Our plane arrived in Chengdu at 2:30 am Friday and we were met at the airport by Jimmy & Jau Fang and 2 of the doctors who will be working on my case. Our flight was 2 1/2 hours late and they'd all been waiting for us! They transported us directly to the hospital in a military vehicle reserved for VIP's. The head nurse for my department is married to a high ranking soldier who was able to arrange for the military transport. As we traveled Jimmy and Jau Fang kept apologizing for the condition of the accommodations. They had tried to get us "General's" quarters, but had been turned down because I would be a threat to national security as they had not been able to do a background check on me! It's true the hospital is old and the room isn't that great, but it's okay. There are 2 twin beds (so Lon can stay in the room with me), a couch, a chair, and coffee table. There is also a fridge and microwave in the room. The only real problem is the bathroom! It is traditional Chinese (I don't know why?) Anyway, the "toilet" (if you can call it that) is a hole in the ground. The shower is not enclosed so when you use it the entire bathroom gets wet and then the water drains down the toilet hole! There are occasional spurts of hot water from the shower, but not enough to last a whole shower!
So, that's the deal with the room.
I like my doctor, Dr Shang. He's the chief doctor in the hematology department. He's the most experienced in China with stem cell treatment for scleroderma. He is also kind hearted. On my first morning at the hospital I met with him. (He speaks a little English - very slloowwllyy) He asked if we had any Chinese money yet. We told him we had not had a chance to get to a bank yet. He told me that in order to be admitted to the hospital I needed to pay $500 Chinese Dollars (about $65 US). When he realized we did not have Chinese money yet, he took out his own wallet, pulled out $500 Chinese Dollars, gave the money to his assistant, and told him to go register me.
I like my head nurse, Chang Lee. She is doing everything she can to make me happy and comfortable. Everytime I say "thank you" she answers, "Not at all, not at all!" She is so funny! She always takes me by the arm and looks right into my face and just starts talking like crazy! She just keeps talking and talking as if I can understand her and like she expects me to answer at any moment. But it sounds like some crazy Chinese language to me!
There are many other nurses and doctors who are also helping on my case. They are taking turns taking us out of the hospital to get meals. They are concerned that I won't like the hospital meals! The first day they took us to KFC and insisted on ordering and paying. Afterwards, we told them we like to eat vegetables and whole grains. So the next day the head nurse took us to a farmer's restaurant. I am actually adjusting to the food. Soup - it's what's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Yesterday, we actually asked for scrambled eggs and the cook made them - no seasonings - just green peppers and eggs. Basically they eat very healthy here - lots of veggies - very little meat. Some things are unusual! I just can't eat a fish with the head still attached and the eyes looking right at me! They are mostly concerned that my body recover from travel, that I get my rest, and that I'm eating well before they start in on the treatment.
This is kind of the plan for treatment: for the first two weeks I will be going through tests and taking Chinese herbal medications. On approximately Oct 10th they will start the procedure.
For about the first week they will be collecting the stem cells from my body. After this process I will receive chemotherapy to basically kill off my immune system. During this time I will be put in an isolation room for 3 weeks. No one can come in my room except the doctor - any germ could be life threatening. After this time the stem cells will be re-implanted into my body. At this point it will be like the re-birth of my immune system. (Of course, this is not a technical explanation - go to google and search to find more info - this is just a nut shell)
Anyway, there is discussion that I may be moved to a different hospital. They are concerned about my recovery and want me to go to a warm place for recovery. They don't want me to fly right after treatment because of all the germs on planes. So, they are considering having me fly to a hospital in Hailan (which is an island in the south of China). They will do the procedure there and then I can stay there for recovery. I think this is a good idea. My doctor would come with me. An expert from Beijing will also come to help with the treatment. The head doctor at the hospital in Hailan is eager for me to come. So we'll see what happens. Bascially, it's looking like I'm going to be in China for quite awhile.
Love you all!
~Sheryl
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