For Damon....

Here are the two photos I like...the gloves being my first choice.

Yogurt Flavors....

I have re-discovered yogurt since I have been here. Mainly they taste finger-licking good. And come in so many different flavors, and some of them are seasonal....so I have a favorite of course: chocolate and coconut...and then there is rhubarb....but the latest one is Aloe Vera flaovr (with pieces of Aloe Vera).

They are a little rich for sure....so one or two a week is enough. Moderation and quality is the key.

Visit to the doctor in Geneva

So now it is my turn to experience the health system. Upon return from SF, I got a very bad pain in my left calf, no swelling, just like a very bad cramp. After 5 days, I finally decided to go and have it check out by a doctor (because people at work kept telling me about the possibility of blood clot). So here I am at the medical center, friday nite 5:45pm..(fyi, medical center closes at 6pm!). The doctor there tells me that she needs to rule out blood clot, so need to do blood work and injection of anti-coagulant as a preventive measure. Left the center, without paying (they told me they'll send me the bill). The doc calls me late friday nite, results shows possibility of blood clot, so she scheduled me for an ultrasound at the hospital first thing Saturday am - in the meantime she gives me her cell number just in case I need to call her (really? you are giving me your cell phone number?). Went to HUG (Hopital Universitaire de Geneve) - , did the ultrasound, I am clear of blood clots (phew!), being put on strong pain killers and schedule to see a soft tissue specialist on monday. Again, they just tell me we will bill you...

Note: my ultrasound specialist was a doctor from Eastern Europe I think, with the cutest accent, keep apologizing for being late and a little stressed, then when she had to write the report, she asked me to correct her french because her grammar and spelling are not up to the part...How funny! I need to tell you that her supervisor did come and cross-check her findings. Then she called me later in the day to check on how I was feeling. My regular doctor called me to on saturday to check on my progress.

Basically, here in Switzerland, there is limited exchange of money between the patient and the doctors office if you live here. They kind of trust that you (or your insurance will pay up). So that's nice because they treat you no matter what. My experience so far has been rather positive - responsiveness of the staff (doctors and nurses alike).

"Stick it" by Jessica Bendiger

So I watch this movie the other night (http://video.movies.go.com/stickit/) and i loved it. A good insight of the world of gymnastics with a lot of humor. As a former gymnast, I always enjoyed watching gymnatics, I think it is such a challenging sports. This movie proves it, shows you how far the athletes are pushed...The girls are hot, the music is great, Jeff Bridges as the coach is perfect. A feel good movie to relax your brain.

Health System in France

Americans (sorry to put everybody in the same basket) think that France has the best health system, that we are always covered, that the government takes care of everything. Well let me tell you a little story.

My dad has been suffering from a hernied disc since last August. He was told to give up tennis, sailing, and other type of sports (for those of you who met Dad last june, you know that would have been a difficult thing to do), to stop D.I.Y (jeez at this rate, my grand-parents house will never be remodeled!)...because it would heal by itself with rest. Well, 7 1/2 months down the line, my dad is still in pain, been on sick leave for 6 weeks, and finally convinced his doctor to give him a referral for surgery. My dad saw a surgeon and got his surgery scheduled a week later.

My dad had surgery 10 days ago. Surgery happened on thursday and on sunday was sent home with an ambulance. Since my dad lives alone, in the middle of nowwhere, and was to be confined to his bed for one month, he requested an at-home nurse. He was told that at-home nurse are only covered by the insurance if it is an emergency surgery. So, the lady hinted at him that he should call when he is back home on sunday and say that he had emergency surgery to qualify for at-home nurse. So he did, only to find out that he was only allowed to 12 hours for the whole month......It also took five days for the at-home nurse to start.

Thank god that my dad has friends and family that were able to come in the am, lunch and pm to come and prepare his meals, running errands (mainly to the pharmacy), do his house chores and feed the cat.

He was able to arrange to be admitted in a convalescence hospital. He was lucky enough that a bed (in a shared room) was available at the time of the request (although the bed was only available as of today).

Bottom line is: we always think that the grass in greener on the other side, but we should really remember that with the way the world is going right now, health systems keep on failing, as well as retirement systems. I can argue with you, all my american friends, about the French health system, as much as I can argue with you, all my european friends, about the American health systems....It is important to know the facts - and I have to admit, I didnt' know how bad the French health system was til I had to deal with my dad surgery.

PS: my dad is happy to be at the hospital, because, as he told me earlier today, the nurses are nice! ;-)