sun. Sept 30

It really is worth being prepared and putting energy into being in the clinic. Yesterday I felt awful, runny nose, sneezing, dissipated feeling in my head, sweaty shoulders ... today was much better. I was careful to dry my hair, ate a big breakfast, and drank some ginseng tea. I got much more back from the patients, as well, in terms of signs of relaxation, appreciation, etc.

One poor woman had surgery on her lower back 4 months ago (vertical purple scar over 2~4 lumbar vertebrae) and apparently the doc damaged some nerves in the process ... her main complaint was pain and numbness in her left leg. She walked with great difficulty and could not extend the toes of her left foot. She was still staying in the hospital, getting treatment for free, but it was Dr. Xiao opinion that she would not return to her format state. She seemed in good health generally though her complexion was dark and her eyes full of pain.

The man whose hand was severed is still coming, though his doctor said another operation is necessary to recover full hand functions. In good spirits.

One "ChanSa" man waved around a hundred yuan bill and sent an intern to buy us all ice cream. The patients seemed a bit bemused as we wandered around eating ice cream cones ... cold day today ... :)

An infant boy with a box chest gets tight when he is unhappy. Thumb closed tightly against the index side. Very pretty eyes.

I like working with Li Ke (the Christian) and little Long- they are both serious and intense and we get good work done. Not much talking.

The strange pain in my R. hand pinkie joint is still here, so I did a lot of circular pressing and rolling with the fat of my hand rather then the joints as I usually do.

The curiously weak man with pink cheeks gets migraines often, and what was lower back pain is now neck pain. His shoulders are very tight, which I tried to work on. I wasn't able to get into a rhythm, however, but he was appreciative all the same.

No work till the 8th, which means saturday the 13th for me. I'll see about switching to a busier day...