Survival Tips For Most Disasters

APtravelnews-August 10th, Crossville, TN.–As I had the privilege of being the lead Photographer for F.E.M.A. starting with Hurricane Andrew in Florida, Floods of Northern California, the horrific earthquakes called Northridge 26, with bridges and buildings and lives in collapse, I am 8-years educated in what a disaster can do and I do have some tips on how to minimize the destruction for humans and pets if a disaster should occur. I have to go back to my Boy Scout years and remind everyone that the goal and mantra that states: “Be Prepared” is as important now and for the future as it has ever been. The image of that cat and children bouncing uncontrollably is not exactly what my premise for this post is really about, but something as simple as having fun in the sun-that alone can be a disaster if whoever is in charge of the moment doesn’t have good common sense. Back to (F.E.M.A.) Federal Emergency Management Administration:

FEMA comes in after a disaster. However, they have a Mitigation Program which is pro-active as in “OK! You live in a flood prone zone. We have had floods here, so build on stilts so you won’t have to ask for FEMA insurance again for floods.” And; “don’t build so close to XY creek or river, because if you do, after we’ve warned you before, and after, FEMA insurance won’t cover your home or business.” Tip number 1-Pay attention in advance where you build or buy your home-if not, there is a chance you can get washed away without any insurance. Tip 2- Disasters can occur in seconds. So always have a go-to place set up in advance, not after a possible disaster occurs-we lived in the Keys and had a smallish motor home. During summer we left during Hurricane season and went to high and cooler locals. As a writer I didn’t have to work in the Keys all the time, I worked in the motor coach in Montana, until the fires started up, so we left to where there were no forest fires in Wisconsin. Point here is to make plans to be mobile as much as possible for those times you absolutely have to. Tip 3-Make a “run-with” bag. Keep important papers, a quality flashlight with extra batteries, a portable radio, a way to charge your cell phone, various medical supplies and drugs, sun and bug lotions, bandages, several water bottles, dehydrated fast cook foods, a clean t-shirt, socks, good walking shoes, underwear, a real knife, not a puny 1-inch pocket knife, a coil of line, a good jacket and a blanket, (God forbid) a fish line and hooks, a pistol, better still a shotgun with plenty of shells and whatever you’d feel good about fitting into that “run-with” duffle, or other bag. Tip-4–Always, always have an escape plan and share that plan with your significant others about the details of that plan.

NOTE-There are so many possibilities of a disaster that this post is a wake-up call for you to think about what you’d do if you heard a lava flow (as happened in Hawaii and other places on earth) was heading for your home, or a wildfire and you had move fast to save yourself and family!

This is not a disaster, its funny, but it could have been. "Caution is the mother of being careful not to harm oneself or your loved ones and others!" — **This is not a disaster, its funny, but it could have been. “Caution is the mother of being careful not to harm oneself or your loved ones and others!” (Image from a web email)**

About Lymphoma-Why Ask? My Son Has/Had It!

We are parents who learned much about Lymphoma and urge anyone who can to donate to research in this miserable form of Cancer! Not too many years ago, our son may not have had the great opportunity available today due to ongoing research in this field for better and more effective medicines.

APtravelnews- August 7th,-Washington, DC-Georgetown Medical Center -When my son David, who works in Washington, DC told us he had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma more than a year ago, Barb and I were frankly devastated! Our oldest Veteran son in his mid 40’s was ill and it wasn’t a cold-it was much, much worse! After 6-months of Chemotherapy, closely monitored by a pre-eminent Hematologist at Georgetown Medical Center, we just heard the news that he has had an excellent remission, no bone marrow test necessary, “come get checkups in 3-months, eat what you will (healthy of course) and go on with your life and that the veil of disaster is off your shoulders” said the Specialist in blood diseases. Yes, we all are celebrating today!

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that occurs when lymphocytes–white blood cells that help protect the body from infection and disease–begin behaving abnormally. Abnormal lymphocytes may divide faster than normal cells or they may live longer than they are supposed to.

Lymphoma may develop in many parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood or other organs.

There are two main types of lymphomas:

• Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (formerly referred to as Hodgkin’s lymphoma) – There are six types of HL, an uncommon form of lymphoma that involves the Reed-Sternberg cells.

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (formerly referred to as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) – There are more than 61 types of NHL, some of which are more common than others. Any lymphoma that does not involve Reed-Sternberg cells is classified as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Signs and Symptoms

Certain symptoms are not specific to lymphoma and are, in fact, similar to those of many other illnesses. People often first go to the doctor because they think they have a cold, the flu or some other respiratory infection that does not go away.

Common symptoms include:

• Swelling of lymph nodes, which may or may not be painless
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Sweating (often at night)
• Chills
• Lack of energy
• Itching

Most people who have these non-specific symptoms will not have lymphoma. However, it is important that anyone with persistent symptoms be examined by a doctor to make sure lymphoma is not present.

Lymphoma Treatment

Some form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the two is typically used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may also sometimes be done under special circumstances. Most patients with Hodgkin lymphoma live long and healthy lives following successful treatment.

Many people treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma will receive some form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy, or a combination of these. Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation may sometimes be used. Surgery may be used under special circumstances, but primarily to obtain a biopsy for diagnostic purposes.

Although “indolent” forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are not currently curable, the prognosis is still very good. Patients may live for 20 years or more following an initial diagnosis. In certain patients with an indolent form of the disease, treatment may not be necessary until there are signs of progression. Response to treatment can also change over time. Treatment that worked initially may be ineffective the next time, making it necessary to always keep abreast of the latest information on new or experimental treatment options.

Approximately 30 to 60 percent of patients with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured. go: Lymphoma.org for more information

When Renting a Vehicle Know Your Vehicle Before Pulling Out of the Lot

**Rent a vehicle to fit your travel plan. We were looking for antiques and so we chose a van for the week we planned on buying various sized antique items including furniture!**

APtravelnews-December 12th, -Port St Lucie, FL-–-(Note*Originally posted August 5th) However, this is as timely now as then, so I’m reprinting for the holiday traveler! As travel writers, we often have to fly and then rent a vehicle for our travel visitations. The following are some tips that can offer you some peace of mind and safety before you even head out on the road from the rental lot: On a trip to Tampa, we left an underground parking space and entered the exit road in heavy traffic. That would have been fine, but it was raining so heavily that we couldn’t see a thing. Why? we couldn’t find the wiper controls. Each make vehicle has there own set of knobs and controls. So yes, after a very close call I frantically pressed or pulled the correct knob and voila’, I saw the light and the merging vehicles without having an accident that time.

Today, radio and AC knobs are fairly close together. Before you fumble around taking your eyes off the road, take some time before pulling out of your parking spot at the lot and familiarize yourself with turn signal, lever, light controls, parking brake release, everything you already take for granted knowing on your own personal vehicle you have had long experience with. Don’t assume any unfamiliar vehicle to you has controls in the same places, or are configured the way your private vehicle is. Some vehicles take strong curves and merge powerfully onto roads and super-highways, many lower powered vehicles don’t. So again, don’t assume anything-the brakes stop you in the same distances, the seat belts fit the locks the same, even starting the vehicle-many models today don’t have the old fashioned key starts. Whatever you do, know the vehicle you are about to take out with other multi-ton, potential dangerous missiles flying down the road with and against you on a single lane road too!

We also check availability well in advance and reserve a model that meets the requirements of our road adventure too! Don’t rent a compact to shop antique furniture, but if your just planning a fast visit without a heavy driving schedule, you can take advantage of a compact and save on fuel and rental costs as well. One thing we always do: we insist on a rental agent go over any damage and note it on our rental contract. We never waste money on their insurance, we are already paying through the nose for it in our own policies. Check fuel gauge, sometimes there is less than a full tank and you have to return vehicle with a full tank or be charged a huge fuel penalty if you don’t. Do check signal lights and be sure they are working. Also check stop lights. Anything on the vehicle for safety should be checked before you leave the lot. Bottom line: use your good senses and bring common sense into the mix when taking someone else’s vehicle for a fee!

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3-Books Published In 2013/14 Signed Copies Available Now!

APtravelnews-August 1st, Frederick, MD.–As I have written 12-books now, my latest books published in 2013/14, I have now recovered sufficiently from the mechanics of as in two cases; years of research. I am now able to concentrate on sharing these books and personalizing them for my American Press readers and followers. Please e-mail me for special major discounted prices on my books at bobepstein@aol.com. Note* Today all my book sales donate a portion to the Wounded Warrior Project! Bob is also the author of Calypso Cafe, The Best Restaurants of The Florida Keys, The Adventures of Goldie The Goldfish (a children’s adventure book) I Love My Parents, But I Hate Divorce- a social services workbook for children and several others!