YellowRose

Okay ... Where was I ... I was up and down peeing all night by myself mostly. It was not easy, but I was tough and just did what i had to do. Around 9am. We were told that we were moving to the recovery house. That was it. I asked , "in the hospital gown?" was told "Si". So I looked down the hall and everyone was dressed. SO I rapidly began pulling stuff out of my bag. I put on a knit dress/gown and a light robe, my Sandles, brushed through my hair and headed to the waiting van. The recovery house would have made a nice vacation home - but not for the 12 people everywhere. The hospitality, gentlness, care, and concern MORE than made up for the cramped quarters but it was a eye opener. At night people (workers) were on the couches, and even a mattress on the floor. There is No air conditioning but fotumately the air was cool. One night got a little warm but the night-time meds took care of that. WALK WALK WALK. SIT, rest, WALK MORE. Keep repeating that. I napped, then walked, napped, & walked. Oh don't be shocked when you walk into the amazing Aroma of the most incredible food you have ever smelled. Some were repelled, others were cruelly assaulted by the food! Lol. ...as we were offered juice, Water, and Popsicles. Popsicles were the BEST!!! They went down better than ice chips (which made me nauseated). These ESPECIALLY helped when I had to drink the purple dye for the leak test. I sipped purple, then sucked orange. It worked. OH - and ask for anti-nausea shot right before you do this!!! Worked for me. Anyway... Let me take a break and sip some watered down OJ before I continue.

Okay part 2. In the truck on the way back I went to my " happy place". Lol. I realized I was in a nice vehicle, with a chauffeur, riding around Tijuana naked. Suddenly Talking Heads song "As the Days go By..." came on the radio. I asked him to turn it up. He did. It was a surreal moment forever etched in my brain. So, got back and was led to a room to lay down, get IV Hooked up and WAIT. I ended up going last. Now must explain. My shoes were in one room. My carryon bag was in another, my purse was locked in Dr Bettencourts office. I am scattered all over the clinic. So I'm am led to the surgery room. Smells very clean. I laid down, said hi to the anesthesiologist. And I was OUT. NEXT thing I remember is hearing my name and trying to sit up. I think they laid me back down. Not sure. Next memory was needing to pee. They helped me with that. I was brought a shot containing pain meds a anti nauseous meds. Worked great BUT WARNING!!!! they must put it in the IV slowly or it will burn like Fire. Night nurse was not quite as patient with this and I yelped once. For some reason during the night I decided I wanted my stuff. I had asked about it but was told it wad "locked" up. It was not. So grabbed my IV pole and headed down the halls. Found my shoes, found my bag in another room but since I couldn't carry it I pushed it on the floor with my feet. FINALLY a helper heard the noise and carried to to my room. I just wanted my stuff around me. I was all by myself. Ok. Going to take some gasx and sip Water. More in a little bit.

First part messed up. I'm on pain meds and just getting ready to pack for the flight home. It will make more sense when I get on my laptop. Want to tell about pleasant surprises but unexpected realities. More later b

First let me say that the great people at the Jerusalem Hospital & recovery house could NOT have been nicer or more accommodating. That place was very tiny, but spotless. There were only 4 of us in our group, but there were several already at the house. So Drs Almanza Reyes and Bettencourt were very knowlegdeable and very kind. It was not a state of the art full service facility. Yes it was in a strip mall. After I got over that and realized that they were fully staffed and serious about what they do I was resolved at my choice. I was placed in one room for a heart scan. I was moved to another room for my IV and fluids to be started. As a group we were ushered up stairs to a waiting are to meet with Dr Almanza Reyes (yes dr Almanza and dr Reyes are his full name - Almanza Reyes). The surgery was discussed with us. I had special circumstances because I had very old gastric stapling from years ago. Dr explained to me that I required an xray before surgery. So we were ushered back down to the 6-8 beds in the hospital to wait our turn. Dr Bettencourt came in and removed my IV drip (left the needle only, taped of course) and put my sandles on my feet for my to go for my xray. It was kind of a "hurry" thing and I did as I was told. I was put into a brand new Ford F150 4x4, in the back seat with a Dora guitar and child's sweater (just thought that was cute). Another gentleman got in the front with the driver. And away we went. We were taking the guy to a hotel while he waited for his wife to recover ( they spoke none if little English ). So I suddenly realize that I am in tijuiana with absolutely NOTHING on but a hospital gown in the backseat. I have not a stitch of undies AND no I .D. We drove for over 30 minutes to take the man to a hotel then to the xray clinic located across town. (whole trip took over an hour) Okay. It has a good ending but I'm exhausted. Going to lay down for a while. More late. As we pull up to the xray facility, I see a waiting room with about a dozen people inside. beautiful facility be the way. I though to myself, "wow, the hospital should buy THIS place!". As I was going tp the stairs I said, " oh well, I'll never see any of theses people again.". Driver said, "Que?". I said, "never mind". I sat my naked butt down for about 5 minutes, drank some typical chalky stuff, got the xray, and headed back acoss town to the clinic.

I shared the room with Diva Dee and we were both a little shocked about the pain. I was a day behind her so was encouraged when she felt better. Hey Dee! I'm getting on a plane on 4 hour and hope the diarrhea is about over!! Yikes!!