We had a fabulous day today! We toured the Vajdahunyad Var and the Hungarian Agriculture museum housed there. Then off to the thermal baths and later the Art Museum. Absolutely spectacular. Had dinner at a restaurant of Aaric's choice, which turned to be an excellent choice because there were Hungarian Gypsy Musicians playing there! It was an enjoyable ending to a wonderful day, and our trip!
I am sorry to be leaving Budapest so soon! There is so much more here for us to experience. If you haven't been here before, put it on your must see list. I certainly will be searching for Hungarian Restaurants in Alberta ... wish me luck.
It was a busy day so not feeling great tonight. My recovery chart is emerging in my head. In spite of my apparent vascular health, I am still interested in looking further into the relationship between vein health and other diseases. More research to do - the fun part!
At last I have a moment to get back to blogging. The birthday dinner for Ashley was so much fun. Food was so-so, the sights breathtaking and visiting as a family fun, fun! The chamber group on the boat played Happy Birthday, and all clapped and sang.
Tonight was the highlight of the whole trip for Aaric! As part of the conference activities, we watched a performance of the Hungarian National Folk Dancers. First, the performance was held in The Hungarian Heritage House - a building started in the late 1700’s and developed over the next 200 years! It is palatial, ornate, and elegant! Here is a photo:
We were wined and dined, and treated to the most amazing dance performance! The costumes, energy, agility and skill of the dancers were more exciting than anything we had ever seen before! We had to share this with you – click here to see the video:
The conference has kept me (us) very busy for the last few days! As always, discussing the progress, challenges and futures of education with my global colleagues is very inspiring! There are 29 countries represented at the conference, and while we have unique issues we also have many shared experiences. We come together to review the state of the field and consider directions that will help move us into desired futures – quality education for all. Did you know 2/3 thirds of world's children have access to grade 10 or less? Many have NO access. This is not a situation that will lead us to creating a more civilized, greener world. First, the best education for the greatest number … then we really have the capacity to solve the complex problems of the world.
So, what to do, what to do! Tonight I feel a little overwhelmed, as now it is time to set goals and make decisions about what to focus on for the next year. Usually this is just a professional quest … but this year I believe I have some pressing personal decisions to make as well. What is the best set of activities for my family? Aaric is almost 16! And my health? I would like to state with confidence and accuracy “I am healthy.” Maybe even “I am a vegetarian.” And “I exercise regularly,” “ I feel really good,” “ I am very fit.” Wouldn’t that be nice!!!
Perhaps this is a function of transition ... going home is as big a deal as getting ready to go away for a month! Okay; two more days before we go home ... we're going to make the most of it! Tomorrow the conference ends at mid-day, and we head for the Thermal Bath that Budapest is famous for. Thursday is a whole day for sightseeing ... while I ponder my future(s) ;-).!!!!
A very special person I know had a poster in her office that read “when you are at peace with yourself, any place is home.” We are at home in Budapest, awed and enthralled by the opulence and order of this fine city. Built up along the banks of the Danube, the Hungarians are proud of their 1000 year history. One person told me that other post-Soviet nations ‘hate Hungary’ because of its strong identity and notable culture. These characteristics are evident here! Budapest is one of the three highest ranked ‘livable cities’ in Europe and a place where much international investment is going on. The food is outstanding! Beautifully presented and very tasty – my family does like interesting cuisine!
I got to see the hospital where Semmelweis did his famous hand washing experiment with doctors in 1847, and reduced the mortality rate of mothers post partum by a drastic rate. Then he was laughed out of the medical profession and later died in an insane asylum. A sad end for such a noble physician. I tell this story when I teach research methods … now I can say I saw where it all happened! It is an interesting story of how change takes place in medicine, and what happens to doctors who want to implement new ideas – poor Dr. Zamboni!
I’ve developed a terrible kidney infection – a little souvenir of my procedure in Katowice. And my fellow sufferers will know what follows a urinary tract infection … yes, I am thinking I am on my way into a major attack. Taking Copaxone seriously now and getting more sleep. I recommend those of you who may go for this procedure at Simka’s shop think twice before allowing use of a urinary catheter.
Two days until the conference starts and looking forward to seeing colleagues I only see once in a while.
Tomorrow we celebrate daughter #2’s birthday with dinner and a river cruise …. Then she flies home Sunday ;-(. We will miss her.
... in the words of Jerry Seinfeld. I didn't mention our trip to Auschwitz. Maybe that's because I'd like to forget it. Or because there is nothing, nothing anyone could say in words that would describe it. Absolutely unbelievable. The dark side exists .... maybe persists. Do something nice for someone today ...or 10 people ... no, as many as you can.
Today was just a day to rest in lovely Bratislava, Slovakia. Beautiful surroundings and fantastic food .... sigh. This was a great day!
I do recognize the calm before another storm ... busy conference then back to regular routine of work and home. And still looking for the central piece of the puzzle ... like what does make your hands buzz one day and not the next? Your balance better one day and not the next? I believe it has to be metabolic and dynamic ... not a single, stagnant condition. Caffeine and alcohol out at the moment as they make me feel quite sick ... how sad given the quality of the wine here ;-).
Feet and hands still warm ... would like to know why.
Look for pictures tomorrow after our first tour of Budapest.
Our daughter has arrived!Those who know her will agree when I say she brings much energy to everywhere she visits.What fun!Now that I have debriefed her, she has put away the knives she brought to deal with the doctors who didn't provide me with a treatment; it is hard to fault them because I have good blood flow ;-).
Yesterday we said good-bye to our treatment group members who are on their way back to Canada.We believe we have made life-long friends as we are now bonded in our adversity.One group member is still here and back in the hospital.Her wound did not coagulate and she was accidentally given an extra dose of blood thinners – very dangerous.She is recovering in hospital; we visit her everyday so she does not forget that going home is just around the corner.
There is so much to consider, and so much work still to do regarding CCSVI.The vast majority of patients being treated here in Katowice are from Canada.We have seen every possible outcome for patients in this experience – the good, the bad and the ugly.And, I will add, the worst and the best of medical care.I am far more inclined to lobby the Canadian medical system to bring this treatment home than I was before.Canada is where our MS patients should be working out their vascular issues.
At the moment, I need to put this aside and get fully immersed in work again.Our paper for the conference in Budapest has been nominated for the Best Research Award – hurray! Nice to be noted for all your hard work once in a while! Time to start getting ready.In the meantime, my hands and feet are warm ….. the rest of my symptoms about average annoyance.As a researcher, I am committed to using all that baseline data I collected on my health.Now to find an experimental treatment to employ!
Tomorrow we will visit Auschwitz and pay our respects to those who lost their lives there.I know it will spark much serious debate among us.It will be a significant moment of reflection on the fragility of the human psyche and physical life.
Just had dinner with CCSVICalgray - what a fabulous experience they've had! All were treated; all doing very well. Here's the brief notes and they'll be hom to give you the full version tomorrow:
1. Leanne - Angio and one stent - hyper sensitive at the moment - not sure of changes yet
2. Elmer - Angio and stent - no changes yet
3. Bonnie - Angio - feeling good
4. Terese - Multiple angio (smoking as hard as ever) - bladder issues much better
5. Raymonde - Multiple angio, no stent, feeling great
Shelley lifted legs today to assist when being moved - and she looks fabulous! Len looks great; Grant was out of his chair when we got here tonight. He says bladder issues much better.
We're on to something here .... lot's of work to do. We need to talk about placebo effects and managing expectations. There are some things improved blood flow can help with; other things take time or may not change.
Leanne reports that Kate (tour facilitator) was very straightforward and went beyond the call of duty. From my perspective, Kate was a godsend - we had no-one at Simka's shop!
