Dr Xia & Dr Li (Beijing China) Institute of External Fixation Technology

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Thanks for the detailed inside information man, it is really appreciated and best of luck with your LL!

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Wow just wow, seems like CLL in China has fallen far from grace. Once a nice little community with a proven track record, now seems and sounds like its a total train wreck.
Might just splurge the extra cash and go with the more expensive Dr Lee and get piece of mind. 

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Got my 90 day Chinese Visa today, hooray.

Finalising financial matters (advance rent, someone to look after my car, automatic bio payments, someone to check on my place etc) before I head  to Beijing for 3-4 months.

Thanks you guys who went to Beijing before me as Im confident all will go well and I;ll be in the new hospital :-)

I may start my diary in two weeks before I go , aiming for end of next month, maybe the 28th.

Will keep you all updated.

Any advice on last minute things I should bring (did you regret bringing something?) or do, appreciated.

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If you use mouthwash, bring some.  China's selection of mouthwash is pretty bad and it's really expensive.  Also bring protein shake mix; as much as you can.  I was actually able to sell some of mine to other patients at a profit.  Vitamin/mineral supplements are a must-bring as well.

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Thanks MDW Ive stocked up on vitamins etc but never though of the mouthwash and protein which I use a lot!  I notice credit cards not popular in China, should I open an account with Bank of China too ?

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Since everything is all-inclusive and you'll be staying at the hospital the whole time, you don't really need a Chinese bank account.  For a little spending cash, my American debit card worked at Chinese ATMs.  You can get the hospital's driver to take you, or Wang Bei will go for you if you're willing to trust her with your PIN.  I did, and she didn't steal anything from me.

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ok thanks MDW, , just now Ronne has sent what looks like her account details with BOC Beijing.  Di you transfer the funds in advance of travelling there?  My intention was to have the funds available for when I got there and then transfer after my consultation just to be sure all is ok.  I'm also think of taking a trip within China (about an hours flight) after 2.5 months for a couple of weeks and then coming back.

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I brought traveler's checks since I didn't really like the idea of wiring money to someone I'd never met before.  Are you planning on doing an online wire transfer?  I didn't have online banking back in 2007, so there wasn't that option for me.

As for the trip, I don't think it's a good idea to plan it until you know how you're going to be feeling at the time.  I was very dependent on the caretakers so there's no way I could've gone on a trip like that.  Other patients might have been able to do it though.

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Hi MDOW, yes I've opened account with BOC and lodged funds.  Ill stay for 3 months and hope thats enough for 5 centre meters or a little more.  If I can hire a caretaker to come with me into China for a month I plan on doing that after 2.5 months, I want to be using my arms early to lift myself around and intend building upon my existing good arm strength.  I realise Facebook and GMAIl can be a problem but SKYPE is ok and hotmail so Ill be able to communicate to the outside world and to this site :-)

Again thanks for your diary and experience and it has given me so much confidence.

I'm one month away from the operation now :-)

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Good luck to you then!  I hope you'll start a diary here and share the details of your LL journey.  It makes me nostalgic to hear about people getting LL in China.