Chris has been sleeping more than ever and I think it's a mixture of jet lag (still), the PT + acupuncture + electrical stimulation, and a new drug the doctors here started to see if it would relax Chris' arms (Clonazepam). On top of it, Chris is getting a lot from the carers as we seat him in a PT bed in the lounge and work him out a bit more every morning. So when Chris is not busy, he is completely passed out snoring out loud and literally it is impossible to get him up.
 
This weekend, we did not have official PT (only unofficial by us) but normally James, helped by Mr. Yen and Mr. Zhou, works with a large gym ball and makes Chris do back bends and forward bends, he also twists Chris body cross-laterally, he pulls Chris arms and rotates his shoulders. I have never seen anyone work this tough on Chris - and James is shorter than me :)
 
Here's the schedule for Chris' injections:
 
1. Thursday March 27 - Spinal (DONE)
2. Wednesday April 2 - Spinal
3. Monday April 7 - Spinal
4. Friday April 11 - IV
5. Monday April 14 - Spinal
6. Wednesday April 16 - IV

I have been cooking for Chris everyday. Meals consist of mashed potatoes, plus some sautéed veggies (spinach, Chinese cabbage, mushrooms, zucchini, etc) plus meat (beef, chicken, pork, fish, etc) plus dessert (chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake, fruits, etc). The only downside is that he has to eat the same thing for lunch and dinner. I do not want people to think Chinese food is bad, because in fact, both Chris and I love Chinese food. It's the Chinese food delivered in the hospital here (and in Beijing), which is not really very nice.
 
I am so bothered by what in my eyes seems such a "hard life" (i.e. Chris' carers, working that hard for 12 or 24 hours, to be paid RMB 70 and RMB 90 respectively). Friday I paid them the work for the week and both were soooo thankful and happy, and they work with a true desire to work and do the best for Chris. Maybe I feel guilty because of the wage, which seems so minuscule in comparison to the work they do. But labor in China is just unbelievably competitive, there are tons and tons of people who would line up for this job and just people everywhere willing to do anything to earn a couple of RMB's. People work REALLY hard in this country... They will catch up to the "developed" world. Anyway, having two people round the clock for Chris has indeed relieved me tremendously and I have been able to get out a couple of afternoons with Gabriel and my parents. Hangzhou is absolutely beautiful.

There is a quicker turn over of patients here at Beike than at TianTan as the treatment course is much much shorter. Now there are 3 from USA, 1 India, 1 Hungary, 3 Romania, 1 Macedonia, 4 UK (Chris counting as UK). As mentioned before most cases involve children (CP, MS, autism) but also ALS, brain injury, etc.
 
Chris is very privileged to be trying yet another stem cell option and we as his family are blessed by being able to put this together once more. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. What I can say is that Chris is trying VERY HARD. He screams, grunts during PT and the exercises, and many times you can see the frustration in his face, but he is fighting... I know that. I encourage him everyday telling him how much I love him and Gabriel covers him with kisses all day long. Stem cells, therapies, and kisses. This got to be a winning formula.
 
With love and gratitude,
 
Koo, Chris, Gabriel - Mr. & Mrs. Cho + Mr. Yen & Mr. Zhou