Swine Flu

I sent this to some of my email list and got a big response. I decided this is really important information. Take the time to read all of it.

There's some additional information that I hadn't heard before - may be
helpful.

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial
etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose
hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know who
might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it.

Good luck, Mr. President

This is a most amazing day, in my lifetime, I never thought we would have an African-American president. Although I grew up in the north, I was aware of prejudice. No person was immune to it. In the 1940's when I was in grade school, there was such bigotry. I was derided for being Jewish. That was a moment that I have never forgotten. I was just 12 years old. My sister brought her classmate home for lunch, the little girl was black and poor. She didn't have enough to eat. Even though we too were poor, our parents had a small corner grocery store and we had enough to eat and to share. My sister got a lot of grief for doing this.

In my memory I cannot remember a comment being made by our parents about a person's race or creed. Why would anyone feel intolerance against someone for something about which they had no choice? What a gift my parents they gave us, not to implant small-mindedness and bias in our developing minds.

I have been a supporter of our new president since I first saw him on Oprah's show a couple of years ago. He was such a personable, intelligent young man. He was down to earth, unlike other politicians who were so impressed by their own celebrity. This was a man who didn't exude entitlement. He spoke with such sincerity, he reached me as a human being. He made sense. He did not brag about his accomplishments. I admired Senator Obama for being a community organizer. It was those skills which helped him develop his campaign strategies. Millions of ordinary people like me contributed to his campaign. I haven't been so excited about a candidate since John F. Kennedy, the first president I voted for.I was a precinct committee representative to the Clark County Democratic Convention. With my friends, I was able to cast my vote for our future president. I was enthralled to hear him speak live in Las Vegas where thousands waited in the rain. I registered voters and knocked on doors. Never have I been so invested in a presidential candidate. Today, I feel so much joy. I wish President Obama godspeed and good luck Please inspire us as I know you can.

Expanding Horizons

We hosted a family from Denmark last week. The daughter of the family is an exchange student staying with my cousin in San Diego. Eva visited with us for Thanksgiving and we really enjoyed her company. When she told us that her family was coming to visit and they wanted to spend a few days here, it was only natural to invite them to stay with us.



Near us is a National Recreation Area called Red Rock. It is a favorite place to take vistors since it is so different from the usual perception people have of Las Vegas. We piled into our minivan on New Year's Day and off we went. There are spectacular views and an easy 13 mile drive. Usually the visitors center is open, but it wasn't on New Year's Day. That was disappointing. There is a great display of the flora and fauna of the area. A newly renovated display of the geology of the area makes Red Rock all the more interesting.


We even found the remnants of last weeks snow. Not that they don't have plenty of snow in Denmark. Along the drive is the highest observation point and a favorite rock for taking pictures. There is always another willing tourist to wield your camera for a group shot. I'll bet thousands of pictures have been taken at that particular spot.
We really enjoyed talking with our guests, it was fun to learn about life in Denmark. Over the years our guests often offer a thank you gift. Our Danes were no exception. They brought these lovely angels designed by Georg Jensen all the way from Denmark. Every time I look at the angels, I will remember our visit with warm thoughts, knowing we have friends in another part of the world.

Greetings from Sunny Las Vegas

We've lived here 12 years and this is the third snow we've experienced. It was the worst snow in 29 years. 10" in the foothills and 6" on the floor of the valley. It snowed twice in one week. It's hard to believe we moved here, in part, because it's always sunny.


School was even cancelled the next day. It was pretty funny to see kids at school anyway...they were having a ball making snowmen. That was a new experience for most of the younger kids. My husband asked for a scraper to clean the windshield of our van. All we had was a squeegee. We've long ago thrown away all those snow removal devices.


Of course, it didn't last any length of time which was OK by me. But it does get you in the mood to make all those winter hearty meals. I made split pea soup and even baked some poppy seed rolls for my hubby. That's a rare event for me. I used to bake bread every week, but that was over 40 years ago. We're getting older and it's all too much work. Including snow removal. I hope it's another 5 years before we experience snow again. We're back to our beautiful blue skies and sunny weather. I wish I could send it to my family in the middle west and east coast. My oldest sun said the wind chill in Indiana this morning was -30 degrees. Brrr.

Veteran's Day

Today we give our thanks and respect to all those men and women who have served in our armed forces. Most of all for those who have died in the cause of freedom. My Uncle Al died in World War II, I have a vague recollection of him in his uniform as he said goodbye to the family and went off to war. He was the love of my aunt's life and she misses him to this day, even though it was 63 years ago. He is only one soldier among many who is missed by their family and friends. His spirit lives on in his daughter and granddaughter and great grandchildren. What a pity he didn't live to see his heritage. This is one story among thousands and today we can show our respect for their sacrifice.



I am proud that I can fly my flag as I honor all the men and women in uniform today and all the veteran's who have served our country. My husband and 3 sons all wore the uniform of the United States. They served with honor and I am proud of all of them.