NUCLEAR CARDIOLOGY IN NEW ZEALAND

When I was practicing Cardiology in the United States I had my own Nuclear Cardiology practice in my office and was Co-Director of Nuclear Cardiology at St. Lukes a Mayo Clinic Hospital.  With the support of Nurses, Nuclear Techs and Cardiology Techs they injected the patients, stressed the patients and carried out the protocols that I designed. In New Zealand the home of DIY I am a one  man band. I get the Sestamibi doses from the hot lab mix the chemical stress agent adenosine, record the dose, inject the radioisotope and remove the IV, bandage the arm and call for transport. Then I read and report the study call the referring physician and arrange follow up with the patient if it's a abnormal scan. It has been a new learning experience that has taken me out of my comfort zone and made me appreciate what is involved in obtaining a quality cardiac imaging study.

FOX GLACIER HELI HIKE

GLACIERS MELTING AWAY
The area of a glacier that retains snow year-round is called the accumulation zone, and as the ice compacts, it moves downhill to an elevation where more melting occurs on the surface and eventually the presence of ice is due solely to ice that has moved downhill rather than remaining from prior years. This area of the glacier that completely melts out is called the ablation zone. The dividing line between the accumulation zone and the ablation zone is the firn line.

BONNY AND I ON FEBRUARY 6TH

                                 TOOK A HELICOPTER UP TO FOX GLACIER ON THE
                                               WEST COAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND.

WE LANDED AT FOX GLACIER'S MELT OR ABLATION ZONE

THE SNOW WAS MELTING ALL AROUND US

HEADING UP THE GLACIER TOWARD THE FIRN LINE

                                                     CLIMBING THROUGH ICE CAVES