There were no new clinical cases however follow-up on two of
the previous patients. The person with the retinal hemorrhages
complained of some visual disturbances on the opposite eye. A
fundoscopic exam will be performed later to see if hemorrhages
are occurring on the good eye, and if so, consideration must be
made regarding possible return to lower altitude. The climber
who had recovered from the possible thyroid condition was seen
by Dr Ken Kamler while at Camp 1, as she was on her way to Camp
2 and "doing quite well - thank you". Never underestimate the
drive to succeed.
The team had returned from Camp 1, extremely tired but safe
and successful. The vital signs monitors worked, providing location
and vital signs every 5 minutes during the trek. Today will be
a well-deserved day of rest, for tomorrow is the planned re-ascent
through the icefall to Camp 2. (See schedule on the web page,
it is currently May 14 at base camp).
On personal reflection, I am no different than the thousands
of surgeons caring for patients, and the many academic surgeons
that combine research and practice. However what is unique here
with the Yale E3 expedition is that one of the climbers into the
icefall is my son. Although you can imagine the pride I feel,
you could also understand the anxiety not only for him but also
for all the other members of the team with whom I have become
quite close. I cannot express my relief and joy yesterday morning,
as we began rounds, to be able to know (with the vital signs monitor)
that he and the team were safe and in good health - to be able
to see exactly where on the mountain they were and precisely what
their vital signs were reading at that very minute. I can also
imagine how reassuring this could be for the millions of families
that are separated from their loved ones - a mother in a nursing
home or a pregnant daughter in another city. Emotionally, this
technology transcends telemedicine - it is about caring.
Today's participants include Drs. Peter Angood (moderating) ,
Jim Brink, Louise Scout, Vladmir Naleska, and Gary Stilwell, Charles
Doarn, Dmitry Albert, and Norman Stewart.
Questions or Comments? Please Contact
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