The Old Folks Home

[Pozees]

Oz, I listen to NPR everyday, and get an update on the diaster in the Philipines daily. Assistence takes so long to get rolling, they saya week after a diaster is normal. I find that lengthhof time to be too long. I guess this kind of help is not well organized , like under the UN. REcovery will be a long process. I plan to have my son follow this disaster as part of his social studies world event paper that he does every couple of weeks. I want him to see the long term effect of the storm . . .I feel for the mother still searching the wreckage for her 2 children.

Me too, it sounds like the biggest problems are washed out roads, long connections to begin with, and potential government corruption - i.e., officials rerouting aid to their own benefit. One reporter said he traveled to one affected island a couple of years ago and it took three days with everything working at optimal levels, so with roads and bridges washed out a week was likely to be the expected travel time; larger runways are not available at the smaller islands, so aid reaching Manilla on large jets may have to be transferred to several smaller planes, adding to transit time.

 

[ozexpat]

Oz, I listen to NPR everyday, and get an update on the diaster in the Philipines daily. Assistence takes so long to get rolling, they saya week after a diaster is normal. I find that lengthhof time to be too long. I guess this kind of help is not well organized , like under the UN. REcovery will be a long process. I plan to have my son follow this disaster as part of his social studies world event paper that he does every couple of weeks. I want him to see the long term effect of the storm . . .I feel for the mother still searching the wreckage for her 2 children.

The story is rapidly departing the tv coverage here but the disaster continues. I read today of a confirmed death toll north of 4000. Nobody is talking of the many thousands who disappeared - a lot who were simply washed out to sea.

The logistics of getting help to the places that need it are a nightmare. The country goes through a lot of disaster preparedness training but no amount of training can deal with something of this intensity. Aid is finally getting to most places.

Even in California, we supposed to all have 3 days supply of reserves for "the big one". I am pretty sure most dont.

 

[ozexpat]

Me too, it sounds like the biggest problems are washed out roads, long connections to begin with, and potential government corruption - i.e., officials rerouting aid to their own benefit. One reporter said he traveled to one affected island a couple of years ago and it took three days with everything working at optimal levels, so with roads and bridges washed out a week was likely to be the expected travel time; larger runways are not available at the smaller islands, so aid reaching Manilla on large jets may have to be transferred to several smaller planes, adding to transit time.

I dont think that is an issue right now. It may become a problem with rebuilding funds but the current administration has blown wide open major corruption scams and is doing a lot to bring transparency to all departments. Of course this cannot be controlled at every level but hopefully it will filter down.

I encourage donations through UN or Red Cross or people like Doctors Wilthout Borders who a first responders.

Last week my wife had to relocate from Manila back to "our" island, Negros. To do so she had to catch several ferries and drive accross Islands like Panay - which sustained severe damage. She said it was heartbreaking seeing people with their hands out along the roads but aslo comforting seeing trucks moving towards the area with relief. I hope it picks up.

 

[Arielle]

WHen a big storn is forcasted to hit here either a snow storm or otherwise, the shelves are sudenly bare of milk and bread. Very ilogical in my mind. Warm milk is yucky.WHat is up with bread? Sandwhiches? We keep the frig shut when the power is out. Maybe PB & J?? We make pancakes and such on the wood stove if it is winter. Mini keroscene camp stove if summer.

THe big 4 stations are already onto the next big event== gotta pull in those viewers. NPR and PUblic TV has not forgotten the Phillipines. Already at 26 names storms this year and the storm season is not over. THey reported the last time all 26 leters of the alphabet was used was in 1993 as I remember.

How is the egg hatching going?? Has that stopped?? Do you have power?

 

[Arielle]

ON another note-- I would like feedback on these numbers for my BP. Not my usual numbers but wonder if the stress of driving a few hours under pressure contributed:

145/63

THe 145 seems high. Is high for me.

 

[ozexpat]

WHen a big storn is forcasted to hit here either a snow storm or otherwise, the shelves are sudenly bare of milk and bread. Very ilogical in my mind. Warm milk is yucky.WHat is up with bread? Sandwhiches? We keep the frig shut when the power is out. Maybe PB & J?? We make pancakes and such on the wood stove if it is winter. Mini keroscene camp stove if summer.

THe big 4 stations are already onto the next big event== gotta pull in those viewers. NPR and PUblic TV has not forgotten the Phillipines. Already at 26 names storms this year and the storm season is not over. THey reported the last time all 26 leters of the alphabet was used was in 1993 as I remember.

How is the egg hatching going?? Has that stopped?? Do you have power?

ON another note-- I would like feedback on these numbers for my BP. Not my usual numbers but wonder if the stress of driving a few hours under pressure contributed:

145/63

THe 145 seems high. Is high for me.

We lost abour 100 eggs incubating when the storm hit and lost power for a few days. We have since added about 60 eggs to the bator. I am leaving for the Phils in 25 hours with another smallish 150 egg haul.

The systolic 145 is a bit high but the diastolic 63 is excellent. The systolic may lower on a second reading as its more susceptible to sudden events like getting your arm squeezed. I would not worry about it.

 

[gryeyes]

ON another note-- I would like feedback on these numbers for my BP. Not my usual numbers but wonder if the stress of driving a few hours under pressure contributed: 145/63 THe 145 seems high. Is high for me.

It IS high. 120/80 used to be normal! but is now considered to be "pre-hypertension" and needs to be watched, according to many medical professionals. It's the high end of normal. Mine prescribed a very mild medication for me when my BP consistently registered 138/78 before I moved up here. Now, drive is only 20 mountain miles or so, to a different physician, but I am sure it jacks my BP a bit. Good thing there's usually a wait in a rather nice reception area. The meds keep my BP between 113 - 128 systolic / 50 - 76 diastolic.

 

[ozexpat]

It IS high.

120/80 used to be normal! but is now considered to be "pre-hypertension" and needs to be watched, according to many medical professionals. It's the high end of normal. Mine prescribed a very mild medication for me when my BP consistently registered 138/78 before I moved up here. Now, drive is only 20 mountain miles or so, to a different physician, but I am sure it jacks my BP a bit. Good thing there's usually a wait in a rather nice reception area. The meds keep my BP between 113 - 128 systolic / 50 - 76 diastolic.

great BP!

The issue with Ariels is the systolic where yours was both numbers. Taking a pill to lower both is easy. Its a little harder to just lower systolic is harder to manage. Although coronary artery wall damage is caused by high systolic pressures, most docs would encourage an increase in exercise or weight loss as the best treatment at 145/63

ps. this is opinion, not medical advice.

 

[Cynthia12]

Happy birthday from the heart
Cause that's where all great wishes start

testing hot flashes

Oh oz! What can I say..I suddenly got hot flashes when I scrolled down to this post!! Thank you for the heart felt Birthday wish!


Trying not to peek too long.

 

[Cynthia12]

Thank you for the Birthday wishes everyone. Had a great day. With 12 kids, got a lot of phone calls, and a few visits the last couple of days.
My DH's birthday was yesterday. We never forget one another's birthday. Nope.