It started Monday.
Tracye started to develop gas cramps. They were not bad at first but they were persistent.
Hmmmm... weird.
I gave her gas medicine and that did not work very much. I then gave her Alka Selzer.
That seemed to work for a bit and the bloaty feeling went away.
But then it came back again.
We tried different things though out the day. Some would help, some wouldn't.
The next day we were out shopping at Price Club, which is owned by Costco.
Let me say this, it is just like shopping in the states. Pretty much the same layout, same stuff. Prices tend to be about the same on some stuff, some items more expensive and some stuff cheaper. Again, a typical Costco experience.
Like back home, there is a pharmacy in the store, except here it is called "Farmacia" (far-mah-see-ya).So Tracye went and got some gas pills from there. She took a couple and it seemed to subside.
But it didn't last long.
Around 9:30 PM, Tracye started throwing up and getting bad stomach cramps.
About every 20 minutes to an hour she started throwing up and the stomach cramps were getting worse. She was in horrible pain.
We honestly thought that she caught some typical jungle bug because we are new to the country. You know, not used to the water or used to the food, that sort of thing. It is pretty common for "newbies" in country to go through this and this is what we really thought was going on.
Come morning time I loaded her up in the car and we went to the local doctor. Here in Atenas all the expats go to a doctor named "Dr Candy."
Yes, that is her real name and she is a great doctor too.
Tracye is in bad pain by now and Dr Candy is telling Tracye to calm down. She understands she is in pain, but she needs here to relax so that she can conduct a proper exam.
Dr Candy is poking her, asking if it hurts here or hurts there and if it does how bad on a scale from 1-10.
She is gently pushing on here and then she gets to the area where the appendix is located. She pushes down and Tracye kind of jerks. But then she releases quickly and Tracye really reacts.
Oh no.... I think to myself. This is not a good thing. See, I had my appendix out when I was in second grade and I got the huge ol' incision to show for it.
Dr Candy says " I think it is the appendix, but we can't be sure without an ultrasound and blood test. I need to send you to the hospital."
Dread.
This can not be happening, we are only in the country 6 days now.
She goes off and then comes back. She has written a referral and she is sending us off to CIMA, a hospital in Escazu. (Es-cah-zoo)
Now the positive.
CIMA is a brand new hospital and one of the most technically advanced hospitals in Costa Rica if not the world. Everyone speaks English and from what I understand, they are associated with the Houston Hospital system as well as getting doctor interns from Baylor University. We have heard a lot of positive things about CIMA from some of the other Americans living here and they all love it.
A Little About Costa Rican Medical
For those of you who do not know, Costa Rica is a neutral country like Switzerland. They got rid of their standing army back in the late 1930's early 1940's. They took that money and invested it into education and medical.
Today Costa Rica has a 96% literacy rate and some of the best medical in the world. They are on par and in a lot of cases even better than medical treatment in America.
It is also 2/3s cheaper.
What would have cost approximately $33,000.00 in the US, only cost $9500.00. We did not have the $$$ to do this and we thank God immensely for some friends down here who helped us get it paid. We need to pay them back ASAP for this, but we are very grateful that they were able
Now, you need to have cash or credit card or travelers insurance.
Here doctors and nurses salaries are capped. They make good money, but not on the same par as with doctors in America. The reason they do this is that they want people who are "called" to be doctors and nurses, not people just in it for the money.
If one goes into the medical profession, the state will pay for the schooling and I believe that the student pays it back by serving the country of Costa Rica. So you have to have a love for medicine and want to serve to be part of the medical field.
Remember when we were kids and one wanted to be a doctor or a nurse? Back then it was a prestigious job and one people looked up to. What happened to that ideal?
That is how the medical field is viewed down here. People are involved because they love it and it is their calling.
It makes a difference and it was noticed in how Tracye was treated and cared for.
Over all we were very impressed with the medical down here. We have heard from others as well they like it also.
Costa Rica is gaining in popularity in the "medical tourism" industry because their medical is so affordable and the technology is cutting edge.
We are going to be meeting with some insurance people in the near future so that if something like this happens, we are covered.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Finally, with our move and all our expenses we were not expecting this operation. If you would like to help with some of the cost, it would be hugely appreciated. We want to pay back our friends as quickly as possible and working hard to do so.
To help, please use the following URL ... http://tinyurl.com/Donate-to-Prophezine
Thank for being there and helping us.
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