The following day we explored Honk Kong and thanks to Ken’s excellent hand drawn map we found all that wanted (including the mural and garden at the Shangri-La). That night we dined at an excellent cafe on the Peak and had the bonus of watching the sunset and the night lights of Hong Kong. Kowloon was on the agenda the next day and it was very different from Hong Kong Island.

The flight home was packed…not a spare seat to be had. Consequently, sleep was impossible – everytime I closed my eyes someone walked past, moved their seat back or forward or turned on their monitor. We arrived in Melbourne a little before 6am and had to wait until midday for our flight out. Needless to say it was two very tired travellers who took the sunshine back to Hobart with them. Although there is still snow on the mountain, the spring flowers  poking their heads out to greet the light…in another few weeks the garden will be beautiful.

This week Jessica has been unwell so it has been a very quiet few days. Monday the work will begin (gym, physio etc).

Later…

This afternoon, Andy gave me a physical therapy examination. It was quite funny; I asked him how any times a week I should have acupuncture and his response was ‘five times a week for three months and then one month off’. I laughed…at $60 AUD a treatment, I would be very poor; particularly given that I also have to attend physiotherapy, gym and continue with cranio-sacral therapy…and I have good private health insurance.

I bought a Chinese muscle stimulating machine that I will use daily. I will also buy  leg weights for walking around the house and climb our stairs. I can probably simulate the standing machine by standing on part of the stairs with my heels off the stairs so that my feet are dorsi-flexed(not sure about hanging on to the bannisters for half an hour though!). I figure that I do physio and acupuncture once a week, gym twice a week and one session CST…that should keep me poor! Besides I still have mothering, house keeping, cooking and gardening responsibilities!

Our last night here is a little anticlimatic. We shared in Kade’s birthday celebrations and continued packing…fun, fun, fun!

Friday was a special day here as it was the opening of the Olympics. So the floor had an Opening ceremony party on the 8th hour of the 08/08/08. It was a fun night and nearly everyone went to bed too late.

Saturday was a free day, and we went to Wushan Square. It is an old shopping village. They sell everything from food to 100 year old ginseng. It was a fabulous experience.That evening we took in a show about the history of Hangzhou (The night of West Lake). It was very impressive a little like ‘cirque du soliel’ in parts. We had dinner with a very nice father and daughter from the Netherlands who we met there (they were heading off to the Olympics the following morning.

Sunday we went to Leifung Pagoda. It overlooks West Lake. It was literally a pile of rubble until 1998 (I think), when the government decided to rebuild it around the remains. So you enter the temple and in the centre are the old stones in a protective casing. It is about 5 stories high and has wonderful views of the lake and the Hangzhou sky-line. We then walked along Ba Di, a path over part of the west Lake and enjoyed the Lotus blossoms and the gardens. I had to be back here early as I was having my own stem cells, that had been cultured for 7 days reinserted. I received about 240 million neural and mesenchymal cells back. One of the men here said that was the pivotal moment for him but I cant say it was for me. He has only been ill for 3 years compared to my 14; so maybe that makes a difference. The doctors think that I have made progress; the colour and warmth of my legs; the ability to straighten my left hand (I can-curl my fingers and straighten them about 10 times before they tire and when my hand is straight separate and close my fingers); and with a lot of effort I can lift my left leg a couple of centimetres off the floor when I  sitting. They think that I will see some changes gradually as the stem cells start to grow in my body. No alcohol for at least six month! The three things that are very much against stem cell growth are alcohol, cigarettes and drugs! So I shall be abstinent and of course I have to keep up my acupuncture, PT gym etc. I have another IVI on Friday and then my last lumbar puncture next week.

Saturday was a normal day of P.T. and I am trying so hard to lift my right leg when I walk. When I showered that morning, I used both hands to wash my hair AND I put my make-up on using my right hand. I also ate my breakfast using my right hand to hold my spoon; it sounds such a small thing but I am really pleased. Now, I have to re-program myself in that I have to consciously remind myself to pick up my mug with that hand (only when it is full of cold fluids…I am not quite brave enough to do the same with a mug of hot tea or coffee).

This morning I went out for ‘foot care’. again ..I think I might live here…for $8, I had a wonderful foot soak, massage and reflexology; it took one and a quarter hours and was blissful. Now, I am ‘house bound’ . Tomorrow, Monday, at 1030 I have my bone marrow harvest and the next 24 hours are spent on bed rest – total! And I am not allowed to shower until Thursday but will have P.T. as soon as I am allowed up. I am also having IV stem cells that afternoon. There are a large number of DVDs here so I guess watching season of ‘24′ will eat up some hours.

The staff are wonderful here. Last night one of the nurses, Sophie, came in on her day off (with Dee Dee ‘younger brother’- a younger friend in reality) and cooked a great meal for us. We contributed to the feast with a stir fry chicken and cashew dish that James made.

Not only are the staff caring but they are really conscientious. Dr Tony always comments on the colour of my feet when I am sitting too long in the same position…so of I went for a doppler examination; my blood flow is fine (thank goodness). We were accompanied to the department by Nurse Casey who is at the moment upgrading her qualifications. Her parents are rice farmers yet they managed to send two of their three children to University (her brother is a doctor). These people are amazing.

I cannot say that I am eagerly awaiting tomorrow…

Sunday we went to the zoo…I do not like zoos but I did want to see a Giant Panda, who by the way takes a very nice video. We also saw ‘the lesser panda’. That night we ate out at the Teppanyaki House near the ‘New Century Hotel’. It was OK…great for meat lovers (which I am not) and those with large appetites (not one of those either).

Yesterday, all the treatments began again. At one stage I was crawling around on my hands and knees. I have to say that Andy works me hard! I did not do my supposed 30 minutes standing rather after 10 minutes I said I had had enough. Today, I will do 15 minutes or maybe a little more.

In the shower today, I used my right hand nearly as well as my unaffected hand. My left leg is much more flexible. I am walking better but still  find it nearly impossible to lift my right knee.

Tomorrow, I have another SCT by lumbar puncture (that will be my third). I am having my bone marrow harvest on the 4th, God willing. So far three people who have booked for them have, after testing here, been told that are unable to have a bone marrow transplant; two people have had hepatitis and the other had insufficient lung capacity. That’s all folks…take care.

I think my pain emanated from the standing machine. You are strapped into this connfined space with bare feet in dorsi flexion for 30 minutes. It stretches all muscles from your butt to calves. My pain was from my butt to my knees. As I arrived here with shingles on my right siatic nerve root (that were not quite healed) they think that was the source on some of the pain; the other, I believe, was because my knees were not in good anatomical position (hyper-extended). Anyway, I awoke pain free yesterday morning. The treatment all starts again Monday so it is just a case of wait and see!

Later this afternoon, we are going up the street for a pedicure, foot and leg massage…it takes an hour and costs 10 bucks (eat your hearts out my friends…no disrespect to those who read this but do not know me).

Later..