6 hours in a hospital with my wife, part one !!

dwmte7 says on Nov 9, 2007, 19:03:

i am sorry to hear such news...i pray for her recovery and regained health.
douglas

dwmte

la campiña says on Nov 9, 2007, 19:35:

Thanks very much , you are very kind, she will be ok , but my point and I am yet to write this story is, the help or lack of, and red tape is disturbing, imagine the people without money, I experienced colombia or Cali first hand tonight with regards to health problems and realy its a kick up the ass , I defend this country, but wow today has been a journey into reality

la campiña says on Nov 9, 2007, 20:06:

I have to condense this tale, it might be brutal and savage, but my agents demand results and dont like working late when the manhattan lights beckon like sirens ( like sea nymphs luring sea going heroes into there web) calling there prey like flies to shite, whoo stop,

eywed says on Nov 9, 2007, 21:06:

get on with it , I want to hear about emergency care in colombia

Ay Hombe!!!!!

miamimike says on Nov 9, 2007, 22:25:

Tell us how long a Wait it is for the Paramedics to arrive in their Wagon ,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

la campiña says on Nov 9, 2007, 22:35:

eyeweird, you have no sympathy, no, ok so, enter the house of salvation, clinico occidente, but only because we CAN, wife's job comes with health care plan, HA, its like plan colombia, I carried or struggled into the white walled institute and put her onto a trolley without any help or sympathy from the many white clad medicos o nurses, all the time my wife was trying to be brave and not cry out in pain to much. I was aproached by guards that have no,nada,medical experience, first question, where are your papers, cedular, papers for your moto , ID, where was the accident, sorry but about now I lost the plot, for ucks sake I rallied, my wife needs attention now lets deal with the beaurocuracy later ( ok red tape), no a chance, first, the moto is en novena con 25, y 26 , 27, if you want I'll collect all the parts in bin liners later. Yea bad mood now, also panicking, national health england, ha long way off, With respect the staff did all they could, but forget dignity, self respect, next to my wife was a old women on a drip, vomiting, with no curtains to give her and my wife a little privacy. Off to X ray, had to shout " excuse me please" to pass many construcion workers, yea , now youve got it , I, me, yo, myself, pushing my wife to the X ray dept, the mood darkens now, YESS you didnt miss read the last part , ME, esposo, no, not a qualified nurse, doctor, Entonces, off I went to the Rayos X, passed 2 guards who were more interested in chismosos or chating up the nurses, 2 hours later with the results of the xrays a doctor nonchalantly said " nada pasar con ella, es solo trauma" ok great news nothing broken, but an injection in the bum to kill the pain, then , she needs 8, eight DAYS rest with heavy( strong) pain killers, " pay at the desk please" , so I grabbed one of only 4 wheel chairs in a very busy hospital ( I know this because I asked, 4 ,,,,four wheelchairs) waiting for a taxi was the final straw, I realy lost my respect for colombia, and all the times when my friends asked "why".. do you live there , and me " la gente son muy amables" I love living here but todays experience has reminded me , TAKE STOCK OF YOUR LIFE PAUL, pero mañana, SO, I return to my thoughts, .. never knock the national health in england, my lesson today, enter a hospital in england your health is paramount , enter a hospital here in Cali ( because I can only talk about my life here, ) where are your papers, WE CANT SAVE YOUR LIFE IF YOUR PAPERS ARE NOT IN ORDER, 5 years in Cali but today made me think,

la campiña says on Nov 9, 2007, 22:47:

Part 2 is on going

eywed says on Nov 9, 2007, 22:51:

Sorry La Campina, Please pardon me, My words were strong. I am glad your wife is ok. This is one of my fears about moving to Colombia. Health care for the wife and Kids. What if something happens or more like when something happens. Thank you for sharing your story with us all.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

la campiña says on Nov 9, 2007, 23:03:

the 3rd eye, no reason to apologise, I give, so I expect to receive, but thanks for your words, but you are right, health care here is at least a little bit wobbly if not ucked, pero, we make our choice, I am here because I want to be, and the truth is the good things overcome the bad, I could do the , 10 things you like about cali and 10 things you dont, in the cold light of day the good things WIN, just about ha

la campiña says on Nov 9, 2007, 23:31:

C'mon she's in pain and I've gotta cook for 8 days, hay yea, curry , every cloud has a silver lining

elk says on Nov 10, 2007, 04:05:

Sorry to hear about your problem with the medical care here in Colombia.

My experience here in Medellin has been totally different than yours. I can't say enough about the high quality health care and the doctors. I had eye surgery last year and had a total of eight different doctors, not one bad experience.

A friend recommended the EMI emergency home care insurance which costs me a total of $137.00 USD per year. I had never used it until last week. I made the call and a doctor and nurse were at my home in 20 minutes. This coverage includes ambulance services and transport to the hospital. As an added benefit, they call ahead to the emergency room at the hospital. (in my case Envigado)

I have friend who used the services of the hospital here in Envigado for the first time. He went without an appointment, but according to him the service was excellent with no long waits. He had X-rays and was referred to a specialist at the hospital during this first visit. No waiting days to see a specialist. Like me he has the EPS heath insurance through Coomeva which costs $47.00 per month.

Again, sorry about your problems. The above EMI coverage includes accidents away from home and free ambulance transport to the hospital. Your wife would have been treated by the doctor at the scene of her accident by a doctor and then transported to an emergency room doctor if necessary.

eywed says on Nov 10, 2007, 04:11:

Now thats what I like to hear.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 10, 2007, 10:41:

la campina -

Good to hear you wife is okay,

My question... "do you think maybe, just maybe it was possible you were overreacting since it was your wife who was injured?"

It doesn't seem like it was a life-threating situation from reading your post but it did seem, to me, that you wanted "life-threating treament." I'm just asking a question here.

Elk,
Thanks for the post.

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

goin_south says on Nov 10, 2007, 11:32:

Now.... we'll pray for her to make it through the OCHO DIAS, DEL COCHINARANDO DE LA CAMPINA :;-))

and, thank you.

vicshere says on Nov 10, 2007, 12:15:

you think that's bad last week a student at the UIS here in B/manga got hit in the leg with a washer from a home made exploding noise maker or as they call it "bomba"..the washer got into his leg and the next day he died in the hospital from an infection...within 24 hours..unbelievable

listo

Man Tequila says on Nov 10, 2007, 13:11:

I hope your wife is on her feet again soon.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

Lowell says on Nov 10, 2007, 13:56:

Sorry for the news, I hope she recoops soon. What is the name of her pain meds? The only thing I've found for pain is a form of Vicodine called Aprix-F.

In Cartago, all of the times that we've been there for an emergency, the emergency was treated imediately and the papers were provided shortly thereafter.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

Alma del Norte says on Nov 10, 2007, 14:23:

I can't let a post about emergency health care and the NHS go without commenting, as soon I will be thrust into the frontline. I will be back on an emergency ambulance or car, in London, during December and January - traditionally "winter pressure" time for the London Ambulance Service. I know now that very few of the jobs that I will be sent to will necessitate my attendance. Many of those calls, eg: to drunk who says he's got chest pain, will require us to be on scene within 8 minutes, but at what cost? It means more Colombia Tokens in my pocket, so I do alright. I'd love to know, for example how much Bogota spends on primary response care...

La vida es una rutina

Man Tequila says on Nov 10, 2007, 14:29:

I'd like to know this too. Although ultimately sixty or seventy per cent or so of ambulances I see probably did not need it, I would say that in only ten per cent of cases calling the ambulance was unreasonable. You can't take a chance with chest pain, 15-20% of infarcts die. I could do without the drunks and druggies and have been in the trenches myself.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

goin_south says on Nov 10, 2007, 15:10:

...so, you prefer the ones who have
abused themselves with food and sedentaria,
rather than the party animals

and, thank you.

goin_south says on Nov 10, 2007, 15:12:

Hey La Camp; call A.B.;
he knows all the good 'Takey Outey' places, I think.
So, your wife doesn't suffer more ;)

and, thank you.

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 18:49:

medellin traveller, yes you are right, in retrospect my reaction was one of a person panicking a little, but my observations and conversations with colombians in the clinic leads me to believe whilst proud the people here may be they are not stupid or blind to the problems that surround them everyday. A nurse told me that people have died because when they enter a hospital only to find that they or the company they work for ( there health program) is not affiliated with that particular clinic, so they have to set off again and find the right health center, but this time in a taxi, so imagine regardless of education or money, after an accident maybe your disorientated, confused, time is crucial.

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 18:57:

AL contrario, here in cali if you want bigger boobs, bum, nose job, 20/20 vision, laser this laser that, mick jager lips, his ex wifes hips, you can pay , and pay you will for fantastic results, BUT this is vanity, not day to day important real life reality. I cant help thinking about the people especialy the young , old , inferm, those without, que vida,

elk says on Nov 11, 2007, 19:03:

I called EMI tonight for the second time and the doctor was at my home in less than an hour. (non-emergency)

I suffered a burn to my leg ten days ago and thought it might be infected. The doctor confirmed the infection and provided me with a prescription. I've been very pleased with the "in home care ". Excellent service and the price of $137.00 per year is a bargain.

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 19:57:

Elk, that sounds fantastic, BUT you had to pay for your medication, and what if your injury was serious, my understanding of emi is a flying doctor kind of thing. If you were to need hospital care do you know where to go, would they supply transport if things were more serious, I think you may find yourself struggling with the masses when push comes to shove. My wife works for Carvajal a multi national company but I was their witnessing the reality and listening and absorbing all aspects of day to day life in a colombian hospital, the medics amiable caring but fighting an up hill battle, and dont forget she was stuck underneath her moto in the middle of the road in the pouring rain with 4 by 4 jeeps rushing past spraying water all over her, did any of those rich c..... stop ha No , a man walking his dogs heard her cries and recued the moment

goin_south says on Nov 11, 2007, 21:58:

There's always Man Tequila...on pbh

and, thank you.

Man Tequila says on Nov 11, 2007, 22:30:

I don't mind giving general advice to people here that ask. But I wouldn't treat someone over the phone, never mind the Internet. You should see a local doctor if this is needed.

Hope your wife is doing well, Camps.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 22:32:

there's always one thing i think about, and that is goin south here face to face with me next to the pool, procrastinating, and other life stories

christobeldawg says on Nov 11, 2007, 22:58:

about that time of night la camp starts to channel his stream of unconsiousness thing

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

goin_south says on Nov 11, 2007, 22:59:

tequilo.... sorry, I forgot the: ;)

and, thank you.

goin_south says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:01:

And, shouldn't that be: El_Campiño?

and, thank you.

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:14:

yea, but I lived in a barrio called La campiña so thats why I have a multi sexual code name ha ja

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:17:

christo youve got it , you clever person, haje

christobeldawg says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:18:

I'm at the point in my Spanglish learning that I can't get a grasp on all that masculine\feminine stuff. Give me another year though, and if there are any brain cells left, I am going to be all over it. then, maybe, I can legitimately relate to Colombianitas.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

goin_south says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:23:

".....here face to face with me next to the pool, ...."
jus 1 Q, Camp; does the pool have actual water within?

and, thank you.

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:25:

listen . dont worry, this is a big mistake when learning another language, DONT WORRY, make mistakes and learn from them, the people that hide in silence never learn, talk shite and learn without fear of bad school marks, this is the gig not the rehearsal

goin_south says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:30:

I tried that the first time in Colombian, Camp; they thought I was from russia ;)

and, thank you.

christobeldawg says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:32:

It's definitely a right brain kindathing. I tend to overthink it, and sometimes can't think of a word of Spanish, and then, yet, sometimes I dream fluently in that language.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

goin_south says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:34:

Campina.... p.m.

and, thank you.

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:39:

yes, I know so much spanish in my head, pero, when I have to talk I'm doomed too much thinking, not enough drinking, sorry that rhyme was un un cant think of the word

goin_south says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:45:

Residual......spontaneity

and, thank you.

la campiña says on Nov 11, 2007, 23:54:

hollllllllly mollllllly yep thats the one

kalder says on Nov 12, 2007, 01:27:

I hope she's on the mend.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

la campiña says on Nov 12, 2007, 20:00:

3

goin_south says on Nov 12, 2007, 23:45:

and, '3' is code 4.....???

and, thank you.

la campiña says on Nov 14, 2007, 20:58:

no, 4 is code 5

la campiña says on Nov 14, 2007, 22:02:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOw so where are we now, day what, 5 mas o menos , wife still in serious pain without after help, no follow up, no nothing nada, life realy is cheap here , its all for one and ,, you know, no care system no back up no call realy no safety net, can you imagine an outsider starting a union for the people for health care or basic human rights here in chibchombia, the day may closer than you think

goin_south says on Nov 14, 2007, 23:59:

they'll shut yer ass faster than you can say: DESAYUNO!

and, thank you.

goin_south says on Nov 15, 2007, 00:00:

....or,.....! MARACUYA !

and, thank you.

goin_south says on Nov 15, 2007, 00:02:

No pre-ocupacionnes, por favor;
¡La ayuda viene pronto!

and, thank you.

dwmte7 says on Nov 16, 2007, 05:27:

campina...haven't checked in for a while. hope all's well with the mrs and you're out of the woods and back home.
douglas

dwmte

la campiña says on Nov 16, 2007, 20:37:

todo bien gracias

elk says on Nov 21, 2007, 04:29:

la campina:

You ask about EMI transport to a hospital in case of serious injury....

The $137.00 USD annual cost includes ambulance service to the hospital and they call ahead and your given, I'm told, priority treatment since they have already determined that your case is an emergency. Again, I use the hospital in Envigado/Medellin which from all reports is excellent. I friend has made two visits to the hospital in the last three weeks and reports excellent service and no long waits. We both have EPS medical coverage.

His co-pay was 1,000 COP or (50 cents USD)

I have had serious eye problems in the past year and found the medical service to be excellent. I had a total of six doctors in total and found them very professional and they took the time to talk with me about my options.

Others may have had bad experiences, but I feel very comfortable with the Colombian medical care. I have had just the opposite opinion with medical service in the U.S. veterans hospitals.

Chelesupercono says on Nov 21, 2007, 16:00:

I do hope that your wife is fine and recovering well. My experience in Latin America is that you can have superb medical care as long as you have the cash.......the same goes for justice......no hay dinero no hay miel....

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

la campiña says on Dec 1, 2007, 16:56:

sorry to drag this post back into the limelight once again, however, check the date of the original post!! remember, wife, moto, accident, 3 weeks in bed returned to clinic for further analysis because swelling hadn't subsided, remember X rays no problem todo bien, she had , dont quote me on this but " magnetic resonance" anyway this gives a better picture overall, however the day before she underwent physiotherapy because the medics said " oh your ok its trauma and you should relax your afraid of pain its natural". One hour of excercise with large footballs later and in serious pain, but in the hands of proffesionals don't forget, we staggered out of the cab and home. All that night she whimpered in serious pain and of course I was a little perturbed, " no pain no gain" I tried to reassure her. Well next morning another taxi, here we are again in the familiar suroundings of the famous caring clinic, after 2 hours of waiting and authorizing paper after paper and foto copying and getting in and out of lifts and passing time and water, we got the new results of the Rayos X. oops sorry you've got 2, two fractures 1 in your foot and 1 in your knee, " DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT excercise or move your leg" said the doctor totaly unaware of previous professional advice from his compatriots, ................ OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....This litttle story is in no means putting down the people that care for the general public, they are running round with limited resources and staff doing there best , .......they need help, and this is not a story I have invented, al contrario its ongoing, so what next, irreparable damage to my wifes leg!!!!!!!!! going south I hope you read this and thanks again for your help, I think you may have had your doubts when you checked Claudia.

la campiña says on Dec 1, 2007, 18:52:

what do the pobrecitos do without health care, or is that why so many of the under class are amputees, otra vez god works in mysterious ways¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿? I blame the spanish !

la campiña says on Dec 1, 2007, 19:20:

realy part 8 maybe

manINred says on Dec 1, 2007, 19:53:

La Campina. That is a terrible story. It really makes one appreciate the NHS, despite its flaws. Big story in Medellin when a shot guy was refused care and subsequently died. Government got on the ass of the health centre that refused treatment.

"You can't take a chance with chest pain"

Absolutely correct Man Tequila, I'm only a lowly lifeguard but it means that I'm trained in first aid, and if anyone has chest pain it's considered a 'major' incident (as opposed to a 'minor'... pool clear, medics, ambulance, the works.

christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 20:03:

don't ever say you are only a lowly lifeguard. you are a LIFE GUARD. nothing is more important.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

la campiña says on Dec 1, 2007, 20:08:

thanks for your words, " only a lifeguard" dont put yourself down thats an intense responsibility, keep on rokin, hablamos.

manINred says on Dec 1, 2007, 20:25:

Thanks guys!

I didn't mean to put myself down, well, perhaps medically... i meant lowly not as an insult to myself or fellow lifeguards (sorry fellow lifeguards!) but it was to make clear that i wasn't implying that i had the medical trainig of a doctor, rather just that i am trained in first aid.

christobeldawg says on Dec 1, 2007, 20:28:

OK, I'm good with that, as long as you were not putting yourself down. La camp, you good there?

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

la campiña says on Dec 1, 2007, 21:03:

I'm right "behind" you ha did you expect a sraight answer ha, no realy anyone thats helps anybody is numero uno para mi, it takes a special kind of person that gives, and gives, before he takes, its so easy to close your eyes and switch off when all around NEED help

la campiña says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:07:

gosh!! 5 years in cali and I'm flabbergasted

goin_south says on Dec 1, 2007, 22:13:

La_Campiña////ooops..... did they tell you: that because of the immediate tissue damage and swelling, right after the trauma, that the fx many times won't show on the x-ray? but, then.. they should have said: If not improving steadily in the next 7 to 10 days... come back for re-x-ray.
It looked a little scary, and I forgot my x-ray eyes on the plane.

So....no serugia?

and, thank you.

la campiña says on Apr 16, 2008, 00:26:

no they didnt

goin_south says on Apr 16, 2008, 22:12:

4 months hence; muchas gracias, seeñor.

and, thank you.