First Week in China 2018

Becki and I departed the US from Denver, CO on Monday, February 19th. Telling the six kids, spouses and grand kids, goodbye,  was tough, but all are supportive. We had our first flight to China where our luggage were checked all the way to Nanjing without a hitch. Boy, did this save time in transit. We arrived about 11pm on Tuesday evening to our old friends Steve (CHEN Xing), his wife Qiu Lei, Nana, Cindy, and Edward (CV Surgeon who had stayed with us in November and came to the Father). What a warm reception in a cold damp environment. We were taken to our new “home/apartment” that night. Turns out we are in a wonderful location over looking the site of the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Park. All the amenities with washer, dryer, TV, Internet, workout room and pool. Not suffering at all. We did both pick up a virus (me before I left and Becki after she arrived). Probably due to the drastic changes in temperature between Florida, Birmingham, Dallas, Denver and Nanjing, not to speak of the exhaustion of saying good by to family, weeks of packing, planning and general transition making. This was the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, so on Wednesday Steve and Qiu Lei took us to the super market to buy groceries and items we needed for the apartment (though it was furnished with almost everything needed). It was a new experience shopping in China and it took us about two hours to get our basics.  That night we had dinner with Steve and Qiu Lei at their beautiful house. Thursday was my first day with the Nanjing First Hospital Surgical, Anesthesia, and nursing team. At 8am Morning Rounds, Steve introduced Becki and I. He asked me to say a few words and I was so overwhelmed standing in front of the team of 40+ professionals that I had worked with on a short term basis for the past 26 years, that I could not speak. Many had spent time with us in either Florida of South Carolina. Now, I was part of their team on a long term basis. Becki was able to express our warm greetings and I finally caught my composure to be able to do a “Demonstration” Coronary Artery Bypass on a 74 year old lady that morning. Following we had a formal signing ceremony with hospital President Zhang and eleven vice presidents. It was a special time with all the doctors and nurses in attendance. Following, we had lunch with the administration team.

Friday began with an induction physical for Becki and I. Very thorough, then off to the OR for repair of an Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Valve replacement. Starting off with challenging cases, as always.

Saturday was a regular work day due to the previous holiday week. Ten cases total, including cardiac, thoracic and vascular.  That evening we had dinner with Steve, Qiu Lei, Dr. Bao and her husband John. What a wonderful reunion and welcome. Turns out that both couples’ child will get married this summer, Kevin in Cleveland, Ohio (after medical school graduation) and Li in Birmingham, England where she is an Opthamologist.) Amazing since we met them when they were 3 and 5 years of age on our first trip to Nanjing.

A special treat in these first few days was an opportunity to meet with Dr. Qi. He is the original member of the staff that invited us to Nanjing and has been a “rock” at this hospital. He has taught both medicine and the Spirit for these many decades. It will be special to be with him on a longer term basis.