Trip to China: Stem Cell Treatment

Physical therapy was the same. Jundi pushed walking in the parallel bars without any support even stepping over wooden rods placed at varying distances apart. For some reason this exercise was very tiring. We then started playing catch and throw with a soccer ball which not only forced me to balance but tired my upper body quickly. This was followed by the balance board which really fatigued the old man. After OT I resumed working on the treadmill followed by raised platform exercises and finally ending with squats. The afternoon was the usual routine of electrical stim followed by acupuncture. The latter has become my nap time.

For dinner that night we took out my therapists. We asked them to take us to the best restaurant in Shinzhin. We took a cab from the hospital for a short distance. When we stopped, I opened the door and was greeted by the sight of four lovely women in the tightest red evening dresses I have ever seen. As they advanced towards us, our therapists waved them away. We then went up a flight of escalators and I was greeted by about ten women dressed in the same attire as on the first floor. I looked up and saw a sign advertising the Red Dragon Room. I started to wonder what kind of problem these young therapists were setting up for us. Again, they waved all of the beautiful young ladies away. We then took an escalator to the third floor where there was a beautiful restaurant with the ladies dressed in mock tux tops and long skirts. We had arrived at the Bar Harbor restaurant. We then had the finest Chinese meal that we enjoyed during our stay in Shinzhin. Abalone was superb especially since I had not enjoyed any since the early 1980’s in San Francisco . Next we had an appetizer that was a small mussel called an elm. Then came multiple dishes such as beef ribs, tofu and mushrooms, some type of Chinese soup with shrimp and noodles, and shrimp balls. Finally, I guess to clean the palate, a dish of Chinese vegetables was brought. During this entire time, Will and Jundi had been constantly drinking tea. We took a taxi back to the hospital Once we got on the elevator to the 14^th floor I saw Jundi and Jade running down the hall towards the staff restroom. As soon as we got off on the 14^th floor, Will almost galloped down the hall to rid himself of all the excess tea.

Thursday was the usual day. There were no changes in PT, and OT was the same. Friends from Fort Lauderdale and Canada decided they were ready for the Japanese restaurant. The Canadians were ready for steak; they and Will ordered multiple small filets. The steaks were delicious and everyone finally managed to get their fill. The owners of the restaurant finally brought a sign and pinned it on Conrad’s father’s chest. The sign proclaimed him as the world’s greatest beef eater. We made it back to the hospital late.

Friday was to be my last stem cell injection. I planned to undergo a spinal injection, but my thoughts turned me towards an IV. The spinal injection on Monday had been very easy thanks to the young Dr.Yang. However, as I thought about it, all I could think about were complications. If I were to get a spinal headache, then our flight home would be delayed. I would never board a plane with a spinal headache. Also I evaluated the last four days and could not determine that the spinal had given me greater relief than the intravenous. I was so anxious to get home that I decided not to take a chance and went with the IV route.

Will had planned to go to a local DJ’s club but decided that he was too tired. Also Irene the nurse had continued to turn down his offers to take her dancing. He went to watch a movie, forgot about dancing, and fell asleep on the couch in the common room. Sometimes during the middle of the night, he made it back to the room.

Saturday was to be our last day in China . Will had finished most of the packing that morning with just a few odds and ends to pack that night or early Sunday morning. I had my last breakfast of yogurt and peanut butter toast. Sounds terrible, but it did not make me sick. Will finished his cereal. We headed to PT; it also was unchanged from any other day. During lunch Will finished putting food in the common room or giving it to other patients. Some were really glad to get such items like mashed potatoes. W e also gave away a great deal of popcorn. After eating leftovers for lunch for the last time we headed to my last day of acupuncture. Though Will believes in alternative medicine, I stayed with the traditional Chinese medicine to follow the routine. I took my last nap with needles inserted in my arms, legs, and chin. When I awoke, all needles were removed. We said our final goodbyes to all the therapists and returned to our room. My haircut two weeks ago had been one of the most enjoyable experiences I had in China . I convinced Will that we needed to return to the barbershop. However, as we started to leave, Lillie, Will’s ideal Chinese woman, came to our room. Before I knew it, I thought he was going to stuff her into a bag to take home. Suddenly, we had multiple pictures. After much coaxing, Will and I left for our last exotic experience in China , the barbershop. The routine was the same as before, and left both of us with warm feelings towards the Chinese. We then joined friends from Canada and the US for an Italian feast in China .

After returning to the room, Will finished our packing except for shaving equipment. We awoke the next morning at four, showered, shaved, and finished packing everything. Our driver appeared about twenty minutes early, so we left at 4:40 . Maggie the nurse saw us off following us and giving last minute hugs at the elevator. Kevin, a patient from Australia who now lives in Thailand , had left at two AM . It seemed a little depressing that we were not able to see so many of our new friends at the last minute.

The early arrival of the driver proved that someone was watching over us. It took nearly thirty minutes to pass the initial checkpoint between mainland China and Hong Kong . Once through all the checkpoints w e went straight to the airport. Air Japan said that our plane was getting ready to leave. Our flight three hours later had been cancelled. They held the plane until we boarded, closed the doors, and pulled away from the gate. We then started our trip to home which was halfway around the world.

The flights were uneventful and Mary Ellen met us at the Atlanta Airport at 9:35 . I showed that I could now walk a small amount which thrilled both ME and Neill. ME then drove us back to Thomasville , arriving at 3:30 AM . We were asleep for about three hours when ME received a call that her Mom had been taken to the hospital. ME then went to the ER where she learned that her mom had taken a dive from her bed and had broken her clavicle, two ribs, and the humeral head. ME brought her home and she joined me as another cripple.

As I evaluate my experience in Shenzhen I marvel at the work that is being done. To watch the MS patients, the spinal cord injured patients, and those with Spinocerebellar ataxia, I cannot believe the progress that some make. Others seem to change very little, but these are in a minority. The doctors, especially Dr. Yang, are superb clinicians making sure they are treating the correct disease. The nurses are very competent and try to make every procedure as painless as possible. I do think that a protocol should be printed out so everyone knows exactly what to expect rather than having to repeatedly ask the nurses. I also think that someone like Dora who has excellent English should be trained in medical procedures she could provide better communication between staff and patients. She would also be able to monitor the medical information given out by the patient representatives. From a personal view point, Dora could get things done when no one else was able to do so.

I accomplished my personal goal of being able to walk a short distance without help. I hope to improve over the next three to four months through continued therapy.

The stem cells have definitely helped. I have much better sensation in my feet and better strength in my legs. I feel stronger and have more energy. With the treatment that is being carried out in Northern Chinua. I hope to have treatment there later this year. If they would send me directions and stem cells maybe I could treat myself.

The most disappointing part of the trip is that it contributes to a negative perspective of science in our own country. From what I have seen we are probably ten years behind the Chinese.