FLOWERS

Sun Flowers Brighten

The Hospital Room

LIFESAVERS

Dad is making a recovery from near death and owes his life to those at the Valley Baptist Medical Center.  The Doctors and Staff worked as a team everyone doing their part … and out of Dad's own mouth "They saved His Life".  Dad said, He "won't forget".  Here follows photos of some of the various Doctors and staff at Valley Baptist Medical Center, Brownsville, Texas.

Dr. Bhondi

Dr. Bhondi

Dr. Gomez & Larry (Nurse)

Dr. Halloum

Dr. Mazzola

Nurse Leries

Claudia (Respiratory)

Myma (Assistant Nurse)

Yolanda (Respiratory)

Nancy (Nurse)

More Photos Added To Subsequent Post Titled, "LIFESAVERS#2"

SUNDRY PHOTOS

While in La Manzanilla a lot of people asked to take our photo or have their photo taken with us.  To date, only a few remembered our e-mail address and sent us a copy.  At any rate, thanks to those who added to Dana’s collection of photos.  It’s a "high point" of the day to receive a photo! 



By Sue Trainor In La Manzanilla

Shortly Before Leaving

By Luis Enrique Sanchez

In La Manzanilla

By Camila Cagliolo

In La Manzanilla

By Prem Gatha

In La Manzanilla

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS

Returning to the USA from Mexico cost us a small bag of potatoes due to an agriculture prohibition.  Otherwise, our return crossing into the USA was uneventful.  You can guess who was still driving … headed to the VA Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.  But, because Dad was not well enough to survive another day of travel we pulled into the first hospital we came to … the Valley Baptist Medical Center, Brownsville, Texas.

Room 1290

The hospital wasted no time admitting Dad late Tuesday afternoon, 13 March 2012.  After a series of tests, Dad was transferred to room 1290, where he is today.  Diagnosed with pneumonia … the hospital removed 1.3 liters of fluid from Dad’s right lung and sent it off for further testing.  A few days later, on Monday Dad was taken down for another procedure … the cardiologist slid a camera into Dad’s heart to look around.  Then, the morning of 21 March 2012 they removed 1.5 liters of fluid from Dad’s right lung.

Now, the cardiologist plans to implant a pacemaker after Dad’s body is rested up.  On Monday they plan to search for blood clots in Dad’s throat, etc.  Then, within 24 hours they plan on implanting a pacemaker which should make Dad much more comfortable.  Apparently Dad’s heart is not pumping at regular or full capacity causing fluid to backup.  The red tide we encountered on N. Padre Island, Texas earlier this winter really wrecked our trip and Dad’s health.  Nevertheless, the outlook is good … it is just getting there … that may take a little more time.

In case you are wondering … Dad’s hospital room has a chair that pulls out into a bed … Guess who has been sleeping in it … It’s not Thomas and Didymus (they are under 12).

In Hospital Room 1290

No Fun

Being Taken Down For Procedure

Dad In "La La Land" (Recovery Room)

Dana In Room 1290

Flowers In Foreground

Valley Baptist Medical Center

Front View

Hospital's South Side

RETURN TRIP

Dana discovered that in Mexico he could drive without a driver's license as long as someone else in the vehicle had a license.  So, guess who did much of the return trip driving in Mexico.  Yeah, yours truly … consequently few photos were taken on the way back.

And yes, we were stopped many times at checkpoints along the way by both the Federal Police and the Military.  None questioned Dad's driver's license when Dana handed it to them while he was sitting in the driver's seat.

Everyone at the checkpoints was courteous and helpful contrary to propaganda.

Also, along the way, our oxygen bottle cap holding water was damaged so Dad could not get oxygen.  We therefore ended up at the airport in San Luis Potosi where airport authorities sold us their plastic oxygen bottle cup making it possible for us to continue driving back.

Then, when Dad's oxygen did run out we ended up stopping outside San Fernando at another Pemex gas station.  And again, the Mexican Federal Police came to the rescue.  They just so happened to be getting gasoline while we were there.  They called the local firefighters (bomberos) who came and picked up our empty oxygen bottle and took it to be filled before returning it to us while we waited at the Pemex.  How's that for helpful, friendly service!

Mexico, We Love You!

Stopped Near Victoria, Mexico

SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS

On our first night out from La Manzanilla we stopped at a Pemex gas station for the night.  However, Dad was unable to sleep so Dana accompanied him as he hobbled about the parking lot trying to get his breath back.  It so happens that the Mexican Federal Police complete with their heavy duty automatic rifles had also gathered.  Naturally, they inquired and to our surprise, they bent over backwards like melted butter to help us.  The Federal Police invited us to follow them to the Community Hospital of San Juan De Los Lagos to get oxygen.  From there, the Federal Police also escorted us into the Emergency Room and made sure Dad was seen right away (the Doctors did not speak English).  They even sent for an officer "Pepe" who spoke English and had him hang around most of the night to assist us in any way he could.  So, consequently we received the "red carpet treatment".

If you guys ever read this, know that we really appreciate your actions in helping us especially when Dad was in misery.  It won't be forgotten!  Thanks again!

We ended up staying two nights in the San Juan Hospital.  Dad had run out of oxygen and was unable to buy more until Monday morning so he was able to get oxygen from the Hospital at night to help him sleep.  Between the two days we camped outside and watched a series of soccer games.

Soccer

An All Day Activity

Dana did get a few photos in San Juan De Los Lagos but they do not show much of the center of old San Juan which is very interesting.

Waiting For The Oxygen Supplier To Open

Old San Juan Is To The Right

Wall Along Highway

Overlooking San Juan

Another View

Narrow Streets

MANZANILLO VISTA

Just a few photos taken during our return trip to the United States.  Photos taken from a road side vista overlooking the city of Manzanillo (in the Mexican State of Colima).

Overlooking Manzanillo