Skip to main content

Tuesday Update: 02/12/08

We had a conference call last night with Ruth and several other people traveling over to China in our March group. It was SO helpful, and just what I needed to calm my fears and make it all seem more real. She went through what to expect at the airport, on the plane, and what to do at the Beijing airport. She told us that she will meet us either at the hospital or at the airport – but we will see her that day! She also said she’d be there every week checking in on everyone, and that someone from her staff would be there daily. The doctors and nurses all speak English – this was a HUGE relief to us. Most of the helpers do not, but she said to rest assured that they understand and are so very helpful. There was a woman on the call whose son had gone to China and she spoke of how wonderfully caring the staff were over there…so that makes us all feel good. I think Matt and I are definitely at an advantage over some of the other folks since I’m a fairly experienced traveler, and Matt and I have flown together with the wheelchair. I’m sure it’s terribly intimidating for the folks who haven’t traveled since their strokes, and are making this huge journey. I hope that I can be of help to them as well.

Ruth also spoke of changes they’ve made at the hospital just to accommodate her and her patients! Things like an ATM which we can use our VISA debit cards at to get Chinese money…and a little shop with food, snacks etc. We can even mention things we’d like them to get and they’ll stock the shop for us. I really get the feeling that the hospital is so very grateful for her and the people that she’s brought there for treatment that they’re bending over backwards to make improvements…it’s great! She said our experience will be so much better than that of the first few groups, since they’ve ironed out some of the kinks and improved things to suit us better. Also reassuring. We learned that TianJin is the third largest city in China – bigger than NYC! It is also a coastal city, but since it is an hour from the coast, we will likely not see it.

It should take us about 2 ½ hours to drive there from Beijing – so when we get to the hospital we will just check in, get settled, and relax. They will take some blood work after a day or so, and get started planning out each person’s treatment – combining the TCM treatments along with various exercises in the gym. She told us to leave all our preconceived notions back here and just go with an open heart and mind – that there is method to their plans and treatments. Matt and I are in agreement that we are just going to go with the flow.

After talking to everyone last night, we both just felt so excited and relieved. Matt can hardly stand it, he is so excited. He has the best attitude and knows that he is just going to go there, work as hard as he can, focus on healing, and will come back with great results. He is SO positive, and I know that is a big part of the experience. I’m so proud of him, I just can’t even tell you. He is amazing to me.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi Emily and Matt--
Congrats on all that is going on in your lives right now. I wish you the best in China and with the big move to your new home. One of Josh's friends dad from Boone is going to the same place in March so I am guessing he might be in with Matt. They had a benefit for him last weekend to help with the funds. His name in Tim and he is 53 I think. Had a stroke a couple years ago. Once again, keep us posted on here and will look forward to some great news. Take care and happy traveling.
Carol Nelson

Popular posts from this blog

Carrie Anne - The Beginning of the Story

So, I’ve been trying to sort out how to start this story. It’s been difficult to articulate. Difficult to pick which details to share, and which to hold close. But it’s a story too good, too beautiful, not to share – so here goes! When Matt and I first became parents, we thought our family was complete. We envisioned raising Ethan surrounded by loving friends and family – just the two of us. Given all that we had gone through to finally become parents, we felt content with just the one child. The most adorable boy in the whole wide world. Our Ethan was the apple of our eyes – the most amazing gift. We marveled at all of his accomplishments, soaked up all his love and personality, and celebrated the joy of parenthood at every exhausting, wonderful turn. Along the way, we’ve built a strong and loving relationship with Ethan’s birthmother. We visit yearly, and stay in close contact with pictures, emails, and texts. I have attempted to describe my feelings for her many times over the

A Glimpse Into Open Adoption

If you had been a customer of the Longhorn Steakhouse on Highway 19 in Palm Harbor, FL last Sunday night, you may have seen two couples walking through the restaurant, oogling a sweet baby boy on the way to their table. You may have commented on how cute he was. You may have thought he looked a lot like the woman carrying him. You may have wondered about the man in the wheelchair. But you likely would not have assumed you’d be witnessing this baby’s biological parents sit down to dine with his adoptive parents. It’s a scene I’ve been playing over and over in my mind as I recount the wonderful experiences of our trip to Florida. The magnitude of that moment, that evening, will never be lost on me. It was incredible to be a part of – and I’m so very grateful we had it. We had met up with Ethan’s birthmother, L, earlier in the day. She hadn’t seen him since he was a few hours old and was anxiously waiting for us outside a local mall. As soon as we saw each other the tears welled up in o

Carrie - The Wait and the Big Arrival!

We arrived in Florida midday Saturday and made our way to the hospital where we met up with Ethan’s birthmother and her mother. We spent a long afternoon in the waiting room while the doctors and nurses put L through a myriad of tests. Finally, they verified the need to induce labor and proceeded to admit her to the hospital with plans to start the induction process Sunday. Exhausted, we left to check in at the hotel and ate what we thought may be our last supper before the baby came…but…. Sunday we arrived at the hospital mid-morning to see how things were progressing. The nurses gave L a medication to help start the dilation process around 12:30 PM…and told us it would likely take 12 hours for things to progress. We stepped out to enjoy the Florida sunshine for lunch for a bit, then settled in for the long haul at the hospital. We spent all afternoon, evening, and night together – holding watch over L as she slept. As we sat there, listening to the baby’s heart beating on the mon