We are HOME

We got home last night. it was a long trip and Cam had a rough day. I am hoping being home will help his progress. They warned us he may a down period for a week or so, time change, flight etc. Things should pick up in a week or so. I will continue the blog for those who want an update, just not as often. Thanks for the support.

Monday

We are on the home stretch, Hooray. We were talking this morning and discussing any improvements, we were surprised that there were many. The most obvious is no hand tremor and no facial dskynesia. His mind is back to normal most of the time. He can now add and subtract.
Today I will begin the chore and trying to cram everything into 2 suitcases.
See you all soon and thank you all for your support.

Good News

I just everything confirmed and we are coming home September 4. We could have come earlier but no seats on the plane.
Cam gets his last stems tomorrow then it is just wait and recover. Physically he seems better but we are having some mental problems. They are lowering some meds to see if it will help. We are both ready to come home. Hospital living is getting old.

FRIDAY

Not much to report. Beijing is having great weather all of the rain washed away the heat and smog. I'm sure the athletes are happy.
Cam now has a cold as I do as well. I think if we can get him well we might see some improvement but as of today, I see none. i am still hopeful and am sure things will get better.

I am bored out of my mind and SICK of the food. I my never eat Chinese food again. Tomorrow Kent and Cameron will be here so at least there may be something to do.

Tuesday

We had a tough few days, Cam has been sick some sort of a virus they tell me. He had a fever and was hallucinating. He is much better today and had his 3rd stem cell treatment. If all goes well he will have the last one in 10 days and we may be able to come home early. We are ready. Hospital life leaves a lot to be desired.

It is hard to tell if Cam has a lot of improvement as the fever really knocked him out. I think he is physically stronger and is close to walking.

I have done nothing exciting since Jennifer was here, I stayed close when he was sick. Back to Walmart today as we needed groceries. It is always an adventure.

Olympics

Jen and I had a great day at the Olympics. We had GREAT seats 21 rows from the field on the starting line. We say 100m men's qualifying 800m women's qualifying high jump doe women heptathlon. Hammer throw and shot put. The Bird's Nest is a wonderful stadium as are all the venues around it. Lots of space and beautiful grounds. We actually used the subway.
When we came home Cam had a fever and was loony. Seems better this morning and doesn't remember it. They are watching him carefully.

CULTURE

Jen and I did The Forbidden City, The temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Much Much walking and stair climbing; oh I Forgot to mention it was in a huge thunder,lighting and rain Storm. In some paces we were up to our ankles in water We both came home pooped. Tomorrow the Olympics

WEDNESDAY

Today Jen and I shopped until we both dropped. Finally saw all of the people they talk about. We went to 2 markets where you haggle, They got hold of my arm and we could not pry them off. I ended yelling and pushing, really Ugly American. I refused to buy from them even though they offered at below my price. They ate vicious.

Cam was great this morning and seems worse tonight. It is really up and down. I finally entered the world of Tradition Chinese Medicine, TMC, I had acupuncture and Chinese massage. I had a 11 needles. was a little concerned when she said "Oh my this is bad I must get the big needle."
Tomorrow Jen and I are doing the cultural tour and then Friday to the Olympics.

Tuesday

Not much new to report. Cam is doing well, we did find out one weird fact, he has forgotten how to add and subtract. We are working on it. The teacher in me has come back.
Jennifer comes today so I will play for a few days. We will go to the Olympics on Friday. Plan to see Track and Field.

Sunday

I am sure many of you watched the opening ceremonies, weren't they great. We watched them in Chinese. No coverage of the OLYMPICS in English, also the computer won't let me watch NBC as I am not in US.
Cam had a bad day yesterday. Very low blood pressure and fuzzy brain. He had to stay in bed most of the day. He is fine today. I guess we will watch more Olympics today. I do get tired of Chinese.

FRIDAY

Today is the big day in Beijing, the opening ceremonies. That is all in there is in the news. One of the staff here is going, got her tickets through Sweden.

Cam had second stem cell treatment yesterday. No side effects not even a head ache. He slept most of the day so was awake m0st of the night asking me questions. It could be a long day. I must go to the bank and search down some coffee. WalMart only sells instant.

Wednesday

Cam had a rough day yesterday. His mind was foggy and He had the Chinese Renenge. Did get in TCM and PT, then to bed for most of the day. He will get more stem cells tomorrow.

I went to WalMart by myself yesterday. I must have gotten the only cab driver in Bejing who didn't know where it was. I got quite a ride of the city. I was giving him directions in English and he was taking them in Chinese. I had to buy things to eat I recognized, hard when everything is written in Chinese. I am living on cheese and crackers, toast and carefully washed fruit.

August 3

Not much news as nothing much happens on the weekend. Cam is still hooked up to the heart monitor and it is driving him nuts as he can't leave the room and going to the bathroom is a big deal. We watched 3 movies yeaterday, played cards and read. We hired a full time caregiver, no English, he works or 12 hours for 12 dollars. I find it difficuldt to have him around all the time. They think I am to old to take care of him. I guess I am older in China than at home.

August 1

We had a bit if a scare last night. They thought he was having heart problems, hooked him up to all sorts of machines, He is fine his morning, I think it was a reaction to the gin he drank. No more acohol for him. We were at a good bye party and we made a quick exit to our room. It seems to be a tradidtion to buy pizza for everyone when you are keaving,

On the lighter note, i went shopping with Amanda 26 year old from Kentucky, she is here with 5 year old daughter with Battens desease, We went to the Silk Market. A wild place they literally grab you to get you in there shops. i still am not very good at dickering. Amanda is good. There are not many people here now, More coming next week.

Chris lraves

Chris has left and we will really miss him. Cam had his first stems today. He must lay flat for 6 hours. He said he didn't feel anything. He will have 4 treatments in all. i do not know how far apart.

I will now have to get brave and venture out on my own. I think I will do it slowly.

Field trip

Today is the big day with all doctors when they give us the whole plan. Cam contiues to get 7 or 8 IVs a day. He seems to have more strength and flexible. On the weekend no PT OT or TCM. From talking to people here he many get his first stem cell tomorrow.

On the lighter note Chris and I went to the Ming Tombs and Great Wall on Sat. It is amazing. I will try and send pictures. It was HOT 100 degress and 100 huminity. We also visited a jade factory and a silk factory, very interesting,

Friday

It is 6Age.AM and we have been up for ages. We are having trouble with the time change. Cam keeps getting poked and prodded. He gets about 5 different IV's a day. Today he is having a port put in as he is impossible to find a vein in him. Monday we meet with all the doctors to design on the plan. he also sees a PT, CT and TCM person every day. There is something going on every minute.

On a lighter note Chris and I went to Walmart. It is quite a place, many free sample including Absolute Vodka. Many types of meat hanging around. We also took a long walk. We are very surprised that the sidewalks don't have many people and and are very clean. There are flowers everywhere. i guess they are new for the olympics. Saturday Chris and I are going to the Great Wall and Ming tombs. Our Skpe works great over here so we are able to talk to the grand kids whenever we want. it is fun to see them. The food is okay. i already miss home food.

...and the Tiantan Pahua Hospital

Here are the main gate to Tiantan Hospital, the entrance to Tiantan Pahua and the lobby. We're down the hall and to the left if you'd like to stop by and visit!

...and our neighborhood

The streets that surround the hospital are lined with high-rise apartment buildings. In the alleys between the apartments families build small brick and corrugated tin shacks. Each door in the picture is a separate house.

Our Neighborhood Grocery & Restaurant

Here's pictures of the grocery store and restaurant that are in our neighborhood. Notice the menu pictures on the restaurant for those who either didn't know what to expect or are illiterate. We fall into both categories.

We are here

We are here. A looong day yesterday. All went smoothly. The room is about the size of our room at home. Small for two for seven weeks. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We ordered lunch today from a Chinese restaurant. We have a choice of about 7 places.
Cam has seen many nurses doctors,etc. Actual treatment begins tomorrow. Chris and I are going to Walmart this afternoon. Must buy a coffee pot and toilet paper. We will meet with the doctors and make a plan either today or tomorrow

Cam in China

Big news we are going to China July 21 for Cam to have stem cell treatments. I will keep dthis blog going so those of you who care can keep track of progress.