us got beautiful tattoos. For 100RMB ($16) I am a very happy lady. While mum has her Chinese stem cell which will always live on inside her, I can also take a precious symbol of my Chinese adventure with me wherever I go.
By the time we had sat for our tattoos and completed our shopping it was 5 pm. Oh oh, taxi shift change time. The three of us spent over an hour in the icy wind and darkness trying to hail a taxi. We were so grateful for the driver that eventually stopped that we could have kissed him. After having to stop for petrol and then swing by another driver's home so they could change shifts, we were finally on our way home. There were some anxious mothers and a very concerned wife waiting for us when we staggered in after 7pm. Not a good time to mention the tattoos.
Mum tucked in early and some of us went back to the Paradise Club. I was on my best behaviour of course after last weekends night of debauchery. We were entertained by some sort of Chinese Pantomime and a man with a whip who shredded a piece of newspaper. He followed that act by throwing meat cleavers at targets around a man's head and then blew nails out of a mouthpiece to pop balloons placed around the man's head.
I know, insane. We stumbled onto Lianyuciqing a very handsome and famous tattoo artist. His work was quite exquisite (http://lianyuciqing70.51.com). So in a room no bigger than a telephone booth with a man that spoke no English, two of us got beautiful tattoos. For 100RMB ($16) I am a very happy lady. While mum has her Chinese stem cell which will always live on inside her, I can also take a precious symbol of my Chinese adventure with me wherever I go.
By the time we had sat for our tattoos and completed our shopping it was 5 pm. Oh oh, taxi shift change time. The three of us spent over an hour in the icy wind and darkness trying to hail a taxi. We were so grateful for the driver that eventually stopped that we could have kissed him. After having to stop for petrol and then swing by another driver's home so they could change shifts, we were finally on our way home. There were some anxious mothers and a very concerned wife waiting for us when we staggered in after 7pm. Not a good time to mention the tattoos.
Mum tucked in early and some of us went back to the Paradise Club. I was on my best behaviour of course after last weekends night of debauchery. We were entertained by some sort of Chinese Pantomime and a man with a whip who shredded a piece of newspaper. He followed that act by throwing meat cleavers at targets around a man's head and then blew nails out of a mouthpiece to pop balloons placed around the man's head.
Friday - Warm shower
The only exciting thing to write home about today is that we both received a hot (well warmish) shower. The hospital paid for a hotel room so we could go and enjoy that 'clean feeling'. The driver took us to the Holiday Inn and we were very excited drinking our honey pomelo tea waiting to check in. Our glasses were snatched off us and we were shoved out the door. Apparently the driver had taken us to the wrong hotel- we were supposed to be a the cheap garden hotel not the 5 star holiday inn. It was lovely to enjoy luxury even if it was only for 3 minutes. We were lucky enough to spot the pomelo tea at the Lottemart and have been enjoying it regularly.
No more sciatica
This morning is very auspicious. Mum has woken with no sciatica and we have both been able to flush the toilet and wash our hands. I've got a feeling that today's going to be a good day! Mum's therapy went well today with Owen focusing on massage. Unfortunately by late afternoon her blood pressure soared and we cancelled our plans to go down town to the UK stand up comedy event. With mum in bed early, I headed out to dinner at the Holiday Inn with 19 other patients and family members. We had an amazing buffet. It was fantastic to enjoy some Western food with some Western company. It was heart warming to hear their stories. Many of them have fund raised for many months and some even years to receive their stem cell treatment. Lots of the families have just arrived and they are already talking about coming back next year for sure.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Woeful Wednesday
Odette:
Whoops off to a rough start today all round. Laurinda woke with the Flu (we're hoping it's not Swine) and then got caught in her nightie and had to ask the professor (a.k.a God) to wait a minute while she put something decent on. He wasn't amused.
It seems that is common to suffer from Sciatica pain after/between Lumbar Punctures. It happened a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn't too bad. This morning it started at about 6.00am and I was literally in tears of pain by about 7.00. It was excruciating. I was poked and prodded and questioned by all the staff including the professor. A pain plan was put together and administered. Chinese see pain medications very differently than we do in Western cultures, they would rather fix the source of the pain than administer strong pain medication. Considering I had already had Tramal and panadine forte and I was still dying I was happy to go along with any plan they had. I received electrowave therapy, IV form of anti-inflammatory and 1/2 a tablet of mild pain relief. They also told me to put a towel on my left bum but it is a bit hard with no hot water. It seemed like a lot of things happening at once, but they got it right and within 45 minutes the pain was gone. They sure know their stuff around here. We have been monitored quite closely today- any more pain and there would be NO stem cells tonight! Time is precious, our flights home are booked and we don't want any delays now. I really don't want IVs instead of Lumbar Punctures either, but with 2 hours to go things are looking good.
I got quite excited when another lady arrived with MS a few days ago. We had a big chat and she is in a very similar situation to myself regarding the progression of disease; limited mobility, cognitive difficulties - all the way down to our "Tourettes" as we call it. Unfortunately it has been too cold here to leave the room so I haven't been able to catch up with her and find out if the treatment has been as helpful for her. I hope so. There have been no other MS patients.
Thank the Lord that we both have a sense of humour. Today has pushed us in every way and we are still in good spirits. Once the pain was under control we realised it was to be another day without a hot shower (5 days now...) A solar system was installed a month ago without regard for the freezing Winter that kicked in about a week ago. We are almost at the pulling-out-our-hair stage. The bathroom door handle fell off, there is no heating or extra blankets for our concrete futons and our laptop died. Laurinda is becoming very angry at the poor man that never leaves the computer that has Skype on it, so she can have her daily dose of her babes. I am beginning to fear for both of them.
On no! Now there is not only no hot water- there is NO water at all! Help- send the helicopter for us. Please. They're coming to wheel me upstairs for my stem cells any minute and all I can hear are fireworks. What planet are we on? How can I be receiving cutting edge technology and there is NO hot water? How does the doctor scrub up with NO water? The Chinese honeymoon period is over! Well at least we're still laughing :)
Whoops off to a rough start today all round. Laurinda woke with the Flu (we're hoping it's not Swine) and then got caught in her nightie and had to ask the professor (a.k.a God) to wait a minute while she put something decent on. He wasn't amused.
It seems that is common to suffer from Sciatica pain after/between Lumbar Punctures. It happened a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn't too bad. This morning it started at about 6.00am and I was literally in tears of pain by about 7.00. It was excruciating. I was poked and prodded and questioned by all the staff including the professor. A pain plan was put together and administered. Chinese see pain medications very differently than we do in Western cultures, they would rather fix the source of the pain than administer strong pain medication. Considering I had already had Tramal and panadine forte and I was still dying I was happy to go along with any plan they had. I received electrowave therapy, IV form of anti-inflammatory and 1/2 a tablet of mild pain relief. They also told me to put a towel on my left bum but it is a bit hard with no hot water. It seemed like a lot of things happening at once, but they got it right and within 45 minutes the pain was gone. They sure know their stuff around here. We have been monitored quite closely today- any more pain and there would be NO stem cells tonight! Time is precious, our flights home are booked and we don't want any delays now. I really don't want IVs instead of Lumbar Punctures either, but with 2 hours to go things are looking good.
I got quite excited when another lady arrived with MS a few days ago. We had a big chat and she is in a very similar situation to myself regarding the progression of disease; limited mobility, cognitive difficulties - all the way down to our "Tourettes" as we call it. Unfortunately it has been too cold here to leave the room so I haven't been able to catch up with her and find out if the treatment has been as helpful for her. I hope so. There have been no other MS patients.
Thank the Lord that we both have a sense of humour. Today has pushed us in every way and we are still in good spirits. Once the pain was under control we realised it was to be another day without a hot shower (5 days now...) A solar system was installed a month ago without regard for the freezing Winter that kicked in about a week ago. We are almost at the pulling-out-our-hair stage. The bathroom door handle fell off, there is no heating or extra blankets for our concrete futons and our laptop died. Laurinda is becoming very angry at the poor man that never leaves the computer that has Skype on it, so she can have her daily dose of her babes. I am beginning to fear for both of them.
On no! Now there is not only no hot water- there is NO water at all! Help- send the helicopter for us. Please. They're coming to wheel me upstairs for my stem cells any minute and all I can hear are fireworks. What planet are we on? How can I be receiving cutting edge technology and there is NO hot water? How does the doctor scrub up with NO water? The Chinese honeymoon period is over! Well at least we're still laughing :)
Terrific Tuesday
Laurinda says:
We were confined to our room all day yesterday, so today despite the freezing weather conditions we decided to venture out to the open markets to save our sanity. Our only pair of jeans were away being laundered, so we had to wear our summery 3/4 length pants with socks pulled up and walking shoes (very sexy!). We walked out of the comfort of the heated hospital and the icy wind gnawed at our ankles. We jumped in a taxi and were dropped off at the dogs' heads.
First stop: gloves, beanie, leg warmers and tracksuit pants for Mum who was feeling the cold for the first time in years. Would you believe we had to buy size XXXL men's tracksuit pants and they are skin tight on her! Advice to anyone coming over, don't pack 11 skirts and think you'll buy some jeans over here when it gets cold if you are over a size 12 AUS. Next stop, Beth's Louis Vuitton bag, hmmm not sure if it's quite her style but fingers crossed. Then a couple of outfits for the girls and a pack of 10 Nike socks for less than $1.
Odette says:
We rushed back to the hospital in time for the second round of PT and electrowave therapy. Today the muscles are still tired and sore from 4 hours of walking on Sunday, the MS equivalent of running a 10km marathon. Big rest in the afternoon while Laurinda popped over to Lottemart for a few essentials. She came back with 'Annie' a beautiful doll who speaks Chinese. The young Chinese girls at the hospital were very taken with her and loved conversing with her and kissing her.
We have celebrated other patients success along with our own. Here are a few of their stories (names omitted for privacy):
We were confined to our room all day yesterday, so today despite the freezing weather conditions we decided to venture out to the open markets to save our sanity. Our only pair of jeans were away being laundered, so we had to wear our summery 3/4 length pants with socks pulled up and walking shoes (very sexy!). We walked out of the comfort of the heated hospital and the icy wind gnawed at our ankles. We jumped in a taxi and were dropped off at the dogs' heads.
First stop: gloves, beanie, leg warmers and tracksuit pants for Mum who was feeling the cold for the first time in years. Would you believe we had to buy size XXXL men's tracksuit pants and they are skin tight on her! Advice to anyone coming over, don't pack 11 skirts and think you'll buy some jeans over here when it gets cold if you are over a size 12 AUS. Next stop, Beth's Louis Vuitton bag, hmmm not sure if it's quite her style but fingers crossed. Then a couple of outfits for the girls and a pack of 10 Nike socks for less than $1.
Odette says:
We rushed back to the hospital in time for the second round of PT and electrowave therapy. Today the muscles are still tired and sore from 4 hours of walking on Sunday, the MS equivalent of running a 10km marathon. Big rest in the afternoon while Laurinda popped over to Lottemart for a few essentials. She came back with 'Annie' a beautiful doll who speaks Chinese. The young Chinese girls at the hospital were very taken with her and loved conversing with her and kissing her.
We have celebrated other patients success along with our own. Here are a few of their stories (names omitted for privacy):
- A little Norwegian girls first steps today. Her dad is over the moon. His dream of having his daughter walk into kindergarten with her friends next year is coming true.
- Our mate Kev smelled coffee and saw shadows directly in front of him for the first time in 12 years.
- An American girl left last week able to put her hands out and touch a wall instead of crashing into it as her undeveloped optic nerves began to grow.
- A little Irish boy has stopped having seizures and his parents are very hopeful for even more positive results.
- An elderly Chinese lady is seeing light after years of darkness. She was complaining the lights were too bright following her first treatment.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday 9 November
Odette says...
Its NOT because I'm stubborn!
Its NOT because I'm too independent!
Its NOT because I wont listen to Laurinda!
Its NOT because I think I'm Superwoman !
Well, ok, it might be a bit of the above, and yes I am paying the price today and only managing to drag myself out of bed for therapy, and yes, I overdid it again big time...but what an achievement!
Yesterday we walked and walked and walked. Up hills, down hills, up hundreds of steps and over very uneven surfaces all day without a single tablet or whinge. Our only rest was the chairlift that took us up to the Temple on the Mountain, despite having to line our bums up and hope we made it on as it whizzed by..the damned thing doesnt stop! There was a bit of a lurch as we more or less fell into it, and off we went amongst much slightly hysterical laughter. The Zoo was huge and rather sad so I was delighted to arrive at the Buddhist Temple which was surrounded by a pretty lake with ducks and geese. We saw the Monks chanting and going about their daily business in this idyllic paradise, but it wasnt long before we were nudged back to th 21st Century by the sight of a Monk on his mobile phone. The day was terribly smoggy but we managed to get some lovely photos and the Temple soothed me spiritually and the pride I felt when Laurinda mentioned how long we had been walking....another day to remember with a smile!
I have felt from the start of this adventure that I need to get the word out...make more people aware of the possible wonders of stem cells, and ideally, even help to make it possible for those that can't afford it. Its very expensive and without my superannuation, I would not have been able to experience it myself. Laurinda and I are working on ideas, nothing decided yet, but perhaps something along the lines of a charity based organisation. There are others here too that are eager to share their successes and we are going to film some footage of real people telling their real stories.
2 treatments to go...Wednesday night and then final one on the following Monday and head for home next Friday. :)
Its NOT because I'm stubborn!
Its NOT because I'm too independent!
Its NOT because I wont listen to Laurinda!
Its NOT because I think I'm Superwoman !
Well, ok, it might be a bit of the above, and yes I am paying the price today and only managing to drag myself out of bed for therapy, and yes, I overdid it again big time...but what an achievement!
Yesterday we walked and walked and walked. Up hills, down hills, up hundreds of steps and over very uneven surfaces all day without a single tablet or whinge. Our only rest was the chairlift that took us up to the Temple on the Mountain, despite having to line our bums up and hope we made it on as it whizzed by..the damned thing doesnt stop! There was a bit of a lurch as we more or less fell into it, and off we went amongst much slightly hysterical laughter. The Zoo was huge and rather sad so I was delighted to arrive at the Buddhist Temple which was surrounded by a pretty lake with ducks and geese. We saw the Monks chanting and going about their daily business in this idyllic paradise, but it wasnt long before we were nudged back to th 21st Century by the sight of a Monk on his mobile phone. The day was terribly smoggy but we managed to get some lovely photos and the Temple soothed me spiritually and the pride I felt when Laurinda mentioned how long we had been walking....another day to remember with a smile!
I have felt from the start of this adventure that I need to get the word out...make more people aware of the possible wonders of stem cells, and ideally, even help to make it possible for those that can't afford it. Its very expensive and without my superannuation, I would not have been able to experience it myself. Laurinda and I are working on ideas, nothing decided yet, but perhaps something along the lines of a charity based organisation. There are others here too that are eager to share their successes and we are going to film some footage of real people telling their real stories.
2 treatments to go...Wednesday night and then final one on the following Monday and head for home next Friday. :)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday 7 November
Its very difficult to know what's been posted on our blog when we can't see it ourselves, or which photos Jarrod has chosen to display, but everyone seems to want news, so here goes....
CONFIRMED MEDICAL RESULTS
I had my 4th treatment last night - 2 more to go. I have organised the last one to be L/Puncture rather than IV. No problems there.
I cant speak for everyone else, but this is the stuff of dreams and miracles for me. Now I'm going to plan a whole new life for when I get home. My new Nikes are getting a work out and I am loving being outdoors again after all this year on my butt in front of my computer or in bed.
I'm going to live again!
...
Laurinda was going a bit stir crazy with cabin fever, so I encouraged her to round up a few patients and carers last night and head out to the Paradise Club. It was good to see her get dressed up and excited. She must have had a good time because she was the last one home and was locked out of the hospital LOL. Being a resourceful girl, she somehow found a way in and to her bed. She and a few others have organised a couple of cars to take them to the downtown Markets today. Because I had 2 treatments this week, I had to miss a little therapy, so I stayed in today to catch up. A nice rest too, so my stem cells can do their thing, and a quick nip over the road for a few treats before she returns. I have no idea how I'm going to cope without Owens massages each day once I'm home. I may have to bring a Chinese boy back with me! Ok, just enough time to sample a few snacks before electric wave therapy.
Here's a few more photos:
CONFIRMED MEDICAL RESULTS
- Muscle strength in legs.....almost normal!
- Muscle tone in legs............almost normal!
- Tingling (pins and needles and elec shocks) in legs...all gone!
- Blood Pressure....lowest in 7 years!
- Neuro reflexes...almost normal.
- Cholestorol....on target.
- Eye-sight ....improving.
- Pain relief.... reduced.
- Anti-depressant meds...reduced.
- Walking for miles!
- Weight...stable (ggrrrr)
I had my 4th treatment last night - 2 more to go. I have organised the last one to be L/Puncture rather than IV. No problems there.
I cant speak for everyone else, but this is the stuff of dreams and miracles for me. Now I'm going to plan a whole new life for when I get home. My new Nikes are getting a work out and I am loving being outdoors again after all this year on my butt in front of my computer or in bed.
I'm going to live again!
...
Laurinda was going a bit stir crazy with cabin fever, so I encouraged her to round up a few patients and carers last night and head out to the Paradise Club. It was good to see her get dressed up and excited. She must have had a good time because she was the last one home and was locked out of the hospital LOL. Being a resourceful girl, she somehow found a way in and to her bed. She and a few others have organised a couple of cars to take them to the downtown Markets today. Because I had 2 treatments this week, I had to miss a little therapy, so I stayed in today to catch up. A nice rest too, so my stem cells can do their thing, and a quick nip over the road for a few treats before she returns. I have no idea how I'm going to cope without Owens massages each day once I'm home. I may have to bring a Chinese boy back with me! Ok, just enough time to sample a few snacks before electric wave therapy.
Here's a few more photos:
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday 3 November
Odette says...
I couldn't be happier if I tried. My Lumbar Puncture went well last night and I am noticing more and more symptoms disappearing. Today I realised that my legs and feet were NO longer tingling with pins and needles and electric shocks, this after 7 years! I also have not had one serious meltdown, my eye-sight is improving and I walk like a normal person. I am not needing as much pain relief. The list gets longer each day.
In-between therapies we headed out and spent a couple of hours walking around the markets buying some suitable snow-shoes (LOL) and then back for the last of the days therapies. We got some footage today of Dr Apple, Owen, a translator and myself conversing when some of the realisations (like the legs/feet not on fire) hit. Very exciting. The Professor visits tomorrow and we shall film that too, although it will be in Chinese, we should have a translator there. I have requested that my final treatment be a Lumbar Puncture instead of IV, and there seems to be no problems with that. My Miracle Journey is everything and more I hoped for, even at only halfway through the treatment. Thankyou Universe!
I couldn't be happier if I tried. My Lumbar Puncture went well last night and I am noticing more and more symptoms disappearing. Today I realised that my legs and feet were NO longer tingling with pins and needles and electric shocks, this after 7 years! I also have not had one serious meltdown, my eye-sight is improving and I walk like a normal person. I am not needing as much pain relief. The list gets longer each day.
In-between therapies we headed out and spent a couple of hours walking around the markets buying some suitable snow-shoes (LOL) and then back for the last of the days therapies. We got some footage today of Dr Apple, Owen, a translator and myself conversing when some of the realisations (like the legs/feet not on fire) hit. Very exciting. The Professor visits tomorrow and we shall film that too, although it will be in Chinese, we should have a translator there. I have requested that my final treatment be a Lumbar Puncture instead of IV, and there seems to be no problems with that. My Miracle Journey is everything and more I hoped for, even at only halfway through the treatment. Thankyou Universe!
Monday 2 November
Odette says..
The day dawned clear with blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The mountains could be seen clearly. What was happening? The rumour hit us in room 3...it was snowing!! We raced to the window, being 8 floors up and totally unused to snow, we weren't quite sure where to look. I think we were expecting white piles on the ground, but then we saw it! Beautiful snowflakes flurrying in the breeze. The first snowfall of the year and we think it means good luck. We dressed and headed out into it. We have been very insulated in the hospital and were definitely not prepared for the zero degree temperature outside but it was sheer loveliness. So pretty and so special for us, we have never been snowed on. Our photos didn't do it justice really, but we are hoping for more opportunities over the next few weeks.
We have had a nice day, picked up some souvineers and I made it hours past pill time again. Dr Apple is as happy as I am with my results so far. I breezed through therapy and am now resting before my next stem cell treatment in a couple of hours. The Gods are certainly smiling on us. :)
The day dawned clear with blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The mountains could be seen clearly. What was happening? The rumour hit us in room 3...it was snowing!! We raced to the window, being 8 floors up and totally unused to snow, we weren't quite sure where to look. I think we were expecting white piles on the ground, but then we saw it! Beautiful snowflakes flurrying in the breeze. The first snowfall of the year and we think it means good luck. We dressed and headed out into it. We have been very insulated in the hospital and were definitely not prepared for the zero degree temperature outside but it was sheer loveliness. So pretty and so special for us, we have never been snowed on. Our photos didn't do it justice really, but we are hoping for more opportunities over the next few weeks.
We have had a nice day, picked up some souvineers and I made it hours past pill time again. Dr Apple is as happy as I am with my results so far. I breezed through therapy and am now resting before my next stem cell treatment in a couple of hours. The Gods are certainly smiling on us. :)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday Adventure
Odette:
A lazy start to the day. One look out our window revealed the clearest day so far. We could even make out the mountains, which are usually hidden behind a blanket of smog. We made some tentative plans for the day, grabbed our boys and headed towards town. First stop May 4th Square. This monument remembers the day that all the students in Qingdao fought the Japanese to reclaim their city, and won. We enjoyed the seaside markets and purchased some souvenirs. Our haggling created audiences wherever we went - we are quite the pros now. I do not want to think of the lunch we ordered ever again.
Next we headed to Polar Ocean World. We loved it and it was so nice to escape the weather indoors. We were lucky enough to see dolphins, belugas, penguins, polar bears, turtles and my favourites the otters all up very close. We were smoochd by sea-lions and we bottle-fed Japanese Carp. Home again in the taxi and very pleased for our slippers and cardys and $3 dinner. We left at 9.30am and returned about 6 hours later. We were on our feet almost all of the time and I'm still standing. I'm so happy with the way my legs worked all day with no pain- amazing! Next stem cells tomorrow night, which will take me to half way through my treatment. I'm a very happy lady.
A lazy start to the day. One look out our window revealed the clearest day so far. We could even make out the mountains, which are usually hidden behind a blanket of smog. We made some tentative plans for the day, grabbed our boys and headed towards town. First stop May 4th Square. This monument remembers the day that all the students in Qingdao fought the Japanese to reclaim their city, and won. We enjoyed the seaside markets and purchased some souvenirs. Our haggling created audiences wherever we went - we are quite the pros now. I do not want to think of the lunch we ordered ever again.
Next we headed to Polar Ocean World. We loved it and it was so nice to escape the weather indoors. We were lucky enough to see dolphins, belugas, penguins, polar bears, turtles and my favourites the otters all up very close. We were smoochd by sea-lions and we bottle-fed Japanese Carp. Home again in the taxi and very pleased for our slippers and cardys and $3 dinner. We left at 9.30am and returned about 6 hours later. We were on our feet almost all of the time and I'm still standing. I'm so happy with the way my legs worked all day with no pain- amazing! Next stem cells tomorrow night, which will take me to half way through my treatment. I'm a very happy lady.
Saturday Market Day
Odette:
A day to remember.
We teamed up with our Brits (Pete and Kev) and took a taxi to the outdoor markets. We were asked several times if we sure we wanted to visit these markets and warned that wee may see things we might find offensive. Oh no! We can handle anything we said! We jumped out of the taxi straight into a blast of freezing air, a howling gale and smells we never want to remember. The weather got more and more furious and there wasn't really anywhere to shelter in our summer skirts so we continued to slosh through the running sewerage in our thongs.
After rows and rows of stalls selling the same jeans and Nikes for $5 we finally found cover at the meat and seafood area. There were all sorts of shellfish and other delicacies such as bolied dog's heads (teeth intact), live chickens, doves and worms and every part of every animal we could dream up. No waste here! Pete shocked us all by sampling a morsel of dogs head which he immediately spat out. Our concern is the 'chicken' we have been eating closely resembles the colour and texture of the dog. Mmmmm. After a hot shower and decontamination, Laurinda went to lunch with the boys and saw a martial arts presentation - while I rested. Quiet night in watching a movie. Still finalising plans for tomorrow.
A day to remember.
We teamed up with our Brits (Pete and Kev) and took a taxi to the outdoor markets. We were asked several times if we sure we wanted to visit these markets and warned that wee may see things we might find offensive. Oh no! We can handle anything we said! We jumped out of the taxi straight into a blast of freezing air, a howling gale and smells we never want to remember. The weather got more and more furious and there wasn't really anywhere to shelter in our summer skirts so we continued to slosh through the running sewerage in our thongs.
After rows and rows of stalls selling the same jeans and Nikes for $5 we finally found cover at the meat and seafood area. There were all sorts of shellfish and other delicacies such as bolied dog's heads (teeth intact), live chickens, doves and worms and every part of every animal we could dream up. No waste here! Pete shocked us all by sampling a morsel of dogs head which he immediately spat out. Our concern is the 'chicken' we have been eating closely resembles the colour and texture of the dog. Mmmmm. After a hot shower and decontamination, Laurinda went to lunch with the boys and saw a martial arts presentation - while I rested. Quiet night in watching a movie. Still finalising plans for tomorrow.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday 30 October
Odette says...
2 steps forward and one back.
I felt so good yesterday that I overdid it with an evening stroll. I certainly paid for it today, but Owen gave me extra massage time and Laurinda bought me treats...yum!
It was a beautiful night and we are surrounded by parks all lit up, and with the locals playing badminton and other sports on the concrete...not the grass. We took lots of photos, but they turned out a little blurry, still working out the camera. We had a good laugh when we bought that camera at one of the features on it...beauty enhancer...but when I saw the photos Laurinda had taken of me, I had to tell her off for not using the special beauty enhancer feature.
So, a quiet day for me and a couple of jaunts for Laurinda and Ann. Laurinda is now the proud owner of long, glittery gold finger nails - really not her style but she said they were the tamest ones there! We also have a few other plans in the pipe lines. Special back/neck/head massages, some reflexology and a tour of the local brewery where beer is drunk from a bag! We are also hoping to see Polar Bears, temples, gardens and Olympic Games venues. We have invited some friends to join us and we will take a van and an English speaking driver. We have decided to leave the big walking outings until last of all, when I'm back in my Superwoman outfit.
My Roo rang me today..yay!! We have a phone in our room and it was the first time I had heard it ring, it gave me quite a shock! It was so nice to hear his voice.
It's Halloween tomorrow and Jack (one of the translators) has asked us to join him on the Trick or Treat rounds. Luckily we came prepared and have some hilarious glasses to wear.
Can't believe we have been here for over a week. Can't believe how much stronger I feel and how happy I'm feeling half way across the world from home with my beautiful daughter and experimental medicine. The stem cells are not the usual ones used from the cord blood, but taken from the wall of the umbilical cord, so it really is new. These cells are more expensive because they are proving to be more effective for some ailments and injuries, including MS. Luckily, being a Guinea Pig means I am only paying the usual price.
We are off to try the DVD player again. No TV or movies since we were on the plane...big night LOL!!
Odette at the People's Square
Hackysack
Bad smog today! Compare with photo of the Lottemart below, taken last week!
Laurinda is very happy with the new nails
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