Week 52 – China – stem cells – one year on

Twelve months ago we were heading on a great adventure – off to China for Jill’s stem cell therapy. Jill was very apprehensive and there were some days in that first week when we wished we were home. The first stem cell injection brought its own worries and Jill was the one in the hot seat and emotionally and physically she suffered. We overcame the obstacles and Jill progressed with the aid of the wonderful staff and Nanshan Hospital and the physical rehabilitation. The arrival of Allison gave Jill a lift and finally Chris arriving for the last week saw Jill’s walking improve. Then the flight home was great and Jill as usual refused the offer of a wheel chair and walked at least a couple of kilometres before getting on the plane at Hong Kong International and again at Tullamarine in Melbourne. She wanted to show off to the family waiting to greet us.

The following months saw some great improvement in Jill’s speech, walking and balance until that fateful day Friday 13 October. Jill’s fall set us back to square one. The last 8 months has been a real struggle one step forward and then one back. We have had the support of family and friends through out this time. There is no doubt in my mind that we will eventually put the back steps behind us. Jill watch a DVD today about a caravan trip up through the north of Australia. I asked her what she was thinking – “I just want to be there”.

The continual setting of goals has kept her emotions and her incentive going – Chris and Nicole’s wedding, the first trip in our van at Easter and the goal at the moment to head north keeps her going.

We have a couple of things that will hold back the departure date, Jill’s infection still lingers around and an appointment with Jill’s neurologist in early July.

The stage 3 completion of the carport and being able to bring the caravan home so that we can start preparing for that trip has been another boost. The roof of the carport has been completed , the concreting will be done next week , the overhead lights will be installed next week and finally when I can find a brick layer interested in laying 300 bricks , the carport will be finished. I picked up the caravan on Friday and backed it up into its new home. Jill had her first look at the renovations to the seating and table in the van and was very pleased with what had been done.

There was more excitement this week with another new arrival. Pat (my sister) became grandma for the third time with the arrival of Hamish.

Congratulations Kym & James

We have had some more pictures from the Oz Travellers – currently at Alice Springs and are heading north to Devils Marbles today.

Well the evening is closing in with Jake and Jess moving in.

See you next week on the net.