More Traffic Jam News
Since the widely publicized news of the massive traffic jam near Beijing earlier in the week, there have been new conflicting reports. First there were
reports an NBC reporter that went to see the 60 day traffic jam did not find one. It reportedly had vanished and only occasional tie-ups or slow-downs at toll booths remained. Authorities evidently stepped in overnight after seeing the news being broadcast around the world.
However,
The NY Times reported an officer admitted that the highway being cleared overnight was "impossible". Even if cleared, the congestion would certainly be back soon. The highway is important in bringing much needed coal from Mongolia to power plants in Hebei. That highlights one of the infrastructure issues affecting China, as reported by the Times. The Chinese government can cut through and build rapidly, but still cannot keep up with the demand of the large population intent on catching up with the world.
I could relate to both points. It was common to see the government make decisions rapidly and get things built fast. And it could easily be understood that the government could
eliminate the traffic jam by massive overnight effort of police and other resources. But there were always so many people and fast economic growth, that one could even see that the massive efforts could still not keep up.
But I also couldn't understand the traffic jam for another reason. I can tell you my driver, and most I ever saw in the Dongguan area, would never be caught in a long traffic jam. On one occasion my driver did a 180 turn in the middle of a highway and just headed right into oncoming traffic for about a mile to get off an exit ramp we had just passed - all to avoid a tie-up notice he noticed ahead. And in another jam, my driver went the wrong way down an entrance ramp to get away from the jam, as reported in
"Wrong Way Home" post in July 2007. Most drivers would just do anything like that to get out of a jam. I don't know how so many were patient for days near Beijing. They probably weren't.
Labels: China News, China roads, traffic
Health News and a Major Traffic Jam
One might ask why I keep a blog know as abrysoninchina, when I'm back in the USA now. Well, mainly I've kept it becasue I thought I would get back there sooner. But I've also used it to provide news about China, primarily since most of my friends still in the country, don't always get much in-country news in English. And last, I've used it to provide news to my friends about my status, especially my health situation.\
On that last note, I continue to progress well. I've been graduated to only one clinic visit per week. I should be off the wound vac in another week or two, and will then be given my freedom to drive and work. I can't wait.
As for news from China, there was a lot of coverage about a traffic jam near Beijing this week. While I was in China, I began to see the increasing volume of cars and trucks. China has done well with a growing infrastructure to handle, but when there are so many new vehicles on the road daily, the new roads are still not enough.
The incrasing volume became evident with some of the news yesterday when it was announced that there was a
major traffic jam near Beijing. It has already lasted 10 days, and stretched 60 miles. It is expected to last another month, since it has been caused by road construction, which is not expected to be finished for a month. This is getting a lot of coverage, and surprisingly, I have even heard about it from two friends in China. As one put it: "And you thought the traffic was bad in LA!" News about things which marks China bigger than the rest of the world, gets coverage.
Labels: Beijing, kidney transplant, traffic
Over One Month Now
I got my new kidney on July 11. I guess I’ll always think about that fact every time I pass a Seven/Eleven convenience store.
As the days and weeks are now passing along, I’m getting stronger and healthier by the day. At least I sure think so. And the doctors seem to be concurring. They opted not to even see me today at the Transplant Clinic. Seems I was in such good health they sent me along so they could tend to the backlog of patients. They’ve been rather busy lately. They did nine transplants the weekend I was held over, and three more the following Tuesday. I don’t know if that is an inordinate number, but it seemed like a lot to me, and the hospital staff was strained to handle the increase of patients.
Last Friday, I got the IV line removed from my arm. I was released from taking antibiotics by IV daily, so there was no more need for the line. I still have to take antibiotics orally for 10 more days to assure the infection clears completely.
I do still have the wound vac. The incision is healing nicely with this marvelous machine. In measurements by my home health nurse, the incision has decreased from 22 cm to 15 cm already. I’ll still probably have to carry my “man-purse” with the pump for another 3–4 weeks. It is cumbersome, but I know it’s the best way to heal this.
In the meantime, I cannot drive a car. Since the wound is technically still “open”, they want no risk of me doing something that might hurt the healing process. So I’m a nuisance calling friends for rides to the numerous hospital, clinic, and other appointments they demand to maintain my care. There have been weeks, that I’ve had appointments every day. But soon, I should be down to only one visit a week.
These first few months are critical to assuring my body does not reject this new kidney. So the meds are extensive, and the care is close. I have to limit public exposure during this period too, so I cannot go to games, church, or other events for another few weeks, and have to be careful even after that.
But I am getting closer to the freedom of a regular life, with no tubes for dialysis or wound vacs, with a new lease on life. I can’t wait!
Labels: kidney transplant
