Randy Cassingham's Blog

Even though we've never met, I've developed a bit of camaraderie with you over time and felt considerable concern when I saw your first information about your wife's illness. I'm glad to read that she's getting better.

Interesting, too, isn't it, the large differences between a person learning conversational English and technical English?

Beware, the air pollution in Wuhan will be about the same as it was in Guangzhou. It hurts to breathe after a while.

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Yeah, we're expecting it.... -rc

I'm glad to hear Kit is feeling better! I had similar problems with pollution in London; I can't imagine adding altitude to the smog mix! Hope this is the last of any hang-ups on this incredible journey.

Funny how altitude sickness can creep up on you. I grew up near and around Denver, CO...but now have a day or two of adjustment when I go to visit. Not fun, my sympathies to Kit.

Like Mike from Dallas, I was concerned to see that Kit was not well. Glad to hear she is better. Good health and good travel to both of you.

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We've both been coughing for days, but we're pretty sure it's because our used-to-clean-Colorado-air lungs are reacting to the terrible air in mainland China. -rc

Wow, how extraordinary to add such an experience to the journey. While I am sure you were worried about Kit, it goes to show that there is a lot about medicine we don't practice in the West. Best wishes for an uneventful remainder to this trip.

I had similar smog experiences in Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Really drives home that the U.S. clean air efforts are working. We don't appreciate how bad things could be. In addition, my well known make of Japanese rental car got only 12 MPG when I was expecting over 30+. A check under the hood showed a carburetted engine instead of fuel injection, which is standard in the same U.S. models. Again, we don't appreciate our progress enough until we travel.

Hang in and kiss the ground when you get home.

Hi, I hope Kit continues to do well! I sympathize especially with the feeling when you're not getting enough air because I just got out of the hospital after a pulmonary embolism. I've never before known or needed to care what my oxygen saturation was.

I also wanted to say, the EMTs were awesome. Among other things, of the three IVs I had placed during this, the best one was the one the EMT did in a MOVING ambulance. Seriously, those guys were excellent. I've enjoyed True for a long time and I hope you are having a great time and Kit is feeling better.

You didn't get a REAL taste of Tibetan medicine unless you had a doctor diagnose you... by smelling, observing and, sometimes, tasting, your PEE.

Go back and demand the real thing. ;-)

I just saw the reply referring to Wuhan. You might want to eat at the Aloha Diner if you get a chance; it was opened about a year ago by some people from California, serving mostly Mexican-style food. Say Hi to Ralph and Janie if you do.

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I'm in Wuhan now, as I approve this post (two days after you made it...). All of our on-the-run meals are set up in advance at restaurants that specialize in local foods. My favorite has been the Szechwan style, and no, I'm not getting sick of "Chinese food" yet! -rc