The procedure

 I hate hospitals and all things medical. But I guess if you live long enough you have to learn to put up with a few.

 Old age sucks😡.)

Having developed a few Arrhythmias, (https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2026/01/reflections-on-biology.html?m=1) including AFib and SVT, the cardiologist thought it more prudent that I  have an ablation rather than add more  drugs to my growing list. 

When I heard the procedure was no worse that filling teeth, I said run with it, despite the $134, 000 price tag. (Thanks President Obama, for without Obamacare, people like me would just have to watch the heart deteriorating as the drugs became ineffective. In Canada a similar procedure is around $21,000  and maximum $15, 000 in Mexico I hear!)

So here am I doing a report on the procedure while waiting on my daughter in law to pick me up.

 She had to drive down from West Palm as my grandson was at work, so I took an Uber to Cleveland Clinic. For its their policy that while you can take Uber or whatever to get there, you must be picked up by a known and trusted person as you remain groggy afterwards.

When they prepped me at the hospital, I had an all Caribbean nursing team, one Jamaican, one Trini and one Haitian, all caring and pleasant professionals.

Another nurse who took me to the operation theatre was also Jamaican.

So I felt at home until I got into the theater (it was extra cold😶‍🌫️) where four or five nurses were inside waiting. But I never got the opportunity to delve into their ancestries as they immediately got to work strapping me down to the bed, even tying arms and legs and I was almost immediately out of it!

 My cardiologist Dr. Parishit Sharma, is a specialist Electrophysiology from India. He is reputed to be one of the best in the fields of  Atrial Fibrillation, PSVT, Arrhythmia and pacemaker implantation.

The fact that it all went smoothly and I feel on top of the world a few hours later, proves it.

In fact,  my only discomfort was having to lay totally still on my back for 3 hours in recovery.

My biggest problem will be staying reasonably inactive for around 10  days while the holes in my groin heals.

All's well that ends well🙏.

Link: https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2026/01/reflections-on-biology.html?m=1.

Note

Heart ablation (catheter ablation) is a generally safe, minimally invasive procedure to fix heart rhythm disorders, considered effective but carries low risks of complications like bleeding, infection, blood clots, or minor heart/vessel damage, with severe issues  experienced electrophysiology team significantly lowers these risks. 

In Summary: It's a serious procedure with potential risks, but often a very effective treatment with a favorable safety profile compared to the risks of living with afib.

I love 💞 Mihninthale

I love the splendor of Buddhist Temples, but what I can't deal with is having to remove my shoes. For when my 175 pounds goes down on granite stones, it nuh nice😩.

Asians tend to be small and slim so I  guess, dem nuh  feel di pain like me.😭

Anyway when the pain receded, I decided I would do it all over again just to re-live the joy of having been there.

Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka at Mihninthale around 250 BCE, by monks sent from India. 

This historic event took place in the month of Poson, (June), so large hordes of Buddhists make their pilgrimage 

 there during that period each year.

As the site of the birth of that religion on the island some 2500 years ago, it's cherished, not only by, local adherents of the Buddhist religion but also historians and archeologists from all over the world.

A huge statue of Lord Buddha overlooks the site.

I make no claim about being an historian or archeologist, but have long been fascinated by the philosophies of Lord Buddha including his dedication to peaceful coexistence and generosity towards all categories that inhabit this planet. I  a

also relish in enjoying the amazing beauty and artistry that goes into the construction and care of these temples.

It's an UNESCO heritage site 

Signs warn you never to turn your back to any statue of Buddha when takin pics.

Many temples display replicas of Budda's foot.

Let sleeping dogs lie😊.

This huge contraption was where cooked rice was dispensed from, to the original monks who resided there!

Religious adherents come from all over to express their love and devotion.

The art work inside is absolutely beautiful.

One of the many residences built in the huge granite rocks at the original site.

Remnants of the original building constructed in 250 BCE, for dining, gathering and even a bathroom for the monks.

The remains of a meditation hall built some 2500 years ago.

Oh those steps were challenging.

My greatest concern with such areas though, is descending, not really ascending as I always remember Professor Damith's warning to me when coming from all heights, "Joan, you have to be careful, for remember old bones don't heal easily."

That warning was given to me quite a few years ago, when these bones were even a bit younger!

I had carelessly "flown" down Jacks Hill in Kingston, Jamaica on my bicycle and crashed at a round about in Hope Pastures, when he rode up and saw me suffering on the ground😩.

Because of the damage to my shoulder, it took me about three weeks before I could raise my right arm.

So how can I ever forget that admonition when descending from great heights?

The original meditation hall at Mihninthale 

Love the view from above

Me climb up to the top? No sah.

Why is it so many religious leaders of differing beliefs always seem to find such high points to build on? 

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-holy-meteora.html?m=1

Met this young man who is aspiring to become a Buddhist monk.

He says he is 18 but looked a lot younger. Spoke perfect English, Sinhalese and Tamil languages.

My friends were all over 

Another residence in a huge granite rock.

Remnants of the bathroom in the original building.

The toilet area. You better learn to stoop even now.

It was a very breezy day.

Descending gingerly!

I was promised good karma if I could ring the bell three times. I did😊. (With some difficulty.) 

I really enjoyed touring this site as it was early and the crowd had not yet arrived.

Link

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2025/05/now-thats-royal.html?m=1

Dambulla Cave Temple

WOW. 

That's the first thing that came out of my mouth on seeing the huge, imposing. statue of Lord Buddha at the Temple in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

The Golden (Dambulla Cave) Temple is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

 It's reportedly been so for around 22 centuries!

This plaque gives background information on the Temple.

I  thought the flags above were Sri Lankan flags, as you see them  everywhere....inside/outside public buildings and even on the buses.

 However I was informed that they are Buddhist flags..

Therefore, I don't think I have seen the Sri Lankan flag flying anywhere since I got here! For I even passed a government ministry and looked for the country's flag, but no sign of it. Just the  Buddhist flag everywhere! 

Buddhism is complex. Some people say it's a religion, others say it's a way of life. 

I agree with the latter explanation and have always been drawn to it because it preaches peace and internal happiness.

My favorite aspect of their philosophy is " do no harm".

While Lord Buddha did not insist that adherents become vegetarians, I hate the idea of spilling the blood of animals to fill our bellies. But since mi bruk bad in this life, will have to wait until I am reincarnated to stop doing that.

Then oh then can poor pigs be saved from me!

Depiction of monks on the pilgrimage

Adherents from all over the world visit to show devotion to Lord Buddha.

Here, I pay homage to Buddha .

Fruits are left outside below the statue to feed monkeys, birds and other creatures in the vicinity.

Inside the museum at the Dambulla complex, there is so much to learn.

Posing with the dancers. You have to wear a white top and remove your shoes to enter Buddhist temples here. (It's different in Thailand. You can't enter in shorts but no white top required.)

The complex is so awesome from every angle!

Description of how paper was made from talipot palm, in ancient times. 

Replicas of typical Buddhist parades showing the various hierarchies of adherents. 

In the background is a replica of male dancers and drummers in the temple.

This is supposed to be a replica of Lord Buddha's foot.

 The Princess in the plaque above, is supposed to have smuggled Lord Buddha's tooth in her hair from Kalinga, India, to Sri Lanka, hence she is held in high regard among Sri Lankan Buddhists.

This complex in Dambulla is a fascinating place to visit. 

Ganga (r) a devout Buddhist, gave me the necklace I am wearing in pic. Her mom is on the left.. 

Buddhists are extremely kind and generous people, as exemplified by my host in Sri Lanka, Professor Damith.

🙏.