Monday, August 30, 2021

Recovery Day #63!

Last night I went to bed at 10:45pm (still raining), fell asleep quickly, Teresa called me at 1am to let her in, still raining, made a trip to the bathroom, returned to bed, woke/got up at 5am for another trip to the bathroom, returned to bed, finally waking at 6am and getting up at 7am.

It’s obvious Esmeralda stayed overnight sleeping in Teresa’s bed. Teresa feels better this morning but she still hasn’t eaten anything so we’ll see.

For breakfast, the ladies made scrambled eggs and a croissant for me, arepas for them. Teresa had a small plate of a few scrambled eggs and a corner of an arepa. She had a single bite of the eggs and didn’t feel like eating anything more. Now she’s taking a nap. Hopefully she won’t be retching later and can eat some more.

Esmeralda brought lunch from La Bahia. Teresa ate some of the soup and a few bites of salad.

Teresa stayed in bed the rest of the day. Didn’t eat anything more. Occasional retching but not as bad as the other day.

I texted Dr. Sierra that Teresa still isn’t eating and would rather stay in the hospital where they can care for her until she’s well enough to eat.

Esmeralda arrived at 7:30. We took Teresa’s temperature, but it was normal. Esmeralda got Teresa up and walking a little but still not eating anything.

I don’t know what time it started raining in the evening, but it was still drizzling when I went to bed.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 156,145 ð 156,885 ð 158,946 new cases and 1,280 ð 1,295 ð 1,348 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,141 ð 1,954 ð 2,006 new cases with 95 ð 68 ð 72 new deaths.  Medellin has 288 ð 302 ð 121 new cases from August 29^th to 30^th. Envigado has 12 ð 5 ð 10 new cases from August 29^th to 30^th.

T-shirt of the day

The only thing constant in life is change.

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Recovery Day #62!

Last night I went to bed at 10:15pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1am, was able to pee in the toilet instead of my AD, returned to bed, woke/got up at 3am, again peed in the toilet, returned to bed, finally waking at 6am and getting up at 6:30.

At 7:45 Teresa asked if I could pick up 2 paletas for her at Exito when I return. Just before I left I had her write it down and she asked me if I could go to the grocery store opposite Smartfit and bring it to her now. If she had asked me 30 minutes ago I would have had time. Now, I told her I have to leave to meet my friends.

I left the apt at 8:20 and met Glenn and Bianca outside Otra Parte at 8:30. We quickly caught a taxi to Terracina Plaza at Carrera 27 #35Sur-162. I stayed in the taxi while Glenn talked to a security guard. When he returned he reported The Waffle House was upstairs. We took an elevator to the terrace where we found the restaurant. It wasn’t even a garage restaurant, more of a closet restaurant. Still I had a decent waffle with syrup, 2 fried eggs, bacon (bits), and a cappuccino for 18mil. We received a voice message from Steve, sent 20 minutes before we arrived, informing us he rode his bicycle there but the security guard wouldn’t let him park his bicycle. He later reported he stopped at City Plaza on his way back and they don’t have a Waffle House there.

We walked to City Plaza (took exactly 17 minutes as Google Maps predicted). We checked out their food court and no Waffle House. They did have a Comedor de Chava and I asked someone working there the names of the brothers – Andres & Lucas. He pointed to Andres a few meters away. I explained who I was to Andres and to give “Saludos” to Lucas in Mall Laureles.

We quickly caught a taxi outside back to Avenida Poblado. I got out at Smartfit and Glenn continued on to La Frontera.

I stopped at the little grocery store and bought 2 “paletas” (popsicles) for 1,600 pesos and took them back to the apt for Teresa.

Teresa seems to be much better today, at least no more retching.

I put in my eyedrops, did my Kegel exercises then took a nap from 3:30 to 4:15. As I entered the guest bathroom (master bathroom toilet has a leak and hasn’t been used in months (years?)) I heard Teresa answer the door. As I was peeing I heard her talking to someone and also heard someone answer. In my AD I returned to the bedroom and got dressed. It was Esmeralda in full facemask. She brought some soup for Teresa but after a spoonful she started retching again. They left at 6:15 as Esmeralda took her back to the clinic.

Teresa called me to ask for our address. She called again a few minutes later to tell me she didn’t bring her keys. She will call me later to tell me what’s happening.

At 8:20 the downpour started.

At 8:40 Alejandro texted me that they need the name of a medicine that Dr. Sierrra prescribed. I should take a photo of it and Whatsapp it. I found two prescriptions which I sent to Teresa via Whatsapp.

At 9:45 Alejandro texted me that Teresa had blood drawn for tests and they gave her some medications with serum (?). I can go to bed but don’t turn off my cellphone because Teresa doesn’t have keys.

I went to bed at 10:45.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 155,365 ð 156,145 ð 156,885 new cases and 1,265 ð 1,280 ð 1,295 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,078 ð 2,141 ð 1,954 new cases with 81 ð 95 ð 68 new deaths.  Medellin has 288 ð 288 ð 302 new cases from August 28^th to 29^th. Envigado has 16 ð 12 ð 5 new cases from August 28^th to 29^th.

T-shirt of the day

Badness stole my hart.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Recovery Day #61! Today is exactly 2 months since my surgery.

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 3am, was able to pee in the toilet instead of my AD, returned to bed, took a while to fall back asleep, woke/got up at 7am, again peed in the toilet instead of my AD which surprisingly isn’t full of urine.

Just before 8am, Teresa left for another massage. I’ve had enough of El Tesoro for a while.

I left the apt at 9am and walked to the mall where I had breakfast at Habia Una Vez, printed some chess notes, recycled a couple bottles, made an ATM withdrawal and had coffee in Todo Fresa. About an hour later Teresa called and asked me to bring some medicine back for her ASAP. I called her from the Cafam pharmacy and Teresa talked to the rep. The medicine cost 123mil so it must be good. I returned right away by taxi.

Teresa is retching again. About 3pm Teresa tells me she wants to return to the clinic for more medication. I asked her if she plans on doing this every night. She called the doctor and he recommended something so Teresa asked me to go to the pharmacy for what sounded to me like “suelo” which I understand means “sky” or “heaven”. I had her write it down and it’s “suero”. She wanted 5 bottles and something called “omeprazol”. I walked to the pharmacy and handed them the note and they put 5 bottles of Pedialyte in a bag and I returned to the apt. When I took out the bottles the little box of pills wasn’t there even though I see them on the receipt. *#$($. I walked back to the pharmacy and told them the pills weren’t in my bag and they looked at me blankly. I gave them 3mil for another box and returned to the apt. Man, am I tired of the running around.

At 5:15 Teresa told me she needs another medication. I got dressed and she told me to hold on. At 6pm I sat down with my bag of peanuts to start the Bears game and she tells me she just talked to the doctor and the medicine she has now, that I made two trips to the pharmacy to get, is too strong. She also talked to the pharmacist and I can exchange the unused medicine I bought earlier for new medicine but it would be more expensive. I walked to Pasteur and exchanged the 3mil medicine I bought earlier for the new 123mil medicine using my debit card.

I returned to the apt by 6:30 and watched the remainder of the Bears game, with some buffering, with the Bears prevailing over the Tennessee Titans 27-24.

Glenn, Steve and I (and James Wilcox when he is in town) make up The Breakfast Club. Tomorrow we will be searching for a place called The Waffle House in Envigado. It seems to show up at 3 different malls in town but we think we’ve tracked it down to the correct one – Terracina Plaza at Carrera 27 #35Sur-162.

I think we only hit about 78 degrees today.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 156,296 ð 155,365 ð 156,145 new cases and 1,233 ð 1,265 ð 1,280 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 1,935 ð 2,078 ð 2,141, new cases with 93 ð 81 ð 95 new deaths.  Medellin has 318 ð 288 ð 288 new cases from August 27^th to 28^th. Envigado has 9 ð 16 ð 12 new cases from August 27^th to 28^th.

T-shirt of the day

Vanderbilt.

Friday, August 27, 2021

Recovery Day #60!

Last night I went to bed at 10:15, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 2:15, was able to pee in the toilet instead of my AD, returned to bed, woke/got up at 6am, again peed in the toilet instead of my AD which surprisingly isn’t full of urine.

At 8am I took my shower and finally changed my AD (10 hours without needing a change, nice).

We left the apt at 9am and again there was a taxi downstairs waiting for us. We arrived at Torre Medica 2 in El Tesoro by 9:30 for her 10am appointment for a 1-hour medical massage. The secretary told me to return at 11am. I was approaching the copy center when Teresa called me asking for something like “frasco de sur-e”, and after repeating I understood she wanted a bottle of Ensure. I use “botella” while she uses “frasco”, both meaning bottle and of course the Spanish pronunciation for Ensure is different. I walked to the pharmacy hoping they open before 10am when all the other stores open. They were already open and I bought a small bottle of Ensure for 7,500 pesos. I returned to the doctor’s office and gave it to her, still waiting for her appt. I returned to the copy center to have something printed. I then went to Santa Leña where I had a café con leche with an almond croissant. I left at 10:45 and on the way Teresa called me to inform me her massage was over, and she felt much better for it.

Returning to the apt in heavy traffic by taxi I reminded Teresa I have a 2:20 Urologist appointment tomorrow but she didn’t believe I would have a Saturday appointment so I Whatsapp’d the doctor to confirm.

Troyclough resigned our game increasing my rating to a personl high of 1584.

Dr. Castano answered that my appointment is today. Shoot! If I’d know that I would have stayed in El Tesoro.

I killed most of an hour then took a taxi back to the mall. The driver wasn’t familiar with the most direct routes so we had to go through the construction traffic before he took the Campestre route to the mall.

I arrived at the urologist’s office at 1:45 for my 2:20 appointment. The door was closed and locked so I sat in the general waiting room until 2:15 then went into the office. There were two other men already there waiting. I inquired as to their appointment times and was told 2pm and 2:30. At one point a tall gentleman came in, spoke briefly with the receptionist then went into the office (probably another doctor). I was finally allowed in at 2:45. What I learned:

1)  My PSA test result of < 0.010 confirms I don’t have any cancer in my body. This will be checked regularly with my next appointment to see him on November 26 at 10am. I am to have a PSA test 8 days before that.

2)  The reason I have a burning sensation when I pee is because they cut the urethra during the surgery and stitch it back up at the end. This will take 2-3 months to clear.

3)  Dr. Castano recommended I go for physiotherapy sessions to facilitate the recovery of my urinary incontinence. I understand there will be feedback for my Kegel exercises.

 

The secretary gave me the order for my next PSA text and my next appointment. She also wrote an order for me to schedule my physiotherapy sessions.

 

I went down to the 6^th floor and showed the order then took a seat for 10-15 minutes. The rep used a translator on her phone to communicate with me. The 3 sessions will be 267mil and the first one is scheduled for September 9^th at 11am. She suggested I bring a translator with me and my brother agreed to accompany me.

I made a trip to the restroom before waiting in a short line for a taxi. I noticed the driver heading down the mountain right away and I cautioned him there is major construction on Avedida Poblado by La Frontera and it would be best to head south as far as possible before hitting Avenda Poblado. This driver really knew the back streets and used a lot of them to gain an advantage, sometimes only a few blocks.

 

When I entered the porteria the portero handed me a New in Chess magazine I had ordered. This issue came directly to my Colombian address using the Postal Code of 055422 to expedite it. I don’t know if that code is exact for this area but it’s at least close. And I don’t have any idea when the magazine was sent.

I really feel sorry for Teresa as she has the dry heaves every few seconds. She asked me to text her doctor and ask if she can return to the hospital for more care which I did. Her doctor called and asked her to return to the clinic. Not knowing if we would be staying overnight, I quickly grabbed some things: cellphone charger, my eye drops, my paperback book, 2 extra ADs, and 2 jackets.

Couldn’t believe this would be my 3^rd trip to El Tesoro today.

Teresa arranged something because there was taxi waiting for us downstairs. We were soon back on the 4^th floor of the Quirofanos clinic.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 152,341 ð 156,296 ð 155,365 new cases and 1,165 ð 1,233 ð 1,265 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,448 ð 1,935 ð 2,078 new cases with 86 ð 93 ð 81 new deaths.  Medellin has 37 ð 318 ð 288 new cases from August 26^th to 27^th. Envigado has 13 ð 9 ð 16 new cases from August 26^th to 27^th.

T-shirt of the day

The Cherokee Indian nation.

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Recovery Day #59!

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1:30, was able to pee in the toilet instead of my AD, got caught up with my blog, returned to bed at 2:15, got up again at 4:30, changed my AD, returned to bed, finally getting up at 7:30.

Just after 9:30 I was dressing when I heard a knock on the door. Teresa answered and let some guy into the apt. I had just finished dressing as he left. I understand he gave Teresa one of her injections.

Teresa told me there would be a ride waiting for us downstairs at 10am.

We left the apt at 10am and there was a taxi waiting for us just outside the elevator.

We arrived at Torre Medica 2 in El Tesoro by 10:30. I wasn’t allowed in so I made a quick trip to the restroom then waited for her in the large waiting area.

When she came out she said everything is fine. Because of the nausea she is experiencing she is to stop taking the 3x a day pills. She thought we would return directly to the apt but I told her that doesn’t make sense as then I would have to take a taxi through the construction to Calle 7 for my 2pm eye doctor appointment. She returned to the apt and I went to the food court where I waited an hour before ordering a whopper from Burger King. The sales girl asked for my name and on the receipt she spelled it as “Teerre”. This is the first time in 18 months I got my soda from a dispenser. Those whoppers sure have shrunk – I wonder what a whopper Jr. looks like. 😊

I took a taxi to Cedimed on Calle 7 where I picked up my blood test results. My PSA is now < 0.010. I went across the street to the clinic and presented myself at 1:45 for my 2pm appointment. There was a short wait in the eye doctor’s office. It appears my vision is improving from the eye drops. 1^st, if I continue the drops will it continue to improve? 2^nd, when I stop taking the drops will it worsen again? We decided to delay an operation and continue with the drops and we’ll see. My next appointment will be Thursday, September 23^rd at 12:30.

My taxi driver took a number of back streets to avoid Avenida Poblado and we came out on Avenida Las Vegas just before Jumbo. I was back at the apt by 2:45.

I had to help Teresa change her AD although she doesn’t have to change as often as I do.

Teresa asked me if I would go buy some soup for her from La Buena Mesa. I asked her who has soup. Then she asked me if I would pick it up from her broher’s bar. She called someone and I guess he didn’t have any as she then suggested we share an order form McDonald’s. I told her I wasn’t hungry and she said how about I order two pieces of chicken for her. I suggested I order a whole chicken from Frisby (that way I don’t have to worry about food for a while). I did and after the food left Viva Envigado, Rappi wrote “completando otra orden cerca a tu direccion”. I waited in the porteria while I watched the Rappi guy go to several places in Itagui, not exactly close to my address. He finally delivered it 53 minutes after I placed the order. Something else new the Rappi app gave me a code to give the driver when he delivers the food. I guess that’s so he doesn’t keep it for himself and claim he delivered it.

When I brought the food upstairs Teresa no longer wanted it. Later I saw her cooking something in a pressure cooker so maybe she’s making soup.

Teresa is having a rough time of it. She walks around the house burping/retching but not throwing up. She says she wants to talk to the doctor tomorrow about returning to the hospital where they will feed her and give her pain medication.

I finished reading John Grisham’s A Time for Mercy.

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 151,441 ð 152,341 ð 156,296 new cases and 1,116 ð 1,165 ð 1,233 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,467 ð 2,448 ð 1,935 new cases with 73 ð 86 ð 93 new deaths.  Medellin has 314 ð 37 ð 318 new cases from August 25^th to 26^th. Envigado has 12 ð 13 ð 9 new cases from August 25^th to 26^th.

T-shirt of the day

Bad morning.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Recovery Day #58!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 4:45, changed my AD, returned to bed with a slight headache, woke/got up at 6:30, took an Excedrin, returned to bed, finally getting up at 7:15.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to the mall. I had some chess notes printed then had breakfast at Habia Una Vez. I recycled a plastic pill bottle, made a withdrawal from an ATM then had coffee at Todo Fresa. I stopped in Exito and picked up fruits and vegetables that Teresa requested then returned to the apt by taxi.

Not surprisingly, Teresa spent most of the day in and out of bed and burping up the anesthetic. I watched Red Dawn, both the 1984 version and the 2012 version.

Teresa is frustrating me with her medications. She only has three: one she takes every 24 hours, another once a day (lol) and the third every 8 hours. I wrote down on a piece of paper to take the first at 7am, the 2^nd at 7pm, and the 3^rd first thing in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and last thing at night. She even wrote it on the boxes themselves and she can’t keep it straight. And at 8:30 she asked me if she took her 7pm medication. I remember us talking about it just before 7pm and I can’t believe she forgot already. I checked the box and there were 2 missing from the clamshell packaging so that would be one last night and one tonight so she’s good.

Tomorrow she has an 11am doctor’s appointment and I have a 2pm appointment in the same building where I should be able to pick up my PSA test results. I hope we can fit lunch in between the two.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 151,227 ð 151,441 ð 152,341 new cases and 1,007 ð 1,116 ð 1,165 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,965 ð 2,467 ð 2,448 new cases with 98 ð 73 ð 86 new deaths.  Medellin has  367 ð 314 ð 371 new cases from August 24^th to 25^th. Envigado has 22 ð 12 ð 13 new cases from August 24^th to 25^th.

T-shirt of the day

Never stop exploring.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Recovery Day #57!

Well, I slept pretty well with the two heavy blankets on me. I went into the bathroom to take a shower but they didn’t have hot water so forget that idea.

Teresa sent me back down to the 4^th floor where I had to make another payment of 109,120 which I assume was for the equipment used for their first attempt to fix the hematoma.

They checked us out early and we were soon on our way by taxi. We had gotten about a mile when Teresa asked if I packed her pre-surgical clothes. Uh, no. I showed her my gym bag with the things and I guess they weren’t there. She had the taxi driver turn around and return to the clinic. I remembered then that her clothes were in a special white clinical drawstring bag. I went back up to the 5^th floor and easily found it in the closet and we were on our way again.

Teresa asked the driver to go slow to avoid any bumps and I commented she didn’t say that after my surgery and the driver got a chuckle out of that. The portero allowed the taxi into the garage so Teresa could exit closer to the elevator.

She went right to bed and rested for awhile while I got things organized.

Teresa showed me 4 hypodermic needles and I told her I hope she doesn’t expect me to give her an injection. I believe she called a nearby pharmacy and scheduled someone to come give her her shots.

We had two short thunderstorms come thru, early and late afternoon.

I tried accessing my test results but the instructions I was given didn’t seem to work. Since I have an eye doctor appointment in the same building on Thursday I can pick them up then.

Teresa started her several medications in the evening.

Teresa is sleeping in Laura’s bedroom because the bed is higher than ours.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 145,913 ð 151,227 ð 151,441 new cases and 974 ð 1,007 ð 1,116 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 3,416 ð 2,965 ð 2,467 new cases with 122 ð 98 ð 73 new deaths.  Medellin has 323 ð 367 ð 314 new cases from August 23^rd to 24^th. Envigado has 7 ð 22 ð 12 new cases from August 23^rd to 24^th.

T-shirt of the day

This is no time for boring.