Hurray….. more stem cells at last. Sounds like I have turned into a “stem cell junkie”, but no, just eager to get on with life. The procedure went very smoothly again, only took 10-15 minutes from beginning to end. Again the most difficult thing is laying still for 4-6 hours afterwards.
Remember - there are always people worse off than ourselves. Our life in Sailability constantly reminds us of that. Our good friend, Sir William Deane (past Governor General of Australia and Patron of the Access DInghy Foundation) wrote in the forward of our little book, “…… Get Your Bum Wet Again (the name of the book) reminds us of some of the important things in life - of generosity, of courage, of friendship, of true achievements, of sheer enjoyment of life even in circumstances of often profound disadvantage.”
People with a disability can have a joyous life and bring joy to the lives of those around them…. it is their peception of themselves and life that makes the difference. I remember reading once, “the difference between a rose and a weed, is just but a thought.” It’s our choice.
So, it is the next morning and no, I didn’t miraculously stand up and walk, but I didnt expect, or hope for that. I have a much firmer grasp of reality than that. But my legs and feet are warm again and this afternoon I’m back to Rehabilitation and Shung Way. On Thursday morning, before leaving Shenzhen I will give a bit of an overall assessment of where I am physically and then again before heading back to Sydney, and again regularly on the blog as time passes. It’s impossible to give a day by day commentary because it’s on again, off again; two steps forward and one stem back. I know that Seeva, my friend back in the MS Exercise class at Lidcome, is eager to hear the news - but hang in there mate, I dont want to give you false information. We all need to be patient and see what happens to my symptoms over the next few months.
Our tickets have been booked for Qingdao for Thursday afternoon. Jon has very kindly arranged for Amy to accompany us for the first few days to ensure a smooth re-location.
For the want of anything else, here is a photo of the Chinese side of the moon. That was about all I looked at last night, waiting for the time to pass.
July 11th, 2006
Yesterday’s adventure.
To satisfy a burning need from my sister, Lynne, we needed to find postcards. It seems that the sending of postcards isnt a popular pass-time in China because none of the shops or kiosks sell them. Anyway we were eventually directed to the Post Office which is about a 20 minute walk….. so it is a fair distant. (more…)
July 10th, 2006
Ah well. A bit more disappointment yesterday. Still no stem cells for Jackie. Still, I am scheduled for more on Monday and then again on Friday, before we head up to Qingdao on Sunday, so all is well.
Yesterday my time in Rehab was extended to include 20 minutes on the standing table. This is where you lay on a table and are strapped on. Then it tilts up so that you are in a standing position. At the time my body didnt feel like it was doing much work, but I certainly knew it once I was down again. So, it is the weekend now and we’ll have a rest from rehab and be ready to get stuck back into it next week……… our last week in Shenzhen.
Jon has kindly arranged for me to continue my daily rehabilitation at the hospital in Qingdao when we go there to talk to people about Sailability. This is most welcome as I believe that significant benefits are occurring through the rehabilitation. And while in Qingdao, Jon has also arranged for me to receive a 5th injection by I/V.
This morning while standing by the window there was the most amazing sight. A cart being pulled by a fellow on foot, was piled about 2 metres high. He was pulling the cart while the cars, buses and trucks were wizzing all around him. It was pretty impressive. Shenzhen is a modern and thriving city and then you see the fellows carrying massive loads on the bikes and hand carts. Our occupational health & safety guys wouldnt understand I dont think. Photo below.
July 8th, 2006
The doctor and Jon have just been. I told them that I had warm feet and no pain. The doctor felt my legs and said that no, they felt cold to touch still. Believe it or not, this is great news - I have cold feet and do NOT FEEL PAIN. Very interesting.
OK, friends from my MS Exercise Class at Lidcombe. Settle down and let’s see the long term outcomes. You know that things change as often as the direction of the wind.
July 7th, 2006
I did write my blog for yesterday but just as I pressed the publish button the server crashed and we lost it………. and I didnt want to do it again, so didnt ! ! !
Wednesday’s scheduled 3rd stem cell treatment was postponed due to a problem with production. It is re-scheduled for this afternoon. So fingers crossed we can get on with it today. This was really disappointing, but it’s important for us to get the “good stuff”. (more…)
July 7th, 2006
Yesterday was more of the same. Resting, eating, rehab, a visit by drs. and nurses, chatting with the other patients. It is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. When I’m feeling physically well, Im on top of the world, then at other times not feeling so good. There are the expected headaches of course, but nothing too bad. They are more annoying than painful. At least I had a fabulous sleep last night, so I am in the right frame of mind to attack today with gusto. (more…)
July 5th, 2006
Wow, boy was I tired after Rehab yesterday. I wonder why it is so very tiring. Afterall it is Shung Way that’s doing all the work. I just lay there and be administered to. Nonetheless I was exhausted afterwards so we spent the rest of the day slouching in our room.
Shenzhen is just across the water from Hong Kong. It has a population of 13 million so is probably 3 time bigger than Sydney. We havent done much exploring but what we have seen is very clean and tidy. I spend a lot of time standing at our window on the 19th floor, fascinated at the movement of the traffic. So many cars, buses, bikes all seemingly heading in chaotic directions, yet there is a strange patience and tolerance that we dont see in Australia. The traffic flows smoothly with no accidents - lot’s of horn blowing, but that’s done in good nature it seems.
On 13th I am heading north to Qingdao where the Paralympic sailing competition will be held in 2008. Jon, who co-ordinates the treatment here for the international patients lives in Qingdao, so he will accompany us up there. With Jon’s help and contacts we’ve already made appointments to meet with numerous organisations to introduce the concept of Sailability to the good folk of China.
July 4th, 2006
Just returned from Rainbow supermarket where food supplies were replenished. The supermarket is about a 8 minute walk away. Shenzhen is similar to many other places in Asia ….. people in wheelchairs are not regularly seen and so there is a good deal of curiosity. The first day I was pretty uncomfortable with all the looks and attention, but once I realised what was happening, everything is ok. Everyone is really friendly and very eager to try out their English skills. (more…)
July 3rd, 2006
Well I have been here in Shenzhen for just over a week, and have settled in to the routine, met some fantastic people from all over the world and got to know the good folk that take such wonderful care of us on the 19th Floor.
I am having daily rehabilitation with Shung Way who is relaxing the spasms in my legs through massage, manipulation, acupucture and electro stimulation. A bit of an uphill battle, but nonetheless we are getting there. (more…)
July 2nd, 2006
2pm - Rehabilitation Dept.
Shung Way
June 30th, 2006
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