Layne’s leg looked terrible yesterday morning, a volcano erupting blood on her calf. The pain was excruciating. Something was wrong and we needed help. We looked for a doctor’s office that was modern and suitable but the only candidate was padlocked closed. Weird. The Paraguayan side of the border had an emergency clinic so we drove there but they were so chaotic we fled. Paraguayan border controls are a couple of miles south of the border so you can drive around the border quite freely.
There was nothing for it and we decided to drive north three hours to Rio Grande back the way we had come… “like driving to Miami from Key West,” my indomitable wife remarked as she settled into the bed with her leg raised. We passed through Brazilian customs northbound once again without being stopped. Borders here are very odd.
They took us in right away, English speaking staff thank god were assigned to us and they took blood to do some tests. The volcano resisted draining so they said it might require IV antibiotics but in any event we will stay close by till this is resolved. Hopefully after the Easter weekend we can get back to Chuí and pick up where we left off with the vet.
5 comments:
Ohhh fingers crossed and best wishes for Layne!
Wishing the best for Layne's recovery.
Is medical treatment outside the US a cash transaction or does your US Medicare / Insurance cover some of the costs?
Hoping Laynes healing is quick!
We have had Medicare reimburse us for emergency care in Canada when Layne had gallbladder problems so it is possible.
There are nomad health insurance plans you can buy but they are limited duration, up to a year or 18 months. So we pay as we go but we keep a healthy emergency fund for car or people repairs without stress. Paramaribo and the malaria cure cost $4,000 so it isn’t always dirt cheap. If we got something major we’d go back to the states for Medicare (we have the traditional plan for $220 a month) and we have Good Sam’s worldwide evacuation policy if we need an air ambulance. Mostly as in so many things it’s fingers crossed.
The quality of care is usually excellent despite the stereotypes. Many doctors are US trained and speak English. Private clinics have the latest technology and medications are affordable (for us). And in Latin countries there is a tradition of care that makes you feel like they are actually concerned for your well being which makes the misery much more bearable.
Sending Layne positive vibes and healing!
Wilson
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