The hospital bed...

Its pretty difficult to write an exciting travel blog from the bed with the only travel from bed to toilet, but thought I would continue anyway as I know a few people have been following from the start of the trip and interested in what may develop. I will try to keep the blog as interesting as it is possible whilst staring at a ceiling and refrain from updating it every five minutes to combat boredom.

My dilemma:

I have heard from a number of friends and read stories about the medical profession in India. Whilst I do not doubt that the country still retains many of its professionals, I know a lot have emigrated overseas to earn more money, and the economy is certainly after what money it can get. 

These tales may have made me somewhat paranoid but not totally unjust, but I do wonder if the some of the hospitals may try to take advantage of what could be very lucrative insurance work when a foreigner is injured.

I do not doubt that I have sustained quite a bad injury to my back and that it is broken, even though I can walk (when I am allowed).

I paid for the CT scan myself but thought I had better contact my insurance company when the doctor told me the results were not good and that it could be very expensive and that surgery would be necessary. 

The result to date show that the L2 is completely fractured right through, with a small chip to L4. The recommendation is to pin L2 maybe this week.

The doctor here seems very professional and his advice is (hopefully fully) in my interest, but I also think I would have more piece of mind with at second opinion at least. I have voiced this to my insurance company who will today receive his recommendations so I guess by tomorrow I will know if the surgery will be performed here or back in the UAE (if at all). I would prefer the latter I think as at least I know people over there.

I guess it all depends though on how the doctors report comes across. If he states that it is dangerous to move me and won't issue a release certificate then I could remain here. My insurers have said that they can provide 1st class tickets home or move me on strectcher if need be. They seem to offer a great service and time will tell if they are good to their word. I will provide details of both hospital and insurers during he course of this blog that may be of use to someone in the future.

I soon have to go for a scan to check the bone density to ensure that they are strong enough to hold the pins.

When I was admitted, I was put into the ICU, I had a small separated room off to one side but it was not enough to drown away the noises and smells that was being omitted. I also did not like the way I was being so closely monitored and that I had to be wheel-chaired to the bathroom. It was more frustrating as i knew I could.

However, I was last night moved to a single room which has a TV at the bottom of the bed and generally much more quiet and pleasant. 

I even have my own en-suite bathroom that I can walk to providing I ring the bell to let them know that I am using it. 

This may not last though as I could have surgery as early as Wednesday. They say that it will be a couple of days before I get the current comforts again.

I was wearing my GoPro head-cam at the the time of the crash. Quite painful viewing. I knew I had made a terrible mistake as soon as I did it but by that point, there was nothing I could do to avoid the impact. I showed a few of the guys when I was back at camp and the doctor today also viewed it. He wants a copy for his teachings. I have no problem with that. I just want a copy of the presentation as it will include all sorts of gory details including the scans, x-rays... Actually, I think I will ask him to record the surgery too. Should make great YouTube footage!

I am a little concerned with having the time off from work though as I have only recently been posted to the UAE. I can do some work from home but really its a hands on job and I am keen to get back to it. 

The other thing of course is that I need to be at work to accrue days and also VERY keen to go to South Africa for the comp in December but I have big doubts if that will be possible for me this time.

It just looks like i may have to do more comps next year...


I did not think I would be reading much during this trip so left my books behind. So, to pass time aside from the blog I am going back to writing (fictional story) which is something I have always enjoyed but not done for years.


Hasta pronto amigos...