It is about 6.14am on the day Jill has been waiting for -the last spinal injection. I think it must be an omen. The sky is blue (well almost only clouds around the horizon). This is the new beginning. This must be the positive nature of Chris rubbing off. I don’t believe he realised what a grumpy set of parents he had until he had to live in such close contact. Today will make the difference Chris and thank you for that.
Jill and I have had our showers and Chris is still asleep- he has been disturbed by the grumpy old farts a couple of times through out the night. i think we have aroused him now. I brought some oatmeal and cooked Jill porridge this morning. I was sitting here looking for some instruction on microwaving it. Guess where it comes from – Australia –Kym – it is probably an Uncle Toby’s product (label reads SEA MILD Original Pure Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal)
I have been up to the office to use the microwave and missed the happy smile and chat I have had with Val each morning and guess she will be home by now. I think Jason said about 14 hours to get home.
The nurses have just had a change of roster for today and have visited Jill to make sure she in still here. Marion has just dropped in and believe it or not she had just walked down the 18 flights of stairs and back up again. I don’t think that I will try.
Elizabeth arrived to tell us no massage etc because of Stem cells today. We asked if we could have a massage this morning. If you don’t you don’t receive. Sunny came back and we are due at Massage at 10am she also said that the stem cells are due at 4pm. Dr Wang with his magic fingers spent the next 30 minutes working on both knees. Jill smiled at him most of the time. She keeps saying she wants to take him back to Oz. After the massage we started the physical rehab. As usual Jill adds a couple of her own. Today’s was the stairs again – up and down about 4 times. This is improving each time she attempts them. The massage and rehab still tire her out so we headed back to 1923
With the stem cells due at 4pm Jill has to have finished lunch by 1pm. We had sufficient left over to heat up for lunch. Chris and I with one of Jill’s hand written shopping lists headed over to Rainbow. We decided to have a better look around and took the escalator up beyond the 2nd floor –ladies ware, men’s ware, electrical, electronics, DVDs, phones, sports gear, up to the fifth floor and now we saw gift ware, crockery ,furnishings and carpets. Back down in the clothing Chris picked out a couple of shirts and a top for Jill (pink again) The next stop was the super market and the shopping list. This would be easy but they keep moving things around. Jill had given us a 2hour limit and I walked back into 1923 at 2.15. Chris picked up some lunch for us.
While Chris & I were eating Jill became impatient and headed of on her own to the end of the passage (first time on her own). We then walked to the balcony at the other end of the building. On the way back Jill wanted to say goodbye to Robyn & Wayne who are leaving at 6pm. As hard as she tried she could not fit into Robyn’s suitcase.
It’s now 4.15pm and those pesky little Chinese blokes cannot be far away. The nerves are on tender edge. The time dragged and just on 5pm Doctor Liang and a nurse came in and prepped Jill for the injection. It took just 10 minutes and with no pain. Jill smiled and thanked the doctor. Now begins the longest part of this process. I have read another couple of chapters of the Kite Runner, Chris & I have rubbed feet, massaged legs and scratched ears.
Jill is now sitting up demanding food chicken noodle soup, and a spider,it is probably for the 70,000,000 Chinese soldiers she is feeding as well. . She sound great .
It’s midnight Oz time and 10pm Shenzhen time – ABC Quiz and then bed. See you tomorrow on the net
Chris’s Contribution – For those of you with patience or broadband connections -
(You can also right click on the links and select “save as” to save down to your local machine)
Jill having Massage and doing exercises-Video Download (800kb)
It doesn’t look as though you would starve in China–just as well there is plenty of food on hand–you will go broke feeding those little chinese stem cells when you get home. Wow! “it is all not over till the fat lady sings.” Brilliant effort. From now it will get better and better.
I am having difficulty getting parents to help me this year so I am gearing up for your return as I sure could do with your kind of help. We used to make a good team-“I am serious I’d love to have you here.
Frost again this morning but only -3-bit like Maccas weather report.
Keith still has a couple of loads left and a clean. Electrician did some work yesterday and the hoist will be here at the end of next week.
I am going to an Artist in School meeting tonight as we are hoping for some funding for next year.
Don’t know how I will start my mornings when the daily dose of Blog is finished—Mac you have done a great job keeping us informed. Kym is looking forward to Nestles arriving at Uncle Tobys as she says staff sales will be good.
Must start the ritual
I am so excited with your progress I will go to school on high this morning.
Love you all heaps and congratulations on a job well done.
I always have a motto with the kids “If a jobs worth doing ,it is worth doing well”–you have done that.
Love again
Pat
Hi Mum, Dad & Chris,
It’s been great to see the video footage. I was able to see the improvement in the exercises from when I was there with you. Keep up the good work. You are definitely on the home stretch now, don’t lose sight of the finish line. I know it must be hard saying good bye to good new friends like Val (especially Val), Jason, Robyn & Wayne. They have become like family, but you will be going home soon too. Make the time count!!!
love Allison