Sign in or 
Share this
Week 5: March 31 - April 5
Day 31 - March 31, 2008 / Monday
Just wanted you all to know Kasie has been making fantastic progress physically since beginning her stem cell treatments 4 weeks ago. The changes I observed while I have been with her this past month have been phenomenal. They may SEEM like small, inconsequential things to the casual observer, however in the grand scheme of things and looking forward and towards what it REALLY means for her and her future...well it's monumental. The changes are building blocks that will help her be more self sufficient and eventually less dependent upon her wheelchair (eventually transitioning to walker and crutches outside of the physical therapy surroundings). She will certainly need continued physical therapy when she returns stateside to help keep up the strength and progress she has made while her in India. It is undoubtedly a long road ahead of her. For now, there is still another 5 weeks in India and more stem cell treatments and procedures; and looking forward to more physical therapy both here and when she returns home; return trips (yes TRIPS) to India for additional stem cell procedures to help continue the "re-growth" of neural connections damaged during her accident; rebuilding and retraining her body, etc. But she is ready for the challenge and accepts what it's going to take to get "there" - to walk again.
Well, 12:15am India time, I'm on a plane stateside...and I feel like I'm leaving Kasie to fen for herself
. No, she's not really alone, she has Dianne with her for the next two weeks; and then Scott will be there for the last 3 weeks. So, it's just me feeling a little depressed because I'm going to miss her so much. And realizing now I'm going to be experiencing all this just like all of you have been - from a far, wow what a change.
Kasie will be taking over updating her website now...and if I can help her remotely with it I will. I will try and get the video links updated once I get home...
Kasie, THIS IS ALL ABOUT YOU - YOU CAN DO IT, remember that and you'll be great!
March 31, 2008
Last night my Sonia left. I am very bummed about that because she has been a lot of my strength while I have been here in India. When times were getting tough (or when I thought they were tough!), she would pull my head out of the gutter, she understood me, and the direction I needed to be steered. She has taught me so much about many things such as traveling, confidence, independence, trust, believing in myself, boys, life, and friendship. She will be greatly missed, not only by me but as well as the other patients and their family members. When I was preparing for her departure, one of the family members confronted me, making sure that I was going to be ok etc. He had mentioned that until a few days ago, he thought that Sonia and I were sisters. He said that the way we clicked and finished one another’s thoughts and sentences, we just had to be. When Sonia had told him that we were only friends, he was shocked and said that we had an amazing relationship. She and I had realized how close we really were, a few weeks ago, when I was having one of my “homesick” episodes, and she had to talk me back into reality. She said to me that traveling can really make or break a relationship…some people sometimes get divorced! We both felt, that travelling and living in a “dorm” like setting, has really made us closer! I love you Sonia. With that being said-I want to apologize to my faithful readers that I will be taking over the daily updates, and I may not be as entertaining as she was and definitely not as good a writer…..SORRY! But, important progress to be updated so, pretend you are watching a really bad news program (you know like the ones where the person is not looking at the camera, and stumbles over their words, and probably says like a lot…because that is what you will be getting!)
Today in a nutshell- The weekend was eventful for all of us, with Sonia leaving we spent a lot of time with many of the family members on the floor. We have all really developed a close relationship which is great, so much better to have a family away from family! If only I had SOME FAMILY here it would make it all even better, but I have Marcia, who is Will’s mother and I have been glad that I made friends with her, she reminds me of my mother, which with my mother not here it is nice to have her here to be motherly! Saturday’s PT was rough on me because I had been lying down for three days, so I was very weak but pushed myself to do the side stepping. However, today I was paying for it. My arms were so sore; it was difficult for me to perform my standing perfectly. Morning PT I did my daily routine of stretching, balancing, and I concentrated and moved my toes again. This time on both sides, but very very slight movements, one of them may even be confused with a spasm, but I was thinking about it and it moved sideways so it counts! Because of my soreness in my arms Shivani, put standing off until the afternoon session. Instead, we did knee standing. I started that exercise last week. Today I was a lot stronger, and was able to pull myself up with my back more than my arms. I am feeling much stronger since my procedure. After PT, I headed to the infusion room where I got my daily morning injection. Dr. Shroff and Dr. Ashish, both came in for a visit. I was sad for the sister who was giving me my shot, it just so happened to be a day that it hurt badly, I tried to suck it up so that she didn’t get into trouble because of my weakness, but I couldn’t. So to make up for that I impressed Dr. Shroff by complimenting her outfit in Hindi. Thanks to Shivani, I am learning good sentences! I did however, learn a bad sentence today too, but I am trying to forget those. I was exhausted after PT, so I sent Dianne (who took Sonia’s place) out for some juice, and I made some Ramen Noodles, and laid down on my new mattress and fell asleep until it was time to go to PT. I politely asked Dianne if she would inform Shivani that I was too tired to go, and my arms were still sore, and I would go to YOGA! Not a big fan of that Yoga yet, but it is a good trade if I will miss my PT. Yoga in the afternoon….yippee! After yoga, Dianne and one of the family members and I ventured out, I was craving cookies. We all went to the coffee shop where Sonia and I fell in love with the double chocolate chocolate chip cookies. The market place near the hospital is very safe to venture around, the tricky part is crossing the street, thankfully there was a cow wondering down the street so traffic was slower than usual and we made it across without a problem! PHHHEEEWWWWW! When Sonia was here, the traffic was HECTIC when crossing the street…we both had gotten a little braver as we ventured out more, “shoot the gap!” That is how you have to drive around here! Got my cookies, and on our tour of some of the shops we ran into a Henna boy…Dianne will do it later, but me…yea my arm is black, it really looks like I was doodling on my arm. Different culture, different styles-Not my style. Thankfully it only last’s 10-15 days, depending on how often you bathe (I am assuming)! It does look better on the other girl who did it with me, but we both like the other ones better than our own! Dinner and some TV, and oh yes, what would a night be like without our random interruptions. (Ok now they are comical). Tonight about 8:30pm, one of the cleaning boys came in to give us a shower mat. Into our fifth week here….whatever! 9pm there is another knock at the door…oh it is the other maintenance boy who I had asked if he could send the sister’s down for my injection, thinking that is the reason he is stopping by-umm no, he had a ladder in his hand! Confused, but learned (from Sonia) not to ask “WHY”. So I let him in. He wanted to clean the Air Conditioner. HMMMMM confused……..No not really! 9:30-sister’s come in for my injection. Thankfully, in the mornings and other times, we have not been getting so many interruptions. Now when we do get an interruption, it really amuses me.
April, 01, 2008
Therapy was good today! I was well rested from the day before, however, I was extremely sore from yoga. Because I missed afternoon PT yesterday, I decided I had to work harder in yoga to make up for it. My abs were more sore than they ever have been, so my balancing workouts were very difficult, that and I was being harassed by one of the patients so I was losing my concentration. I practiced more knee standing, and Shivani had me sucking in my abs, when I told her that it hurt she smiled, and I kept telling her, “no pain, no gain!” Morning PT was short. In the afternoon, I did some walking with the calipers and the walker. I walked farther than I have since I started, and my steps were better. Chavi and Shivani, were both with me to make sure I was taking my steps perfectly. Tomorrow, we will be doing more side stepping to make them better. After PT, I went up to the room to rest before dinner. Will and I have made plans to eat at the BIG CHILL to celebrate his return from his procedure, and because he is leaving in two days. I will be very sad, my buddy is leaving! I love having Will and his mother, I have developed a great relationship with them. I will miss them, he is like having a big brother here, and Marcia is like having my mom here!
April 02, 2008
Our residential floor has now been filled with new patients, NO VACANCY at Nu-Tech Medi World. PT is full as well. A lot of action, and a lot of distractions for me. However, for my knee standing I am becoming a lot stronger yet again today. Much more improvement daily. The days are kind of boring here without adventure bound Sonia. So between PT sessions I hang out in the room and wait for the days to pass. I have been visiting the other patients more. The youngest patient here, is about to be corrupted by me soon. I did take her to the mall today and insisted that we ditch her mother. Malls are different here than they are at home. Every store has a security guard, and all around the mall is a security guard. They are raffling off a sporty little car in the middle of the mall, and when I asked the chicks at the car raffle if I could sit in the car, the security guard’s were watching me, kind of scary. I think the young little patient thinks that I am crazy. It couldn’t be that I sang “Hey Mickey, you’re so fine” to the waiter at the pizza place! Or that I also tried to teach him the Macarena, the other waiter informed me that was not a good idea because he had two left feet! I do however; have her mother talked into letting her come with me to get our noses pierced. That’s right Sonia…Julie gave in to the Kasie EYES!!! Hey I have been poked by so many needles and so many sanitary places….whets one more? Tomorrow Marcia and Will are leaving. I am not prepared for that!
April 03, 2008
One month (exactly) to go. I talked to Scott last night, he is preparing for his trip to INDIA. YAY! Can't wait for his arrival. I will be perfectly honest, and say that my emotional state has caused my progress to regress. I have too many distractions, also the transition from one caregiver to the next has really overwhelmed me. I now have a friend of our families staying here with me, and I can't lie, we barely know one another which has made things kind of difficult. We are living in a "dorm" like setting which is hard enough for two people to adjust to, then add the treatments, my exhaustion from treatments and PT, and it really adds a bit more stress to an already uncomfortable situation. Dr. Shroff and Dr. Ashish as well as my PT's have noticed that I have not been coming down to the Physio room in my normal happy, smiling self. In fact Dr. Shroff, had stopped me in the hall on my way to PT to talk it over with me. She is very concerned, and decided that whatever I needed to do to make myself focused and happy again needed to happen right away. She again reminded me that the cells are not yet programed and it was very important that I program them in the right direction. My mind has to be in a peaceful state! Dr. Ashish also came by my room between PT Sessions. He is very pleased with the "motor" return that he has seen from me. My steps are getting stronger since the last procedure, so as long as I can stay focused the better my cells will be responding. and the better I can gain muscle and work on my steps!
My first session of PT was short, I did some kneeling, then to the infusion room with Mr. Will for his injection. I talked the sister's into giving me my injection before PT today. Yesterday it hurt after my muscles had been working, so I decided to get it while my arms were relaxed. However, I did have them inject it into my hip, Marcia and Julie (two of the other caregiver's) were in the room with me, and I could actually feel the injection, and I knew it was a real feeling because my leg also jumped from discomfort. After PT I grabbed my tea pot, ramen noodles, and my Coca-Cola, and headed into Will's room, (the mothers and Dianne went shopping at the markets), and Will and I cooked the ramen in the tea pot, and sat and chatted until my PT. We pretty much solved all of the world's problems! And he also made me feel better, all of my worries were gone.
Off to PT with a clear mind. When I got to PT, we had a concert from my new neighbor, who can sing, and WOW, he pretty much is amazing, and well...since I can talk, I told everyone that he was amazing. So before PT we made him sing a song...it was the best way to start it off! I did some walking in the walker, with Dr. Shroff there to tell me how I was doing, and exactly what I was doing wrong. I have to work on my side-stepping (that I absolutley HATE doing) which will improve my gate. The sides-stepping is very difficult, and I don't realize it when I am sitting, but my pants are way to big for me,and when I stand up, they fall off. SO the side-stepping is also difficult because I lose my britches and I can't concentrate! Marcia was there to watch me (for the last time because they are leaving me at 8pm), and she was laughing at my pants falling off, and the fact that I had a belt on that was on the last hole....no wonder Dr. Shroff ordered me to have a chocolate, and ice cream diet!
After PT, it was Hannah Montana TIME! Oh yes, I had most of the floor in Will's room watching it. And NO Will, it is not just for 6 year olds. l LOVE that show. So Disney Chanel for us, and McDelivery. Marcia and Will's last meal with us in India. After they left I had my IV of stem cells, and I was a lot more brave, and let them stick that IV in without any problems. Plus it was Geeta, one of my favorite sister's, who did the injection, she does it very smoothly and it never hurts. After that most of us on the floor had plans to watch a movie, so off to one of the rooms we met and started to watch Superbad! However, two of us had a craving for french fries. Thank goodness for that McDelivery! But AWWWW MAN- They don't deliver ICE CREAM. After an hour of deciding what we wanted to order; ice cream, fries, and the sandwhiches that the boys now wanted, we had to find someone who spoke english so that we could tell them what we wanted and they could call it in. 1st floor...nothing, 2nd floor....nothing, finally we will just try it ourselves....um yea, not happening, FINALLY...the doctor on the floor-knows english, and can order it for us but they are not delivering ice cream. Umm yea, still not working for me, and the other one who is also craving ice cream! CANCEL our order please! Call downstairs, no english, call Dr. again....yup! 10:15 pm, thankfully Dianne is sleeping, because we are on a mission for ice cream and McDonald's is only around the corner. We sneak off, or at least we tried to, one of the sisters totally busted us, and made me sign out as I was rollin out the door. Off we go, late night snack, and nothing is stopping us. Surprising, Delhi is actually plesant at night. There were no cars running us over, less chaos, and much more quiet. We stomped on down to Greenpark Market, where the only thing open was McDonald's and one or two little nic-nac shops. It was a little scary on our way back at the end of the street they were closing the gates. YIKES! We might be locked in and we will have to go around thru an alley??? NAH! Its alll good, who is going to stop the lady with five bags of McDonald's and the girl in the wheelchair? Our little jaunt took all of about 30 minutes, and we were back to watching our movie again. About midnight I came rolling in, and of course I had to wake Dianne and tell her of our little adventure. She laughed and said it was cool that I was so comfortable here in India..I agreed. It really is a great place to be, I do love India, it just takes some time to get used to! And going out at night is not as intimidating as some make it out to be! Jac's and I really liked it, and will probably do it again......!
April 4, 2008
I woke up this morning with the frustration that I had yesterday. I was thinking that a new day would make it go away but it didn’t. To add to the frustration, the lift is broken. Shivani was very sweet and she came to my room to do my PT. Some stretching and then a phone call to inform us that the lift was now up and running! Dianne is leaving today, and I will be spending the remainder of the week alone. The only bad thing about that is that I may have to miss a procedure that was supposed to be scheduled for next week. That does not make me very happy, but one of the family members has volunteered to spend the two days with me while I receive the procedure, but I will just have to see what happens between now and then. I am thinking that I can totally take care of myself and do the procedure alone. I DID travel to the McDonald’s at night! ;) I decided not to go to afternoon PT. I had the IV infusion of stem cells today. I was a big big baby when Anjalie put the needle in the vein…Sonia WHERE ARE YOU?? Because that is a huge dose of stem cells, it really knocks me down, so I fell asleep until PT. Then by the time I was ready I had missed it. I had big plans of making up for it by going to YOGA. While Dianne is packing her things to go, I decided to go out with Julie and Elaine. Mother and daughter who are here for treatments, (well daughter is, and she is one of the youngest, the one who I am going to corrupt!). We had a lot of errands to run, both of us needed a sim card for the India cell phones that we have. Mine was working but I had to have it switched into my name, and that requires a passport picture, and a lot of hassle. We also are on a mission to get our noses pierced. Julie and I have decided to hire a driver, and to split the costs, (Now that Sonia, and Marcia are gone I have adopted Julie as my new “India Mother”! ) we requested a large car to fit, mom, daughter, me and wheel chair. However, somehow (um, could it be that it is just INDIA) signals got crossed and we have a very very small car. NOT really going to work but it will do for a week until we figure something else out.
NOSE PIERCING ADVENTURE/LETTING INDIA HAPPEN TOTALLY FOLLOWING THE CULTURE:
Most of the women here in India have there noses pierced, to decorate themselves. What a better way to join them in some of their cultural practices!
When we arrive at the market where we are told does “clean” and “safe” piercings, our driver dropped us off on the opposite side of where we needed to be, which made us confused and very lost, and it we had to wheel (and walk) around the entire building twice. While we are wandering in search of the right jewelry store, where they do the piercing, we run into a man who does piercing on the street. Tempting, and for the right price, I was actually considering it. But, we were on a mission and after looking in 10 different stores we found the one we were looking for. It was a very fancy, very clean store. We had to wait for the piercing dude to finish his lunch, then barefoot, he comes to Elaine and I with some sterilizer, and two pieces of gold wire. Being the tough girl that I am, I made Elaine go first! YIKES! It looked scary, but now I really have to do it because I cannot look like a wimp in front of Elaine. After it was all said and done, it really didn’t hurt as bad…dang those IV’s hurt worse. But now we each have a wire hoop in our noses, and it is not very pretty. When I asked what they had for nose rings, they brought out 4 trays of gold and diamonds, and I wanted one. Wouldn’t ya know, you can still bargain with them even in the fancy fancy stores…I seemed to get a deal for the actual job, then got Elaine and I both real diamond studs for $50 off! Next stop, Phone store.
“LAKE” VODAPHONE ADVENTURE: Julie was under the impression that to get our passport picture and the sim card for the phones, we would have to go to different places in Delhi. Well, we hit the right spot because not only can you get your piercings done at this market, but pics and sims. After the pictures were made, we strolled over to the Vodaphone dealer. They started with me, and I gave the clerk all of the necessary paper work, pictures, and rupees. Still, although I was organized it took the boy forever to process all of this. Then it started to rain, and my papers were soaked. Yes that is right, it was pouring outside, and inside. There was a huge hole in the ceiling. Frantically the clerks..alll five of them, go outside to get the security guard and buckets. They finished processing my information while standing in a puddle of water. The security guy dumped the bucket four times in 15 minutes. Then pieces of the ceiling started dropping off onto the desks. (Should we move the desks??? Would be a good idea, but do you think they did that?? Um noo, we are in India, anything goes!) Water, and ceiling now all over the computers and papers, they move onto Elaine to get her phone activated. What a process, and you would think that after mine, it would be a lot easier. NOPE! Apparently our numbers are too similar…. I ended up with all of Elaine’s minutes. My mistake?? NOOOO but I was the one who had to pay the man? Complaining, jokingly to the man that I DESERVED something free for that , he pulled out two watches…Score! NOT!!! Still standing in 2 inches of water, they finally figured out how to put minutes onto Elaine’s phone, and we can FINALLY LEAVE, two hours later! We threatened the dudes at the store that we will be back tomorrow, we don’t need anything they were just really fun to harass. It was nice to get out today, and Elaine and I had a blast together. We were bragging to some of our friends on our floor about our adventure. We sat up for a while talking, then when I got into my room, I completely rearranged all of my furniture. A LOT MORE ROOM NOW, and for only me! Tomorrow more physio, and hopefully no more rain! I felt my night time injection again, that was injected into my hip. My legs freaked out too as if it hurt! WOOO HOO!
April 05, 2008
Saturday, oh so wish I could sleep in, but I have PT early.Since I spent all night re-arranging my furniture in my room I didn’t get to sleep until 3am. I was awakened by the loud chatter that was going on in the hallway with the sister’s. It was a good thing that they were loud because I had turned my alarm off, and was not waking up easily. I had a light PT session but it was a good one, and some of my other action is back! I just needed a refresher, could be the outing yesterday, or the rain, or the more organinzed room.. I don't know! After physio I had a lazy relaxing day in my room, well after the traffic in and out of my room. First one of the sister’s came in to make sure that I was eating something other than Cheeto’s and Coca-Cola, (I did make some Ramen), then the ward boy wanted to clean my room, then a pleasant visit from Mr. David, and Dr. Shroff, who was excited that Elaine and I got our noses pierced, I think that she was happy that Elaine is getting out and experiencing things. I love hanging out with her, she is becoming like a little sister!
Elaine, Julie and I had big plans to go tool around in the mall, but Elaine’s computer is fried so we waited for the “tech” guy to come fix it, they called him to make an appointment and he told them he would arrive in two hours. UM yea, “India Time” means four hours! So in that time, I fell asleep. Three hour nap, I missed the Hannah Montana marothon that was on but better to let my baby stem cells rest! No mall -but dinner for sure. I was not very motivated to get out of my bed but I had to get out of the hospital! Off to the BIG CHILL, Julie, Elaine, and I! Being that it is Saturday, there was a twenty minute wait. Instead of a beeper (like at other restaurants) they ask for your cell phone number and write your name down on the list. While we were waiting we went into a stationary shop that was next door. They had the coolest stuff in there! I bought a box for the bangles that I have aquired throughout my stay here; I have developed quite the collection. My box is way cool too, it has a window in the middle to see the stuff inside, and of course it is PINK! Very exciting! The host at The BIG CHILL, called us while we were purchasing our items and our table was ready. Our dinner was excellent, as it always is at the BIG CHILL! That is the place I like to go when I am feeling a little homesick, it is very American. The music, the food, the setting, everything about it reminds me of home.
Tonight Elaine and I are harassing her neighbor. It is really fun! We are making him watch “She’s the Man” with us. Elaine’s mom (Julie) is convinced that I am A.D.D. because I drop everything and cannot sit still. She laughs at me all of the time. And now, with the three of us, Me, Elaine, and the neighbor, we are a room full of A.D.D kids…getting wild in the Medi-World! Oh yea rockin the Twizzlers and Ritz crackers…we KNOW HOW TO PARTY!
I am very thankful to have Elaine and Julie here. Now that I am on my own, they have adopted me, and it is good to have a mommy figure around, and she is definitely mommy to me right now, she is even making sure that I am allowing my nose to heal before I take this annoying hoop out(and tells the sisters not to allow me to convince them that it is ok), and she brings me cleaning solution to clean it, and watches me do it. Where is the faith Julie? She is always looking out for me, and totally understands the wheelchair and my needs because Elaine sometimes needs to use a chair, they both are the greatest.
Just wanted you all to know Kasie has been making fantastic progress physically since beginning her stem cell treatments 4 weeks ago. The changes I observed while I have been with her this past month have been phenomenal. They may SEEM like small, inconsequential things to the casual observer, however in the grand scheme of things and looking forward and towards what it REALLY means for her and her future...well it's monumental. The changes are building blocks that will help her be more self sufficient and eventually less dependent upon her wheelchair (eventually transitioning to walker and crutches outside of the physical therapy surroundings). She will certainly need continued physical therapy when she returns stateside to help keep up the strength and progress she has made while her in India. It is undoubtedly a long road ahead of her. For now, there is still another 5 weeks in India and more stem cell treatments and procedures; and looking forward to more physical therapy both here and when she returns home; return trips (yes TRIPS) to India for additional stem cell procedures to help continue the "re-growth" of neural connections damaged during her accident; rebuilding and retraining her body, etc. But she is ready for the challenge and accepts what it's going to take to get "there" - to walk again.
Well, 12:15am India time, I'm on a plane stateside...and I feel like I'm leaving Kasie to fen for herself
. No, she's not really alone, she has Dianne with her for the next two weeks; and then Scott will be there for the last 3 weeks. So, it's just me feeling a little depressed because I'm going to miss her so much. And realizing now I'm going to be experiencing all this just like all of you have been - from a far, wow what a change.Kasie will be taking over updating her website now...and if I can help her remotely with it I will. I will try and get the video links updated once I get home...
Kasie, THIS IS ALL ABOUT YOU - YOU CAN DO IT, remember that and you'll be great!
March 31, 2008
Last night my Sonia left. I am very bummed about that because she has been a lot of my strength while I have been here in India. When times were getting tough (or when I thought they were tough!), she would pull my head out of the gutter, she understood me, and the direction I needed to be steered. She has taught me so much about many things such as traveling, confidence, independence, trust, believing in myself, boys, life, and friendship. She will be greatly missed, not only by me but as well as the other patients and their family members. When I was preparing for her departure, one of the family members confronted me, making sure that I was going to be ok etc. He had mentioned that until a few days ago, he thought that Sonia and I were sisters. He said that the way we clicked and finished one another’s thoughts and sentences, we just had to be. When Sonia had told him that we were only friends, he was shocked and said that we had an amazing relationship. She and I had realized how close we really were, a few weeks ago, when I was having one of my “homesick” episodes, and she had to talk me back into reality. She said to me that traveling can really make or break a relationship…some people sometimes get divorced! We both felt, that travelling and living in a “dorm” like setting, has really made us closer! I love you Sonia. With that being said-I want to apologize to my faithful readers that I will be taking over the daily updates, and I may not be as entertaining as she was and definitely not as good a writer…..SORRY! But, important progress to be updated so, pretend you are watching a really bad news program (you know like the ones where the person is not looking at the camera, and stumbles over their words, and probably says like a lot…because that is what you will be getting!)
Today in a nutshell- The weekend was eventful for all of us, with Sonia leaving we spent a lot of time with many of the family members on the floor. We have all really developed a close relationship which is great, so much better to have a family away from family! If only I had SOME FAMILY here it would make it all even better, but I have Marcia, who is Will’s mother and I have been glad that I made friends with her, she reminds me of my mother, which with my mother not here it is nice to have her here to be motherly! Saturday’s PT was rough on me because I had been lying down for three days, so I was very weak but pushed myself to do the side stepping. However, today I was paying for it. My arms were so sore; it was difficult for me to perform my standing perfectly. Morning PT I did my daily routine of stretching, balancing, and I concentrated and moved my toes again. This time on both sides, but very very slight movements, one of them may even be confused with a spasm, but I was thinking about it and it moved sideways so it counts! Because of my soreness in my arms Shivani, put standing off until the afternoon session. Instead, we did knee standing. I started that exercise last week. Today I was a lot stronger, and was able to pull myself up with my back more than my arms. I am feeling much stronger since my procedure. After PT, I headed to the infusion room where I got my daily morning injection. Dr. Shroff and Dr. Ashish, both came in for a visit. I was sad for the sister who was giving me my shot, it just so happened to be a day that it hurt badly, I tried to suck it up so that she didn’t get into trouble because of my weakness, but I couldn’t. So to make up for that I impressed Dr. Shroff by complimenting her outfit in Hindi. Thanks to Shivani, I am learning good sentences! I did however, learn a bad sentence today too, but I am trying to forget those. I was exhausted after PT, so I sent Dianne (who took Sonia’s place) out for some juice, and I made some Ramen Noodles, and laid down on my new mattress and fell asleep until it was time to go to PT. I politely asked Dianne if she would inform Shivani that I was too tired to go, and my arms were still sore, and I would go to YOGA! Not a big fan of that Yoga yet, but it is a good trade if I will miss my PT. Yoga in the afternoon….yippee! After yoga, Dianne and one of the family members and I ventured out, I was craving cookies. We all went to the coffee shop where Sonia and I fell in love with the double chocolate chocolate chip cookies. The market place near the hospital is very safe to venture around, the tricky part is crossing the street, thankfully there was a cow wondering down the street so traffic was slower than usual and we made it across without a problem! PHHHEEEWWWWW! When Sonia was here, the traffic was HECTIC when crossing the street…we both had gotten a little braver as we ventured out more, “shoot the gap!” That is how you have to drive around here! Got my cookies, and on our tour of some of the shops we ran into a Henna boy…Dianne will do it later, but me…yea my arm is black, it really looks like I was doodling on my arm. Different culture, different styles-Not my style. Thankfully it only last’s 10-15 days, depending on how often you bathe (I am assuming)! It does look better on the other girl who did it with me, but we both like the other ones better than our own! Dinner and some TV, and oh yes, what would a night be like without our random interruptions. (Ok now they are comical). Tonight about 8:30pm, one of the cleaning boys came in to give us a shower mat. Into our fifth week here….whatever! 9pm there is another knock at the door…oh it is the other maintenance boy who I had asked if he could send the sister’s down for my injection, thinking that is the reason he is stopping by-umm no, he had a ladder in his hand! Confused, but learned (from Sonia) not to ask “WHY”. So I let him in. He wanted to clean the Air Conditioner. HMMMMM confused……..No not really! 9:30-sister’s come in for my injection. Thankfully, in the mornings and other times, we have not been getting so many interruptions. Now when we do get an interruption, it really amuses me.
April, 01, 2008
Therapy was good today! I was well rested from the day before, however, I was extremely sore from yoga. Because I missed afternoon PT yesterday, I decided I had to work harder in yoga to make up for it. My abs were more sore than they ever have been, so my balancing workouts were very difficult, that and I was being harassed by one of the patients so I was losing my concentration. I practiced more knee standing, and Shivani had me sucking in my abs, when I told her that it hurt she smiled, and I kept telling her, “no pain, no gain!” Morning PT was short. In the afternoon, I did some walking with the calipers and the walker. I walked farther than I have since I started, and my steps were better. Chavi and Shivani, were both with me to make sure I was taking my steps perfectly. Tomorrow, we will be doing more side stepping to make them better. After PT, I went up to the room to rest before dinner. Will and I have made plans to eat at the BIG CHILL to celebrate his return from his procedure, and because he is leaving in two days. I will be very sad, my buddy is leaving! I love having Will and his mother, I have developed a great relationship with them. I will miss them, he is like having a big brother here, and Marcia is like having my mom here!
April 02, 2008
Our residential floor has now been filled with new patients, NO VACANCY at Nu-Tech Medi World. PT is full as well. A lot of action, and a lot of distractions for me. However, for my knee standing I am becoming a lot stronger yet again today. Much more improvement daily. The days are kind of boring here without adventure bound Sonia. So between PT sessions I hang out in the room and wait for the days to pass. I have been visiting the other patients more. The youngest patient here, is about to be corrupted by me soon. I did take her to the mall today and insisted that we ditch her mother. Malls are different here than they are at home. Every store has a security guard, and all around the mall is a security guard. They are raffling off a sporty little car in the middle of the mall, and when I asked the chicks at the car raffle if I could sit in the car, the security guard’s were watching me, kind of scary. I think the young little patient thinks that I am crazy. It couldn’t be that I sang “Hey Mickey, you’re so fine” to the waiter at the pizza place! Or that I also tried to teach him the Macarena, the other waiter informed me that was not a good idea because he had two left feet! I do however; have her mother talked into letting her come with me to get our noses pierced. That’s right Sonia…Julie gave in to the Kasie EYES!!! Hey I have been poked by so many needles and so many sanitary places….whets one more? Tomorrow Marcia and Will are leaving. I am not prepared for that!
April 03, 2008
One month (exactly) to go. I talked to Scott last night, he is preparing for his trip to INDIA. YAY! Can't wait for his arrival. I will be perfectly honest, and say that my emotional state has caused my progress to regress. I have too many distractions, also the transition from one caregiver to the next has really overwhelmed me. I now have a friend of our families staying here with me, and I can't lie, we barely know one another which has made things kind of difficult. We are living in a "dorm" like setting which is hard enough for two people to adjust to, then add the treatments, my exhaustion from treatments and PT, and it really adds a bit more stress to an already uncomfortable situation. Dr. Shroff and Dr. Ashish as well as my PT's have noticed that I have not been coming down to the Physio room in my normal happy, smiling self. In fact Dr. Shroff, had stopped me in the hall on my way to PT to talk it over with me. She is very concerned, and decided that whatever I needed to do to make myself focused and happy again needed to happen right away. She again reminded me that the cells are not yet programed and it was very important that I program them in the right direction. My mind has to be in a peaceful state! Dr. Ashish also came by my room between PT Sessions. He is very pleased with the "motor" return that he has seen from me. My steps are getting stronger since the last procedure, so as long as I can stay focused the better my cells will be responding. and the better I can gain muscle and work on my steps!
My first session of PT was short, I did some kneeling, then to the infusion room with Mr. Will for his injection. I talked the sister's into giving me my injection before PT today. Yesterday it hurt after my muscles had been working, so I decided to get it while my arms were relaxed. However, I did have them inject it into my hip, Marcia and Julie (two of the other caregiver's) were in the room with me, and I could actually feel the injection, and I knew it was a real feeling because my leg also jumped from discomfort. After PT I grabbed my tea pot, ramen noodles, and my Coca-Cola, and headed into Will's room, (the mothers and Dianne went shopping at the markets), and Will and I cooked the ramen in the tea pot, and sat and chatted until my PT. We pretty much solved all of the world's problems! And he also made me feel better, all of my worries were gone.
Off to PT with a clear mind. When I got to PT, we had a concert from my new neighbor, who can sing, and WOW, he pretty much is amazing, and well...since I can talk, I told everyone that he was amazing. So before PT we made him sing a song...it was the best way to start it off! I did some walking in the walker, with Dr. Shroff there to tell me how I was doing, and exactly what I was doing wrong. I have to work on my side-stepping (that I absolutley HATE doing) which will improve my gate. The sides-stepping is very difficult, and I don't realize it when I am sitting, but my pants are way to big for me,and when I stand up, they fall off. SO the side-stepping is also difficult because I lose my britches and I can't concentrate! Marcia was there to watch me (for the last time because they are leaving me at 8pm), and she was laughing at my pants falling off, and the fact that I had a belt on that was on the last hole....no wonder Dr. Shroff ordered me to have a chocolate, and ice cream diet!
After PT, it was Hannah Montana TIME! Oh yes, I had most of the floor in Will's room watching it. And NO Will, it is not just for 6 year olds. l LOVE that show. So Disney Chanel for us, and McDelivery. Marcia and Will's last meal with us in India. After they left I had my IV of stem cells, and I was a lot more brave, and let them stick that IV in without any problems. Plus it was Geeta, one of my favorite sister's, who did the injection, she does it very smoothly and it never hurts. After that most of us on the floor had plans to watch a movie, so off to one of the rooms we met and started to watch Superbad! However, two of us had a craving for french fries. Thank goodness for that McDelivery! But AWWWW MAN- They don't deliver ICE CREAM. After an hour of deciding what we wanted to order; ice cream, fries, and the sandwhiches that the boys now wanted, we had to find someone who spoke english so that we could tell them what we wanted and they could call it in. 1st floor...nothing, 2nd floor....nothing, finally we will just try it ourselves....um yea, not happening, FINALLY...the doctor on the floor-knows english, and can order it for us but they are not delivering ice cream. Umm yea, still not working for me, and the other one who is also craving ice cream! CANCEL our order please! Call downstairs, no english, call Dr. again....yup! 10:15 pm, thankfully Dianne is sleeping, because we are on a mission for ice cream and McDonald's is only around the corner. We sneak off, or at least we tried to, one of the sisters totally busted us, and made me sign out as I was rollin out the door. Off we go, late night snack, and nothing is stopping us. Surprising, Delhi is actually plesant at night. There were no cars running us over, less chaos, and much more quiet. We stomped on down to Greenpark Market, where the only thing open was McDonald's and one or two little nic-nac shops. It was a little scary on our way back at the end of the street they were closing the gates. YIKES! We might be locked in and we will have to go around thru an alley??? NAH! Its alll good, who is going to stop the lady with five bags of McDonald's and the girl in the wheelchair? Our little jaunt took all of about 30 minutes, and we were back to watching our movie again. About midnight I came rolling in, and of course I had to wake Dianne and tell her of our little adventure. She laughed and said it was cool that I was so comfortable here in India..I agreed. It really is a great place to be, I do love India, it just takes some time to get used to! And going out at night is not as intimidating as some make it out to be! Jac's and I really liked it, and will probably do it again......!
April 4, 2008
I woke up this morning with the frustration that I had yesterday. I was thinking that a new day would make it go away but it didn’t. To add to the frustration, the lift is broken. Shivani was very sweet and she came to my room to do my PT. Some stretching and then a phone call to inform us that the lift was now up and running! Dianne is leaving today, and I will be spending the remainder of the week alone. The only bad thing about that is that I may have to miss a procedure that was supposed to be scheduled for next week. That does not make me very happy, but one of the family members has volunteered to spend the two days with me while I receive the procedure, but I will just have to see what happens between now and then. I am thinking that I can totally take care of myself and do the procedure alone. I DID travel to the McDonald’s at night! ;) I decided not to go to afternoon PT. I had the IV infusion of stem cells today. I was a big big baby when Anjalie put the needle in the vein…Sonia WHERE ARE YOU?? Because that is a huge dose of stem cells, it really knocks me down, so I fell asleep until PT. Then by the time I was ready I had missed it. I had big plans of making up for it by going to YOGA. While Dianne is packing her things to go, I decided to go out with Julie and Elaine. Mother and daughter who are here for treatments, (well daughter is, and she is one of the youngest, the one who I am going to corrupt!). We had a lot of errands to run, both of us needed a sim card for the India cell phones that we have. Mine was working but I had to have it switched into my name, and that requires a passport picture, and a lot of hassle. We also are on a mission to get our noses pierced. Julie and I have decided to hire a driver, and to split the costs, (Now that Sonia, and Marcia are gone I have adopted Julie as my new “India Mother”! ) we requested a large car to fit, mom, daughter, me and wheel chair. However, somehow (um, could it be that it is just INDIA) signals got crossed and we have a very very small car. NOT really going to work but it will do for a week until we figure something else out.
NOSE PIERCING ADVENTURE/LETTING INDIA HAPPEN TOTALLY FOLLOWING THE CULTURE:
Most of the women here in India have there noses pierced, to decorate themselves. What a better way to join them in some of their cultural practices!
When we arrive at the market where we are told does “clean” and “safe” piercings, our driver dropped us off on the opposite side of where we needed to be, which made us confused and very lost, and it we had to wheel (and walk) around the entire building twice. While we are wandering in search of the right jewelry store, where they do the piercing, we run into a man who does piercing on the street. Tempting, and for the right price, I was actually considering it. But, we were on a mission and after looking in 10 different stores we found the one we were looking for. It was a very fancy, very clean store. We had to wait for the piercing dude to finish his lunch, then barefoot, he comes to Elaine and I with some sterilizer, and two pieces of gold wire. Being the tough girl that I am, I made Elaine go first! YIKES! It looked scary, but now I really have to do it because I cannot look like a wimp in front of Elaine. After it was all said and done, it really didn’t hurt as bad…dang those IV’s hurt worse. But now we each have a wire hoop in our noses, and it is not very pretty. When I asked what they had for nose rings, they brought out 4 trays of gold and diamonds, and I wanted one. Wouldn’t ya know, you can still bargain with them even in the fancy fancy stores…I seemed to get a deal for the actual job, then got Elaine and I both real diamond studs for $50 off! Next stop, Phone store.
“LAKE” VODAPHONE ADVENTURE: Julie was under the impression that to get our passport picture and the sim card for the phones, we would have to go to different places in Delhi. Well, we hit the right spot because not only can you get your piercings done at this market, but pics and sims. After the pictures were made, we strolled over to the Vodaphone dealer. They started with me, and I gave the clerk all of the necessary paper work, pictures, and rupees. Still, although I was organized it took the boy forever to process all of this. Then it started to rain, and my papers were soaked. Yes that is right, it was pouring outside, and inside. There was a huge hole in the ceiling. Frantically the clerks..alll five of them, go outside to get the security guard and buckets. They finished processing my information while standing in a puddle of water. The security guy dumped the bucket four times in 15 minutes. Then pieces of the ceiling started dropping off onto the desks. (Should we move the desks??? Would be a good idea, but do you think they did that?? Um noo, we are in India, anything goes!) Water, and ceiling now all over the computers and papers, they move onto Elaine to get her phone activated. What a process, and you would think that after mine, it would be a lot easier. NOPE! Apparently our numbers are too similar…. I ended up with all of Elaine’s minutes. My mistake?? NOOOO but I was the one who had to pay the man? Complaining, jokingly to the man that I DESERVED something free for that , he pulled out two watches…Score! NOT!!! Still standing in 2 inches of water, they finally figured out how to put minutes onto Elaine’s phone, and we can FINALLY LEAVE, two hours later! We threatened the dudes at the store that we will be back tomorrow, we don’t need anything they were just really fun to harass. It was nice to get out today, and Elaine and I had a blast together. We were bragging to some of our friends on our floor about our adventure. We sat up for a while talking, then when I got into my room, I completely rearranged all of my furniture. A LOT MORE ROOM NOW, and for only me! Tomorrow more physio, and hopefully no more rain! I felt my night time injection again, that was injected into my hip. My legs freaked out too as if it hurt! WOOO HOO!
April 05, 2008
Saturday, oh so wish I could sleep in, but I have PT early.Since I spent all night re-arranging my furniture in my room I didn’t get to sleep until 3am. I was awakened by the loud chatter that was going on in the hallway with the sister’s. It was a good thing that they were loud because I had turned my alarm off, and was not waking up easily. I had a light PT session but it was a good one, and some of my other action is back! I just needed a refresher, could be the outing yesterday, or the rain, or the more organinzed room.. I don't know! After physio I had a lazy relaxing day in my room, well after the traffic in and out of my room. First one of the sister’s came in to make sure that I was eating something other than Cheeto’s and Coca-Cola, (I did make some Ramen), then the ward boy wanted to clean my room, then a pleasant visit from Mr. David, and Dr. Shroff, who was excited that Elaine and I got our noses pierced, I think that she was happy that Elaine is getting out and experiencing things. I love hanging out with her, she is becoming like a little sister!
Elaine, Julie and I had big plans to go tool around in the mall, but Elaine’s computer is fried so we waited for the “tech” guy to come fix it, they called him to make an appointment and he told them he would arrive in two hours. UM yea, “India Time” means four hours! So in that time, I fell asleep. Three hour nap, I missed the Hannah Montana marothon that was on but better to let my baby stem cells rest! No mall -but dinner for sure. I was not very motivated to get out of my bed but I had to get out of the hospital! Off to the BIG CHILL, Julie, Elaine, and I! Being that it is Saturday, there was a twenty minute wait. Instead of a beeper (like at other restaurants) they ask for your cell phone number and write your name down on the list. While we were waiting we went into a stationary shop that was next door. They had the coolest stuff in there! I bought a box for the bangles that I have aquired throughout my stay here; I have developed quite the collection. My box is way cool too, it has a window in the middle to see the stuff inside, and of course it is PINK! Very exciting! The host at The BIG CHILL, called us while we were purchasing our items and our table was ready. Our dinner was excellent, as it always is at the BIG CHILL! That is the place I like to go when I am feeling a little homesick, it is very American. The music, the food, the setting, everything about it reminds me of home.
Tonight Elaine and I are harassing her neighbor. It is really fun! We are making him watch “She’s the Man” with us. Elaine’s mom (Julie) is convinced that I am A.D.D. because I drop everything and cannot sit still. She laughs at me all of the time. And now, with the three of us, Me, Elaine, and the neighbor, we are a room full of A.D.D kids…getting wild in the Medi-World! Oh yea rockin the Twizzlers and Ritz crackers…we KNOW HOW TO PARTY!
I am very thankful to have Elaine and Julie here. Now that I am on my own, they have adopted me, and it is good to have a mommy figure around, and she is definitely mommy to me right now, she is even making sure that I am allowing my nose to heal before I take this annoying hoop out(and tells the sisters not to allow me to convince them that it is ok), and she brings me cleaning solution to clean it, and watches me do it. Where is the faith Julie? She is always looking out for me, and totally understands the wheelchair and my needs because Elaine sometimes needs to use a chair, they both are the greatest.
kasiemarieburtard |
Latest page update: made by kasiemarieburtard
, Apr 5 2008, 4:45 PM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by kasiemarieburtard
19 words added 1 word deleted view changes - complete history) |
|
Keyword tags:
None
More Info: links to this page
|
There are no threads for this page.
Be the first to start a new thread.
