Medical Adventure Part 2

[RBM]

PART 2        Good Bad and the Ugly.....

Shortly after arriving at the top of the ravine my SO had some how managed to find a local whom claimed he could drive. At this time my first friend arrived, as we had a driver he elected to follow us on his motorcycle.Prime concern was nearest hospital being San Carlos, Canlaon was not in consideration.

 With passenger seat fully extended off we go to San Carlos. The road here is under construction making it slow and pain was setting in. I was aware something in my neck was not right plus was covered in cuts, wounds all over my body, thank God for shock. About 10 km before San Carlos we met another friend on his way whom was able to take over driving, slowly as road is terrible.

Arriving San Doc hospital we were in for a shock, this is the Ugly,  zero care. Finally able find a doctor whom gave me an oral pill for pain and suggested x-rays.  No care, no clean up nothing, after payment X-ray which he said showed multiple fractures in neck,  advised go to Bacolod, still no clean up or checking body. My SO lost it and manged to find a nurse, wish she hadn't as a 7 year old would of done better. 

The time was 6pm and my friends and SO  were frantically trying to find an ambulance, in the city of San Carlos just one available but no driver....After much to do we were able to hire a private van, finally after payment San Doc agreed to lending us a mattress, guys they didn't even have a board.....I knew I could not travel far how ever needed get out this of this place. Decision made to over night our place on out skirts San Carlos and early am Bacolod, about 2 hours away.

My SO cleaned me up best she could, every movements now was agony. Made it through the night and filled with paracetamol endured on mattress being carried to van, luckily we had a door which I lay on. Next issue was slowing the driver down....big challenge but with friends was possible.

Riverside hospital at 10am, emergency was outstanding, kind understanding and efficient. Immediately on dextrose with Tramadol antibiotics. After a considerable payment endured the agony, yes agony of being moved for MIR, Xrays and clean up. The staff were wonderful how ever any movement was severe.

I was booked in under Doctor Sanchez an orthopedic doc whom had treated me earlier for a foot problem. He was, is outstanding, problem is he is more on rehab so advised due to me fracturing C2, 3, 5 and 7 he would need consult other orthopedics, one of the fractures had separated. 

After a restless night he returned with another orthopedic whom recommended the fitting of a halo. Advice was although takes months for healing it's not intrusive. My wonderful insurance company 1 cover agreed this course. They even offered after the Aussie medical team received the MIR to fly me to St Luke's spinal unit, I stupidly refused.

Now the fun started, Doc C whom was to install the halo which is screwed into scalp proved to be very unreliable, never turning up on appointed time. The medical shop where we hired the halo charged us p25k, ( presume Doc Chiu had his hand out here) only one available and refused issue a receipt, making it impossible to claim for. We found out later it was basically useless as a childs size. Riverside demanded up front payments for a disgraceful room and care making it difficult. We could not withdraw more than p20k a day from each account as our banks are  Dumaguete based. 1 cover takes time to arrange funds from a sub agent in Manila, they were extremely kind and helpful in every way.

After missing several appointments Doc C finally appears. fitting of halo begins one day late. I am unable to dwell on this as was an endurance extreme which left me semi councious after an hour or so. The room was 16c and my body saturated with sweat. Vaguely remember Doc C saying, does this Hurt?  before I could answer he answered saying NO. My SO was devastated but what could she do. ( For his service he received P90,000 nett)

Guess I am rambling now how ever worse to come, within an hour of Doc C finishing, me, half councious a saddest nurse yes guys saddest, was attempting to force me out of bed and walk. At this time my SO lost it and chased him out with strong words understood by locals only.

From here in, my final part, it gets better..... Sorry being so long  winded how ever may be helpful info to some readers.

 

 

[not so old china hand]

2 hours ago, RBM said:

From here in, my final part, it gets better

Thank goodness.

And thank you for sharing your experiences so far.

[Dave Hounddriver]

2 hours ago, RBM said:

Sorry being so long  winded how ever may be helpful info to some readers.

Please continue being long winded (as you put it), we don't mind.  Some stories need to be told in their entirety and I feel this is one.  We are thankful that you survive to tell the tale.

[sonjack2847]

Hi Mate

You need to be long winded so people understand exactly how it can be here.I am happy that it seems to have been sorted out.Doc C needs to be reported (a hole)

[Bruce]

Got it! Watch where you stand when you drain a kidney.... Sure am glad you did not decide to stand next to an ungrounded power pole! That story could have been electrifying...

The true story here is that when it mattered, you had strangers pitch in to help and friends showed up to continue in assisting you. Much better than being alone. Let us know how the healing goes and any insurance issues in getting reimbursed.

Question: If you had accepted the insurance company's offer to send you out to a specialized unit, would that have also covered your SO's travel and related expenses? 

[OnMyWay]

I'm so sorry to hear about all of that terrible care and hope that you are recovering.  I agree with the others; don't leave out any details and it probably helps the recovery process when you write about it.

[RBM]

11 hours ago, Bruce said:

Got it! Watch where you stand when you drain a kidney.... Sure am glad you did not decide to stand next to an ungrounded power pole! That story could have been electrifying...

The true story here is that when it mattered, you had strangers pitch in to help and friends showed up to continue in assisting you. Much better than being alone. Let us know how the healing goes and any insurance issues in getting reimbursed.

Question: If you had accepted the insurance company's offer to send you out to a specialized unit, would that have also covered your SO's travel and related expenses? 

Interesting question which I believe the hospital plane would include my SO. 1 cover Insurance are fantastic, caring considerate and put compassion above above everything. Plus I had just the cheap basics insurance, they foned every day to check my condition.

[Queenie O.]

RBM--so sorry to hear about your ordeal. I'm glad that there is a part 3 and that it gets better.  I think that in emergencies here, it can be a crap shoot and often we'll rely on the kindness of strangers. In Cebu City in an emergency, you've got a few good choices of hospitals. If you're in the province though, you might want to just drive right by many rural hospitals on the way to the city, as they will delay you and might do more harm than good. Watch out where you pee folks..

[earthdome]

Thank you for relating your experience. Your willingness to share will help countless others prepare in advance for medical emergencies. When you have time I would like to learn more about the health insurance you have. Sounds like a good company.

[Old55]

Wishing you a quick complete recovery.

A real wake up call for those of us who live or visit Philippines