Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Another step closer...
I just received an e-mail from the State Department stating that my passport is complete and is being mailed today. Yet another piece in the puzzle is put in place. I'm excited!
Monday, May 18, 2009
A present in the mail today...
Well, I checked the mail when I got home tonight there was an envelope from my Grandparents. I open it and there's a letter written by my Grandma along with a check for $8000. This is the other $7400 that I need for the surgery along with expense money for my trip. I am so thrilled to have this arrive. I planned on mailing out the deposit check this week so that will put me one step closer to the procedure.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Regarding the swine flu hysteria
Here is an e-mail that I got the other day from my patient coordinator in case any of you are worried about me heading over the border in a couple months:
Hello! Knowing there is some concern here in the states regarding the Swine Flu being reported I did some researching today for an update after speaking with Dr Rumbaut yesterday. The links and comments below confirm how it actually is at this time – As Dr Rumbaut described it there. When you read comments you will find some people who have actually just come from Mexico. I think - perhaps a key point would be that Mexico City has 22 million inhabitants – one of the largest cities in the world and Metropolitan New York – almost 19 million. Monterrey has a population 3.8 million for the whole metro area. Hence the opportunity for higher statistics in these more populated areas. I cannot help but wonder what the stats are for last year during the flu season and if they are similar. I have not been able to find this information online. (*note the second comment below).
Dr Rumbaut told me yesterday there are 10 reported ‘flu’ cases currently in Monterrey and they are waiting for test results to see if it is actually the current swine flu being reported. He knows one of the 10 people - a friend who is actually recovering – were this swine flu she probably would not be getting better day by day so he seemed to think this was not a swine flu case with her but she is being assessed and isolated. They have closed the schools as a precaution but he seemed to think that it was an easy decision given the upcoming Friday is a holiday anyway. People there are buying lots of masks as a precaution though the best precaution in my research is to cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands – a lot. So, not many cases in the state of Nuevo Leon at this point (less than New York) and strong measures are being taken to prevent it city wide in Monterrey and the state of Nuevo Leon. However, in Dr Rumbaut's office and most others in Monterrey are reporting to work and such, so life is going on as normal for many people – they are looking for updates, just like we are.
Dr Rumbaut is extremely cautious – it is why he has no mortality rate with his surgeries – if he is at any point concerned he will inform me immediately and we will let all scheduled patients know right away to reschedule.
I think personal research is important but sometimes the media gets a little carried away I admit. However, I do agree with one comment on the website below – one person said “they are damned if they hype it and damned if they don’t”.
So we need to rely on honest information wherever we can find it. Hope this helps if you are feeling frightened no matter where you live or where you are traveling.
Hello! Knowing there is some concern here in the states regarding the Swine Flu being reported I did some researching today for an update after speaking with Dr Rumbaut yesterday. The links and comments below confirm how it actually is at this time – As Dr Rumbaut described it there. When you read comments you will find some people who have actually just come from Mexico. I think - perhaps a key point would be that Mexico City has 22 million inhabitants – one of the largest cities in the world and Metropolitan New York – almost 19 million. Monterrey has a population 3.8 million for the whole metro area. Hence the opportunity for higher statistics in these more populated areas. I cannot help but wonder what the stats are for last year during the flu season and if they are similar. I have not been able to find this information online. (*note the second comment below).
Dr Rumbaut told me yesterday there are 10 reported ‘flu’ cases currently in Monterrey and they are waiting for test results to see if it is actually the current swine flu being reported. He knows one of the 10 people - a friend who is actually recovering – were this swine flu she probably would not be getting better day by day so he seemed to think this was not a swine flu case with her but she is being assessed and isolated. They have closed the schools as a precaution but he seemed to think that it was an easy decision given the upcoming Friday is a holiday anyway. People there are buying lots of masks as a precaution though the best precaution in my research is to cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands – a lot. So, not many cases in the state of Nuevo Leon at this point (less than New York) and strong measures are being taken to prevent it city wide in Monterrey and the state of Nuevo Leon. However, in Dr Rumbaut's office and most others in Monterrey are reporting to work and such, so life is going on as normal for many people – they are looking for updates, just like we are.
Dr Rumbaut is extremely cautious – it is why he has no mortality rate with his surgeries – if he is at any point concerned he will inform me immediately and we will let all scheduled patients know right away to reschedule.
I think personal research is important but sometimes the media gets a little carried away I admit. However, I do agree with one comment on the website below – one person said “they are damned if they hype it and damned if they don’t”.
So we need to rely on honest information wherever we can find it. Hope this helps if you are feeling frightened no matter where you live or where you are traveling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)