Another disturbed night, I think it includes a feeling of fear for what is to happen today. No early shower – no hot water. Jill had some cereal and got dressed ready for acupuncture at 8am. We sat waiting in our room and no one appeared so I went looking. Finally at 8.30am Owen came and proceeded to put the needles into Jill’s legs. She thinks that her knees feel better and that she can bend her knees without pain. It’s a pity we did not know he was going to be a bit late and Jill could have had some toast and raspberry jam. A nurse came in and told us Jill was to have a spinal stem cell and the BMT. We are now totally confused – different to last night’s directions. I asked to speak to the doctor regarding this new turn of events.
The team of doctors came in and proceeded to discuss Jill in Chinese and then turned to me and asked what I wanted to know. Which I explained and was told that a specialist doctor from Hangzhou (who was in the group) had discussed with the team the best method to proceed with was for Jill to have both the stem cell spinal followed by the BMT ( bone marrow aspiration) under general anaesthetic. We asked several question regarding the anaesthetic, what time etc. We have to take their advice – Jill is very apprehensive.
While all this was going on Jill still had the acupuncture needles in place. Finally the group left and Owen came back and changed from acupuncture to electric wave therapy. Another question why in our room? – Because there are not enough tables in the OT. After the EW Therapy it was down to the PE room for a full body massage and some walking over the hurdles. The massage certainly makes Jill tired and when we came back to the room she was ready for a sleep. This was not to be as nurse followed us back into our room and took some more blood, connected Jill to a glucose IV. Jill was not allowed to eat after 11am and was not allowed to drink after 1pm. We watched a DVD –”I am Legend “to fill in the afternoon. One of the doctors arrived with an interpreter to get me to sign a consent form and again remind us about eating and drinking before the operation.
At 3.30pm a nurse and Owen arrived and said they were here to take Jill up for stem cells – after a brief discussion they went away to tell the doctor that I was not happy. Fortunately the doctor arrived and apologised for the mistake and Jill’s panic subsided. As the time came Jill had to be disconnected from the IV so she could go to the toilet and change into pyjamas. Right on 5pm Amanda and one of the nurses arrived and wheeled Jill down to level 4 and the operating theatre. I followed and had my kiss goodbye as Jill was whisked away. There was another form to sign before I could leave to come back to our room and wait the long 1.5 hours. The room looks empty with out Jill or her bed.
The time has flown and she has just been delivered back to the room, A little vague at the start but back with us now. Started telling me about some weird things she saw , but then couldn’t remember and all she wants is a drink – not for another 3.5 hours . She is dozing of and that will be the best thing.
I will give full details and pictures tomorrow on the net