Off to hike 56 miles of the John Muir Trail
Yes, I know many of you ask how do I do it, how do I have the money, how do I have the time?? Well, let's say I have a cool boss, number one! Mexico, was an educational leave. Secondly, you all know how much I love to travel, explore, hike, backpack, etc. This helps me to keep a healthy mental state. So therefore, I save, most all my savings goes to my travels. I don't own a house, I have no kids, no honey, so why not, right! Life is too short, and there's so much to see out there in this world, and so many interesting cultures, not saying I'll never settle down, just haven't met the one yet!!

So I'm driving out to Cali, to meet doctor friend Meghan(who lives in N.M) and traveler friend Aidan! They will be doing the whole trail. I however plan on doing only 56 miles with them. Maybe I'll lose some of the weight I gained in Mexico! So I go forth to the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The good news: I arrived safely back (with my luggage) and I wasn't the only one at Immigration! Further good news, so far I'm TB negative with the PPD that was placed in Mexico. Still plan on getting another one placed in a month. The bad news I lost my blog somehow while I was in Mexico, don't know how it happened, so starting all over from square one. True bummer. (Some entries are pending).

My time spent in Chihauhua
pending

Challenges in TB control in Mexico
pending

A brave woman
pending

Tuberculosis in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico (x-ray of a 3yr old with TB)
Tuberculosis is an infectious, contagious disease caused by a bacteria in the form of Myobacterium tuberculosis. A person can become infected through the inhalation of the bacteria through cough or expectoration. It can affect any body part, but principally the lungs.

In Mexico, 5,000 people die annually from this disease, in which there are close to 30,000 new cases annually. In the state of Chihuahua for the year of 2005, there were 217 cases of TB, in which 6 people died. Currently there are 149 active cases of TB in Chihuahua. Pulmonary TB is the most common accounting for 91.6% of active TB cases in the state of Chihuahua. I did see one case of Menigitis TB. TB is most common in those older than 18 years old, making up 89.9% (in the state of Chihuahua), although it affects all populations.

Symptons usually associated with TB, are a persistent cough, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, coughing up blood, and night sweats. In some of the TB patients I met with, persisent cough with sputum was observed, extreme weakness,& many were emaciated looking.

Diagnosis is usually determined through examination of three sputum cultures, and a chest x-ray. Many doctors will go ahead and start treating the person for TB if the chest x-ray shows TB instead of waiting for the sputum cultures.
(positive for TB, observe the purple colored rods)

Initial treatment for adult patients for TB consist of 4 to 5 medications; Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, & Etambutol for 10 weeks, the intensive phase. Then for the remaining 15 weeks, or possibly more, Rifampcin & Isoniazid are taken.

12 Things I enjoyed, admired, found shocking, & missed!

(picture of the village of Noragachi)
Things I enjoyed
1). Hospitality & generosity of Mexican people
2). Good public transportation
3). The food: Chile relleno- chile stuffed with meat/cheese usually fried
Gorditas- pocket filled (pita like) stuffed with potatoes, or meat with
lettuce or tomatoe
Mole poblano- chicken in a dark sauce made with chilies, fruits, nuts,
spices,& chocolate
4). Colonial architecture
5). Less fast pace lifestyle
Things I admired
6). Men open your doors (true gentlemen)
7). Strong family ties & connections
Things I found shocking
8). Nurses make $18 for an 8 hr working day
9). Rural workers make minimun of $5 a day
10). Nurses make their own chemo medications (not done by Pharmacy)
Things I missed
11). Family & friends
12). Any food other than Mexican.