Hola Amigos y Amigas,
It is now late April and the migration north has been going on for about a month and will continue until early May. Every fall the first snowbirds come in late October and November. A second crop of snowbirds arrive soon after Christmas. If the snowbird is from Canada they can only spend six months out of a calendar year out of their country. Most Canadian snowbirds will be gone by April 28th, the last day of direct flights by Westjet. If the snowbirds are from the US, they must return within six months or extend their visas.
Every week there are fewer tables occupied at Bridge and The Hermandad de Frijoles y Cerveza has less men enjoying the beer and camaraderie. There are goodbye parties; some saying goodbye permanently and some just saying goodbye until they return next fall or winter. The last meeting of Frijoles y Cerveza will be May 2nd. After the first of May the Bridge group will meet at our home as it will be down to one or two tables. The library where I volunteer has shortened hours of 10-2, Monday-Friday, so I am now a substitute as I am out of action until June. Luckily Janice's art class continues through the summer as the teacher and all the students are full time Mazatlan residents.
This summer will be our first as full time Mazatlan residents, so we will make strong efforts to build our relationships of other expatriates. Our numbers will be diminished by probably by 80% or more as the snowbirds and tourists will be gone. We will make our home open to friends that don't have a pool and will host a monthly "happy hour" with everyone invited. Janice will use her planning and hosting ability to make sure the summer is interesting and fun.
Even the full time residents will be taking short trips to the north and to moderate climates in Mexico. We will go up to Washington to visit family for a week to ten days and we also will spend two of the months of September and October in Ajijic on Lake Chapala to escape the rainy, humid end of summer. If we are lucky we will bring our granddaughter for a month to enjoy the beach and time with us. We will probably write more about summer in Mazatlan as it unfolds. So, with a bon voyage to many friends including my brother Steve who leaves on May 3rd, we say goodbye to one season and hello to another.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The operation: One week after
Hello Family and Friends:
It is now one week since my ankle was operated on. Except for a few short outings I have been housebound with my right leg elevated. This occurred the same time our move was scheduled to the condo on the Malecon. Janice has had her hands full. We are now moved in, our TV satellite dish has been moved, and the TV is up and running. Yesterday our internet and local phone was installed, so we are near to normal house-wise. Yes, there are many things to hang and other decorating, but now it is home. Our friend Judith did a lot of the unpacking and helped clean our old place and has been Janice's right hand during this entire ordeal. Friends Patrick and Sandi also were a big help to us during this time. They visited me in the hospital, ran a couple errands for Janice, helped hang shelving and again came and visited me here at home. They also made a few runs bringing over smaller boxes. We appreciate them so much! The other thing we want to mention is we've had some friends bring meals to us as well to help us out. Thank you to each of you!
Now on to the story of the operation. On Tuesday, April 10 I checked into the surgical hospital at 8:00 A.M. The nurses immediately started preparing me for the operation. The IV was attached and my vital signs taken. I also was changed into hospital chic, the gown that was fastened at the back. At 8:30 Dr. Gaytan, my principal physician came in and let me know he was here and that I was going to be taken to the operating room at 9:00 A.M. The other members of the surgical team were to be there as well. At. 9:00, on schedule I was wheeled to the operating room. Already there was the anesthesiologist, the cardiologist, the surgeon and Dr. Gaytan. Dr Gaytan introduced the other Dr's to me as well as the two nurses that were assisting. He explained the surgery would take 2 to 2 1/2 hours and I would be conscious as they would have a spinal anesthetic.
Immediately I was given the spinal and in about 15 minutes the operation was started. I was able to hear what was going on, but luckily I wasn't able to see what was going on. I could hear various grinders and cutting tools, but I felt nothing. In a little over 2 hours the operation was finished and I was wheeled back to my room where Janice was waiting. Dr. Gaytan came up soon after and explained what had happened. They found things better than they expected, so they only needed a small piece of my tibia and three internal screws to complete the fusing on the three joints and replacing damaged bone with the bone from my tibia. Everything was completed internally and no outside screws were needed. The nurses checked my vital signs and made sure a pain medicine drip was working. Later the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the cardiologist each came separately to talk to me. All assured me that everything went with no problems. The rest of the day I just relaxed and after an hours I told Janice to go take care of other business as I would rest most of the day. The nurses showed me how to use my bathroom tools. Janice came back later to spend more time with me.
I slept well Tuesday night and the pain medication seemed to work. Janice came over after breakfast and spent an hour; then had to go supervise our move. Twice my cardiologist visited me, Dr. Gaytan visited me and checked me for infection. Dr. Vego, the surgeon came and checked the surgery and changed the dressing. He showed me the multiple stitches and said although there was swelling, it didn't appear to be infected. Many times my temperature was taken and my blood pressure was taken. During the second visit my cardiologist smiled and told me that my vital signs were perfect and my slightly elevated temperature had returned to normal. Besides being tired, I felt okay. Janice came to see me at close to 10:00 PM and told me everything was moved out and the old place was cleaned. I could tell that she was tired, so I told her a goodnight kiss was welcome, but then she should go home and get some sleep.
I slept well on Wednesday. My cardiologist, Dr. Inzuzuna, came in at 9:00 and said I was well enough to go home later this morning. At. 10:00 Dr. Gaytan came in and authorized my release. Now came the hard part. Beside my IV in my arm, there was also a IV in my spine with a large bandage holding it in place. As I am quite hirsute the removal of the large bandage that held the IV in by back was painful. I felt like the guy in "The Forty Year Old Virgin" while the wax was removed from his chest. At a little after 11:00 Janice took me home, stopping on the way at the pharmacy to pick up pain pills and antibiotics. As the Dr. instructed me to not put any weight on my right foot and to keep my right leg elevated, I have been close to useless around the house.
On Saturday evening, Dr. Gaytan came to our home and changed my bandages and checked my stitches. He said there was no sign of infection and after I completed my antibiotics in a few days I would not need to take them anymore. The first few days I took the pain meds three times a day. Starting Sunday I went down to twice a day. Now on Tuesday I am decreasing to once a day at bedtime. So far, everything has gone well. Tomorrow the surgeon will change my bandage. A week from tomorrow Dr. Gaytan will take out the stitches. The major problem now is being patient, so I don't get on my feet too soon. I used to think I was a great power loafer, but I found the enforced power loafing is not as much fun. Hopefully, in a few weeks I will have news on my walking; until then, company is welcome to give me some variety. Adios!
(Now from me, Janice. Joel is a great patient and not a complainer. Joel is really doing well in my opinion and having the Sea of Cortez, beach, islands to look at is going to help in the healing process. I am giving him projects to help me that he can do sitting down and this truly is helping me. We have an extra bedroom for company from the states and other friends we've met in our travels in Mexico. Latter end of December we'll have an additional bedroom available also. For now, keep the emails to Joel coming, jus-ducky@hotmail.com. )
It is now one week since my ankle was operated on. Except for a few short outings I have been housebound with my right leg elevated. This occurred the same time our move was scheduled to the condo on the Malecon. Janice has had her hands full. We are now moved in, our TV satellite dish has been moved, and the TV is up and running. Yesterday our internet and local phone was installed, so we are near to normal house-wise. Yes, there are many things to hang and other decorating, but now it is home. Our friend Judith did a lot of the unpacking and helped clean our old place and has been Janice's right hand during this entire ordeal. Friends Patrick and Sandi also were a big help to us during this time. They visited me in the hospital, ran a couple errands for Janice, helped hang shelving and again came and visited me here at home. They also made a few runs bringing over smaller boxes. We appreciate them so much! The other thing we want to mention is we've had some friends bring meals to us as well to help us out. Thank you to each of you!
Now on to the story of the operation. On Tuesday, April 10 I checked into the surgical hospital at 8:00 A.M. The nurses immediately started preparing me for the operation. The IV was attached and my vital signs taken. I also was changed into hospital chic, the gown that was fastened at the back. At 8:30 Dr. Gaytan, my principal physician came in and let me know he was here and that I was going to be taken to the operating room at 9:00 A.M. The other members of the surgical team were to be there as well. At. 9:00, on schedule I was wheeled to the operating room. Already there was the anesthesiologist, the cardiologist, the surgeon and Dr. Gaytan. Dr Gaytan introduced the other Dr's to me as well as the two nurses that were assisting. He explained the surgery would take 2 to 2 1/2 hours and I would be conscious as they would have a spinal anesthetic.
Immediately I was given the spinal and in about 15 minutes the operation was started. I was able to hear what was going on, but luckily I wasn't able to see what was going on. I could hear various grinders and cutting tools, but I felt nothing. In a little over 2 hours the operation was finished and I was wheeled back to my room where Janice was waiting. Dr. Gaytan came up soon after and explained what had happened. They found things better than they expected, so they only needed a small piece of my tibia and three internal screws to complete the fusing on the three joints and replacing damaged bone with the bone from my tibia. Everything was completed internally and no outside screws were needed. The nurses checked my vital signs and made sure a pain medicine drip was working. Later the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the cardiologist each came separately to talk to me. All assured me that everything went with no problems. The rest of the day I just relaxed and after an hours I told Janice to go take care of other business as I would rest most of the day. The nurses showed me how to use my bathroom tools. Janice came back later to spend more time with me.
I slept well Tuesday night and the pain medication seemed to work. Janice came over after breakfast and spent an hour; then had to go supervise our move. Twice my cardiologist visited me, Dr. Gaytan visited me and checked me for infection. Dr. Vego, the surgeon came and checked the surgery and changed the dressing. He showed me the multiple stitches and said although there was swelling, it didn't appear to be infected. Many times my temperature was taken and my blood pressure was taken. During the second visit my cardiologist smiled and told me that my vital signs were perfect and my slightly elevated temperature had returned to normal. Besides being tired, I felt okay. Janice came to see me at close to 10:00 PM and told me everything was moved out and the old place was cleaned. I could tell that she was tired, so I told her a goodnight kiss was welcome, but then she should go home and get some sleep.
I slept well on Wednesday. My cardiologist, Dr. Inzuzuna, came in at 9:00 and said I was well enough to go home later this morning. At. 10:00 Dr. Gaytan came in and authorized my release. Now came the hard part. Beside my IV in my arm, there was also a IV in my spine with a large bandage holding it in place. As I am quite hirsute the removal of the large bandage that held the IV in by back was painful. I felt like the guy in "The Forty Year Old Virgin" while the wax was removed from his chest. At a little after 11:00 Janice took me home, stopping on the way at the pharmacy to pick up pain pills and antibiotics. As the Dr. instructed me to not put any weight on my right foot and to keep my right leg elevated, I have been close to useless around the house.
On Saturday evening, Dr. Gaytan came to our home and changed my bandages and checked my stitches. He said there was no sign of infection and after I completed my antibiotics in a few days I would not need to take them anymore. The first few days I took the pain meds three times a day. Starting Sunday I went down to twice a day. Now on Tuesday I am decreasing to once a day at bedtime. So far, everything has gone well. Tomorrow the surgeon will change my bandage. A week from tomorrow Dr. Gaytan will take out the stitches. The major problem now is being patient, so I don't get on my feet too soon. I used to think I was a great power loafer, but I found the enforced power loafing is not as much fun. Hopefully, in a few weeks I will have news on my walking; until then, company is welcome to give me some variety. Adios!
(Now from me, Janice. Joel is a great patient and not a complainer. Joel is really doing well in my opinion and having the Sea of Cortez, beach, islands to look at is going to help in the healing process. I am giving him projects to help me that he can do sitting down and this truly is helping me. We have an extra bedroom for company from the states and other friends we've met in our travels in Mexico. Latter end of December we'll have an additional bedroom available also. For now, keep the emails to Joel coming, jus-ducky@hotmail.com. )
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Surgery in Mexico - Joel 4/10/2013
Hola all, We had originally planned on writing part three of our trip blog, but then things happened so fast we are now writing on Joel's upcoming ankle operation.
We had talked to the Dr. before we left for our central Mexico vacation about the possibility of an operation. When we came back to Mazatlan on March 31, we decided to go forward with the operation. When you think of Mexico you think of things moving slow. In this case there was nothing slow about it.
On Monday, April 2 I took my Drs. instructions to the radiologist. Multiple x-rays were taken of my ankle. On Tuesday I took the x-rays to my Dr. He explained the operation to both of us. He gave instructions for lab tests for Wednesday April 4th and a cardiologist appointment on Thursday April 5. The lab tests turned out great with low cholesterol, normal blood sugar and low triglycerides. At my cardiologist appointment there was an EKG and check x-ray of my chest. At the end of the appointment the Dr. said I was healthy enough for the operation. Later on Thursday April 5th my primary Dr. e-mailed and told me and said he had already talked to the cardiologist and was going forward with the operation for Tuesday April 10th.
I have been using a cane for the last 2 1/2 years due to severe arthritis in my right ankle. It is the only arthritis I suffer from. There is no cartilage in the joints. I have been told this is the result of me continuing to run too soon after some ankle injuries.
The operation will have a team of three Drs. There will be one of two procedures depending on what they find when they are in the ankle. The first will include a plastic plate and screws inside the ankle. There will be bone removed from my hip to replace some damaged bone in the ankle. The other procedure will also have bone from the hip. In this one most of the pins and screws will be external and there will be a large contraption around my lower leg. Either procedure will result of my being in the hospital three days and then being off my feet for several weeks. As my walking has resulted in an uneven pressure on my legs they will have me go through physical therapy to teach me how to walk right again, so there is even pressure when I step. Recovery and the physical therapy will take about three months.
The operation will take place in a surgical hospital in Mazatlan. Several gringos have had positive experiences at the hospital. Also, my primary Dr. was recommended by several expats that have been treated by him. He is a rheumatologist and a fellow Marathon runner. He won't guarantee it, but is hoping that I will be able to run short distances.
Although we have Medicare and a Medicare advantage plan, we decided on having the operation in our hometown of Mazatlan. After factoring the co-pays and high cost of living for several months up north it was about a wash on costs. The idea of being able to recover at home and the competence and reputations of the medical professions tipped the scales to Mazatlan.
We also are moving on April 29th to our condo on the Malecon, so Janice is hiring a woman to help here with packing, unpacking and cleaning and whatever else will take the extra load off of Janice. Many friends have also volunteered to help and to visit me in my recovery and share a cerveza with me once I am off the pain medication. (UPDATE: THE MOVE DATE IS NOW APRIL 11 WHILE JOEL IS IN THE HOSPITAL, WE ARE ROCKING AND ROLLING)
Prayers and best wishes are solicited and welcome. When Joel is up to company everyone will be notified. La vida es buena still in Mazatlan! (note from me, Janice. If you would like to send Joel your best wishes, his email address is jus-ducky@hotmail.com Thank you also to those who have volunteered to have me over for dinner, or to bring dinner to us during this time. We can use all the help we can get right now. This has meant so much to me, and to Joel knowing how much our friends care about us.)
We had talked to the Dr. before we left for our central Mexico vacation about the possibility of an operation. When we came back to Mazatlan on March 31, we decided to go forward with the operation. When you think of Mexico you think of things moving slow. In this case there was nothing slow about it.
On Monday, April 2 I took my Drs. instructions to the radiologist. Multiple x-rays were taken of my ankle. On Tuesday I took the x-rays to my Dr. He explained the operation to both of us. He gave instructions for lab tests for Wednesday April 4th and a cardiologist appointment on Thursday April 5. The lab tests turned out great with low cholesterol, normal blood sugar and low triglycerides. At my cardiologist appointment there was an EKG and check x-ray of my chest. At the end of the appointment the Dr. said I was healthy enough for the operation. Later on Thursday April 5th my primary Dr. e-mailed and told me and said he had already talked to the cardiologist and was going forward with the operation for Tuesday April 10th.
I have been using a cane for the last 2 1/2 years due to severe arthritis in my right ankle. It is the only arthritis I suffer from. There is no cartilage in the joints. I have been told this is the result of me continuing to run too soon after some ankle injuries.
The operation will have a team of three Drs. There will be one of two procedures depending on what they find when they are in the ankle. The first will include a plastic plate and screws inside the ankle. There will be bone removed from my hip to replace some damaged bone in the ankle. The other procedure will also have bone from the hip. In this one most of the pins and screws will be external and there will be a large contraption around my lower leg. Either procedure will result of my being in the hospital three days and then being off my feet for several weeks. As my walking has resulted in an uneven pressure on my legs they will have me go through physical therapy to teach me how to walk right again, so there is even pressure when I step. Recovery and the physical therapy will take about three months.
The operation will take place in a surgical hospital in Mazatlan. Several gringos have had positive experiences at the hospital. Also, my primary Dr. was recommended by several expats that have been treated by him. He is a rheumatologist and a fellow Marathon runner. He won't guarantee it, but is hoping that I will be able to run short distances.
Although we have Medicare and a Medicare advantage plan, we decided on having the operation in our hometown of Mazatlan. After factoring the co-pays and high cost of living for several months up north it was about a wash on costs. The idea of being able to recover at home and the competence and reputations of the medical professions tipped the scales to Mazatlan.
We also are moving on April 29th to our condo on the Malecon, so Janice is hiring a woman to help here with packing, unpacking and cleaning and whatever else will take the extra load off of Janice. Many friends have also volunteered to help and to visit me in my recovery and share a cerveza with me once I am off the pain medication. (UPDATE: THE MOVE DATE IS NOW APRIL 11 WHILE JOEL IS IN THE HOSPITAL, WE ARE ROCKING AND ROLLING)
Prayers and best wishes are solicited and welcome. When Joel is up to company everyone will be notified. La vida es buena still in Mazatlan! (note from me, Janice. If you would like to send Joel your best wishes, his email address is jus-ducky@hotmail.com Thank you also to those who have volunteered to have me over for dinner, or to bring dinner to us during this time. We can use all the help we can get right now. This has meant so much to me, and to Joel knowing how much our friends care about us.)
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