19th Day

I have seen some steady improvement with my dad in the last couple of days. One namely is that I've explicitly told several doctors on the SCVMC Orange team that my dad cannot have any mind-altering medication as it typically just puts him to sleep. Last week, he was given meds like Keppra for anti-seizures, even though he had none and the dangerous Risperdal for anti-agitation even though he has no energy to be agitated. Such meds pretty much put his acupuncture sessions to waste.

Anyway, so he's been off those meds for a few days and the routine acupuncture treatments have been kicking in. Thankfully today I am really seeing the difference. My dad is finally back to a more or less regular sleeping pattern. Waking up at 9:30ish with the help of physical therapists, he was able to be on a stationary bike for a bit. After almost 3 weeks: he FINALLY made it to the Rehab gym! Dr. Zhu and Moyee (his associate) came by again tonight and did acu treatment in the usual areas: scalp (14 needles), left arm, top/bottom of left and right foot. Additionally, 3 needles were put under his chin to help with speech and swallowing and a few needles in his strong right arm because right now it often moves involuntarily.

After removing the needles on the left hand, Moyee encouraged my dad to move his left hand and he was able to move his wrist 3 times, which was pretty great because he hasn't been able to do that since the 2nd stroke. His left leg is also looking stronger. The acupuncture is definitely helping to dissolve the swelling in the right center of my dad's brain where the 2nd and acute stroke took place.

Although we are seeing some good improvements, there are still lots to work on. Right now I am mainly concerned with his speech and his ability to swallow. His stroke should have no effect on his speech abilities but because my dad is continually worried about his condition, he has not been able to speak. When he's more relaxed, he can move his tongue and mouth more, but for now the speech therapist really has not much to work with. His worrying also isn't helping his blood pressure and heart rate. So he definitely still needs a lot of encouragement and reassurance that he'll be ok and he needs not to stress out.

On a lighter note.... I've been picking up either a Singtao Daily or World Journal everyday for my dad. I either read him the articles or I ask him to read the headlines out loud for practice. On the cover of today's Singtao is a FULL PAGE McDonald's ad!!! Gee... no wonder the response I got when I asked my dad what he wanted to eat when he can swallow again was: (tah dah..) Big Mac and Sweet Tea.

Hello McDonald's -- I'm a customer but damn, lay off of my people!!!

Prints to Raise Money

Ines will be selling some of her prints from the Beijing & Shanghai Trip to raise money. It will be a limited of 10 prints for each image. The images are 4" x 5" mounted on a 8" x 10" matboard. Images will be sold $65 and will be sent to you via USPS, once received payment. All prints are printed on archival paper and Epson archival inks, and Prints will be signed with edition number.

Images can be seen at the link below:



All proceeds will go toward our father's treatment. To order prints, please send all email request to strokedonation.leong@gmail.com and please specify which images. The title of the image can be found at the end of the site address i.e. 04_sh02_0101.htm

Thanks again for all your support.

Recent Updates from Louise

September 29th, 2008
My dad has started acupuncture therapy to help loosen his limbs which will help with his physical therapy. Unfortunately for now, he is still confined to the hospital bed with the feeding tube.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by while I was in the Porter Quad to donate or even to say hello! Also, special thanks to Megan and Anna for donating to the PayPal account and Grace and Shannon for sitting with me!

September 25th, 2008
Correction:
My dad suffered another stroke while a second, not third MRI scan on his brain was bring performed. I'll be gone this weekend visiting, but I'll be around in the quad in the afternoon with the donation box and sign.

September 26th, 2008
Dan the Man though acknowledging that the donation box was probably for a good cause, told me that solicitation of this kind might be a problem, so I'll no longer be in the Porter quad. Does anybody know if you need a permit of any kind to do that kind of thing downtown?
Also, a PayPal account has been set up. I'm still trying to figure out how it works, but the email for donation is strokedonation.leong@gmail.com

The Story

Hey, everyone.

My dad, Steven Leong, had a stroke due to having dangerously high blood pressure a couple weeks ago. Since the 12th, he has been in Santa Clara Valley Hospital. He has been under observation from several doctors and nurses, but unfortunately has seemed to have gotten worse as each day passes.

He has not been able to swallow and is therefore unable to eat and is being nourished through IV saline as well as a feeding tube which is threaded through his nostril to his throat. He's been in and out of consciousness since being admitted in the hospital. A few days ago he had yet another stroke while having an MRI scan done of his brain.

The hospital is treating him with blood pressure medication to stabilize him but he will have to take physical therapy for months and probably years to come just to relearn simple every day tasks such as using the restroom by himself and even standing and walking.

Because he was not aware that he had had a stroke, my dad did not seek medical attention until my sister, Faithy, and I brought him to the SCVH. The hospital has been unable to make him better and we are seeking alternatives to get him out of the hospital and on his feet as soon as possible.

We have done research to find alternative medicines and have found acupuncture. Acupuncture has been proven in many studies across the seas to help the ill, stroke victims specifically. Acupuncture targets pressure points to increase blood flow. It makes sense that acupuncture could aid stroke victims as strokes occur in the brain when blood clots form or travel to vessels in the brain.

We are seeking an acupuncturist to treat my dad, but unfortunately his MediCal insurance does not cover it because it does not recognize acupuncture as a form of treatment, despite startling results benefitting the rehabilitation of stroke victims. Acupuncture targets pressure points to better blood circulation, which is key for stroke rehabilitation as strokes are the result of blood clots and poor circulation in the brain.

Sessions cost between $250-$300, money my family is pulling together out of pocket.

I have just started school at UC Santa Cruz so I have not yet started a job and am asking if it is possible for you spread the word to your friends, about acupuncture as an alternative treatment of stroke victims, including my dad, and donate whatever you can to help my family pay for sessions.

I am a student at Porter College and am living in a dorm in the A building. If you can't donate any money, please tell your friends! Anything helps, if not money, the word itself will raise awareness to this alternative treatment to help all stroke victims! In addition for acupuncture therapy, there are additional expenses to think of, such as my dad's rent (he lived alone) that we'll be paying while he is in the hospital and while his paperwork for disability is being filed.

I can take cash donations and Faithy and I are in the process of making a PayPal account. I will also be in the Porter Quad most days with a sign and a donation box. Come say hi even if you can't donate! I understand that we're all broke college kids :/