Week 127 – Day 19-20 ” BMT and 100,000,000 stem cells

After lunch at midday Jill had an IV line connected to her left hand after they had tried to find a vein in her right hand. Several minutes later another nurse arrived with two containers of IV fluid and connected them to Jill. This meant that the countdown was to the stem cells was under way – two hours to go. At 3.25pm Jack and one of the therapists arrived to wheel Jill up stairs to the stem cell theatre.

While they were gone I went down to the hospital shop and purchased some fruit, drink, eggs and a couple of Ice creams.

Back in our room at 4.30pm Jill tells me that she didn’t have any valium and that the injection in the back hurt, I had been concerned when she was away for almost an hour. She told me that she had to go to the toilet once they got her to the theatre and that held up thing for a while. It’s exciting to think that you have 130,000,000 stem cells coursing through your body. Each searching a new location that they can assist with. By the time Jill leaves to come home she will have 150 million stem cells working for her and the next 3-6 months will be the time for us to extend the exercise , walking, acupuncture and massage to gain the maximum we could expect.

The six hours this time seemed much longer , Jill did not sleep at all , I read a chapter out of “The Brain that Changes itself” and a couple of articles from Caravan & Motorhome Magazine. We also listened to the challenge on the ABC. After 2 hours Jill wanted a drink, so a coke was opened and sucked out of a flexible straw. Then at 4 hours she was allowed to eat, I had made a round of ham sandwiches and Jill slowly ate each square, only two hours to go. During this time there were several toilet stops using the slipper pan. Then finally the 6 hours were over and the first stop was the toilet. Jill came back and settled down on the couch, she had to take her tablets, cough medicine and then Gaviscon, by this time it was close to midnight and the bed was welcome. Jill was supposed to have a nebuliser earlier in the day, but every time something happened. I pressed the buzzer at midnight and Dr. Bing appeared (he was on duty for the evening). A few minutes later Jill was inhaling the fumes from the mouth piece and continued to do this for about half an hour and then settles down to go to sleep.

This morning is another beautiful looking day, very cold but the sun is out so our clothes line (window ledge) will dry Jill’s underwear. The therapist has arrived and set up the electric wave therapy unit with the pads on Jill’s legs and adjusted the settings until Jill says OK. Off he goes to treat some one else. While he is gone the nurses come to clean and make the beds. Another comes and takes Jill’s temperature – normal again. The machine lets off a beep and I can now disconnect Jill and wait for Owen to return. Minutes later Owen arrives with his tray of needles and begins to insert the needles, several squeals and Owen saying “relax, relax” until he has 21 needles in and around Jill’s knees. He has gone again saying “15 minutes” as he heads out of the door. Jill has shut her eyes, but that won’t be long as he will be back to remove the needles. Elaine my Chinese tutor had another lesson this morning and had collected several more students. A few more phrases such as I’m tired – wo lei le and I’m hungry – wo e le to add to the others and learn. While at the lounge I saw a familiar parcel being delivered to the nurse’s station and I went and retrieved it. Jill’s eyes lit up when I took it into the room – Allison’s care package had taken 10 days to reach us. Inside Jill found, vegemite, cup of soup, cappuccino and assorted cereal packets. The first thing she wanted was a cup of chicken noodle soup. THANKS ALLISON you made mum’s day.

With Jill settled on the couch with her book I hired s taxi and went of to the RT-Mart in search of the correct Female hygiene pads – as usual a male looking in that area attracts attention and I eventually had a young Chinese sales assistant looking for me – to no avail. Then another Chinese girl asked me in clear precise English could she help me. Finally she came back with a packet and said these were similar to the sample I had brought with me. Assuming she was correct I thanked her and continued with my shopping and headed back to the hospital. However the venture turned out to be a complete failure and I will have to try again after Jill’s PE class this after noon. I will try the Guo Huo Mart as an alternative.

While waiting in our room, more nurses to take temperature and pulse and then another dose from the nebuliser- so Jill is back on her bed sucking on the mouth piece. At 3.30pm we will be down the passage in the PE room for Jill’s full body massage- even though it’s rigorous I think she enjoys it. Followed by some balancing and walking exercises.

Tonight’s dinner is to be a pork stir fry with some vegetables.

See you tomorrow on the net