We had a rough October. Things are healing nicely, so I thought this information would be good to share. We became eligible for Medicare through the US this year and have decided not to purchase part B because we do not live in the US nor do we plan to. At least for now and the foreseeable future, we do not plan to purchase medical insurance here in Mexico. That being said......
Four weeks ago we were having our evening walk around looking at our fabulous flowers with drinks in hand. Lifting an anthurium leaf I bumped a wasp nest and was stung once on the middle finger. Man those hurt!!! Wasn't the first time, probably won't be the last. Thirty minutes later the hives started, all over me all at once. I quickly took two Benedryl. Ten minutes later they started in my mouth. No other problems, but hey, let's be careful. So we took the roast chicken out of the microwave and headed to the private hospital 10 to 15 minutes away. We got fairly close when I passed out due to low blood pressure. Next I knew I was on a bed with an IV in my hand, two bags of fluid feeding it and a heart rate/blood pressure/oxygen level reader on my finger. A very nice doctor and nurse were around, and Ray was sitting next to me. Over the next hour, things improved, and we went home via a pharmacy in less than two hours. Good to know, it was just after 9pm, Zihuatanejo had rolled up it's sidewalks except for all the pharmacies. Got my antihistamines and anti inflammatories and went home to sleep it off.
When we asked how much we owed we were warned that since they were a private hospital they were expensive. The bill was 2,100 pesos. Current exchange rate, call it $100 USD. Wow, and great care and service.
What did we learn?? We now stock liquid Benedryl, and if any of us, dogs too, get a sting Benedryl immediately, and if it's me, head to the hospital just in case and take a book while waiting for a reaction.
Epi pens are not available here and not in many countries. They are absurdly expensive and have a shelf life of under two years.
Issue two:
While our beaches were closed for three months, we moved our SUP's into the first floor from the garage so we could do some work on the garage. When the beaches reopened we took them back down the stairs into the garage. While he was carrying the black floor mats that they stand on he stumbled. He ripped off his toe nail. In about 5 days, after the pain eased he made another discovery: the corner of the heavy mats hit him very hard in the lower abdomen causing a tear and a hernia. Great. First Doctor said, "Nope, couldn't be, too small, let's do a coloscopy." All was well, total cost with CD, etc., 7,000 pesos.
Went back to the private hospital that had treated me two days prior and saw the doctor on duty. She said, "Maybe, probably." Ordered an ultrasound, blood work, everything. It was Friday. She scheduled his hernia surgery for Monday afternoon. I dropped him off at 2:30pm. Returned at 6:30 and kept him company while his spinal wore off. He was the only person in the hospital that night. I left him at 8:30 after he drank a bunch and ate his jello and applesauce. Drove home, made a drink, sat down and his cell phone rang. It was him on the Doctor's phone asking for a ride home. I hadn't even had a sip of my drink yet! He had a great night and the next day we went to breakfast and went food shopping in the mercado. It was four weeks ago yesterday and he plans to start ocean swimming with me tomorrow. Paddling soon.
OK, four surgeons, anesthesiologist, paid for a private room for the night we didn't use, everything. Again we were warned that it was a private hospital and was expensive. 35,000 pesos for everything cash, 10% more with a receipt, 4% more for a credit card. The off site tests cost 1,800 pesos. In US dollars we spent about $1,675USD, and the care and quality of everything was very high.
So far we are healthy again and our stress is gone. Medical service in Mexico is outstanding, the cost is minimal we are SO happy to be here!!!
Then there were the dental issues, but that's another story.
