It’s now the one-year anniversary of my Tarlov Cyst operation on 11th Sept 2009!

It has been a long and painful journey for me.

I first noticed that something was wrong in 1996 when I developed neck pain. My US doctor prescribed Soma, a muscle relaxant, and most of the pain went away, only to increase over time and travel down to the lower back.

I now wonder why this doctor did not try to diagnose the problem?

Finally, the pain got so bad that in 2003 I decided to see another doctor, Dr. Mark Rubin, in Phoenix, Arizona. His treatment was to give me steroid shots in the neck. They worked, and the pain in my neck disappeared—but not completely—and not for long.

By 2007, I was developing severe pains at the base of my spine. I was existing on Motrin, Aleve—anything I could find at Walgreen’s or CVS Pharmacy, including the wonderful Capsicum Pain relief roll-on, which I used all the time for my lower back.

On July 24, 2007, I went back to Dr. Mark Rubin, who had given me the steroid shots in the neck. He suggested that I get an MRI, which I did on the very next day. It was done by SimonMed, who bills themselves as “the largest and most advanced medical imaging provider in the Southwest.”

Back at Dr. Mark Rubin’s office, his assistant, who looked like a dud, checked the MRI in front of us, and had nothing to say. I have no idea if Dr. Rubin, himself, ever saw the MRI.

In any event, Dr. Rubin’s solution to the problem was to give me a series of four steroid injections into my lower spine for a cost of $4,100. This was at our personal expense as we were not insured.

Dr. Rubin’s spinal steroid injections relieved the pain for about three months—then it increased.

From that point on, I took whatever I could to relieve the pain. By the middle of 2009, were living in Mexicali, and I was taking steroid pills for the excruciating back pain—pills which caused me to bloat up like a balloon.

By September of 2009, I had hit rock bottom, I was hopping around on my right leg, and using a cane to support my left leg which suffered from an intense pain which radiated down my leg from the base of my spine.

On September 3, 2009, I scheduled an appointment with a specialist in Mexicali, Mexico—Dr Carlos Maya.

Dr. Maya immediately prescribed an MRI which was done the next day, September 4, 2009, at Resonancia Magnetica in Mexicali.

The Mexicali MRI technician reported that I had a Tarlov cyst at the base of my spine!

Luckily, we had saved my old 2007 MRI from SimonMed. On it, the L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae were marked with circles indicating a possible herniated disk between L3 and L4.

What SimonMed failed to notice was something much more important – a Tarlov cyst (see the red arrow)!

With Dr. Maya’s explanation, even Jim and I could see the Tarlov cyst clearly on the old SimonMed 2007 MRI!

On the frame immediately to the right of where SimonMed marked the vertebrae, is a light oblong area – that is the Tarlov cyst – plain for anyone to see.

SimonMed had not marked it!

Thank God we came to Mexicali, and found a competent doctor, and an MRI service that was able to interpret their own MRIs—something that the expensive Dr. Rubin, and SimonMed were apparently unable to do—or did they even give a damn?

I can imagine how the actor Michael Douglas must feel, after numerous visits to his own US doctors who failed to diagnose the tumor in his throat! Michael Douglas, I am sure, gets the best medical care anyone can afford. How do you like that? No wonder his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones was furious! We pray that he will make a full recovery.

On September 11, 2009, I had a three-hour long surgery conducted by Dr. Maya with a neurosurgeon in attendance. They found not one, but two Tarlov cysts which they drained and treated. It was near my S1 spinal nerve.

I woke up from the operation with NO PAIN at all!  How mind-boggling and awesome is that?

The lower back had gone away completely!

Now came the difficult part—the post-op!  Dr. Maya ordered bed rest for four weeks to avoid scar tissue, and I obeyed.

This was unlike a certain US surgeon who “specializes” in Tarlov cysts, and who dopes his patients up with addicting Vicodin, and lets them move around immediately after the operation – generating scar tissue. I guess he wants to operate on them again (and again), or charge them for prescribing more opiates to feed their habit.

I was very lucky to have moved to Mexicali, and lucky to get the right surgeon, Dr Carlos Maya.

Who says medical care in the US is good? It is my Constitutional opinion that SimonMed didn’t do the job, and neither did the very expensive Dr. Mark Rubin.

With Jim’s fantastic dedication and help, the wounds from my operation healed completely.  There were ups and downs, but the trend was always up.

One year after my Tarlov cyst surgery, I can walk without a cane, pain-free. I know that my S1 nerve will take time to regenerate. I don’t put a lot pressure on my left foot, and avoid carrying five pounds of anything!

I still cannot walk around a huge place like Wal-Mart and look for items, or stand for long periods of time, as the pressure gets to my S1 nerve. It’s not pain, just nerve discomfort coming from the S1 nerve that I feel now.

My current doctor, Martina Gallardo, a brilliant lady doctor in Mexicali (of course) has given me a clean bill of health.

She pressed every inch of my scar and spine, no pain…yeh! Dr Martina wants me to do simple leg lift exercises to strengthen my thigh muscles. I do them every night and it’s making a big difference. Hey, if it means I get slimmer thighs, then I’m there, with Jane Fonda!

These are very simple leg exercises; not the active physical therapy often recommended in the US which can only damage you after Tarlov surgery.

That’s where I am right now. I am not on any opiates; I still take my Lyrica, and Soma daily, along with Aleve or Motrin, when I need them.

I will continue to blog about it.

My last post was about Miss Mexico, 22-year-old Jimena Navarrete Rosete of Guadalajara, won the Miss Universe title in Las Vegas.  She was modeling since she was 15 years old – just old enough for her Quinceañera!

In Mexico, the tradition of a Quinceañera, or Quinceañero – 15 years old, when the family of a 15 year old girl or boy will give a great coming of age/bar mitzvah type of party. Nowadays, the family will ask their 15 year old whether they would like a Quinceañera or a trip overseas?  Some girls or boys will choose the trip.

Hey—we were lucky enough to be invited to a Quinceañera! And here’s Jim’s video to prove it!

Usually the Quinceañera is for a girl. There is nothing like a Quinceañera, Mexican Style!  No expense is spared! The parents of the girl will spend a good six months ahead to begin preparing for this huge party. Family friends will be notified with beautiful invitation cards. The mother has to organize all the dresses, not just for her daughter, but for herself and outfits for her daughter’s friends.

The venue for the Quinceañera has to be reserved a good six months in advance. In the old days the young girls wore white gowns, but now, any sensible color will do!

The Quinceañera dress can be just as expensive and unique as a wedding gown. Flowers and decorations are selected to match the color scheme of the festivities, which include a church service and a reception at which guests will be served dinner and there will be dancing for all in attendance.

We had the honor of being invited to a wonderful Quinceañera recently.

Jim, Matthew, and I were all dressed up in our Sunday best. First we attended a church service. The priest gave his sermon addressing the young girl directly, as her parents sat near to her. Then there was a communion.

After the church service everybody drove off to the venue where the big Quinceañera party was to be held. We were surprised to see that it was a huge ballroom!

All the tables and chairs were adorned in the same color palette of the young lady’s gown. There was a chocolate fountain – a big favorite with everyone.  There were marshmallows, cookies, and whatever to dip into this huge chocolate fountain!

Of course, Jim and Matthew loved it. They kept going back for more chocolate!  On one side of the ballroom sat the relatives of the father and on the other the relatives of the mother. The group included aunts, uncles, children, babies, distant relatives, and friends.

There was an open bar and we were served a delicious meal of pasta and roast beef followed by fresh fruits.  After dinner it was time for the young lady for whom the Quinceañera was given to enter the ballroom in her beautiful ball gown. Her cousins and friends surround her in dresses of a similar color.

The entertainment began with the traditional father-daughter dance – and the tears flowed.

After dancing with her father he passed the Quinceañera girl to the chambelán de honor (man of honor) – our Quinceañera girl had two chambeláns de honor. This symbolizes the father letting go of his daughter as she is now of age. The Quinceañera girl will also exchange her flat-heeled shoes for high heels to signify that she is becoming a woman.

Symbolism and significance are very important. Gifts are also an important part of a Quinceañera tradition. They denote the young lady’s acceptance by the church, by God and by the congregation (her family and friends) as a woman. She wears a tiara as a sign of leaving childhood behind and facing the challenges that lay ahead and she is also presented with either a bracelet or ring (or both) representing the unending circle of life.

Earrings are a reminder to listen and pay heed to the word of God and the world around her, a cross or medallion signifies faith and a rosary or prayer book are religious resources to always remind the young lady to remember her devotion to God.

At a certain point, our Quinceañera girl and her friends put on dance costumes and gave us a great performance – they all looked liked professional dancers! We could have been in Las Vegas! Obviously they had done a lot of rehearsing.

Next, the rest of the relatives and friends got onto the dance floor and danced to a Tex-Mex bit!  Everyone was doing the two-step – in sync! It was just fantastic. And everyone KNEW how to dance to the beat of the music.

There was a huge cake in the same color theme as the young lady’s dress; it looked just like a wedding cake!

We found Matthew still at the chocolate fountain, where he had gobbled up his fill of delicious melting chocolate. Finally, Jim dragged him away. “Sit down, and stop eatin’ up the chocolate fountain, Matthew!” whispered Jim.

“I can’t help it. We should get one of those fountains for our home huh? We’ll have chocolate everyday!” smiled Matthew, with chocolate on the side of his mouth.

“Here’s a napkin; wipe off on that chocolate smudge, now why don’t you dance?” I asked.

“Dance? Oh no, no, no…I haven’t rehearsed my tango, you know, but I should, just like the people on Dancing with the Stars?” said Matthew. “What tango? Their doin’ the two-step.” whispered Jim.

“I will wait for the tango, Jim—I am not ready for my close-up…yet, Jim,” said Matthew with his head held high up.

“MaryAnn, give Matthew a slap behind his head now…quietly, we don’t want to cause a scene!” whispered an angry Jim.

“Matthew, you will perform your tango, when you are ready for your close-up, not to worry. Now we must all watch and behave,” I said. “Well, thank you MaryAnn. You certainly do understand me,” said Matthew.

As Matthew finished speaking, he brought out his famous white gloves.

“Where’ your top hat Matthew?” asked a red-faced Jim.

“I left it at home,” snapped Matthew.

“Stop it you two!” I hissed – and all calm settled in.

The party was going full swing, people were singing and dancing and hugging each other.  And there we stood – three boring people.

As the Quinceañera came to a close, we finally said our good-byes to everyone, the party shifted into second gear. As we left, everyone was dancing around the beautiful young lady. She glowed so beautifully in her beautiful gown and tiara, with lovely face. I swear she looked just like the movie stars that were walking down the red carpet! Her parents were so proud of this moment.

Once we got home, Matthew said “I had the best time ever! For the next Quinceañera, I will be prepared. I have my dancing tuxedo in my trunk, top hat and all. Bit tight, but I will be ready,” smiled Matthew.

Jim and I had the most wonderful time at the Quinceañera, and we were very honored to have been invited! It is a privilege that few Americans get to see.

The next day, I chatted with Carmen on the phone, (mother of the lovely Quinceañera girl). She said, “We were so happy that you all came for the Quinceañera. We danced till the sun came up. It was a success and so perfect, I cried, my mother cried, and everyone was happy.”

Now, that’s what I call, a rip-roaring successful Quinceañera!  Everyone here in Mexicali and Mexico really knows how to work hard and play hard.  Their family traditions always revolve around “la familia.”  That is the Mexican way!

It comes as no surprise to us that Miss Mexico, 22-year-old Jimena Navarrete Rosete of Guadalajara, won the Miss Universe title in Las Vegas!

Being from Mexico, “Rosete” is her mother’s last name, and here dad’s last name is, “Navarrete.” That is a nice tradition, to honor your mother’s family by adding on her last name to yours. In the U.S. Miss Universe’s last name would be simply “Jimena Navarrete.”

All any person has to do is look at look at Jimena and know that she would be a real winner.

She is beautiful, intelligent, stunning, and has long legs,  just like a tall glass of chilled iced tequila!

Mexico has its share of beautiful women. As I had posted in earlier blogs, I mentioned that Mexicali women and Mexican women in general are always well dressed, their makeup is perfect, and their hairstyles are all beautifully coiffed.

We have seen an emergence of young and tall, bi-lingual Mexican women, who are just spectacular to look at. I, myself, have met many young ladies, at Starbucks, and Cinepolis, the movie house, and had to opportunity to speak to them. Their English is perfecto!  I must get my Spanish going, as Jim is fluent in it.

Miss Navarrete is from Guadalajara. I will tell you that some of the most beautiful Mexican women are from that city.  Each Mexican region has its own share of women who look just as beautiful.

I cannot say enough about Latin women!

I, myself, have started to put on make-up as well!  Something I didn’t do while living in the U.S. And I am quite pleased with what I see! I had to ask one of my friends, Alvara, to help me put on the false eyelashes when we had to attend a party! Well? Couldn’t do it on my own, I just couldn’t see without my glasses.

Many Mexican women are highly educated, coming from private schools, and moving onto Universities in Mexico or in the U.S. Being bi-lingual is a “must” for them (as it is for the young men).

Jimena Navarrete’s single-strap dress in the evening gown competition was a winner.

Here is a photo of Jimena in her violet bikini, as she walks down the runway.

Looking at the photo, Matthew said, “Gosh she’s beautiful.” Then he paused for a moment and said, “But remember, I was named Mr. Teen Idol on the cover of Dig Magazine.

“We know that Matthew, you were a great singer, but there ain’t no comparison with Dig Magazine and this here Miss Universe thing. It’s owned by Donald Trump, and he choosed her.”

“Well good for Donald Trump!” snapped Matthew.

“Don’t take it wrong, Matthew,” answered Jim, “you did darn good getting to be Mr. Teen Idol—course that was way back when Burt Reynolds was singin’ on the show.”

“It wasn’t Burt Reynolds; it was Burt Parks, and it wasn’t Miss Universe he sang to, it was Miss American,” said Matthew.

“Well, whatever—Reynolds, Parks, who knows?” said Jim, backing off.

It’s great how Jim always sticks up for Matthew.

First runner-up was Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps, while second runner-up was Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell.

Ms. Navarrete said she didn’t expect to win. Very nice for a girl that beautiful to be modest.

Jimena said.  ”I was like in a state of shock.”

Ms. Navarrete – who’s been modeling since she was 15 – is Mexico’s second Miss Universe. Lupita Jones of Mexico won the title in 1991.

Ms. Navarrete replaces Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela.

Ms. Navarrete was immediately congratulated on Twitter by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala.

“Congratulations to Jimena Navarrete for her deserved victory as Miss Universe,” Mr. Calderon said. “This will serve Mexico, and our image as a country.” Jemina will be visiting President Calderon and his wife soon!

Jimena won a whole bunch of prizes including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses, a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign, plus jewelery, clothes and shoes fit for a beauty champion. If she can act, we will soon see her on the small or big screen!

Again, Mexican women are one of the most beautiful ladies that we have seen!  Don’t take my word? Just look at Jimena? Women like her grow on trees in Mexico!  I speak only the truth.  This the what the new young generation of women look like! This being the result of generations of families with fine genetic breeding.  Eyeliners and mascaras sell like hot cakes in Mexicali and Mexico. Even older Mexican women have their hair colored, and groomed. It is the culture and the lifestyle of a Mexicana.  Never grow old is the way to go for Latinas.

Our congratulations to Jimena!

I wanted new T-shirts and pants. So off we went, the three of us, to Calexico. It’s cheaper to buy electronics, clothes, shoes and certain food items in the US than in Mexicali.

As usual, we had to line up and wait for our turn at the border crossing—it took a little over an hour.

As we approached the border from the Mexicali side, heavily armed Mexican soldiers and police were out everywhere – checking all vehicles waiting to enter the US. They had police dogs with Mexican handlers going around the various vehicles, sniffing everything out. A couple people had to get out of their cars, while the dogs got in—sniff, sniff.

“Gee, this is somethin’ we don’t see everyday, MaryAnn. These are soldiers not just the police that are standin’ around with their guns, I wonder what’s happening?” asked Jim.

“Yes, it is strange. I guess Mexico is trying to catch any drugs before they hit the U.S. Border Patrol guys,” I replied.

“Yeah, I’m tired of these long waits to cross the border, we’re gonna get us to that fast lane pass where those cars just zoom right up to the border people!” fumed Jim.

“You are? That’s wonderful. I could probably walk across to the other side now much faster than what we’re doin’, Jim,” chuckled Matthew.

Jim turned off the truck engine, and got out. “Here’s your chance Matthew—Walk!” said Jim a bit red in the face. That long wait in the truck does take its tool.

Matthew was stunned and said, “No Jim, no Jim, I didn’t mean to say it that way.”

Jim got back into the truck. Matthew started to cry, ” I’m sorry Jim, I’m sorry!”

“Jim this is so unlike you! Let’s all have some chocolate? That’s what’s missin’ here for all us. I swear this fruit juice diet is gettin’ to you Jim,” I said.

I just happened to have some Ibarra Mexican Chocolate, tucked away for such emergencies. As everyone chomped away getting their chocolate fix, I saw Jim calming down.

“I think you should give that fruit juice diet a rest and we’ll have some burgers when we hit Calexico and ice-cream. What do you think?” I asked.

“Good idea. Matthew, you want some ice-cream too?” asked Jim.

“Whatever you say Jim, whatever you say,” whispered Matthew.

Our turn finally came and we wheeled up to the check point. The border patrol guard asked us the usual questions including, “Do you live in Mexicali?”

“Sure do Sir, beats the hell outta’ livin’ in a tent in America with all them other folks that cant make it with that’s goin’ on in America – ain’t no way most folks can make it on social security,” said Jim.

“Yeah, I understand – you have a nice day now,” said the border guard.

Well, we had lunch at McDonald’s, and Jim finally had his burger, washed down with a chocolate milkshake.  Everyone was happy.

We parked our truck in the shopping center in Calexico, which is right next door to the border crossing.  “I don’t want to walk too far now,” I said.

“I know MaryAnn, I know,” said Jim.

It was a lucky day for us! We found a store that sold T-Shirts and pants for just over $1.  How about that? It didn’t seem to have a name other than a sign saying “Open Sunday” over the door. We went in.

The nice saleslady showed me my size, and got all the colors I wanted of T-Shirts and pants. The total bill came to a bit under $25!!!

I told the saleslady, I would be back for more, you know, the autumn-winter selection—at those prices, I have become a fashion plate.

“I’ll keep your sizes available, MaryAnn,” smiled the saleslady.

All in all, it was a great day for me. I had found what must be the best and cheapest shop in the entire universe!

My last Tarlov cyst recovery report to you was on 14th of June 2010. I am now in my 11th month post-op Tarlov cyst surgery now and taking Lyrica and Soma.

In the past I took care of our cat, Twiggy, by shaving her. For a while after the operation, I could not really take care of Twiggy—now I can. For a long period, I was shaving away her hair, and cleaning her everyday. This routine stopped when I got too ill, was in pain and could not walk.

Twiggy is a Ragdoll breed of cat. She has a long body, short legs and long fur. Ragdoll cats are known for having dog-like personalities. That’s my Twiggy. She will follow Jim around, and even step on his foot, to get his attention, while giving out a big “meow.”

Twiggy also has a bad temper. She does not tolerate strangers. Twiggy is a huge and heavy cat, as are most Ragdolls and weighs about 20 pounds. With her long body and short legs it is impossible for her to clean herself.

When I got really ill, Twiggy usually got an infection. Our wonderful super veterinarian, Dr Rafael Minero in Mexicali would put her to sleep (temporarily) while his nurses clipped and cleaned away her fur and infection.

Now that I am much better, I got the clippers and pinned Twiggy down with my left leg, while sitting slightly bent over on the kitchen floor. I managed to shave her just halfway and gave Twiggy a thorough cleaning. It took me a good 30 minutes to complete this task. Twiggy ran off immediately and I sat on the kitchen floor with my leg left extended out.

After I had finished, I got up and my left leg was numb. Now that was an interesting moment!

After I sat down on the sofa, my left leg came back to normal within 15 to 20 minutes. I told Jim about it.

“Well, MaryAnn, you’ve been bending over cleaning Twiggy for a good half hour. I’m sure that triggered off your S1 nerve!” said Jim.

So, anytime my S1 nerve is shaken or stirred my left leg is affected.

These Tarlov cysts love the spinal cord and reside along the S1 to S5 nerves at the base of the spine. After Tarlov cyst surgery, one has to allow the affected nerves to heal and to calm down.

Physical therapy on any Tarlov Cyst survivor is not good idea. So, I just take short walks for exercise.

In the U.S. where Vicondin and other opiate drugs are popular, those who have had the operation feel great, when they really aren’t. They can let themselves move around and exercise too much – and the result can be lifelong pain, and more operations.

In Mexico, Vicodin and similar opiate drugs like codeine, hydrocodone, and the current favorite OxyContin are unknown. Oxycontin is approximately 1.5-2 times as potent as morphine when administered orally. These drugs essentially generate morphine in your system and are addictive.

Insofar as Tarlov cyst operations go I think I am as good as it gets. I will continue to keep everyone posted.

God Bless!

It looks like Mexico’s Carlos Slim (the world’s richest person worth $60 billion) is doing a bit of shopping in New York City!

He has just bought a Fifth Avenue townhouse for $44 million at 1009 Fifth Avenue with the sale closing on July 21 2010. The townhouse is located at East 82nd Street across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and apparently is the only private mansion left on Fifth Avenue.

Although only 27 feet wide the townhouse boasts 20,000 square feet of space and stands six stories tall.
The house previously belonged to the family of Doris Duke, and has been known as the Duke-Semans mansion, was owned by descendants of the original owner, tobacco magnate Benjamin N. Duke, until 2006.

The mansion was sold at that time for $40 million – then a record sale in the city – to Tamir Sapir, a former cabdriver who made a fortune in Russian oil and is now a real-estate investor and developer.

In June of this year, Slim bought another New York City property, paying $140 million for an 11-story office building at 417 Fifth Avenue. Recently, Slim also became a major investor in the New York Times.

So much for New York. Now what is Carlos Slim up to in Mexico? His company, Grupo Frisco, is digging for gold in Mexico, taking advantage of gold prices that touched a record last month while awaiting a broader economic rebound. Slim, whose fortune is mainly in Mexico’s telephone company, has been in the mining business for more than two decades.

Meanwhile, here in Mexicali, the city is getting spruced up with upscale restaurants, serving great meals of steak, and pasta. One, La Piazza, has a chef who worked in Portofino, Italy.

In the last two years, we have noticed new buildings and restaurants in Mexicali. Who knows if any of them belong to Carlos Slim? In any event, the residents are pleased as they too, get to enjoy the gourmet delights that Mexicali has to off

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy, fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high,” as the song goes.  It is summertime in Mexicali, and it is hot with temperatures from 105F to 112F-maybe even higher.

Our neighbor has taken his entire family, three kids, grandma and grandpa to the cool city of Rosarito Beach, Baja California, on the Pacific coast.  It is the Mexicali tradition, that families visit Rosarito Beach and Ensenada, during the hot summer months. The weather in Rosarito Beach is wonderful, like San Diego or Los Angeles. The good life!

Our neighbor’s maid is taking care of his home.

We have chosen our version of a summer holiday.  That is to tough it out and enjoy what Mexico has to offer in the way of beer, or cerveza in Spanish—but we do plan a trip to Ensenada (more about in my next post).

The Fiesta Room was presenting Beer Tasting Nite, La noche de Cerveza, and all three of us, me, Jim, and Matthew decided to join in the fun. We were off to sampling the finest beers that Mexico has to offer.

When one thinks of Mexican beer, the first name that comes to one’s mind is Corona. However, in Mexico, Tecate is the most popular brand—but maybe not the best.

The majority of Mexican beers are produced by the two big breweries:

1. FEMSA (which produces Tecate, Sol, Dos Equis, Carta Blanca, Superior, Indio, Bohemia and Noche Buena) and
2. Grupo Modelo (producing Corona, Corona Light, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial, Modelo Light, and Pacifico).  Negra Modelo-and what makes Negra Modelo different from other Mexican beers?  In Mexico, this beer is called “La Crema de la Cerveza” (the elite of beers). It’s a dark, Munich-style beer.

And then there is the very special beer called Noche Buena. This beer is only released at the end of the year for the Mexican celebration of “La Noche Buena” or “Christmas Eve.” Noche Buena has a dark brown color with a small white foamy head, a slightly malty aroma, and rich caramel and toast flavors. It’s normally sold as a 12-pack, and costing around $8.00—a bargain!

The taste of these dark beers is simply delicious!  You can buy Bohemia, Indio and Negra Modelo, at Wal-Mart here in Mexicali, along with Tecate, Corona, and Pacifico.

Mexicali’s well-known beer is Cucapá. The brewer, Cerveceria de Baja California, was set up in 2002, and is located in the Mexicali, and is one of a handful of Mexican microbrews. They brew Mexicali’s very own Cucapá Beer. This name comes from one of the five Indian tribes that live in the Mexicali Valley.

Cucapá comes in various flavors:

There is Cucapá Clasica , blonde ale, taste of malt and sweet citrus;
Cucapá Obscura an American brown ale with a taste of sweet toffee, roasted nuts and brown sugar aromas;
Cucapá Chupacabras, a pale copper-colored ale with rich creamy dark caramel, dark chocolate and roasted nuts, and citrus marmalade;
Cucapá Triguen’a, a wheat ale with a clear golden color;
Cucapá Honey, an amber colored ale, with rich aromas of caramel, roasted grains, and citrusy aromas;
Cucapá Barleywine, which has a dark reddish mahogany color, with aromas of roasted malt and dark caramel.
Cucapá beer brewers even make seasonal beers such as Cucapá Jefe, which is an Hefeweizen (a wheat beer), made with wheat and barely malt and with a bright peach color.

Here’s the Cucapá website -  www.cucapa.com.

While taking sips of the various brands of beer, I found that I loved the tastes of Cucapá Classic, Negra Modelo, Bohemia  and Noche Buena. All these beers are so tasty and easy to drink. All very smooth and they quench your thirst immediately.

If you like beers with a bit of a bite, try Pacifico. It’s from the Mexican state of Sinaloa.

It was a wonderful evening for the three of us—especially Matthew.

We got to try the beer along with Enchiladas Chipotle—enchiladas stuffed with chicken, cooked with garlic, onions, sharp cheddar cheese, smothered on top with cheese, onions and fresh out of the oven.

We drove home, very carefully to our air-conditioned casa. It wasn’t until Jim and I were inside that we noticed that Matthew was missing—he was sound asleep in the truck.

The good life!

We are Americans and have been living in the border town of Mexicali, the capital of Baja California since 2008. As far as we are concerned, Mexicali is a very peaceful city.

We chose Mexicali because it is next door to the US town of Calexico. It works for us, as we cross the border sometimes twice a month, to check our mail, do our shopping and eat at Denny’s, Golden Corral Restaurant, or Sizzler’s in El Centro.  There is also Imperial Valley Mall just outside of El Centro. There, we get food for our pets and other items. There are all the big box stores in this mall.

Mexicali has a population of over one million. It is a wide-spread city with low-rise buildings. In our earlier postings, we have driven to San Felipe, down to the wine valley, where you can find Mexico’s best wines! We have eaten at a great seafood restaurant in Ensenada, and driven up to Tecate as well, and made more than one trip to Los Algodones.

Mexicali is what we call the city of Healthcare Nirvana! I had my successful Tarlov cyst operation here in Mexicali for a fraction of the price that the US healthcare would charge me. Very soon, Mexicali will be in the process of building a major medical center as the plans are already drawn up

When we decided to live in Mexicali, we selected a great area, just 165 feet from the US border. It’s great for us!

Even though we are safe and secure in Mexicali, the US State Department has listed several Mexican cities not to visit.

These are Ciudad Juarez which is the border town to El Paso, Texas, Tijuana, the border town to San Diego, Nogales, the border town to Nogales, Arizona, Nuevo Laredo, near the city of Laredo Texas.

You do not want to visit the border town of Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.

At the moment, drug cartels are fighting for this route of entry into Texas. Jim and I have always said, so long as America has a demand for drugs, Mexican drug cartels are there to supply them—it’s a multibillion dollar business-on both sides of the border.

If you are not into the drug business, then you are fine.

There are over 1.2 million American and Canadian citizens living peaceful lives in Mexico.

Good places to visit are Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Mérida and the Mayan ruins in Yucatan, San Miguel de Allende (which is crawling with Americans) and the colonial cities of Guanajuato, Queretaro, Zacatecas.

Guadalajara is a very large city and growing larger by the minute. Stick to the central city tourist areas and the leafy upscale neighborhoods like the Zona Rosa.

A popular side-trip is past fields of blue agave to the town of Tequila, where tequila distilleries can be visited and the wares sampled from such famous brands as Cuervo and Herradura.

The Oaxaca coast is great, including beautiful, well-developed Huatulco, and the little surfing mecca of Puerto Escondido (a great place).

Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and the resorts that stretch between them are like a backyard for residents of the southwestern U.S. Thousands of Americans live there.

Mexico City, which is reputed to be dangerous, has a homicide rate of only nine for every 100,000 people, while Washington D.C. had a rate of more than 30 per 100,000-over three times higher.

Still, visitors to Mexico City should exercise the same precautions taken in any of the world’s big cities; sticking to busy, central areas and remaining aware of one’s surroundings. It’s very important to take only radio-issued taxis or taxis from official stands, and never the “libre” (independent) or Volkswagen cabs.

Don’t walk at night except short distances on busy streets. Mexico City is full of museums, art galleries and super restaurants. Most people include a visit nearby to the ruins of Teotihuacan, which are perfectly safe, with a visitor center and organized guides.

But back to Mexicali where we have never seen or experienced any violence in two and a half years of living here.

As far as we are concerned, we are very happy to live in Mexicali on our social security. We have discovered great restaurants to eat, and luckier—Mexican friends in Mexicali!

Saturday evening, March 13, 2010, Jim was rubbing his right eye furiously. “Darn it, my eye is itchy!” he said.

Jim went to look in the bathroom mirror, and called me to have a look at his already reddened right eye.

“I think I rubbed my eye, to much, Maryann! Maybe I rubbed something right out of my eyeball.” said a worried Jim.

Jim’s eye was getting angrier and redder while I looked at it under our ceiling fan light.

“Jim, we should go now to the emergency at the Almater Hospital.” I said.

We got into our truck, and in no time were parking it in the car park of the Almater Hospital here in Mexicali.

We entered the emergency section of the hospital, only to be told that there was no doctor on call.  It was Saturday night.

Well, I don’t understand why emergencies have to happen on weekends or holidays for us, but it does.

“I have our passports in my handbag, and we are going to cross the border to go to the El Centro Hospital in the U.S. Jim,” I told him calmly.

“Shall I drive or do you want to with your one red swollen eye Jim?” I asked.

“I’m drivin’, and I can see Maryann? What do you think I am one of them Cyclops guys like in the movies?  Geez, I can see!” said  Jim.

“Okie Dokie!” I said.

It took us a quick one hour to cross the border on a late Saturday night, and Jim drove carefully to the El Centro Hospital. I must say the roads are not that well lit, but we got there in one piece.

After parking the truck, we walked quickly to the Emergency Room of the hospital.  The waiting room was empty! Great!

Jim went up to the girl behind the window counter and told her that he needed to see a doctor for his swollen eye.

“I have Medicare” said Jim giving his Medicare card to the girl.

The girl said we could enter the door to the next room, where the nurse told Jim to sit down, asking him what had happened, all the while taking notes.

A doctor was on duty, and a nurse signaled Jim to a room with a bed. “Oh, Mr. Dogooder, you’ll be just fine now,” said the nurse, “doctor will be right with you—don’t you worry about a thing now.”

“Hey, these folks are real nice,” said Jim calming down.

Two other nurses came into the room, “Mr. Dogooder, it’s your eye?” asked one of the nurses, “that’s the only problem—anything else?”

“Nope that’s it,” said Jim who was now lying down on the bed, while I sat on the chair by the side of the door.

A doctor came into the room and greeted Jim, “Well, hello there! You are Mr. Jim Dogooder? Eye itching correct? And you live in Mexicali.”

“Yes, there were no doctors at the main hospital in Mexicali so we came here. I’m on Medicare Doc” said Jim.

“Yes, good,” said the kind doctor, “Now let’s just take a look at that eye.”

“Yup, it’s looking red and angry. Tell you what we are going to do.  I am going to put some eye drops into your eye.  With these drops, we can look and see if there is any damage done to the cornea. Ok?” said the kind doctor, cheerfully.

“Nurse, the drops please,” said the doctor. Then, turning to Jim, “You’ll be just fine; there’s no pain whatsoever, and we will know what to give you for that little nasty redness. OK?” smiled the doctor.

After the eye drops, and looking at Jim’s eye with a special magnifying glass, the cheerful doctor called me over and said, “See, all those straight lines, scratches, on his eyeball?”

“Yes, I can see them,” I said, “that’s where Jim was rubbing his eye.

The doctor pushed back in his chair and said, “Only scratches, he’s fine—no eye damage at all!  I am going put some antibiotic eye ointment in Jim’s eye—Garamycin.”

The nurse handed the doctor a small tube, and the doctor moved forward and squeezed a bit of ointment into Jim’s eye, and handed the tube back to the nurse.

The doctor then said, “I am going to give you two Vicodin tablets, and a prescription for more.”

Jim sat up. The doctor continued, “Now, I would watch that eye Jim. Here’s a list of ophthalmologists if you have any more problems, just make an appointment with one of them. You’re good to go!”

As Jim stood up, the nurse handed him a small plastic container, “Here’s your Vicodin and a prescription for more.”

“Thank you Ma’am,” said Jim.

The nurse replied, “Now, that wasn’t so bad was it? You will be just fine. Let me put a patch on that eye.”

“A patch on my eye? I won’t be able to drive back to Mexicali!” said a worried Jim.”

Mrs. Dogooder, you can drive?” asked the smiling nurse.

“Yes no problem” I said.

The nurse smiled, “Men, they can be such babies—now when you feel pain, Mr. Dogooder, just take one Vicodin and you’ll be just fine! Your wife will be in charge for now.”

The doctor waived a cheery goodbye and left saying, “Yes, the nurse is going to put a patch on that eye, so let the little lady do the driving tonight.”

Jim and I left the El Centro Hospital, happy that Jim’s eye was fine, even though he felt out of place in the passenger seat.

On our way back home to Mexicali, we stopped by a Denny’s near the Wal-Mart in Calexico, where Jim and I ordered grand slam breakfasts, pancakes, and chocolate milkshakes.

“When we got back home, Jim said, “Well, MaryAnn, that was great! Everyone was so nice and all.”

“Well, all’s well that ends well,” I said.

And Medicare will take care of it!” smiled a contented Jim, removing his eye-patch.

A month later a bill arrived from the El Centro Hospital. It was for $911.45.

We were stunned – what about Medicare?

For that little bit of ointment the doctor squeezed into Jim’s eye, the charge was $87.46—and the doctor kept the tube! The charge for the eye drops the doctor put in Jim’s eye was $63.44! The use of the emergency room area cost $738.29. With some other incidentals and accidentals, it all added up to $911.45.

We had been paying $96 a month for Medicare Part B for over ten years – they take it directly out of your Social Security check.

During that time Jim went to the doctors twice at most. Ten years at $96 a month equals $11,520, taken out of our Social Security. I think very few folks on Social Security can afford that.

Jim showed Matthew and me the bill, while he looked for his recliner to sit down. “My head’s spinning!!! How can it be $911.45 for what they did?” Jim asked. “I have Medicare!”

The next morning, Jim telephoned Medicare. The conversation did not last long. The Medicare lady explained that if you don’t have Medicare Part B—you’ve got virtually nothing, and that the $911.45 charge was correct and that Medicare would pay nothing.

“But your website clearly states that Medicare Part A gives you coverage for hospital both inpatient and outpatient.”

The Medicare lady said she was sorry, but the website was misleading.

She went on to say that, without Medicare Part B, even in a hospital, the doctor’s charges are not covered.

This means that if you don’t have Part B, and you are rushed to the hospital, and a doctor has to operate, you could be faced with a huge doctor bill.

Looking at Jim’s $911.45 hospital bill, it seems that Medicare Part A pays nothing, which is more or less what the Medicare lady told Jim.

All those years of Medicare deductions from Jim’s salary—all for nothing. Jim couldn’t even get Part B if he wanted to, as the door for that closed last March.

Just last week another medical bill arrived!

It was for $246.00 and was from some outfit called the Alpine Emergency Medical Group in Westminster, CA. We figure that this must be the bill for the cheery El Centro doctor bringing the total to $1,157.49. This is price gouging by the health care industry. No wonder medical costs in America is double what they are in any other country.

The Medicare website stated that Part A paid for Inpatient AND Outpatient care.

Since Jim complained—Medicare has changed its website.

Originally the Medicare website used to be red and said that Part A provided inpatient AND outpatient hospital coverage.

Now the Medicare website is green and blue and  has eliminated the outpatient coverage. What a bunch of crooks!

If you have only Medicare Part A, you have NO insurance at all.

What a scam!

That combined with the fact that Jim’s job went to some guy in China makes my blood boil!

No sooner did I finish my last blog on my Tarlov cyst recovery than we got hit with another big earthquake – 5.7 on the Richter scale!The whole house was shaking. Jim made me stand in the doorway, while he held up the rack that contains the computer equipment

Matthew came running, screaming into the computer room and dived under the table.

This was a long one—first violent shaking, and then the usual swaying back and forth of the whole house and the earth beneath it.

The USGS gave out the terse message—Monday, June 14, 2010 09:26:58 PM at epicenter. Depth: 6.90 km (4.29 mi)—43 km (27 miles) W (277°) from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.

“Matthew,” said Jim, “it’s OK—you can come on out.”

Matthew crawled out from under the table, and, without saying a word, ran to his bedroom.

I’ve gotta tell you, we feel earthquakes every day, and more than once per day. Sometimes, it’s just a slight moving of our place back and forth, up to a foot each way. This one, however, was a big one. Orginally, it was reported as a 5.9, but was quickly downgraded to a 5.7. They always downgrade these earthquakes. Maybe it’s like the cable news, they do it just to keep everybody happy, or at least not so scared.

We went two years here with no earthquakes at all. One of our Mexican friends who has been here since 1945 says he has never felt anything like it.

After studying the earthquake patterns, Jim has given up his theory that a Baby Moon is going to split out of the earth carrying me, him, and Matthew into outer space. Jim is now convinced that Baja California is splitting off from the mainland, and that the earth will sink and that the area about 20 miles west of us will fill up with water.

Matthew came back to the computer room, as we were discussing Jim’s latest theory.

Matthew liked the idea, and said, “Will there be a beach that we can go to, Jim?”

“If we live long enough,” replied Jim.

“If we live through this at all!” I added.