Rachel’s Ataxia Treatment Blog

Last Day

January 26th, 2007

I’ve just finished my last IV stem cell potion. I tried to con another bag of stem cells out of Debbie (one of the nurses) but didn’t get anywhere. We are going out for dinner with Jon and some other patients. We think they are all very sad about us going but they say it is a good riddance Aussie party, I know they couldn’t possibly mean that.

This will be my last blog entry from China. I will update when I get back to Australia and get my exercise regime organised. I was asked to estimate in percentage terms my overall improvements. This is really hard to do objectively and put a numerical value to. My walking is steadier, speech not as slurred, more confident going up stairs, writing still slow but more legible, coordination has improved somewhat and most importantly spending a month over here with people from all over the world with all sorts of injuries and diseases my attitude to life with difficulties has improved. Garry always says to me ‘There is always someone worse off than you’ and he is so right. I’ve also realised that having a problem such as ataxia is nothing to be ashamed about, no matter how I look when I walk or fall.

The staff at Nan Shan hospital have been outstanding. My therapist Dr Wang is great. He has made (or tried to) my therapy sessions fun and he and Garry have got along very well. Most importantly he knows his stuff and doesn’t leave me unattended or waiting for him. My Doctors have been cheerful, friendly, very professional without being the least bit arrogant. The nurses on the 14th floor are very friendly and professional. Joe one of the Beike staff members who does the patient videoing has gone out of his way to help us in other ways from the smallest ipod problem to fixing all of our computer problems. Last but definately not least are Jon’s girls. Sunny is a fantastic manager and between her and the other girls every wish and whim of ours has been met. Sunny, Jillian and Andria gave up a lunch hour and showed us where to go for a massage, we have been taken to dinner, the hairdresser, Windows of the World just to name a few. If anyone asked me if I was Dissatisfied with anything I would have to say nothing that these people could control.

I am very glad I came and I’m determined to ensure more improvements are yet to come.

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