Bad News
We had training Friday on how to work all of the camera equipment in the media room. Basically, they have created a small news station that we can create to record and edit our English Corner videos. After the training, we returned to our office and found out about the 8.9 earthquake that hit Japan. We also found out that a tsunami was headed our way and should hit us around 5:30pm. Well, it was unnerving. I have never been affected by a tsunami or have never learned what to do when one comes. Thank God we have Internet access to research such topics. Instead of hanging out with other foreign English teachers, I decided to play it safe and stay home. I think I was more worried about an earthquake than the wave. If the tsunami hit, then it would have had around 17km to travel before it got to my city (Taipei City). Before going home, I stopped and grabbed some dinner and other foods to get me through the weekend in case something did happen. As I ate my dinner, I watch CNN and the Taiwanese news. I could not believe my eyes! The only thing I could say was "God, please, be with them!" The video clips looked unreal. The aerial shot of the wave consuming everything was hard to take in. I prayed for the people there and thank God that I was blessed not to experience it. I quickly let everyone know that I was alright via Facebook and school email because I didn't want them waking up in panic because it was 3 am in my hometown. Everyday since the earthquake, I have received emails asking if I am still okay. I feel blessed to have so many people concerned about my wellbeing. That feeling of love reminds me that I am never alone. I have a friend that is returning to the states this weekend. He has been teaching in South Korea for a couple of years now. He is currently stuck at the airport in Tokyo and says that it is pure craziness there. He says that people are walking around with pieces of cardboard that they will use to sleep on. He said that the airport is quiet, but people are moving around like crazy. Now, Japan is on alert for a Nuclear Meltdown. One police officer commented on her Facebook account about not knowing if she will be alive the next day. What a tragic day! :_(
Good News
I do have some good news to report. My doctor here in Taiwan sent me an email stating that there is a company that is offering to give me a free stent. This is wonderful news! I will need two stents and each stent costs $50,000 NT, which is around $1,500 USD. The only difference is the US has payment plans and here they want you to pay it all up front. In January, I had tests ran that gave me a diagnosis of MTS like symptoms. My left iliac vein has been compressed or closed in two areas: one up high and one down low. I have had this condition for 13 years now and had given up on any cures because no one knew what to do or why it was happening. The tests were not pleasing, but I made it through. I would rather get it done in the US because I feel like they have better pain medication for the procedure, but I will suck it up and do it again. Here is a rundown of what will happen.
They will give me an IV and I will not be allowed to eat anything 6 hours before the procedure. During the procedure, they will wipe down the site with iodine and give me a shot of some numbing anesthetic on the site. This part hurts like crazy! I remember working on trying to breathe through the pain as I gripped the table. I will ask them for a stronger dose next time. They will insert a catheter into my right iliac and guide it across my body towards my left iliac. They will do this because they fear that if they go into my left iliac, then they would not get far due to the blockage. Of course, I can feel it as they move across my body because I am still awake and no that part doesn't hurt. There will be a screen displaying the procedure. I can watch or I can lay there with my eyes closed feeling everything that is going on. If I can relax, then maybe I will watch next time. I'm not sure if they will need me to do anything special for this form of charity, but if it is something like taking a photo, staying in touch after my return to the states, or even doing an interview; then I'm all in! The company is based out of a Christian hospital so that gives me some comfort as well. Once they get to my left iliac vein, they will insert a stent inside of the compressed area to open it up and allow blood to flow through the area once again. After the procedure, I will have to lay on my back for 2-3 hrs. I will probably have to stay in the hospital for a few days so that they can monitor my progress and see how it feels when I walk. Some people bounce back after the procedure and others have a slow recovery process. Hopefully, I am the type that bounces back. I know that I will have to take blood thinning medicines for a little while and keep my INR levels in a certain range. This will definitely be another change of life experience, but it is one that I need. Any pregnancies in the future (if any), will be high risk and I will have to change some eating habits because they will effect my INR levels. The procedure might take place in April so I will keep you guys posted. Until then, take care!
