(255) Medical Tourists
04 November 2017 | Mazatlan
HB
Medical Tourists
This summer has seen some unexpected medical issues for us. Midsummer, Ian found a lump in his lower abdomen identified by a doctor while on a brief trip to Canada to be a small hernia in the colon. Medical advice there was to wear a harness that would protect it while doing heavy work. But subsequent conversations with other cruisers warned that it would be unwise continuing into the South Pacific without taking more necessary precautions. So Ian had surgery here in Mazatlan. One overnight in the hospital and he was up walking the next day and back to his regular self within a couple of weeks. They took very good care of him at the hospital and in followup. I had a colonoscopy that showed a parasite in the colon, and rid it with a course of nasty tasting pills. And this summer I had my first experience with kidney stones….hoping that there will be no more. Ian also had dental crown and implant work and both of us had teeth cleaning. You hear good stories and bad about medical tourism. All I can say is we had great service here in Mexico: fast, cheap, professional and caring. I may not speak Spanish and neither do many of the nurses speak English, but a warm reassuring hand on the arm and a gentle smile dispeled much of the unease brought about by unfamiliar surroundings. Most of the professionals (doctors, dentists) speak English, and many had their training in the States.