China trip Date : 18.08.06 - day 3
Day Three :: Wednesday: The day of Sacha’s first injection. Sacha was still fast asleep when the Doctor Wangs and the nurses came to get her. There were lots of people staring at us when we went down to the Anaesthesia Room/Operating Theatres. We have become quite used to this now and it really isn’t a problem. I think I was feeling quite nervous and a bit tearful and I just felt quite overwhelmed by all the strange faces crowding around to look at Sacha. I had to ask Graham to go in instead of me which of course he said yes to straight away. Graham had to put a surgeon’s gown and mask on and then they disappeared through the sliding doors. I sat outside with Jon and Sunny. When they emerged approx. 40 minutes later Sacha was still fast asleep and I wished I had gone in to see the procedure. Never mind, I’ll go next time. Graham said it was very quick and simple and the doctors obviously know what they were doing. Sacha then had to lie still on her back for 4-6 hours which is difficult for a 5 year old to do at the best of times! Just as I managed to get her to sleep a man came knocking at the door with a rail to hang in our wardrobe. Anyone with a five year old will appreciate how much you don’t want a rail hanging in your wardrobe at a time like this – but, really, he was only trying to provide us with a good service. Just like everyone else. Sacha then had to be wheeled into another room so that she could start her course of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) IV treatments. NGF is transported in a clear fluid that helps the stem cells grow and develop so that they are most effective. She was fine with this and was not in any pain or discomfort.
Later that evening we ordered in food from the Hot Bar down the road which serves both Western and Chinese cuisine. I ordered Beef Curry with Rice and Graham had Beef Curry with noodles. We also ordered special fried rice for Sacha. Both of theirs was much nicer than mine which was quite dry with no curry sauce.. I would be reluctant to order from there again. However I think their sit down menu is more extensive than their take-away one. Sacha had a good night’s sleep after watching King Kong with me. DVD’s are very cheap to buy here and it’s worth stocking up as there are a few hours here and there that you can watch them and of course, you can always take them home with you.
So many people have offered time and energy to support Sacha we have made a 'big' thank you page. Do tell us if we have missed you off the list!