TURN OF EVENTS

Every day is different, but April 1st brought an unexpected turn of events.

Over the past few months Ben began having decreased energy and shortness of breath. With a history of asthma + a higher altitude he decided to see a pulmonologist. One test led to another and ultimately to cardiology. People always ask how the medical care is here. The docs we’ve seen are world class, trained mostly at the University of Guadalajara with residencies in the US and other parts of the world. All speak English. The biggest difference I see as a former nurse and family member is often a more personal approach. You are a partner in your own care, a human being, and caregivers are welcomed.

An echocardiogram showed a large blockage in one of Ben’s coronary arteries so surgery was a future probability. But on the day that he experienced chest discomfort for several hours in a row we decided to go back to the cardiologist. We could no longer wait. That was Tuesday, March 30th. “We can go to Guadalajara today,” Dr. Briseño said. “Or we can go Thursday. It’s the beginning of the Easter holiday and traffic will be lighter. The hospital won’t be as full.” In a city of almost 6 million people, this was a plus.

We spent the next day finding a dog sitter then letting family and friends know we’d be away for a day and a half. Packed clothes, gathered meds, reading material, etc. On Thursday morning our driver delivered us and our bags to Hospital Terra Nova emergency room just in time (even after encountering a roadblock set up to divert traffic away from bicyclists going into the city!) to meet Dra. (feminine title for doctors) Ashley, Dr. Briseño’s partner. The admission process was quick since they were expecting us and within 30 minutes Ben was in surgery.

Dr. Briseño had told us that the hospital wasn’t fancy and the food wasn’t great. Right on both counts. But Terra Nova was clean and quiet, the staff was friendly, and he had the staff and equipment he needed to do the best job. Many of the nursing staff spoke at least some English. Some spoke none. Younger nurses whipped out their cellphones and used Google Translate along with apologies for not knowing more. Heck! I was impressed. It’s their country after all. But I was grateful for the amount of Spanish I know. It definitely helped. And the experience motivated me to learn more.

Ben went through the cardiac catheterization and stent placement fine. Leaving the next day looked good. Then the unexpected turn of events.

When I woke about 6AM Ben looked miserable. He’d been in pain all night. Staff was in and out while I slept in spurts on the couch provided (more comfortable than his bed). When I awoke it took me a few minutes to realize that he was truly in serious pain, stating “something isn’t right”. We called the nurse and tried to explain. Shift change. We told another nurse. In a little while she returned with a shot for pain. It did nothing. Again we asked for help. She’d call the doctor again. After what seemed like an eternity Dr. Briseño arrived and saw that Ben truly was in distress. “Can’t send you home today. I’m taking you back into surgery to see what’s going on.” “Knock me out this time”, Ben told him. Experiencing stent placement with “conscious sedation” was just too strange.

This is when it hit me that we could be in serious trouble. The nurse in me went “out the window” and this partner/caregiver burst into tears. Being there alone was tough. The worst case scenario passed through my mind in a flash. Not a thought to hold on to but I steeled myself for whatever might happen.

Within 45 minutes Dr. Briseño arrived and sat face to face with me to explain the outcome of the second procedure. Luckily the stent was in place and functioning correctly. “If this resolves in the next 24-48 hours we’ll know that everything is OK, that it was just a stress response to the procedure.” Placed on IV fluids and medications we watched closely over the next 24 hours. And things did indeed begin to improve. It was Saturday, a day late, but we were going home! New medications and restricted activity for a week. But home.

I should say, before we leave the scene, that though the food was not very good, the kitchen staff was delightful. A couple of times I roamed the lovely urban neighborhood and found a specialty food store, a nice deli, and a sweet coffee and quiche shop to fill in the gaps. It was good to be outside doing a bit of exploring.

It was interesting being in a different medical setting after my years of nursing. I see more clearly now from the perspective of a family member, especially in a foreign country. The limitations of language were difficult. Being the patient advocate was still priority, but tougher to accomplish. I hope there are no more “unexpected turns” of this kind. But if there are we’ll know more about how to manage.

There’s a huge difference in the discharge process from a hospital here. Your bill must be paid before you leave. In fact, in some cases it must be paid before you’re admitted. Though Mexico is a cash economy some of the hospitals do take credit cards. The problem is that if you use insurance – we’d purchased a Metlife policy here – you must present “Facturas” to the insurance company for approval before you can leave. These are government forms, official receipts that no provider likes to complete. Once all insurance requirements are met nursing sends you to the checkout desk with a piece of paper to be stamped Pagado (paid) before they can send you home with medications and discharge instructions. We’ve heard horror stories of people waiting up to 20 hours for this process to be completed! After 5 we’d had enough. Ben’s energy was waining. Luckily a phone call to our rep speeded the process and we were soon in the lobby waiting for our driver. Two hours later we were home. Exhausted.

The support we’ve experienced here has been amazing. I let it be known that food would be an issue and food arrived, including through NOB family members. A neighbor walked the dog. Friends called and wrote daily. I spent a good amount of time on Facebook and email during this whole process. It did make things easier. Even now, when I’m walking Tumi on our usual route, other dog walkers and neighbors ask how Ben is and wish him the best. Sometimes he’s with me now, after weeks of being unable to manage the climb, cobblestones, and distance. He’s on the mend. Slowly but surely. This unexpected turn of events classifies as another adventure in paradise!

36 thoughts on “TURN OF EVENTS”

  2. Ain’t getting older a beach some times. glad you got good help and that things continue to improve. Slow and easy does it. At least now I have some idea of which part of Mexico you are living now. Best wishes. Marcia.

    1. Boy, am I surprised to hear from you! Yes, here we are in this expat community of 20,000 where the climate was at one time temperate. Getting hotter with less water every year. What a strange world we live in.
      Hope you & yours are well!
      Thanks for writing.

  3. So relieved to hear that Ben is doing better. You have been an adventurer in more ways than you imagined. I’m sending healing thoughts your way.

  4. Glad you were able to put this all down in writing not only for us, but also for yourself. So glad Ben is feeling better. Sounds like the whole thing was handled well by all. Love y’all.

  5. Dear Chris, I hope you and Ben are getting more rest at home in your comfy bed! What an experience you both have had! I wish I could help ya’ll. Warning_ Alice talking about Herself,,,,,,, I’m still having the anemia’ thing;” I didn’t go to my doc for months and months after feeling shortness of breath + other things. Anyway, I’ve had test after test and now I finally have a hematologist. The relevant number has gone from 7+ to 9. It still needs to get in the higher “range” though. Since Kenn and Jesse live 3 houses away, I see them pretty often–as well as Daniel and his sweetie. We are all vaccinated! But I’ve been a very tired hermitess. Even writing takes it out of me! I’m sorry to have not stayed in touch better, Chris. You are doing well at being positive, I think! Tor and I have 2 kitten sisters we adopted almost a year ago. Kenn has 2 young brother kitties. They are so sweet and entertaining. I will keep you and Ben in prayers for healing.
    Love you and miss you!
    Alice

    1. Oh, Alice! Please take care of yourself!
      Thanks for writing. Tell Kenn hello for me.
      Be well!

  6. So sorry you and Ben had to go through this. But glad Ben is on the other side. Many blessings to you. ❤️

  7. Good grief! Talk about turn of events!
    Scarey, for sure. You two are so resourceful and were so on top of it all. Boom boom boom. And in a mainly Spanish speaking country . Wow.
    Hope he’s being a “good at-home patient”, Nurse Chris..
    Love to you both. Please take it easy and stay healthy. Getting older is definitely a surprise .
    ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    1. Surprise, surprise, surprise! And what made us think we were up for a move like this in our 60’s?!?!
      Hope all is well with you.
      Love you.

    1. Thanks Lisa. Doing some medicine changes now to try to improve his energy.
      Hope all is well in your world!

  9. Oh my! Glad to hear he is on the mend. You are a good advocate. Scary, I know! Been there. Done that. Sorta. Hugs to you both!
    Wendy

    1. Thanks Wendy. I’m a little worried though. Can’t tell if he’s just pushing too hard ir if there’s something else going on. May need to be seen this week. They’ve already changed his meds to try to help. I need a nurse!

  11. So happy that it turned out well, but what an ordeal. A friend here had same experience recently. Fortunately, his wife is Mexican, so language wasn’t a problem, but had to come up with the money, which was a lot. Thank goodness you had insurance.

    I’m just a short walk away if you need ANYTHING. No longer on Facebook, but I kept Messenger…Day Lene. ❤

  12. Thanks for answering my questions about how you both are doing! I’ve been thinking about you! Tell Ben to follow doctor’s orders, and his caregiver’s too! Big hugs!

    1. Hola Dear Mary! Telling him what to do doesn’t work too well, doctor or nurse. His image if his health is blown & right now that’s what he can see. Time…
      Take care.

  13. Oh Chris! Such a shock snd sooooo glad he is on the mend and that you got assistance for him quickly! Nice to have a nurse by his side! Keep us in the loop! Vickie

  14. Glad to hear Ben is on the mend. Scary for sure! Makes one grateful for each day we have!

  16. So glad to hear that Ben is on the mend. And like you said, another experience under your belts. 💜☀️

  17. Chris I can not imagine going through this in another country. Very thankful Ben is doing well and that you are ok too. Jan

  19. So happy to read you are signing off “in paradise”. Hope Ben continues to gain strength and gets stronger, so hope your trip up north can happen this year, hugs to you both, with love..

    1. Wherever you go there you are, as they say, but it is a beautiful place!
      Hope you 2 are well. As soon as we get our second vaccine (maybe next week), we’ll start planning our trip.
      Abrazos a ti!

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