Health in Asia

So how have we fared? Well, before we came, we got $350 worth of shots, stocked up on a massive first aid kit, and also accepted that we would have our share of digestive discomfort. We took pills to ward off malaria, and were cautious in what we ate. Also, we knew that the odds of serious illness are quite low, and the danger of injury in a bus, train or car is far higher. So how did we come out?

Pretty well, we think. We both dropped off a bunch of weight and feel strong. We still do yoga some mornings, and walk many hours every day. Spirits are good.

The actual list? Well, once compiled it seems a bit longer than we expected. Fran has had dysentery in Japan, Thailand and China. She had a minor sprained ankle from a tumble during a trek in Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand. She had a burn from the motorbike exhaust pipe that took two months to heal. She had serious sunburn in Thailand. She has had a few bouts with headaches, and one respiratory infection in China that lasted three weeks. She re-injured her separated shoulder in a tumble on the Great Wall trek, and is still nursing that along. All in all, she reports that she has felt pretty healthy. Rod's list is just one bad digestive day in China, and then catching the respiratory thing from Fran for a few weeks.

I guess health is partly a state of mind, since Fran continues to insist that she has been quite healthy... I guess if you added up every ache and pain over six months even when we were in the states we would have a similar list...

We're feeling good. Really we are, Mom.