American, 44, Wife and Mother of 3, and Medical Tourism Rep. undergoes Surgery In Colombia

Wednesday, September 26th was the beginning of my lowest point. My husband decided to return to our home 25 minutes away, to catch up on sleep. I could not blame him, the sleep deprivation made both of us even more frustrated, anxious, and quick to amp on each other things we did not mean. He left at 9pm and promised me he would return to me by 8am for the procedure at 9. Well, when he failed to post at 9 I started to get a bit angry at first, because he swore up and down, pinky promised, and gave his word he would be there for me. As 8 turned in to 9, I had the operators calling his cell phone and the house phone. None answered. By 9:30 I began to think that something else was delaying him. I had some help from an english speaking woman who was able to call our building security. They had no record of him leaving any time since arriving the night before, so he was still in the home. The security men knocked hard several times on the solid wood door, and no one answered but our chihuahua Sadie. More calls from me, my Mommy and Daddy, the floor operator,
the building security, made me panic. Fortunately my procedure was wisely postponed due to my hysterical scene combined withanxiety, pain, and fear......What has happened to my husband?
After another went by which seemed like a millenia. The security guard tried one last attempt to discover my husbands whereabouts. At about 11am, the message they translated was this-he simply had slept through his alarm clock, and having two doors closed between the bedroom and front door, he was so sleep deprived he was not awakened to the dog barking, pounding on the door, calls for his name, or phone calls. He slept a total of 16 hours. I envied him and was angry, relieved, distraught, and had reached unbearable levels of pain. It was the worst day of my life. I did manage to eat half a BigMac my husband snuck in as a peace offering. It was the most delicious two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun in the history of MacDonalds. I ate half of it before bringing it back up and into the toilet. But those fries....they were keepers.
Thursday was day 6. Quite a blur. I have to remember it, so until then. Salud!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Surgery in Colombia-Day 4

Tuesday, September 28 was day four of my visit in the Clinica de Hospital.   I began dreaming of how wonderful the hospital breakfast would taste as it was wheeled down the hall and delivered to everyone else. I only had 15 hours sleep since being admitted, and counting the two days at home before admission I was growing weak without eating and drinking for 6 days.  Because of the horrendous constant pain, I hardly noticed the hunger pangs.  Ice chips would have been nice but were not offered.  My only complaint during this entire 9 day stay would be bring on the ice chips.  The doctors checked with me every morning and evening, and this morning they had ordered a tomography.  The test was quick and I was more than happy to drink the two cups of contrast medium down.  It was the absolute best barium and iodine I had ever enjoyed.  I highly reccommend it if you have completely food and liquid fasted for 6 days and nights. 
Pain PaIN PAIN!!!!!!  I could not tolerate it.  Medievel torture may come close to describing it.  The constant stabbing from the side and back of my upper abdomen made every move agonizing, every position sitting or standing unbearable.  That afternoon, Dr. A, my English speaking Urologist explained my test results.  The collection was a 10 cm mass on my kidney.  It was blocking half my large intestine, and they recommended a further test involving a puncture to obtain a biopsy.  He explained the possible results ranging from a cyst to a malignant tumor.  I refused to allow that word to even be considered.  I seriously explained to everyone it was not allowed to be mentioned, because I did not want to speak it into existence.  My dear, amazing Mommy in Pennsylvania was so worried she hadn't been eating or sleeping either.   Thank you to her wonderful partner Carl who had the wisdom to have a doctor prescribe her anti-anxiety medication.   As for my Daddy in Ecuador, he planned to immediately fly in to see me.  His concern for me elevated his blood pressure and along with the headaches, his doctor recommended he not travel.  Both my parents expressed feelings of helpless and fear.  It was the first time I felt afraid through this process.  Knowing my parents, my pillars of strength, my mentors, my caregivers and creators were terrified,  was my low point.  I cried so long and hard, from this mental anguish and physical pain I was given the highest allowed dose of morphine.  I slept two hours before I was in pain again.   I remember asking God several times if my life was really meant to continue.  About that moment he would send a bird singing to me, or a child laughing down the hall, or a staff member with a smile coming to see how I was.    My sleep deprived and distraught husband and I hardly slept that night.  I began to look forward to the procedure tomorrow, even with my surgery phobia.  Just a puncture.  It did not even sound good. 

Latin America on the Move! Here's why!

More and more Americans, especially the 'Baby Boomer' retirees are rethinking and relocating to Central and South America, and never looking back! With considerations such as difference in language, away from family and friends, and cultural contrasts, it must have a great deal of advantages. Here are a few from latinworld.com.:
-Cost of living is much lower. From rent/housing to food and services, you can expect around half what you spend in the US. Maids, security, and groundskeepers are an affordable amenity and are appreciative and hardworking.
-Stress free and relaxed way of life. In Ecuador, they told us "relax", and in Panama "take it easy". Here in Colombia, its "no problem". They actually tell you to be "tranquilo", a gentle reminder of where you are, and are not! Siesta, a two hour lunch break to eat and nap off your meal a bit before returning to the grind is taken very seriously! Well, that's probably the only thing that is!
-Unique natural environments. Each country offers a variety of Eco-scapes to choose from. Icy glaciers in Chile, Rain forests in Colombia, World class surf in Ecuador, Shopping in Panama, Offshore deep sea fishing in Costa Rica. These are just the activities I have recently ventured to. You'll easily find your favorites. latinworld.com covers tons of info and questions for newbies.
-Fiestas, Fiestas, Fiestas!! Here in Colombia, almost every other Monday is a national holiday. At Christmas, schools have a six week break and another break for summer. Nightlife and clubbing is very common in even the smallest towns, and starts when you get on the bus-lights, music, beverages, all can be enjoyed as your riding to your fave hot spot!
-Business and Investor Ready. Many governments foresee the trends already happening and have implemented fewer laws and less requirements for prospective business owners and investors. Panama has opened its borders allowing foreign nationals an "Immediate Permanent Resident" status. Find more info at sovereign-investor.com.

American's Medical Tourism Emergency Surgery in Colombia

Today

Three days after surgery

I was admitted on Saturday, August 25.  I had not eaten for two days and only sipped water and broth.  The pain had increased from about a 6 (scaling from 1 to 10) to about an 8 overnight.  Doctors and nurses checked on me about every 2 hours, and added severe dehydration to my symptoms.  My lips and mouth were completely white from what everyone said-mirrors were not in my vocabulary at that point.  That weekend was one I wish never to relive.  Before the pain medication wore off, I was literally crying in agony.  The doctors were not certain about my diagnosis and mentioned several ranging from kidney stones to a bowel obstruction.  All equally as frightening and painful to me.  Finally Monday arrived and I was quickly taken to get a sonogram.  Although four very pregnant women were waiting ahead of me, I was taken right away to the exam table.  The technician was as gentle as he could be, and when he captured the image of a large mass at the top left of my abdomen, he showed it to me on the screen.  He didn't make me wait hours for the doctors to read the results and share the same information.  Although I was shocked and disturbed, the tech was comforting and assured me I had the best team of physicians working on my case.  Everyone shared this same sentiment with my husband and I, and it was true as we soon realized.  But the waiting game wore on all of us.  My family in the states and my father in Ecuador grew concerned as my pain severity was evident over the phone.  My husband was staying strong for all of us but after weeks of seeing me in pain he could not sleep or eat. 
Which made two of us.  I was not even allowed water so of course it was all I thought about.  Watching the Food Network was definitely out.  Sleeping came about an hour and a half at a time until the pain woke me.  I wrote in broken Spanish to Ledys, my favorite nurse, I never experienced pain this severe in my entire 44 years.  And I have given birth 3 times naturally.  My youngest was born 9 1/2 pounds.  I am about 5'4" and 125 lbs.  Yea, I know what pain is.   

  





American Medical Tourism Co. Rep Blogger Becomes Patient in Colombia

All new experiences told as stories to others usually have a lesson or moral from which we are to learn or ponder. Mine is two-fold; one is a culture changing truth, and the second a personal challenge overcome. My desire in writing is to share what I have gained from a shocking and frightful ordeal and essentially help others. Whether it be joining the change of a country's stigma or opening minds to global medical tourism, my journal begins.
Kind. Caring. Utmost professional. Patient conscious. The absolute best medical experience I have ever encountered. This does not touch the surface of the entire staff at the hospital. In all my 44 years, I have never felt such a level of concern or comfort as in this Colombian hospital. I speak from not only a patient perspective but clinical as well. About 25 years ago I worked as an orthopedic nurse in the largest tertiary care hospital (at the time) on the east coast. I almost made it an entire year. The daily mental and physical endurance was more than I could make my life's work. Nursing school doesn't teach this because it can not. People whom you have grown close to, suffering in multiple types and severities of pain. That sums up nursing in my eyes.
From the doctors and nurses, to the hospitality and communications staff, each one had a smile and awareness of its patients. And especially with my lack of spanish speaking abilities (even though my father is Ecuadorian) a happy face makes all the difference in the world. 
Amazing pictures of the surgery wound, two days post-op and today.  Scar will be barely noticable in the future, thanks to my masterful and english speaking surgeon!

American Medical Tourism Blogger has Major Emergency Surgery in Colombia

I never thought it would happen to me.  As I write, research, and promote medical tourism in Colombia, who could guess  that I would soon have a 'as-serious-as-it-gets' experience as an emergency patient. I speak barely enough Spanish to say I am in pain, and not enough to know what the doctors were saying was wrong with me.  But the nine days I spent in the hospital I will write about for the world to read.  And hopefully my experience will help others needing medical treatment and cannot receive it, for more reasons than just financially.  I am only 2 1/2 weeks out of surgery and recovery is going very well.  My surgeon is a wonderful man who speaks better English than my Spanish abilities, and will make his second house visit Friday.  The tomography picture above shows my kidney on the left normally.  The right kidney (looking like a hot dog) is smashed by the 10 cm abscess behind it.  My large intestine was also half blocked which caused me to become severely dehydrated.  I had started with a bladder infection and as we are reminded to 'always finish ALL the antibiotic prescription' I consciously did not.  I now know why this is impertinent; I learned the hard way.

Someca Joins with Primo MedTour

Frederick Siller, President oof Primo MedTour and Travel, S.A., announced today its partnership with Someca Clinicas Odontologicas, a full service, well established dental clinic with 4 offices in Barranquilla and Santa Marta, Colombia.   With over 25 years experience, Someca Doctors and staff are fully trained with the latest technology and committed to the quality standards necessary for optimal service and patient comfort.   State of the art, sterile facilities and excellent tech dental equipment combined with caring and certified personnel providing the highest standard in dentistry care from braces to 24 hour emergency service

On a personal note, my wife has had excellent results with her dental implant procedure.  We plan on proceeding with dental veneers for both of us, as well as replacement of silver fillings to white.  We will post pictures of our new 'Hollywood' smiles very soon.

Eyelid surgery costs in U.S. and Colombia

From ColombiaMedicalTourism.blogspot.com

Eye lift cost comparisons

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty or eye lift) is a popular cosmetic plastic surgery to remove excess skin, fat or muscle from droopy upper and lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty improves baggy skin under the eyes, sinking upper eyelids or drooping eyelashes that impair vision. The surgery can also treat a medical condition called ptosis (drooping eyelid), which is caused by poor muscle tone or nerve damage. Ptosis causes the eyelids to hang very low and block vision.

In the states, the total fees can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the extent of the procedure. In 2007, the national average for plastic surgeon fees for blepharoplasty was $2,480, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In Santa Marta, Colombia, our specialists quote was 2,600 pesos, or about $1,457.05 USD with today's currency exchange rate. With all the options available in Santa Marta, or Colombia, as a whole (Bogota is the 4th best location for all plastic or as I like to say, improvement surgery) many patients combine services to get the most for your money. I am working with a group of family doctors here, to have the blepharoplasty and total veneers for my husband and I. My molar implant is almost complete, and then we will be ready for the veneers, which take about a week. The eye lift is a pretty quick surgery and recovery is a breeze, according to my mother, who had it done last year. Thanks Mommy, for that gene, and lousy teeth genes too! <3 You Mommy!!! She said it feels like paper cuts on the eyelids, and stitches are out after five days. I am a veteran orthodontic patient, and hated dentist visits more than my fear of bugs, which ranks at totally petrified. So keep checking for updates to these maintenance visits we will be undergoing. After we have completely healed and look absolutely fabulous we certainly will be posting our photos here, and just about everywhere I can online, so look out facebook, all my profile pics, linkedin.....

Colombia, USA, and others Comparative Costs on Popular Surgeries

Taken directly from http://www.globalbenefitoptions.com/facts_about_medical_tourism.html

In 2007 alone 750,000 American’s traveled abroad for medical care. Medical Tourism is a real option for high quality medical care at reduced costs. By opening the door to the Global marketplace the patient has increased their options. Wait times for procedures are no longer a concern.

The Joint Commission International (JCI) is the health care industry’s official accreditation institution. JCI represents the highest quality standards. As of 2008 JCI has over 220 approved foreign medical sites.
The savings on procedures is significant – see the chart below from Deloitte a Cost Comparison of U.S. vs. Foreign Surgical Procedures.

Medical Tourism Sample Surgery Cost Chart

Surgery	USA	Colombia	Costa Rica	India	Jordan	Korea	Mexico	Singapore	Thailand
Heart Bypass	$144,000	$14,630	$25,000	$8,500	$10,000	$24,000	$20,000	$13,500	$24,000
Angioplasty	$57,000	$7,106	$13,000	$8,500	$5,000	$19,600	$16,000	$7,500	$7,000
Heart Valve Replacement	$170,000	$10,450	$30,000	$1,200	$12,000	$36,000	$30,000	$13,500	$22,000
Hip Replacement	$50,000	$8,360	$12,500	$8,000	$8,000	$16,450	$13,125	$11,100	$14,000
Hip Resurfacing	$50,000	$10,500	$12,000	$8,000	$8,000	$20,900	$12,800	$12,100	$16,000
Knee Replacement	$50,000	$7,106	$11,500	$7,000	$7,000	$17,800	$10,650	$10,800	$12,000
Spinal Fusion	$100,000	$14,500	$15,000	$12,000	$10,000	$17,350	$7,000	$18,300	$11,000
Dental Implant	$2,000-10,000	$1,672	$1,000	$700	$500	$3400	$910	$2,900	$3,000
Lap Band	$30,000	$6,500	$8,500	$7,500	$5,000	$9,500	$8,430	$12,000	$12,000
Breast Implants	$10,000	$2,600	$3,500	$4,500	$3,000	$11,000	$8,000	$5,400	$3,700
Rhinoplasty	$8,000	$1,677	$5,500	$3,500	$2,500	$4,000	$4,165	$2,700	$3,400
Face Lift	$15,000	$3,305	$5,900	$7,000	$3,000	$3,000	$7,200	$4,000	$6,600
Hysterectomy	$15,000	$1,845	$5,500	$5,500	$2,500	$9,000	$6,675	$4,000	$5,000

Updated July 2009

Transplants:	Asia	Latin America	United States
Kidney Transplant	$43,550	$30,000	Up to: $150,000
Liver Transplant	$134,000	$75,000	Up to: $315,000

Updated July 2009