Hello Everyone,
Derek got to go to acupuncture yesterday, but not therapy because he still had his stitches. He got another spinal cord stem cell injection last night.
Ben and Paul left early this morning to start their journey back to Australia. We all exchanged contact information last night so that we can stay in touch. We all miss them already. It is so quiet around here without them. They had such positive attitudes and were a boost to everyone.
The doctor took Derek’s stitches out this morning. The top part still hasn’t completely healed, but I think that the hair dryer on it might be helping. He had acupuncture again this morning and got to go to physical therapy twice today. Today is supposed to be his last day of Ivs. We will wait and see.
The hospital is pretty empty this afternoon because the Chinese New Year festival begins tonight. Tony took Nicole and two other patients family members to Wal Mart for any last minute food or supplies. It is the middle of the afternoon here and Wal Mart is basically the only store still open. We were told that the stores and restaurants will be closed for three days. Everyone has to prepare their on food for the next three days. The staff is on a skeleton crew for the next week during the festival. There is no acupuncture until the 10th, no reflexology for the rest of our time here, and a couple of therapists on each day after the 7th.
When talking to Kirshner, she said that the pain in Derek’s arms are from the stem cells. Nerve pain is the first sign of nerve regeneration. Hopefully the pain will subside and we will begin to see some improvements. The increase in leg spasms is also a good sign. Leg spasms are nerve signals that are misfiring coming from the brain through the spinal cord. Since his surgery and the stem cells, he has had more and stronger ones. They say that this is good because more nerve messages are getting through; they just aren’t controlled movements. Hopefully they will be something to work with when we get home and go to Project Walk in March.
Love, Derek, Nicole and Kathy
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7 comments:
HI ALL, DEREK HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER THAN THE LAST FEW DAYS, THINKING OF YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY. KATHY WE MISS YOU .NICOLE YOU ARE A WONDERFUL SISTER TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR DEREK. WISHING YOU ALL A SAFE AND UNEVENTFUL TRIP HOME. GOOD LUCK.............LOVE VADA
I hope you are feeling better, Derek! Everyone at the BLS is pulling for you. I loved the article in Villagesoup about you too. You know I would have been jumping in that cold water if I had been there.
Nicole, I have been forwarding any/all info about Derek to Fran. She is super interested and reads the blog regularly. We just can't wait to have you back at the BLS. haha.
Hope this finds all three of you well and not suffering too much from the lack of people around to help out.
Happy Fat Tuesday!!! Eat something crazy and yummy, but skip the silk worms!
Love, Elena
Hi Derek, The count down is on now. Only a few more days and you'll be home, then you will have a rest from all those IVS. I wouldn't be a very good patient. I really don't like needles at all, just knitting needles HaHa
Have a safe journey home.
Love to you all, Cheryl
Dear Derek, Kathy, & Nicole,
We read your blogs everyday. You folks are just amazing! You're so strong! Derek, we hope that you'll be feeling better very soon. Know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Love, The Regans :-)
Hey guys! Just wanted to apologize :( In the middle of sending all the cute pictures of Doogal the other day my computer died. Come to find out it wasn't the battery that died, it is the plug output so I can't even charge the battery. Our tech guy at school has a spare battery that he is going to charge for me over night, then I can at least send you the pictures. :) Hope things are going well and that you're feeling better Derek! Can't wait for you all to be home! Jake says hello and sends his best. Love you!
~Lacey and Jake~
Hi, There is an article coming out this week in Village Soup--- newspaper--- all about the Dip for Derek and your trip to China---I read it on line today. Great picture of you Derek! I am glad to hear that there is an explanation for all the pain and leg spasms that you have been having. I hope you can get all the therapy possible before you leave China. It sounds like everyone really celebrates with the way everything gets closed. People certainly do not celebrate like that here--stores and restaurants are always open with few exceptions. Hope you got enough provisions for the next few days. I am so glad that you have Project Walk to look forward to---that will be great!! All our thoughts and prayers always to you on your journey. Love, all the Glovers
WELCOME HOME. HOPE YOU REALLY ENJOY THE MEAT AND POTATOES. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO GET HOME. HOPE THINGS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE. LOVE, AUNT MINNIE & UNCLE BUD
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