Today we are getting geared up for the fourth stem cell injection. Dad is having some bacon and mom and I are planning a shopping outing for the rest of the gifts for our natives. We have to be very strategic due to the hundreds of shops inside of the Pearl Market. The Pearl Market is a five story building with vendors on every floor. It's like a giant swap meet. Lots of bartering and very best friend prices. One item we were sure not to leave China without is large kites and lights that pin onto the kites as well as lights that clip onto the kite string. Don't worry we found them and now our problem is getting them home, but we think we have that figured out as well.
The past weekend we had some problems with elevated blood pressure and sleeping, but after a day and a half of sleeping, things are back to somewhat normal. Tony, dad's PT trainer, had dad stand at the rails yesterday, however, he cannot stand unassisted.
We've been talking with other patients and caregivers and the consensus is that they dope up the patients to facilitate the growing of the stem cells and most of the recovery takes place in the 6 to 12 months after they return home.
Many of the patients here have experienced set backs. It seems commonplace that patients loose control of functions they've had grip on before coming over here. For instance, my dad could stand and walk with assistance before coming to China and during the first couple of weeks while here. Now he is unable to even stand or sit up by himself. We attribute this decline to the muscle relaxers that are administered to facilitate the comfortable bedding for the baby cells. He is unable to take anything of this nature because it turns him into a big fleshy jelly fish. We finally figured out which pills they are and have greatly reduced his consumption of them. He is much perkier and is trying a little more. His attitude is rebounding a bit as well but he often has bouts with grumpiness.
I have been planning on what I'm going to eat and do when I get back to my home in Lawrence, and I know for sure that I'm going to eat a whole jar of Senor Stan's Salsa and I am going to go camping and spend a lot of time in nature and away from people. I will also be going to a Ween concert with all of my very best friends in Kansas City on July 13th.
And just to let you know, your prayers are totally helping...I know for a fact that a congregation in Great Bend spent a bit of time praying for dad during father's day and dad woke up in a really good mood. Keep em coming. China out.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
All was well for a while....
So Chris slept all day and all night on Tuesday the 10th and woke up with a "can do" attitude. We were able to switch PT trainers from Nancy to Tony as we thought that he was tired of taking commands from nothing but females. He does so much better with Tony as Tony is patient but firm. He calls dad lazy and tells him he can do it if he wants to and that "anything is possible."
On Wednesday, Tony made dad stand up for a bit and then put him on the tilt table to have some assisted standing and to get pressure on his legs and knees. Dad complained of his knees aching but was pleased to be up.
On Wednesday evening, Mom was able to get the dates changed for our return trip and I think that was exciting for dad (I was excited, too). He didn't get much sleep on Wednesday and was fighting his grumpiness on Thursday. We tried to get him to nap inbetween this therapies but that didn't happen, however he stuck it out and went to PT. He didn't have as good a day as Wednesday but gave it his best shot considering how tired he was. We thought that he should be able to sleep like a baby last night but again, he did not sleep. He hasn't had a good nights sleep in two days.
This morning is very nerve wracking as his blood pressure is elevated and he missed TCM and OT. He has to stay in bed and get that back to normal. I was able to talk Josh into getting the dogs to bark at him over skype this morning thinking that that would boost his moral, but it only made him cry and miss home all the more. Then his body decided to paint his shirt and mom's hands with his breakfast. It's been a hell of a day.
We've heard about the storms and hope that everyone is ok. Please keep in touch with us as we need to keep our moral boosted and all the prayer is needed and appreciated. Until next time, Beijing out.
On Wednesday, Tony made dad stand up for a bit and then put him on the tilt table to have some assisted standing and to get pressure on his legs and knees. Dad complained of his knees aching but was pleased to be up.
On Wednesday evening, Mom was able to get the dates changed for our return trip and I think that was exciting for dad (I was excited, too). He didn't get much sleep on Wednesday and was fighting his grumpiness on Thursday. We tried to get him to nap inbetween this therapies but that didn't happen, however he stuck it out and went to PT. He didn't have as good a day as Wednesday but gave it his best shot considering how tired he was. We thought that he should be able to sleep like a baby last night but again, he did not sleep. He hasn't had a good nights sleep in two days.
This morning is very nerve wracking as his blood pressure is elevated and he missed TCM and OT. He has to stay in bed and get that back to normal. I was able to talk Josh into getting the dogs to bark at him over skype this morning thinking that that would boost his moral, but it only made him cry and miss home all the more. Then his body decided to paint his shirt and mom's hands with his breakfast. It's been a hell of a day.
We've heard about the storms and hope that everyone is ok. Please keep in touch with us as we need to keep our moral boosted and all the prayer is needed and appreciated. Until next time, Beijing out.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Third Stem Cell Treatment....
Ladies and gentleman, Karen has left the building (China) and I have been awarded the position of blog keeper for the duration of the treatment. I am Jessica Conner, daughter of Chris and Kathie Crane.
We've been having some rocky times over here in Beijing. Mainly, the problems stems (pun intended) from my father's attitude. This therapy works if one is deligent, upbeat, determined, and positive. I've seen it work for others here in the hospital. Unfortunatelly, my dad is currently very self-centered and just wants to come home. We've had so many pep talks with him and he will be in agreement with us, but then, his short term memory has a short circuit and we have to start all over. I knew this would be an uphill battle but it looks as if we are scaling a mountain instead.
The e-mails sent from friends and family have been refreshing and helpful. Please keep them coming as well as keep praying for us and sending positive thoughts. We need them to keep going on a daily basis.
I also think that Chris is not being patient with the process. I believe he thought that it would only take a week and he'd be walking. He hasn't walked for four weeks and his legs are very weak. With determination he could build the strength up to walk but complains of the pain instead. Don't get me wrong, we have seen some improvement but I think he's denying any improvement just because he had it set in his mind that he was going to walk but it's not happening in his timeline.
There is a woman over here right now with Parkinson's disease who is taking her second round of stem cells because she saw major improvement six months after returning home from her first round of stem cells. Those baby cells need time to grow and I am concerned that he is not giving this process a chance. Nobody can do this for him, he has to do it for himself.
What an emotionally draining experience and I've only been here for two weeks. I think my mom is worn a bit thin and will need a vacation when she gets home. His forth stem cell injection is scheduled for June 16th. I'll keep you posted. Email if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. -Jess out.
We've been having some rocky times over here in Beijing. Mainly, the problems stems (pun intended) from my father's attitude. This therapy works if one is deligent, upbeat, determined, and positive. I've seen it work for others here in the hospital. Unfortunatelly, my dad is currently very self-centered and just wants to come home. We've had so many pep talks with him and he will be in agreement with us, but then, his short term memory has a short circuit and we have to start all over. I knew this would be an uphill battle but it looks as if we are scaling a mountain instead.
The e-mails sent from friends and family have been refreshing and helpful. Please keep them coming as well as keep praying for us and sending positive thoughts. We need them to keep going on a daily basis.
I also think that Chris is not being patient with the process. I believe he thought that it would only take a week and he'd be walking. He hasn't walked for four weeks and his legs are very weak. With determination he could build the strength up to walk but complains of the pain instead. Don't get me wrong, we have seen some improvement but I think he's denying any improvement just because he had it set in his mind that he was going to walk but it's not happening in his timeline.
There is a woman over here right now with Parkinson's disease who is taking her second round of stem cells because she saw major improvement six months after returning home from her first round of stem cells. Those baby cells need time to grow and I am concerned that he is not giving this process a chance. Nobody can do this for him, he has to do it for himself.
What an emotionally draining experience and I've only been here for two weeks. I think my mom is worn a bit thin and will need a vacation when she gets home. His forth stem cell injection is scheduled for June 16th. I'll keep you posted. Email if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. -Jess out.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Blessings From God
We would like to thank everyone for all the wonderful Emails and donations you have shared, you all will be blessed. We share all these email's and ecards, donations with Chris daily, his heart just melts when we read them to him. He ask why people are doing this for him. He is trying so hard to keep a positive attitude with this treatment. It takes a great deal of effort to keep going. I would like to thank Central Kansas Christian Academy for having a fund raiser, they raised over $700.00 for Chris. Again Chris could not understand why people are so giving. Thank you to all the Students, Staff, Teachers, and parent of CKCA in Great Bend Ks. Please keep the email going he loves to hear from all of you. He needs all the support he can get! E-cards are fun to show him also, so keep um going out.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
New Email address( this will work better)
Please comment on kckarencrane@gmail.com we will make sure Chris gets to read all of the comments. He really enjoys seeing that everybody cares, it makes his day brighter. Thank you for keeping up with all the treatments and updates. Here are some pictures of some of our nurses, They are all so nice. Chris is getting spoiled with all of them. They really treat him good.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Earth Quake in China
Everything where we are is A-OK, the nurses told us about the quake. They said put any breakable s down on the floor, and dont go to sleep until midnight. The news reports of a tremor in Beijing, but we never felt anything. I really feel we are safe. It is now about 5 am here, and still nothing. I guess they were scared of an after shock. Well on another note: Chris is scheduled for his first stem cell today at 10:00 am . The doctors believe we should see a marked improvement. He is supposed to lay flat on his back for 6 hours after the treatment, this prevents a headache. He will be receiving the first one in his back. We need everyones prayers with us at this time. please leave comment here. I can try and answer any question. I will keep you updated
Saturday, May 10, 2008
May 9th Chris's progress
Today we learned a new Chinese tradition ( taking a shower in the morning is bad luck). therefore no hot water is provided until evening time.
Chris did have some marked progress today. He walked down our very long hallway and started going pretty fast. We were right behind him helping him balance. We had the wheel chair standing by when he felt tired. He walked all the way to the cafe, through the cafe and out on the patio deck. Fresh air does wonders for him. He has really had good energy, talking quite a bit. I really believe God is working miricles in this hospital. We have met people from the USA, Austrailla, London, and many other places.
Chris did have some marked progress today. He walked down our very long hallway and started going pretty fast. We were right behind him helping him balance. We had the wheel chair standing by when he felt tired. He walked all the way to the cafe, through the cafe and out on the patio deck. Fresh air does wonders for him. He has really had good energy, talking quite a bit. I really believe God is working miricles in this hospital. We have met people from the USA, Austrailla, London, and many other places.
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