what a pain in the ass!

The Free Dictionary  provides this -

pain in the ass and a pain in the butt; a pain in the rear

Fig. a very annoying thing or person. (Crude. Potentially offensive. Use only with discretion. An elaboration of pain. Use caution with ass. Butt is less offensive. Rear is euphemistic.) That guy is a real pain in the ass. Things like that give me a pain in the butt.

See also: ass, pain

I went to the Hospital today - to the Urgencias (Emergency Room).   For those of you who know me know this must be something - else I am having a complete collapse. That or something is changing and with age I am becoming either more wise or more cautious.

On Sunday, while the dogs were inside eating, I took the adorable little kitten of the previous post outside for some sunshine.  He explored, sniffed about and in general took in some sun (vitamin D) and had a bit of exercise.   After about 15 minutes I picked up kitty and was carrying him in to the house to return him to his cage.  Well as we were passing the dogs kitty had a fright and while trying to escape my hold bit me good, and then fell to the ground amidst the dogs.  Ceniza immediately set to getting him, and then me to getting Ceniza, and the other dogs joining in for the fun.   I managed to snatch kitty up before Ceniza could.

A lot of drama ensued that I just can't get in to and it was an hour before I could do more than just wrap a paper towel around my finger to stop the bleeding.  When I was able I scrubbed the wounds thoroughly, pushed and pushed to flush the wounds and doused them liberally with both peroxide and betadyne.  I checked and peeled away any skin flaps.  Good job, clean and dry.  Well, Not!

Kitty is being treated for numerous parasites and transmitted to me some pretty nasty bacteria.  So this is what my finger looked like Monday morning.  

I began a regimen of 4 or 5 times a day soaks in hot water with epsom salts and garlic.  Garlic is both antibacterial and inflammatory, and salt is just an all around good cleanser and healer.  Also on Monday I stopped by a farmacia and got a prescription for an antibiotic, Cefalexina - 500 mg 2 x per day. The box of 20capsules cost me 56pesos.

So today, Wednesday this is what the finger looks like, the inflammation is intense, but there is no pus so the infection is being kept at bay.

 Unfortunately I don't think the antibiotic is doing the trick.  So that is what precipitated the trip to the hospital.  Unfortunately I don't have who I would consider a general physician.

The swelling is immense, the stiffness is well stiff as a board, attempts to bend are met with nearly intolerable pain, the skin is so sensitive, well I could go on...still only the clear liquid coming out, so no pus, that's good, but it's just not improving.

So off to Clinica de Merida,  I've actually been to this hospital several times, but always in attendance to others.  This is first time I've met a Dr there that didn't or wouldn't speak English, but we did just fine.   He looked at the finger, made some faces, did a thorough cleanse, opened the wound, was surprised that there was no pus and declared I needed a stronger antibiotic,,,,administered as shots, in my arse.  He gave me a script for 3 doses of antibiotic which I had to go to the farmacia to buy.  Tom did that while I paid my hospital bill.  270pesos for the consulta, and 26pesos for the supplies used.

We returned with the antibiotics to the nurse, she asked where were the needles/syringes????  so back to the farmacia to buy 3 needles.  Then back to the nurse where she instructed Tom on administering the next 2 days injections as she administered today's injection.  I am to return Saturday for a followup check and a 4th injection, if needed.

So this antibiotic Megion IM 1g solution, x 3 dosis was 900pesos, holy crap this stuff better work!,  and 3 5ml syringes were 10pesos.


so there you have my current medical experience - what a pain in the ass!

Tom's medical procedure

For about a year Tom has had this small rash type thing on the left side of his neck.  Since he also has small patches of psoriasis we thought that's what it was as it seemed to respond to the lotion he uses.  It flared once and developed a open type sore and after the sore went away there was a small knot under the skin.  It recently flared again  so we went to his dermatologist and to make this story short he had surgery Monday May 28th at 4PM to remove a basal cell carcinoma.    


It was done as an in office surgical procedure with local anesthetic.  


The dermatologist assures us that all will be fine,  it is very slow growing type of cancer, it doesn't metastasize and the removal will be a success.  

Tom checked it all out on the internet to understand things and he's pleased that he doesn't have to watch!   But he will be awake.  In fact, I was in the office, and the music was on and the dermatologist sang while performing the surgery!  Tom says she has a very nice voice.

The dermatologist wants Tom to be still and quiet for ten days.  I have assured her that that will likely not happen!  ;-)  

So the surgery was yesterday, all went well, Tom has a huge patch on his neck and is not supposed to move his neck and not supposed to go outside.

Oh give me strength!

So for those of you curious about medical procedures (all prices are in pesos)

Dermatologist visit = 600

pre surgical bloodwork = 560

surgical, in office procedure = 5000

biopsy = 2000

pain med and antibiotic = 225

In home nursing care = price unmeasureable

follow up visits = don't know yet

The Fairy Tale is Over - Part 2

So after my post this morning I walked over to the farmacia at La Ermita Park, which by the way also has a Consultorio (meaning a Doctor). I explained to said doctor that my spanish is muy basico, and then proceeded to explain in spanish, my symptoms of the past few days; along with telling him I had got/gotten water in my ear last week while in the caribbean waters.

He asked lots of questions, listened to my breathing looked in my ears, down my throat, etc, etc.

He then declared that I had indeed acquired an infection. My ears were a little distended and inflamed, but not horribly, my lungs were clear although my breathing was a bit labored, the back of my throat was very inflamed and coated in mucous, green/yellow icky slimy mucous. OK those weren't exactly his words....



Anyway, I am on antibiotics, anti-inflamatories, and a liquid to break up and cause me to expel all that icky, yucky, slimy mucous. So I'm just warning you, in case we find ourselves locked in a small room together...


So the consulta, and 2 prescriptions (a box of 12 500mg Amoxicilina, and a bottle of 120ml of Ridin, the mucous buster stuff, I didn't buy the ibuprofin since I already have some at home) came to $170mxp about $15usd.

Sure hope it works!

An update on some medical expenses

Many of you are concerned about medical expenses here in Merida.  And as I have just completed my annual gyn stuff - I will share with you the prices. 

This is pretty much just going to be reciting the test or procedure and the cost. 

So step away from the computer if this doesn't interest you!

OK - gyn visit and exam, 500   YES ALL prices will be in pesos

pap smear lab expense, 150

mammography and sonogram of breasts including axilas (armpits), I do like the way axilas sounds so much better than armpits! This is a package price for the two studies so I can't give you one or the other, 1502.

Because of my past with cancer I now alternate - one year a sonograph of the pelvic region, one year cancer markers checked through blood work.  This year was blood work, so to have a CA 125 was 669, and CA 15.3 was 669, which are ovaries and breasts respectively.

And just for general grins and giggles I get some extra bloodwork done, and a urine test as well.

general exam of urine, 75

the blood chemestry with cholesterol and triglycerides, 376 - this test included glucose, urea, uric nitrogen, creatina, and uric acid as well.

And then there was the Biometria Hematica test, 111.  I'm not sure what all this stuff is, and my spanish to english translation will not be accurate...

oh hell, I'm not typing all this stuff in - hemoglobin,  a bunch of xxxocites (eritrocitos), platelets, plaquetes, hemacrits, linfocites, leucocites,.... there are about 25 things listed.

All these tests were performed at Star Medica which is one of the newer medical facilities here in Merida.  With our Health Insurance policy we get discounts on Hospital Services.  With my particular policy I can't actually be admitted to Star Medica but I can get the discount on the tests and lab services.
My gyn, dra Catalina Aldana has her office there, in the consultorio wing, so it's quite handy.  For the blood and urine work I can just step up to the counter show them the sheet from the dr with what is needed and get it drawn right then and there with results back at 5 if you have the blood drawn early (I was drawn at 12:30), else the next day.  For the mammo and sonograph I did call ahead and make the appointment.

So just about 4000pesos and a succesful 19th year free of cancer woohoo!

Did you know there is a vaccine that prevents, YES PREVENTS, your daughters from getting Cervical Cancer? 

Here is info presented by the Mayo Clinic! 

Don't mess around with their lives, get them the vaccine!

Mammography costs experiences

People are always asking us about the cost of medical stuff here.

So for the Women folks keep reading, Men folks, go away!

I go nearly yearly for a GYN exam and PAP smear, and I also get an annual mammography.   I did this in the States, and I do it here.   In the States it was a 30usd copay, oh and don't forget to count the nearly 300 dollars per month that was deducted from my paycheck to provide medical coverage for Tom and me.

So I went recently for my GYN exam and PAP Smear.  Dr exam 500pesos, PAP smear 120pesos.   I see a female Dra with good english.   I could get a cheaper price with a different doctor, but she was a personal recommendation, and I like her.  Her offices are now in Star Medica.

I also just went for my mammography. 

My past 3 mammos were done at Centro Radiologico, calle 33 x 52 y 54 #492D, Centro.   I've been well pleased with the services rendered.  However, this year, as I was leaving my dra's office I stopped in at the reception area in Star Medica and got their prices for the studies recommended.   Then I stopped at Centro Radiologico and got comparison prices.

In the States I got an annual mammo, here I get an annual mammo AND ultrasound of mammos.

Because I had cancer and a subsequent partial hysterectomy back in 1991 I am now also getting ultrasounds of the Ovary/Vaginal region every 2 years.   This is only happening since I got here to Mexico, these studies were never rcommended in the States.

So this year my tests were:
(code - CR=Centro Radiologica, SM=Star Medica)

Traditional Mammography (3 views)  and UltraSound of mammos   - CR 1590pesos, SM 1250pesos
Ultrasound of ovaries and endovaginal   - CR 1331pesos,  SM 805pesos

I had the tests done this year at Star Medica.  Machinary is all the same - mammography technician at CR was a little easier, although the tech at SM made a valiant effort; I'm 5'7", she wasn't even 5" so there was a little issue there.  The ultrasound doctors were equivalent, both are men, each was calm and I never felt uneasy or uncomfortable.  The dr at SM asked me to bring in my past mammos and ultrasounds so the radiologist could do a comparison for his report.  This is the first request.  I normally take ALL past reports and current to my GYN and she checks them and reads the reports and then we talk about the results...