Before I start writing this post I want to clarify that this is not a "sympathy" post, but rather an informational one. So, please no, "Oh I'm so sorry" replies. OK?
I spent Tuesday afternoon at the E.R. AGAIN. Second time in three months. This time the fall was caused by my foot getting caught in one of those Oaxacan throw rugs. It is no longer on my floor. I have almost fallen before when the thing started skimming across the floor. That opportunity has now been removed - forever.
My cheek hit the corner of the kitchen counter. The amount of blood was startling. I managed to take a taxi to the E.R. hoping that the Doc would say, "No, not so bad, no stitches necessary". Ha. Not the case.
Ok, I must admit, I am absolutely the worst patient on earth. I'm a big wooz. In other words, I'm a scaredy cat. When the Doc said "Lay down" and I said, "HERE?", he knew he was in for a time..........I politely told him to please tell me everything he was going to do before he did it so I could be prepared.........(thank goodness he wasn't reattaching an arm or something) and he complied with kindness and grace. But I also quizzed him about how long he had been a Dr., where he had graduated and what his specialty was. After all, this IS my face. Oh vanity, be still.
He again was gracious about answering all my questions as he prepared me for this episode.
Actually he kept me talking through the whole thing by asking questions about my life, how I liked Mexico etc. I now realize it was to keep my mind off "the procedure".
I kiddingly said I had first come to Mexico in 1968 and said "Probably before you were born". YUP, he was born in 1977. I gasped. Only 32 and working on my face......oy vey.
I said, "Oh my gosh, you are younger then all my kids". He chuckled. At one point he asked if I go to Harry's which is a gringo hangout. He seemed surprised and disappointed when I said no.
Then he was finished. He wanted two x-rays because I mentioned that my neck and chest were hurting. He walked me to x-ray - came back to get me and was very, very solicitous.
He had written, in English, the prescriptions for all the stuff I needed - pain meds, antibiotics and a cream so I don't scar..........(we'll see).
The cost for the procedure, the meds, the x-rays and the E.R. charge, less then $200US. In the states that would have been close to $5,000 to $7,000 US. I promise. His charge for the "sew up" - 428 pesos which is about $28US!
I was extremely impressed with this Doctor. He was very precise and thorough.
When I went to pay the bill I noticed that De La Fe has a program where, if you are a frequent patient, you can pay an annual fee which is small and get a 20% discount on services for that year. In view of the last few months, I signed up. Who knows what the future holds.....hopefully NO more E.R. visits!