13 March, 2022

A Fraught Week

We are back at home after a harrowing week that involved emergency first aid and admission of Dennis to the Belize Healthcare Partners (BHCP) private hospital for 3 nights.  I will spare you the details, but here are the highlights. We had to get Dennis to a vascular surgeon/angiologist.  I should say THE vascular surgeon/angiologist because there is only one in all of Belize.  Many of the doctors in Belize are Cuban trained and are excellent; the angiologist is no exception.  Dennis and I flew up to Belize City as soon the angiologist was available - did I mention that this happened over a long holiday weekend?  Fortunately my emergency first aid held tight for the 2 days before she was back in the country.

Waiting our turn to take off.
Dennis saw the angiologist and she, having seen only 1 case of this particular condition back when she was a resident in Cuba, got him stabilized in her office and scheduled for admission at the same facility.  Which was a good thing, because she would not allow him to sit up at all for the next 24 hours and then only sit in bed with feet up for the next 2 days.  Once he was admitted, I had to fly back home to take care of the dogs and get someone to care for them for the next days before flying back up to Belize City first thing in the morning.
Quick flight back home for me the same day.
Barnie and Clove are guard dogs, and while they are sweet and loving with us, they tend to attack strangers or people they have taken a dislike to.  Fortunately one of our workers gets on well with the dogs and he was able to walk and feed them when I flew back up to Belize City.

Dennis got great care at BHCP.  The only complaint either of us has is the minimal level of communication, but I suppose that is the case in most hospitals.  At any rate, he was discharged with followup appointments with 3 different specialists because of confounding conditions that need to be addressed.  We came home by road, since I was unsure if Dennis could manage the steps to board the plane.  It was an enjoyable trip with a very personable and caring driver.  
Behind the sugar cane truck on the George Price Highway.

The first followup appointment is with the angiologist, who will assess Dennis's progress and determine if he needs further treatment, either from her or in the US where additional procedures may be available.  We only have to go to Dangriga, a 2 hour trip,  for that appointment, since she has clinic days at the public hospital there.  Much easier than going to Belize City, which would likely involve an overnight stay.

For now, we are home enjoying the company of Barnie and Clove and observing the flora and fauna of our paradise.
Adult yellow crowned hight heron.

Shell ginger.



20 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear of this bad week. It's exhausting to be the partner of the patient, too. I hope you get some rest, as well as Dennis. And that he doesn't have any more of these dramatic events.

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    1. Thanks, Boud. We both got caught up on our sleep and have settled into a workable routine for now. Dennis will know more after his appt on Wednesday. We really can't plan much until then, but so far, so good.

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  2. Damn! Not what I was wanting to hear from you. And yet- life.
    I am so glad that there was someone who could diagnosis and treat your dearheart. And that transfer to a hospital was available. May Dennis be well and that you two can resume your beautiful life at home.

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    1. Thanks, Mary. Yes, we were quite relieved to avoid traveling to the US for emergency treatment. He may ultimately need to go, but it will much better to travel in a more stable physical condition and a schedule of his own choosing.

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  3. I pray God watches over you both.

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  4. So glad you’re both home safe and sound for now. Wishing Dennis an excellent recovery and that the treatments will be minimal and successful.

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    1. You said it, Mitchell - I'm all for minimal and successful.

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  5. Perhaps the tranquil beauty of the flora and fauna will be the recuperative balm Dennis needs.

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    1. It would be for me, but I'm not sure the magic is as strong for Dennis! It certainly lifts one's sprits.

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  6. Wishing Dennis a full recovery and rest for you. I am glad you were in good hands. Your photos are beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, e. As I replied to Boud, we have both caught up on sleep and have a workable routine for the moment. Will know a little more on Wednesday about what needs to be done for treatment and/or adjusting lifestyle.

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  7. Yikes! Harrowing! I'm glad Dennis is home and I hope some rest and recovery will give him a boost. Even in the midst of all this medical drama your photos are interesting and exotic!

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    1. We are so relieved that we didn't have to have an emergency medevac! Dennis is definitely happy to be at home. We will know more (I hope!) after Wednesday's appointment. Nature and photography are my physical and emotional therapy!

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  8. OOWEE, sounds pretty intense! Glad you are both home and relaxing and resting up for Wednesday's appointment. Please keep us updated as you can. You are in our thoughts!

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    1. Thanks, Alice. new blog post has an update after the appointment.

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  9. Pretty traumatic dealing with all that. Take care of both of you as I expect it was rather an intense few days. For some reason I`m not getting a notification when you have a new post but I will check in periodically to hear how Dennis is getting on.

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    1. Thank you, Chris. Much less intense now.
      For some reason there a couple of blogs that I get an alert only for every-other post. Don't what the issue is with blogger.

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  10. Oh Wilma, what a time you have (both) been having. I hope Dennis is continuing to feel better, and that these follow-up appointments will be helpful and reassuring. I smiled at your sugar beat truck as we have a sugar beat factory not far away!

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    1. Hi Caroline. Things are improving. I have more road trip photos from today's excursion.

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