China Trip: Week One

December 17: Went to bed around 6pm last night. Was woken up at 6:00 today when they came in to draw Marcus' blood. At 10:30 the physical therapist came by to discuss acupuncture treatment. We stopped by the other American patients rooms and introduced ourselves. There is Elizabeth, a 30-year-old woman, with her parents, from San Antonio. She has optic nerve atrophy (she also was born with hydrocephaly and has stents and so therefore cannot receive lumbar treatments). She has received retrobulbar injections and says it does not hurt, only pressure.
There is also Josh, a 17-year-old from Colorado here with his mother. He has Ushers Syndrome and 2 years ago was diagnosed with RP. His is not near as bad as Marcus (20/40).
At 12:30, we went to downtown Qingdao to the eye hospital and had 8 tests done. We finally arrived back at the hospital at 5pm. We then went to the holiday in with Josh and April to eat dinner. It was pretty decent food. We also received our schedule.

December 18: Slept in a little today. Went down to see Josh and April. He was in the middle of his acupuncture treatment and later we saw him get the fire cup treatment. It was Lucia's (Elizabeth's mom) birthday, so we went to LotteMart and got her a cake (which was an ordeal) also some chicken, potatoes, and salad fixings and April cooked some garlic chicken. It was delicious. Marcus was feeling sniffly, so he took a benedryl and slept through dinner. I stayed in the common room with the other Americans, plus the two families from Canada and the one from Venezuala. I had two Tsingdao beers. They are similar in taste to Budlight. Then Josh and I played ping-pong for about 30 minutes. Tomorrow we are going downtown to shop.

December 19: A long day today. Got up around 8 and at 9:30 left for downtown Qingdao. We went to Jimo road market and got pearls for 100 rmb ($16.50 USD), "Rolex" watches for 200 rmb ($32 USD) and some sunglasses and two sets of chopsticks (80 rmb = $12USD). We then all ate at The Diner. I had parmesan chicken, it was pretty good. The we went to Polar Ocean World (kinda like their version of Seaworld). Then Mary's Market to get American food (chicken noodle soup: 25rmb= $5USD, and DP: 15rmg= $2USD) and Jusco to get meat and cheese hat aren't available at LotteMart. Spent a total of 1006 rmb at Mary's Market.

December 20: First day of treatment. Acupuncture at 8:40 (30 min), electrowave at 9:10 (20 min). Dr Sunny came in with translator Amanda and talked to Marcus for a little bit. We also talked to our dads, Nick, and Bob-chris today. Marcus got his IV put in around 10:30, but his treatment isn't until 12:10.

December 21: Acupuncture and electrowave this morning. Got two needles in his ankles in addition to the face ones. In the afternoon got acupressure (facial massage) and firecups. Left 4 on his back for about 10 minutes, and now he has big hickey-like bruises on his back. Lucy told us about a Christmas Eve potluck, so I need to think of something to bring. Went to Lottemart with April, got more juice and coke, plus some smell-good stuff for the bathroom - it seems to be helping quite a bit. Was gonna get milk, but it was all out of date. Read some and helped Marcus read some of his CCNA stuff.

December 22: Not much going on today. Owen, the physical therapist, left 4 more firecups (this time on his lower back) so how Marcus has 8 bruises on his back. Talked a bit with the new Americans. Ashlynn, 5 years old, has optic nerve dysplasia (due to be shaken as a baby by a babysitter) her mom Sherry, step-grandma Susan and grandpa Charles came with her. Susan is going to come with April and me to Jimo Road tomorrow.

December 23: Went to Jimo road today. Bought 3 more pearl necklaces (long ones this time) for 100rmb a piece. The lady at the shop remembered me and when I asked how much for a bracelet, she gave it to me, and also gave one to Susan and April (it is the smaller, irregular pearls, so not worth that much). Got a gold rolex and a Omega watch for 500rmb (down from 900 rmb). Also got a lighter for Nick that looks like a pack of gum for 10rmb. Ate at Subway - was pretty good, although they didn't have mozzarella cheese. Went to Mary's market, got more soup and mac-n-cheese, along with stove top stuffing for the Christmas Eve potluck.