The rounds began with a case presentation of a climber with
known thyroid problems who began having some difficulty. After
return back down to Base Camp, evaluation was performed by the
medical team, including a real-time ultrasound of the thyroid
gland by Dr. Chris Macedonia, which was interpreted over the telemedicine
connection by the Yale Radiologist Dr. Jim Brink. Appropriate
treatment was rendered, and tomorrow we shall have a thyroid specialist
during the morning rounds for consultation
In addition, the medical clinic is seeing about 10-20 minor cases
each day. Drs. Kamler, Macedonia, Davila are working extremely
hard on both clinical and reasearch aspects. Data continues to
be gathered by every one of the physicians. The equipment is working
well. Jenny Kershack is doing the i-STAT and microscope work,
Javier is doing cardiac assessment with CardioDynamics and Propaq,
Jenny Grin is doing visual testing and fundoscopic exams (we received
two fundoscopic images earlier today). Grant Goldin is doing the
psychometric evaluation (fatigue, nausea, lassasitude etc) and
Robert Hyman is getting excellent photographs. The website is
being populated with journal entries and images, and the datasite
will be getting the first data (an updated database was sent to
EBC yesterday, and non-database information from the vital signs
monitor arrived yesterday). With the new database program they
will fill in and send tomorrow their accummulated data. The Cytometrics
is obtaining good images of circulation.
Tomorrow is the first foray into the Ice Fall. The hardy experience
climbers (all have been to Everst at least once before) Scott
Hamilton, Ken Kamler, Chris Macedonia, Rick Satava, Jr, and Joe
Williams will go to Camp 1 while wearing the vital sign monitors.
Three climbers will wear monitors, Rick will be in charge of repeaters,
Chris for the portable ultrasound and Jim Bruton will be at the
EBC coordinating communications. During rounds tomorrow, we are
hoping to be able to get one 64K line from the video, and simultaneous
be able to send the vital signs over the second 64K channel. Here
is where the real field testing begins! Nick Craig made his scheduled
departure on time, and we will see him during the broadcast to
the schools on Monday and Tuesday night. Dan Biondi is doing well
also and will co-host the Olympus student broadcasts with Nick.
Although there continues to be the customary glitches, the Buddist
monk's prayer ritual has apparently chased out most of the gremlins.
The team looks, sounds and feels well - they are even enjoying
the food (that may be a relative enjoyment - relative to delicious
Yak steaks). What they appreciate most is receiving the email
from home - and to them Yale is home.
Paricipants at Yale today were Peter Angood (moderating), Jim
Brink, Vladmir Neklesa, Butch Rosser, Brett Harnett, Dimitri Albert,
Norman Stewart, Gary Stilwell and the St Charles Hospital team.
Rick
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